Easy DIY Patriotic Outdoor Decorations

Do you need some decorating ideas for your summer patriotic parties? Summer is full of opportunities to embrace red, white, and blue. I have a few easy DIY patriotic outdoor decorations that you can make in a jiffy for entertaining.

It’s easy to use decorations from past years to make cute new patriotic decorations. I made these DIY decorations for 4th of July a few years ago, I still use them, starting with Memorial Day.

That’s the great thing about patriotic outdoor decorations. You can use them again over the summer. Just mix up the patriotic outdoor decorations, move them around, and bring in something new. They will all make great decorations for all the patriotic holidays.

Do you want to make sure your guests love your decor? Let me show you how to make some easy DIY patriotic outdoor decorations for a holiday party or for your patriotic decor.

These DIY patriotic outdoor decorations will make any patio or backyard setting extra special. The red, white, and blue decorations are easy, require few supplies, and can be made quickly. Entertaining has never been so easy.

Today is our monthly Celebrate the Holiday Blog Hop. Our theme this month is Memorial Day, but all these ideas will work for 4th of July and even Labor Day.

If you are joining me from Regina of Saved from Salvage, then welcome to a fun-filled opportunity to get a bunch of great ideas for the upcoming patriotic events.

Patriotic Outdoor Decorations – Easy DIY Ideas

It’s hard for me not to include some DIY items in any decor, tablescape or vignette I create. I love “getting my hands dirty” and clearing my mind during the creative process. How about you? Does keeping your hands busy clear your mind?

Red, White, and Blue DIY Stars and Stripes Pots

The idea for this DIY patriotic decoration began in the clearance aisle at Joann a few weeks ago. I spied these paper mache terra pots for 97¢. There were 3 and I bought all three.

If you can decoupage a real terra cotta pot, then why not a paper mache terra cotta pot? The only question is what to cover them with. In our boxes of patriotic decorations, I found a stack of stars and stripes cocktail napkins. Perfect.

I opened them up to see the whole pattern. I could separate the bigger stars from the stripes. Even better.

TIP: I’ve found that opening up the napkin first may reveal a different pattern than just the part you see on top or bottom of the napkin.

I cut the stars separate from the stripes.

Next, be sure to separate the design layer from the white layer.

BO-BOO: I thought I could apply the Mod Podge and napkin directly to the paper mache pot. I ended up with brown stars! After I scraped off the napkin, I painted the pots with Rescue Restore paint in Blessed as I had for my first decoupage pots projects.

TIP: My advice is to always paint your surface first before applying the Mod Podge and napkin.

Apply your Mod Podge (I used the Gloss version.) to sections of the pot and to the back of the napkin with a soft brush. I love using the Mod Podge brushes.

I didn’t tear the napkin for this project but cut it into large pieces, overlapping as little as possible.

I discovered that as the Mod Podge dries the overlapping becomes less visible.

Now I applied the red and white stripes to the top of the pot. I cut this piece to fold over the edge of the pot.

After applying Mod Podge on the inside of the pot – about 1/2 inch – I used my brush to fold over the napkin and adhere it to the pot. I let the pot dry and then applied a final coat of Mod Podge all over each pot.

Aren’t these cute? At this point, I wasn’t exactly sure how I would use them.  I let them dry overnight.

Stars and Stripes Pots Supplies

• 3 small paper mache or terra cotta pots
• white paint ( your pick)
• Mod Podge ~ Gloss, Matte or Outdoor
• 5 – 6 napkins in your preferred design
• Mod Podge brush
• scissors

Decorating the Terra Cotta Pots

When it came time to decorate our outdoor patio space for Memorial Day, the stars and stripe pots were ready for prime time. I used red, white and blue balls from our stash box to fill them.

The balls held a variety of patriotic decorations – stars, flags, streamers – that I removed from previous decorations. I love it when you can reuse patriotic decorations.

Here’s how I used the pots outside.

Easy Pillow for Patriotic Decor

For our loveseat, I wanted red pillows to go with our blue pillows. I found 1 yard of this red check in my red/pink box. With 1 yard, I could make pillow covers for 2 small pillows.

After searching the house, I decided this 12-inch pillow would be the right size. It is on the twin beds in our grandkids’ guest room.

These pillow covers would be temporary. I needed a way to make them fast, easy, and removable.

I also found a skein of white yarn. Do you remember my no-sew pillows made with dishtowels from last year? These pillow covers are even easier.

This fabric is 45 inches wide. I cut it lengthwise to give me 2 pieces 22 X 36 inches – plenty for my 12-inch pillow.

I placed the pillow inside 1 folded piece of fabric, centering it so there was an almost equal amount on all sides. I didn’t even iron the fabric first.

Then, I pinned the corners just to keep the fabric in place.

Now I got really clever. I used rubber bands to scrunch up the fabric and hold it together at each corner.

Once all 4 corners are done, you can adjust the fabric, center it, and tuck in the fabric on the sides.

Now for the yarn. I wrapped the white yarn around the rubber bands until they were covered. The yarn doesn’t just cover the rubber bands but also becomes a design element.

Then I tied the yarn in a bow and cut off the ends. Tuck or “roll up” the fabric on the sides

Supplies for the Absolutely No~Sew Patriotic Pillows

• pillow form or existing pillow in preferred size – either new or used
• enough fabric to cover both sides of the pillow +3 to 4 inches on all sides
• scissors
• 4 sturdy rubber bands for each pillow
• yarn or decorative ribbon to wrap and tie at each corner of the pillow

Patriotic Pillows on the Patio

Here’s how the pillows looked on the patio loveseat. Just the right color and I like how the check contrasts with the blue paisley pillows.

After the holiday, I can take off the yarn, rubber bands, and fabric. The pillows will go back on the guest beds. I’ll still have large pieces of fabric for another project.

Pretty ingenious, I thought. #randomactofdiy.

Patriotic DIY Decorated Candles

Candles for outdoor settings are wonderful for adding ambiance and, of course, light. In the summer, citronella candles are great for keeping small flying objects at bay. I had one small candle for our outdoor decor and wanted some more.

I love these tall skinny candles from Dollar Tree. Keeping several on hand is a smart practice.

The stickers on these candles are very hard to remove.

Goo Gone is the best product I have found for removing stickers on glass, mirrors, and dishes. Squirt some on the sticker and let it sit for a few minutes.

Remove the sticker and wash and dry the glass.

Since we had plenty of red, white and blue decorations to add for our patriotic outdoor decor, something more natural would be nice.

I looked through my burlap box and pulled out the adhesive-back burlap that I love to use. Rather than use part of a new piece, I had a piece that I could salvage and use the ends for my candle DIY project.

I measured around the candle and cut 2 pieces to fit.

Next, I pulled off the paper backing and wrapped it around the candle.

I needed some ribbon for color and interest. Which one do you think I chose?

You might have guessed the stars and stripes ribbon, which I’ve used so many times in the past.

I chose the blue twine. I thought the twine was a better match for the burlap since I already had enough stars and stripes in my patriotic outdoor decor.

The twine was free. It tied up the flowers my kids sent me for my birthday.

Supplies for 4th of July Candles

• tall candles from Dollar Tree
• Goo Gone
• scissors
• adhesive-backed burlap or wide burlap ribbon
• ribbon or twine for finishing embellishment

Patriotic Outdoor Candles

Here’s how my burlap-wrapped candles look at night. Aren’t they pretty?  The burlap is permanent, but I can always change out the twine.

You literally could make all these Memorial Day outdoor decorations in one day. If need be, I can use all these patriotic outdoor decorations inside the house.

What do you think of these patriotic decorations? They are all fairly last minute, use what you have at home, easy and very affordable. The only thing I bought new were the paper mache pots.

After you PIN this post, please visit all my talented blogger friends on our Celebrate the Holiday blog hop. You can start with Tammy of White Lilac Farmhousr and her beautiful wreath idea.