How to Make a Floating Witch Broom That Glides Through Your Living Room — Step-by-Step

How to Make a Floating Witch Broom That Glides Through Your Living Room — Step-by-Step

Leoen Kervella
Halloween Crafts

The DIY Floating Witch Broom That Will Bewitch Your Halloween Guests

Halloween decorating has come a long way from the days of a few paper bats taped to the wall and a plastic pumpkin on the porch. Today, the magic is in the details — in creating those unexpected, almost cinematic moments that make people stop in their tracks. This year’s showstopper? A floating witch broom that glides through your living room as if it’s on its way to a midnight coven meeting.

The beauty of this project is how seamlessly it blends the worlds of craft and clever engineering. From a distance, it looks like something straight out of a fantasy film — a rustic broomstick with a bristled skirt of raffia, gently coasting across the floor under its own mysterious power. Up close, the secret is delightfully simple: a lightweight handmade broom attached to your trusty robot vacuum. The effect is so convincing that even in broad daylight, it feels like a little bit of witchcraft has crept into your home.

This guide will walk you through every step — from sourcing the perfect gnarled branch to fashioning a broom head that looks authentically old-world, to attaching it so it moves smoothly without tangling or damaging your vacuum. We’ll cover all the tools, tips, and tricks you need to make your version not just work, but shine. And because a great Halloween piece is as much about atmosphere as it is about the object itself, we’ll talk styling too — floating witch hats above, pumpkins smiling from the console, maybe even a ghostly scene flickering on your TV while your broom makes its rounds.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIY decorator who lives for October or a first-timer looking for that one memorable centerpiece, this craft is approachable, customizable, and endlessly charming. It’s the kind of project that will have your guests asking, “How did you do that?” and maybe, just maybe, wondering if you have a few magical secrets of your own.

So grab your glue gun, your twine, and that branch you’ve been saving from last fall’s yard cleanup. We’re about to make a little Halloween magic that will sweep everyone off their feet.

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Floating Witch Broom that Glides Across the Room

A complete step by step Halloween craft guide

Nothing charms guests like a witch broom that appears to drift on its own across the floor. The trick is simple. You create a rustic broom with a natural stick and a raffia skirt, then attach it to a robot vacuum with removable picture hanging strips. When the vacuum moves, the broom glides after it and looks enchanted. Below is a thorough guide that walks you from supplies to styling, with lots of pro tips so your broom moves smoothly and survives the whole season.

What you will need

Choose the exact items you like, but these searches will take you straight to the right aisle.

Core parts

  1. A natural branch or thick stick for the handle
    Shop natural tree branches
    Shop wooden dowels if you prefer a smooth handle

  2. Raffia or paper raffia for the bristles
    Shop raffia bundles

  3. Jute or sisal twine for wrapping the collar
    Shop jute twine

  4. A cylinder to build the broom head around, for example a tall snack can or a craft tube
    Shop cardboard craft tubes

  5. A robot vacuum for the motion effect
    Shop robot vacuums

  6. Heavy duty picture hanging strips with removable adhesive
    Shop picture hanging strips

Tools and adhesives

  1. Hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks
    Shop hot glue guns
    Shop glue sticks

  2. Construction adhesive or a strong craft adhesive for the handle joint
    Shop construction adhesive

  3. Zip ties for quick bundling
    Shop zip ties

  4. Sharp shears for trimming raffia
    Shop craft shears

  5. Painter tape and rubbing alcohol wipes for surface prep
    Shop painter tape
    Shop alcohol wipes

Optional finishes

  1. Matte clear spray to set fibers
    Shop clear matte sealer

  2. Brown or black craft paint and a chip brush for aging the handle
    Shop brown craft paint
    Shop chip brushes

  3. Mini copper wire fairy lights for a magical glow
    Shop copper wire fairy lights

  4. A small wood round or plant saucer if you want a stand for display when the vacuum is docked
    Shop wood rounds
    Shop plant saucers

Before you start

Spread a drop cloth or a large trash bag on the floor. Keep pets away from the work area since raffia sheds a little and hot glue is tempting but dangerous. If your vacuum uses a top mounted laser sensor, leave the top unobstructed. If it uses only a bumper and cliff sensors, still keep the front edge clear. We will attach the broom so that it rides just behind the bumper, not on the sensor windows.

Step by step guide

Step 1. Select and prep the handle

Pick a branch with character. A gentle curve makes the broom feel storybook perfect. Cut it to a comfortable height, somewhere between three and four feet for most rooms. Remove loose bark or splinters. Wipe it down and let it dry.
Optional finish. Brush on a thin wash of watered down brown or black craft paint, then wipe it back with a rag to highlight the grain and give it an aged look. Seal with a very light mist of clear matte spray if you like.

Step 2. Build a light core for the broom head

Place your cylinder on a plate or scrap board so glue drips do not stick to the floor. Stand the handle in the center of the tube so the bottom eight inches of the branch sits inside. Add a bead of hot glue around the stick to tack it in place. Follow with a ring of construction adhesive inside the tube to make the joint sturdy. Let that set while you prepare the raffia.

Tip. If your tube is short, extend it with a second tube and painter tape. The tube is only a form and will hide inside the broom head.

Step 3. Create raffia bundles

Pull long strands of raffia and fold them in half so the ends are even. Make several fist sized bundles. Cinch each one with a zip tie near the fold. The zip tie band will sit at the top of the broom head and will hide under the twine wrap later.

If you want a plush bell shape, plan for many bundles. If you like a wispy witch look, fewer bundles will feel right.

Step 4. Glue the bundles around the tube

Run a line of hot glue along the bottom edge of the tube, then press the first bundle in place with the fold line facing up and the loose ends pointing down. Hold for a few seconds while the glue sets. Continue around the tube until the first ring is complete.

Start a second ring above the first, offsetting seams so the broom looks full. Build rings until the tube and adhesive joint are completely hidden. If you like a dramatic skirt, add one more ring slightly lower to widen the base.

Step 5. Wrap the collar with twine

Cut the zip tie tails so they disappear. Now wrap the neck where the raffia meets the stick with jute twine. Start with a dot of hot glue on the back side, lay the twine on the glue, then wrap tightly and evenly in overlapping rows until you cover every visible zip tie and glue line. Finish with another dot of hot glue and press the cut end into the wrap.

For a vintage touch, tie a short length of twine into a small bow or add a wax seal charm.
Shop small charms

Step 6. Shape and set the skirt

Stand the broom upright and give the skirt a haircut. Trim any long strands so the bottom edge forms a soft cone. For a crisper silhouette, mist the lower half with clear matte spray and smooth the fibers with your hand while it dries.

If you want the bottom edge to flare, loosely tie a belt of twine around the skirt about four inches up from the floor, mist with sealer, let it dry, then cut the belt away.

Step 7. Prepare the robot vacuum

Place the dock and vacuum on a clear floor. Wipe the top with alcohol and let it dry fully. You want a clean surface so the picture hanging strips grip well but still remove cleanly after the season.

Look at your vacuum and note everything that must stay unobstructed. Leave the bumper, the front sensor windows, buttons, charging contacts, and a top mounted sensor lid free. The goal is to attach the broom where it can ride without pressing on the bumper or blocking anything.

Step 8. Position the hanging strips

Peel and stick two or more picture hanging strips together in pairs so they interlock. Stick the first pair to the top plate of the vacuum, a little behind the bumper and off the sensor windows. Press firmly for thirty seconds. Add a second pair next to the first to create a wider pad. For a larger broom you can add a third pair.
Shop picture hanging strips

Tip. If your vacuum is very sensitive to weight on top, place one pair on the top and one pair on the rear wall of the vacuum if it has a flat surface. That splits the load.

Step 9. Add the matching strips to the broom

Flip the broom and press matching pairs of strips to the inside of the raffia collar or to a small wood round glued inside the skirt. The wood round trick creates a firm pad that clicks onto the vacuum and holds the weight without crushing fibers.
Shop wood rounds

If you are using only raffia, glue a short section of craft stick inside the collar as a rigid pad, then add the strips on top.
Shop craft sticks

Step 10. Mount the broom and test the glide

Click the broom onto the strips on the vacuum. Place it so the skirt just kisses the floor and the raffia does not snag on wheels or the bumper. Turn the vacuum on in an open area. Watch the first minute carefully. If the skirt drags, shorten the raffia a touch. If the broom leans, add another strip pair for stability. Adjust until the motion looks smooth and magical.

Step 11. Add light or detail

Wrap a short strand of battery fairy lights under the twine collar and hide the battery pack in the skirt with a dab of glue on the tube. The soft glow looks great in the evening. You can also dry brush a little black paint on the stick to add age.
Shop copper wire fairy lights

Step 12. Style the scene

Place the dock near your Halloween display so the broom glides past your pumpkins and mantel and then returns to its perch. For extra ambience, hang a few floating witch hats from the ceiling with clear line and small ceiling hooks. The moving broom under a sky of hats feels straight out of a cozy fantasy film.
Shop black witch hats
Shop clear fishing line
Shop small ceiling hooks

Safety and care tips

Weight and balance
Your broom should feel light in the hand. Keep the handle thick enough to look sturdy but not so heavy that it strains the adhesive. If the vacuum hesitates, lighten the broom by trimming the skirt or shortening the handle.

Sensors and bumpers
Never cover infrared windows or a laser sensor lid. If your vacuum uses a top tower sensor, mount the strips to the rear half of the top plate and keep the broom offset so the tower can see the room.

Floor contact
Raffia should skim the floor rather than drag. Shorten it until the skirt just brushes over the surface. This prevents tangles and gives a floating feel.

Pets
Test the motion while pets are in another room. Some pets get excited and chase the broom. Invite them in only after you are sure the motion is gentle and the costume does not spook them.

Removal
When the season ends, follow the strip instructions. Pull the tabs slowly so you do not damage the vacuum surface. Any residue will wipe away with an alcohol pad.

Troubleshooting

The broom wobbles when the vacuum turns
Add another pair of strips to widen the pad. A wider base spreads the load and reduces twist. You can also glue a wood round inside the collar for a firm click on surface.

The skirt tangles in the wheels
Trim the skirt higher and give it a light mist of matte spray so the fibers hold their shape. Check that no loose strands hang near the wheels.

The strips will not stick to raffia
Create a small tab with a craft stick or a thin wood shim inside the collar and glue the fabric side of the strip to that. Strips adhere best to smooth wood or plastic, not loose fibers.

The broom feels too heavy
Remove one raffia ring and shorten the handle a little. You can also swap real wood for a lightweight dowel.

Make a display base for off duty hours

Sometimes you want the broom parked in a corner as a prop. Make a small stand so it does not tip. Glue a short scrap of tube or a two inch piece of PVC to the center of a wood round or a plant saucer. Slide the broom handle into the tube and it will stand upright without the vacuum.
Shop PVC couplers

Fun variations

Harvest witch
Use natural raffia and tie a few dried wheat stems into the skirt. Add a satin ribbon at the collar.
Shop dried wheat
Shop satin ribbon

Forest witch
Stain the stick dark and stitch in a handful of faux moss near the collar.
Shop faux moss

Glam witch
Dust the skirt tips with a little fine glitter and seal with clear spray. Add a thin strand of warm white lights.
Shop fine glitter

Little kid friendly version
Swap the branch for a foam dowel so it stays soft. Keep the skirt short so it will not trip tiny feet.
Shop foam dowels

Clean up and storage

Give the broom a quick comb with your fingers to remove dust now and then. After the season, pull the strips from the vacuum. Wrap the skirt gently with tissue and secure it with a loose ribbon. Store the broom upright in a closet or lay it flat on a shelf so the skirt does not crease. A small garment bag works nicely as a dust cover.
Shop tissue paper
Shop garment bags

Style the whole scene

Your moving broom shines when the rest of the room supports the story. Add a few classic pieces that tie the palette together.

Frequently asked questions

Will this damage my robot vacuum
Use removable picture hanging strips and keep sensors and the bumper clear. The broom is light and rides behind the active parts. Test the setup in an open area and stay nearby the first time. If anything feels strained, remove the broom and lighten it before trying again.

How long does this craft take
Plan for an hour to build the broom head and another fifteen minutes to mount and test it. Add extra time if you paint the handle or add lights.

How much does it cost
If you already own a robot vacuum, the rest can be very budget friendly. A found branch, a large bag of raffia, a roll of twine, glue sticks, and a pack of strips keep the total manageable. You will still have materials left for more brooms or matching accents.

Can I use hay instead of raffia
Yes, but raffia is cleaner indoors and much easier to trim. Hay sheds more and can irritate sensitive skin. If you pick hay, seal the skirt with a light mist of clear spray.

Does it work on rugs
It looks best on hard floors. If your rug is very low pile, keep the skirt short so it glides over the surface. Avoid fringed edges that can catch.

Wrap up

A floating broom is the rare craft that blends clever engineering with pure seasonal charm. The handmade head gives it soul. The secret mount makes it move in a way that looks like storybook magic. Use the guide above to create a version that suits your room, whether you lean rustic, glam, or moody harvest. Keep the skirt light and balanced, let the vacuum do the rest, and enjoy the gasp you will hear when it begins to glide. When the season ends, the strips remove cleanly and your vacuum goes back to normal, while the broom waits on its stand for next year.

If you make one, try filming the first reveal from the sofa while a spooky scene plays on screen. Floating witch hats above, pumpkins on the console, a gentle broom drifting by. It is a small production that turns any evening at home into a Halloween memory.

Happy crafting and happy haunting.

Closing Thoughts: A Spellbinding Finale to Your Halloween Decor

And there you have it — a floating witch broom that turns your living room into a scene worthy of a Halloween movie set. What makes this project so enchanting isn’t just the clever trick behind it, but how naturally it weaves into your seasonal decor. It’s not another static piece to dust off once a year and set on a shelf — it’s alive in the room, moving through the space, interacting with the rest of your display in a way that feels almost otherworldly.

By now, you’ve shaped the perfect broomstick, dressed it in a skirt of raffia, bound it with rustic twine, and given it the gift of motion. The end result is more than a prop; it’s an experience. It will delight children, surprise friends, and maybe even give your cat something to ponder. And when the lights are low, the witch hats are floating above, and your broom glides silently across the floor, you’ll feel that special kind of magic that only happens in October.

The beauty of this craft is how adaptable it is. Change the broom’s height, swap raffia for corn husks, add fairy lights for sparkle, or age the handle with paint for a more haunted look. You can make it rustic and witchy, chic and modern, or playful and kid-friendly — the magic is in the personalization.

When the season ends, you can detach it in seconds, store it for next year, and return your robot vacuum to its usual duties. That means no permanent modifications, no complicated electronics, just a simple and ingenious way to create moving magic in your home.

So as you settle in for an evening with your favorite spooky film, blanket pulled tight, pumpkins glowing nearby, and the faint swish of your broom gliding by, take a moment to enjoy the little world you’ve created. Because in the end, that’s what Halloween decorating is all about — crafting moments that feel like they’ve stepped out of a dream and into your own home.

Here’s to a season filled with creativity, laughter, and just the right amount of magic. Happy haunting!

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