Fourth Of July Cake Decorating Ideas

patriotic table with flag banner and place settings

Credit: Blaine Moats

Decorate your home in the spirit of Independence Day with our red, white, and blue 4th of July decorations. These easy decorations cover every July 4th theme you can think of—including flags and fireworks—and they're cute to boot.

Front Porch Decor

house facade with patriotic decor and Dalmatian

Credit: Jacob Fox

Don't splurge on expensive store-bought outdoor Fourth of July decorations; decorating your front porch on a budget is easy, even if you don't have a red or blue front door! We love the way the white wreath (perfect for other holidays, too!) ties together the simple DIY planter rocket in the plants.

Pretty Bar Fans

patriotic bar setting with red and blue fans hanging above

Credit: Kat Teutsch

Fans help guests stay cool on a hot day, but they can also double as DIY 4th of July decorations. Find tinted fans at a local crafts store, or dip-dye plain white fans in red and blue dyes. Then hang fans on a length of twine above your bar and add a spread of patriotic cocktails. Plus, our free printables make it so easy to set up the bar area!

Patriotic Treat Tags

4th of July ice-cream cones

Credit: Sheri Giblin

Turn ordinary picnic items into adorable Fourth of July decor with simple paper accents. We love the way these fun words and phrases turn ordinary ice cream cones ($2, Target) into festive Fourth of July desserts. Simply print onto plain paper and cut to fit your ice cream cone, then secure with a small drop of glue.

Patriotic Paper Lanterns

outdoor table with patriotic decorations

Credit: David Tsay

Red, white, and blue paper lanterns ($8, Walmart) become bubbly America-theme decorations over your dining table. Use a long piece of sturdy string and tie each of the lanterns onto it. Fold the string in half before hanging to create a layered look. If you're preparing for a star-spangled soiree, our free printable checklist will help you make sure you have everything you need.

Buy It: Multi-Size Paper Lanterns, $17.59, Target

Starry Night Decorations

two kids lying on the grass with patriotic stars

Credit: David Roth

Give your lawn the star-spangled treatment for a 4th of July party. Focus the stars near the entrance to your yard for a dramatic welcome. To make, cut a star shape from a piece of cardboard, or buy a reusable star stencil ($6, Walmart). Place the stencil on the lawn and spray the grass lightly with water. Leaving the stencil in place, use a flour sifter to lightly fill the shape with flour. Remove the stencil and repeat.

4th of July Buckets

blue life, liberty, and happiness buckets

Credit: Michael Grand

Share your patriotic sentiments with guests by labeling oversize buckets with large vinyl letters ($2, Walmart). Fill the buckets with ice to keep beverages cool during a hot 4th of July barbecue, or use them to hold boxes of sparklers.

Printable Patriotic Banner

fourth of july banner

Credit: Brie Passano

A bright Fourth of July banner is a quick decor fix for any kind of Independence Day gathering. Our free printable makes it easy to hang for a patriotic celebration—just print, cut and string! If you like the ease of printable decorations, try printing and coloring our free 4th of July coloring pages and hang them as signs. Accessorize red, white, and blue confetti ($7, Walmart).

Flag Centerpiece

blue florals in american flag bouquet

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Make the flag the star of your 4th of July decorating with this easy outdoor centerpiece. Tuck an American flag around the edges of a clear glass vase. Then fill with your favorite red, white, and blue 4th of July flowers. A base of fresh, juicy fruit doubles as a serving platter and adds pretty color.

Rockets Centerpiece

patriotic paper rocket centerpieces

Credit: Blaine Moats

Paper rockets blast off from a shiny sand-filled bucket in this fun Fourth of July craft. To make each rocket, roll scrapbooking paper into a tube and secure with glue. For the nose cone, cut a slit to the center of a paper circle; overlap ends and adhere together using glue. Glue a ribbon strip inside the rocket to resemble a fuse, and glue a long dowel inside the tube to support the rocket.

Mini Flag Banner

patriotic table with flag banner and place settings

Credit: Blaine Moats

A simple flag banner is always a classic Fourth of July decoration, perfect for any style of gathering! Purchase or print out small paper flags, and use clips or clothespins to attach the flags to a long piece of twine or ribbon.

Paper Pinwheel Wreath

red white and blue paper pinwheels

Credit: Carson Downing

Make a bright and fun Fourth of July pinwheel wreath in just minutes! Make small paper pinwheels from double-sided scrapbook paper, then use glue to attach the pinwheels to an embroidery hoop. Hang the finished wreath on the front door, or use it as a festive piece of wall decor.

Sparkler Decorations

sparkler patriotic decorations

Credit: Brie Passano

Dress up sparklers ($13, Walmart) and set them out as table decorations. Our free printable tags are fun additions to this Fourth of July staple; just print, cut and attach to the sparklers. We love the way they look mixed in with red and blue confetti!

Sweet Spoon Stamps

4th of July stamped wooden spoons

Credit: Blaine Moats

Make digging into the 4th of July feast a touch sweeter by decorating plain wooden utensils with red and blue ink stamps to adorn the handles of each utensil with stars, stripes, and other patriotic designs.

Fireworks Popcorn Bucket

Patriotic Snack Carrier

Credit: Helen Norman

Make a colorful container for carting treats to the fireworks display. Cover unused paint cans ($16 for 6, Walmart) with red, white, and/or blue scrapbooking paper, and supply the kids with stickers and markers to personalize their cans. Line the inside of the can with a large plastic bag before filling with homemade snack mix or another easy finger-food.

Patriotic Bandana Wreath

finished red white and blue bandana wreath

Credit: Jason Donnelly

This Fourth of July bandana wreath is simple to make, and it's pretty inexpensive. All you need are red and blue bandanas ($4, Target) and a plain hoop wreath. Plus it's easy for the kids to help, so you can keep them busy while you prepare for the holiday.

Flag-Theme Centerpiece

tiny flag centerpiece with vase and candle inside

Credit: Marty Baldwin

About 300 miniature flags make up this eye-catching centerpiece. It's easier to make than you might think. Just wrap a foam wreath form in crepe paper, then insert flags until the wreath is covered for this simple 4th of July centerpiece.

Red, White, and Blue Picnic Servers

red, white, and blue striped buckets

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Spice up recycled containers (oatmeal containers work well) with scrapbooking paper to make simple utensil holders. Cut paper to size, and use a glue stick to adhere to the outside of each container. Purchase a small amount of chalkboard paint ($7, Target) to make easy labels.

Editor's Tip: Short on time? Use premade chalkboard labels ($5, Walmart) instead.

Dessert Decor

patriotic Blueberry bars

Credit: Sheri Giblin

Add a little pizzazz to your treats table with festive toothpicks. Look for premade picks at a grocery or crafts store. Or make your own by printing shapes on cardstock, cutting them out, and taping to the tops of toothpicks. These little red, white, and blue flags are also great for differentiating your patriotic desserts this holiday.

Red, White, and Blue Flowerpots

red, white, and blue flower pots

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Add patriotic pops of color to your 4th of July bash. Fill painted pots with red, white, and blue summer flowers, and line them up on your front stoop or deck.

Pretty 4th of July Pinwheels

patriotic pinwheels in the grass

Credit: David Tsay

Swirling red, white, and blue pinwheels mimic the fireworks you'll see later in the day. These decorations are perfect for lining a walkway or filling a tall vessel. They also make great DIY party favors! Our free pinwheel pattern makes it so easy to create these decorations.

Bicycle Decor

Bikes decorated for 4th of July

Credit: Gretchen Easton

Don't limit your Fourth of July decorations to your home or backyard! We love the way a few simple stars transform an ordinary bicycle into a fun, patriotic display. Simply cut stars from colorful cardstock and weave them through the spokes of your bike. Secure with a strip of tape. Perfect for a Fourth of July parade, or just a ride around the neighborhood!

Bandanna Table Runner

patriotic bandana table runners

Credit: David Tsay

Give your picnic table a 4th of July makeover with patriotic table decorations. A runner of neatly pressed bandannas in hues of blue and white looks fresh, especially when paired with pretty floral centerpieces.

4th of July Napkin Ring

Sparklers and Ribbons Napkin Rings

Credit: Blaine Moats

Upgrade your 4th of July summer dinner table with patriotic place settings. Attach one end of a 12-inch piece of festive striped ribbon to the flat side of a D ring; secure with glue. Layer a box of sparklers on top of a dinner napkin, and wrap with your ribbon loop.

Firecracker Garland

This so-easy DIY 4th of July decoration costs only a few bucks but makes a big impact. All you need to create the garlands are a few basic crafts supplies—twine, tissue paper, crepe paper—and a little bit of patience.

4th of July Water Bottles

american flag water bottles

Credit: John Bessler

Wrap small flags around water bottles for an incredibly simple way to add 4th of July spirit. Plastic or fabric flags work best—paper flags will wither as the water condenses.

4th of July Flowers and Candles

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Top your July 4th tablescape with a few patriotic decorations—like these homemade candleholders and vases. Make these centerpieces your own with red, white, and blue patterned paper ($16, Walmart). Simply attach to the clear vessels using adhesive.

4th of July Chair Cover

4th of july decorative chair cover

Credit: Blaine Moats

Add July 4th flair to your chairs with cloth napkin slipcovers. To make, fold a napkin in half and iron to crease. Cut four pieces of red, white, and blue ribbon ($11, Walmart), then glue one inside each napkin corner. Tie to close. Hot-glue or stitch red cording to spell "4th," and you're done!

Editor's Tip: Use any cording scraps to add firework bursts to your chair covers.

Blue Glassware Centerpiece

blue glassware centerpiece with red flowers

Credit: Helen Norman

A collection of blue bottles and drinking glasses makes a charming 4th of July centerpiece, especially when filled with red, white, and blue flags or flowers. Tie the look together with a colorful table runner and fresh berry pie!

4th of July Lantern Table Setting

July 4th Lantern Centerpiece

Credit: John Bessler

For unique DIY 4th of July decorations, spray-paint matching antiques or thrift store finds with metallic red, white, or blue paint. Pair them with American flags and color-coordinated flowers for a table setting that's ready in no time!

USA Letters

patriotic letters on mantel

Credit: Steven McDonald

Show your American pride with these colorful letters. Buy plain wooden letters ($5, Michaels) and get creative with red, white, and blue acrylic paint. Mix and match solid colors with stars and stripes.

Editor's Tip: Looking to save these for years to come? Coat the letters with polyurethane for durability.

4th of July Lanterns

red, white, and blue lantern with firework design

Credit: Blaine Moats

Illuminate the outdoors with festive Fourth of July decorations. Search for fireworks-pattern lanterns, or create your own with stencil designs atop large white paper lanterns ($10, Michaels). Once you've mastered the technique, try making a fireworks cake roll!

Editor's Tip: Unfold the lantern a day in advance to stretch it out for easier decorating.

Labeled Serving Buckets

metal bucket of strawberries with label

Credit: John Bessler

Get your red, white, and blue on at the dinner table this year—even plain buckets can get dressed up for the 4th of July! Use sticker labels or make your own with fun sayings like Yum! or Enjoy! Attach a label to the front of each bucket. Fill the buckets with whole fresh fruits, or use them to display delicious strawberry dessert recipes.

Flag Napkin Ring

american flag napkin ring

Credit: John Bessler

Create a fun and easy 4th of July table setting with purchased miniature American flags ($10 for 12, Walmart). Just wrap each flag around a table napkin, pin in place, and your party place setting is ready.

4th of July Flags

flag ribbon decorations in mason jar

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Make your own 4th of July flags! Purchase wooden skewers and a spool of flag-print ribbon ($10, Michaels) at your local crafts store. Wrap a 3-inch length of ribbon around the top of each skewer; secure with tape.

DIY Bunting

patriotic striped fabric bunting around railing

Credit: Edmund Barr

Add bunting to your porch to welcome guests this 4th of July. Buy several yards of patriotic-pattern fabric (determine length based on where the bunting will hang). Starting at one end, gather the fabric about every 24 inches and secure the gathers using red, white, or blue yarn. Use the same color of yarn to attach the patriotic bunting to a porch rail.

Patriotic Table Edging

white table edged with patriotic pleated streamer ruffle

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Turn a plain table into something special for your 4th of July celebration. To make, apply double-stick tape to the table edge to hold a red, white, and blue crepe paper streamer ($5, Walmart) in place.

Editor's Tip: Pleat the streamer by pinching the top of it all around the table. If necessary, secure the pleats with tape.

Three-Vase Patriotic Centerpiece

Striped lantern centerpieces

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Transform red-white-and-blue striped paper lanterns into 4th of July centerpieces for your table. Just slip each lantern over a clear glass, and tuck a handful of white blooms inside.

Editor's Tip: A solid background—such as a blue table runner—will make these decorations pop.

Red, White, and Blue Fan Favors

Red, White, Blue Flower fan Centerpiece

Credit: Blaine Moats

Paper fans help guests keep cool at outdoor summer parties. These darling ones add patriotic flair to any event. Insert sturdy straws or dowels between the ends of opened mini decorative paper fans ($2, Michaels). Glue a circle of firework-pattern paper to the center.

Editor's Tip: Find fans at a local party supply store; look for fans that are intended to hang by a string.

4th of July Flower Centerpiece

mason jar Flag Flower Centerpiece

Credit: John Bessler

Your 4th of July decorating ideas don't have to be complicated. This fun centerpiece takes just minutes to pull together. Fill a clear Mason jar with fresh red, white, or blue flowers, and add a miniature American flag to finish.

Festive Flag Wreath

4th of july wreath with american flags

Credit: John Bessler

This rustic summer wreath adds instant patriotic charm to your front door. Wrap rope around a lifesaving ring or wreath base using hot glue to secure. Then add a few American flags for a touch of U.S. decor.

Lemon Boat Place Cards

festive lemon boat place cards

For any gathering that includes a meal, consider adding this fun 4th of July serving idea for each guest as part of your decor. These lemon boats are too cute for words—make one for each place at the table, or set them out at the drink station. Guests can use the lemons to squeeze into their beverages, and they'll love the red and blue touch!

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