DIY Fall/Halloween Craft: Painted Ghost Doormat

Jully

Hey all! My name is Julia, former college student and a home decor enthusiast who loves DIY home improvement projects and finding creative ways to decorate any living spaces on a budget. Recently moved from my dorm to my new apartment which I renovated from scratch and I am here to help you with tips & tricks about home decor/college and more 🙂

(your cute, cozy diy fall doormat idea)

If you’re hunting for doormat ideas for fall, this quick project is it. In under an hour, you can paint a charming ghosty welcome mat that’s budget-friendly, mess-friendly, and super customizable. This tutorial doubles as a fall diy doormat guide—swap colors or motifs to fit your porch vibe.

Supplies

Blank coir doormat
Acrylic paint: white and black, plus orange/yellow/red/green for pumpkins, leaves, and bats
Paintbrushes: one small flat/stencil brush for pouncing, plus a couple of detail brushes

Nice-to-have: painter’s tape, chalk for sketching, scrap cardboard for testing, clear outdoor sealer.

Step-by-Step

1) Prep the mat

Shake or vacuum the coir so paint sticks well. Protect your floor—coir sheds a bit.

2) Plan your design

Lightly sketch a few rounded ghost shapes with chalk. Leave space for pumpkins, leaves, bats, or a short phrase. (Pin this for doormat ideas for fall inspiration later!)

3) Paint the ghost bases

Load white paint and pounce straight up and down so the color sinks into the rough fibers. Do two light coats for bright, opaque ghosts—this is the secret to a professional-looking diy fall doormat.

4) Add fall icons

Pounce black bats or a witch silhouette. Dot orange pumpkins (shade with a touch of brown/yellow) and dab red/orange/yellow leaves. Imperfect edges are cute on coir.

5) Optional lettering

Using a detail brush, add “Boo,” “Hey Boo,” or “Trick or Treat.” Outline first, then fill so it reads well from the curb. This simple step turns it into a personalized fall diy doormat.

6) Faces & details

When the white is dry, dot black eyes (and a tiny mouth if you’re team “adorable”). Add a wee white highlight for sparkle.

7) Seal & cure

If your porch isn’t covered, mist with a clear outdoor sealer to help with wear. Let cure overnight before greeting guests.

Pro Tips

Thicker, multi-surface acrylic grips coir best.
Two thin coats > one gloopy coat.
Keep it under cover for longer life.
Layer your ghost mat over a larger plaid rug for instant fall styling.

And that’s your painted ghost mat—simple, festive, and totally custom. Whether you’re collecting doormat ideas for fall or tackling your first fall diy doormat, this little project brings instant cozy-spooky charm to your doorstep.