This Viral Dollar Tree Halloween Hack Turns A Cheap Plastic Toy Into A High-End Haunted Mansion
Get the high-end look for less with a simple crafting project that anyone can master
Key Takeaways
- Budget-savvy crafters are flipping cheap Dollar Tree dollhouses into chic Halloween decor.
- You can easily customize your spooky mansion using simple spray paint and battery LED lights.
- Viral tutorials offer inspiration for every skill level, from beginners to pros.
Haunted houses are a staple of Halloween decor, but they can be a bit pricey. Luckily, Dollar Tree makes it easy to have your own spooky mansion for less! Shoppers are discovering that a dollar-store find can be transformed into a haunted house—all it takes is a little DIY love. And it’s easier than you think. Keep reading for some inspiration for your very own Dollar Tree haunted mansion decor.
The TikTok that started it all
In a TikTok video that’s quickly going viral, one savvy shopper showed how she turned two plastic doll houses from Dollar Tree into a one-of-a-kind haunted house. “Create a spooky Halloween haunted house using Dollar Tree dollhouses and spray paint—an easy, budget-friendly craft perfect for seasonal decor,” she captioned the video.
Her DIY transformation comes together with just a handful items, many of which can also be purchased at the dollar store.
Here’s what you’ll need for her version:
- Dollar Tree dollhouse(s)
- Spray paint (black, matte gray, or dark purple recommended)
- Accent paints or acrylics for details
- Miniature Halloween props (skeletons, bats, pumpkins)
- Fake cobwebs and small greenery or moss
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Fine brush or sponge for weathering
Once you coat the house in your preferred shade of paint, it’s up to you to customize! The shopper even added some LED tea lights inside to make the windows glow. Talk about an eerie effect!
More creative takes on the Dollar Tree haunted house
Halloween fans are always looking for clever ideas to DIY their own decor using dollar store finds—and this haunted house craft is no exception! Shoppers have been giving the $1.75 plastic house a ghostly makeover for years. Here’s a look at some of the best.
Vintage charm meets Halloween magic
In a 2023 YouTube video, @TheCraftessa gives the house a fresh coat of French beige-colored paint. From there, touches of black and gold paint provide detail that help age the miniature residence.
She even transforms the inside of the house using leftover black-and-white checkered scrapbook paper as an eye-catching floor tile. Clever! Her choice of decorations? Halloween-themed foam stickers.
A beginner-friendly approach
If you’re looking for an easier way to get your very own haunted house on a budget, this recent Facebook video keeps things simple. Once the home has been repainted black, white detailing is added on the doors, windows and roof with a white paint pen.
To make it look truly uninviting, the crafter glued on some wooden pieces to make the windows look like they’ve been boarded up. A
A jaw-dropping masterpiece
Easily one of the most impressive Dollar Tree DIY crafts, this video takes DIY to a whole new level. The same plastic house is nearly unrecognizable after Queen City Minis combines two of them into a two-story residence and adds exquisite detail. Look closely and you’ll spy moss, shingles, tiny skulls and so much more.
Though most of us likely won’t be able to copy her impressive project, it’s still fun to see the finished product!
How to make a Dollar Tree haunted house
Ready to create your own Dollar Tree haunted house? Start by heading to your local store to snatch up one of the doll houses. With two unique styles, you can pick your favorite—or combine them to create a larger residence.
If you need some decorations for the finishing touches, Dollar Tree’s craft aisle has plenty of options. You will also find miniature decor and craft kits in the seasonal section of the store that will help you bring your ideal Halloween display to life.
No matter which style speaks to you, you’re sure to create a decoration that sparks joy for many Halloweens to come.
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