There’s nothing like the excitement of July 4 celebrations — from the fresh-off-the-grill hot dogs to the fireworks at night, it’s a day to remember. How do you make the Fourth of July fun at home? Every person and family has their unique July 4 traditions that come to life at the height of summer. Some like to make it a grand event with plenty of fireworks and barbecues prepared days in advance. Others like to keep it low-key with hot dogs and burgers on the grill and a few friends and fold-out chairs.
Whether your Fourth of July party plans involve a small get-together or a big bash, we hope it’s a blast. As you can see, we’ve already gotten the party started, so if you’re looking for a few summer decor ideas to party in style, you’ve come to the right place. Go Fourth with flair!
4th of July Decorating Ideas
If you’re throwing a July 4th bash, there’s no need to go overboard — unless you want to! You can toast to American pride in good taste (and on any budget) with a few refined touches and some rockin’ Fourth of July decor. A square piece of felt, red flowers, and stick flags make a simple and stunning centerpiece. Galvanized-metal servers are always welcome. Then layer the look with a table runner, some color-coordinated plates, and a few red, white, and blue accents. Now that’s a table setting to celebrate.
Looking to give your table setting some cut-above charm? Skip the disposable plates and use beautiful ceramic ones in red, white, and blue. Patriotic-printed tablecloths can also dress up furniture to make it fit for the celebration. Use real silverware and wrap them up in something nice like white cloth napkins or the fancy paper ones you use for special occasions. Whether you fold them yourself or tidy them up with one of our stylish napkin rings, your 4th of July table will pop with color and a personality that’s all your own.
For some light-hearted flair, 4th of July decorations like blue-jean pocket cutlery holders make such a casually cool touch! You can buy them online at party supply stores or make them yourself if you’re keen on repurposing all the denim occupying your closets. Other charming DIY projects can be prepared in advance, such as a custom-painted cornhole set or cut-out paper stars that you can hang from a doorway or along your backyard fence. Now that’s American pride — tastefully served.
Summer Decor Ideas Beyond 4th of July
As you plan your party decorations, you may be wondering if these items can be used more than once a year. The answer is a resounding yes, especially when you get long-lasting outdoor furniture sets and summer home decor that can be adapted to other design concepts. For the best results, get a set in a neutral, solid color to easily customize it with different types of outdoor pillows and table centerpieces. Imagine how cute it would be to decorate a cream sectional with some stars-and-stripes pillows! Then, when the celebration is over, you can simply swap the 4th of July decor for something seasonally neutral, such as floral print accents.
Many items from our summer decor collection can do double duty as 4th of July decorations and seasonal home enrichments. Summer faux plants, summery area rugs, beachy candle holders, wall art, and a variety of accent pillows can seamlessly blend into your extra July 4th decorations and be kept in the home for the rest of the season. Planning your decor with long-term staying power will expand its usefulness and give you plenty of creative freedom in arranging your party accents.
4th of July Outdoor Decorations
Since the majority of July 4th celebrations happen outdoors, it’s important to spruce up your backyard, porch, or anywhere else you plan to host. Barbecues and pool parties are typical of all-day July 4 parties that end with viewing fireworks under the stars. And using the best July outdoor decoration ideas will really heighten the mood.
Need some inspiration? Make it much more of a bash by stringing cool, colorful garlands of red, white, and blue from the trees. The look is fun, festive, and very “garden party,” yet far from over the top. Prepare for when the sun sets, too, by setting up simple outdoor lighting like LED lanterns and strings of lights that can wrap around a gazebo or fence or hang off the eaves of your house. A slice of Americana is also welcome with patriotic wall art and decorative centerpieces placed around your party areas.
How to Set Up for a 4th of July Party
Setting up your 4th of July party can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. When it comes to your Fourth of July menu, there’s no need to overcomplicate it, as simple is often better. Good old-fashioned hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and watermelon wedges are all-American favorites sure to please. You can also prepare your smoker early for an epic brisket to be served at the party.
Whether your party will be simple or extraordinary, set aside enough time to make your party a success. Give your party an official start time on the invitations so that you know when you need to clean your house and set up tables, chairs, and decorations. The more work you need to do, the earlier you need to start. Then, all you have to do is wait for the fun to begin!
Simple touches make a party more memorable. Guests love having an “open bar” area where they can pour drinks. If you don’t have a dedicated bar, a relatively light bureau or an entryway table might be just the right height to make it work. Just be sure to protect your furniture with a waterproof tablecloth. Add a couple of bar stools, a touch of color, plenty of lemonade, and iced tea—and just let the good times flow. Make sure your drink bar is fully tended so that you can see to other things and socialize. Drink dispensers and fresh, fruity garnishes make self-service a lot more enticing. Small packets of snacks and juice boxes are always a win for kids who come for the bash too!
Did you just throw the most incredible July 4 bash? Share your fresh decor and entertaining ideas by tagging us with #MyAshleyHome on Instagram to possibly be featured on our feed! Find more outdoor entertaining inspo on our Pinterest!
