How to Turn Your Yard Stakes into Epic Shadow Casters
Light up your lawn with shadows that steal the show
Whether you’re trying to spook trick-or-treaters or just add some creative nighttime flair to your yard, our metal yard stakes—like the zombie set—can pull double duty. Not only do they look great in the daylight, but they become dramatic shadow casters at night with just a little lighting magic.
Zombie Yard Stakes during the day make a terror graveyard scene!
Here’s how to make it work.
The Problem: Cool Decor by Day... but Invisible at Night?
You’ve got your metal stakes set up in the yard or along your walkway—awesome! But once the sun goes down, they disappear into the darkness unless you get the lighting just right.
The Solution: Use Lighting to Cast Bold Shadows on Your Walls
With a simple setup, you can turn your metal yard stakes into larger-than-life shadows that dance across your house, garage, or fence. Here’s how.
🛠️ What You’ll Need:
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Your metal yard stake decor (like our zombies, witches, or themed sets)
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A blank wall or surface nearby (house wall, shed, garage door, etc.)
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At least one outdoor spotlight (solar or plug-in)
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A few minutes of trial and error!
📐 How to Set It Up:
1. Place the Stake Between the Light and the Wall
Stick the metal decor into the ground a few feet in front of your chosen wall. The wall will be your canvas, so make sure it's relatively smooth and clear of clutter.
2. Set Your Spotlight Behind the Stake
Place your spotlight behind the metal figure, low to the ground, pointing upward and toward the wall. The further back you place the light, the larger (and more dramatic!) the shadow will appear.
Pro Tip: Move the light side to side or raise/lower it slightly to control the shape and sharpness of the shadow.
3. Adjust for the Best Shadow
Once everything’s positioned, turn on the light and take a look. You might need to move the stake or the light slightly forward or backward to sharpen the effect or get the size you want.
⚙️ Extra Tips:
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Double the drama by grouping 2–4 stakes to create a moving scene across the wall (especially fun with zombies or witches!)
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Use colored bulbs for a spookier Halloween vibe or to match your seasonal decor
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Backlight from below if you want a towering shadow effect that stretches up the wall
Durable Enough for Every Season
All our yard stakes are made from 16-gauge American steel and finished with a powder-coated weather-resistant coating. So once you find the perfect shadow-casting setup, it’ll hold up through fall winds, Halloween haunts, and beyond.
🎃 Ready to Try It?
If you've got our zombie set (or one of our many metal yard stake designs), give this a try tonight! And if you're new here, browse our growing collection of seasonal and year-round outdoor decor.
Thanks for supporting our small American and veteran-owned business!
