: A common technique is taking a Dollar Tree dollhouse or wooden blank and transforming it with black paint and "dry brushing"—lightly applying a lighter color like gray to create a dusty, aged look.

These are popular DIY projects that use everyday or inexpensive materials to create detailed, spooky displays.

: You can cut house shapes from recycled boxes, hot glue them together, and paint them matte black. Using irregular, "imperfect" shapes for windows and roofs adds to the spooky vibe.