14 Easy Patriotic & Memorial Day Decorating Ideas

With summer quickly approaching, our minds begin to dream of sun-filled days, pool parties, and summer vacations – woohoo!! And Memorial Day is the official kick-off to all things “summer,” and a reminder to all of us to be thankful for this season of luxurious freedoms. So, what better way to honor our soldiers and veterans who have sacrificed their lives to bless our’s. Here are 14 Easy Patriotic & Memorial Day Decorating Ideas (that won’t break the bank).

***NOTE***This post contains affiliate links which means that I will receive a small compensation if you purchase something from these links. Please see my privacy and disclosure policies below for more info. Thanks for your support!! 🙂

14 EASY PATRIOTIC & MEMORIAL DAY DECORATING IDEAS

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

The great thing about decorating with patriotic home decor, is that you can use it ALL summer long!!

It’s a perfect way to honor our veterans on Memorial Day, celebrate our nation’s independence on Fourth of July, and to bless our working freedoms on Labor Day!!

SECOND:

Patriotic decor is not intended for outdoor celebrations and pool parties ONLY.

Use your red, white, and blue accessories indoors too, so that you can enjoy them on a daily basis.

Then when it’s time to host your Fourth of July bash, move some of your decorations outside!

Voila – instant backyard bbq & pool party!!

THIRD:

The Patriotic “season” is meant to give off a relaxed, family-friendly and time of gathering – style.

So use items you have on hand to decorate with, and turn them into DIY projects.

These decorations are meant to be non-fussy, inexpensive (yes- please!) and kid-friendly.

This year – I spent – wait for it – a total of $3.00 + tax!!

Now, with that said…. I do have a lot of “stuff” that I keep on hand (LOL), and have used in the past.

But in this post, I will give you some ideas to get you started, and get those DIY creative minds going!!

So who’s ready??

14 EASY PATRIOTIC & MEMORIAL DAY DECORATING IDEAS

RIBBONS – Hobby Lobby red check
BOWS
FLAGS
BANDANAS
BOWLS – Blue Bell Creameries (mine)
TISSUE PAPER – cupcake stands
MASON JARS
THROW PILLOWS – oblong
FABRIC – Hobby Lobby Red Check & Bandana Check
RIC RAC TRIM – Hobby Lobby 1.1 inch x 9ft.
BUCKET
SAND – here
PAPER LANTERNS
UMBRELLAS (PAPER) – Hobby Lobby

14 EASY PATRIOTIC & MEMORIAL DAY DECORATING IDEAS

NO. 1 – RIBBONS

Use wide, red striped ribbon or another pattern that you love, to drape across your staircase railings.

Simply tie it around the banisters, or secure it with floral wire to keep in place.

My ribbon is actually a fabric ribbon….but I guess it is now discontinued at Hobby Lobby. 🙁

They do have a ton of burlap and other red check ribbon that would work though.

I used 2 rolls of ribbon for my stairs, and I tied them together in the middle.

The ribbons add a little pop of color, and hang loosely to give a more casual look to our entry.

NO. 2 – BOWS

Use small and large bows to dress up plain decorations, and to add texture.

If you’re not a “bow” person, you can always just tie ribbon in a knot.

Use one ribbon for a cleaner look, and use multiple ribbons for a little drama.

I used 2 larger bows for my staircase newel posts, and a smaller bow for my American Flag throw pillow.

On the larger bows, I added some beads and star accents (Hobby Lobby) for a little shimmer.

And for the throw pillow, I attached the bow to a wooden star and heart.

*Sidebar* ….. I have had that throw pillow for.ev.ER!! & it had a little stain I couldn’t get out.

So, I needed a little something to cover it up – LOL!!

NO. 3 – FLAGS

Using flags is a very inexpensive way to decorate for Memorial Day and Fourth of July, and is also meaningful!

What better way to honor our soldiers and veterans, and to celebrate our nation’s freedom than with our American Flag.

I always use a combination of flag sizes, and I love to use them in multiple groupings.

This year I placed them in a large blue striped vase that doubles as an umbrella holder (floor level), and on my console table & dining table (eye level).

NO. 4 – BANDANAS & NO. 5 – BOWLS

There are a like a million (LOL!!) ways to use bandanas for patriotic decorating ideas, that are also very budget-friendly!

Use them for wreaths, banner garland, table covers, throw pillows and more.

For this idea, take a red bandana and fold it into 4’s – so it looks like a square.

Then turn it to make a diamond shape. Pinch the bottom portion of your “diamond” and let the bandana “fluff” out.

You might have to gently pull some of the folded portions, to make it look pretty.

Then simply stick into a cute farmhouse bowl (like my Blue Bell Ice Cream Bowls), or bowls you already own.

These would look adorable on a patriotic tablescape, as your table setting for each guest.

Then they can actually use the bandana as their dinner napkin.

You can always just set cute bowls out as a more casual table centerpiece.

Sometimes more natural decor looks the best – just depends on what your style is.

NO. 6 – TISSUE PAPER & NO. 7 – MASON JARS

The tissue paper mason jar (jelly jar) decor is very similar to the bandana bowl.

The jelly jar is just a little smaller than the mason jar, and I like to use a little variety when decorating.

Take a red piece of tissue paper and cut in half length-wise.

Then you will grab and “pinch” the tissue paper in the middle (like the bandana – just don’t fold at all), and fluff.

Leave them as is, prop them onto a little cupcake stand, or add a ribbon and some patriotic picks.

They add just a little height and color, and a touch of whimsy to keep the decorations fun.

And on the small white stand…..below.

I added some mason jars with white flowers also, to give a little movement to the table decoration.

I kept mine plain, but you could add raffia or jute to keep these looking natural.

NO. 8 – THROW PILLOWS

Use American Flag pillows, red or blue striped pillows, or make your own pillow – FABRIC pillow hack (see NO. 9) to entry benches, dining room chairs, or kitchen banquettes.

They bring in a little extra cheer to your patriotic decorations, and are just plain cute!!

NO. 9 – FABRIC & NO. 10 – TRIM (THROW PILLOW HACK)

I’m definitely all about “faking” things out when you need a quick, decorating fix.

So, these fabric and rick rack trim throw pillows (hacks) are perfect.

Basically, take a plain pillow (18 ” or 20″), a piece of fabric (38″L x 44″W), some trim (1 roll – 9 ft), hot glue, and a couple of stick pins – and you’ve got a diy patriotic pillow.

***TIP*** When you’re done using the fabric as pillow accents, use them as table runners!! Win-Win!!

****NOTE*** DO NOT USE THESE AS REGULAR THROW PILLOWS!!! THE PINS MIGHT POKE PEOPLE!!

Cut fabric in half LONG WAYS. So, now you will have 2 pieces (19″L x 44″W) – like piece ABOVE.
Hot glue ric rac trim to one side (or both if you prefer) to the LONG (44″W) side.

Fold in half (SEE BELOW)….but maybe leave like an inch over to hide fringed area (that you cut).
Cover pillow and pin in the back.

Back side….below.

Back side again……below.

The red ones…..

The bandana check ones without trim…..

****NOTE*** DO NOT USE THESE AS REGULAR THROW PILLOWS!!! THE PINS MIGHT POKE PEOPLE!!

NO. 11 – BUCKET & NO. 12 – SAND

Take a bucket, fill it 1/4 – 1/2 full with play sand, and use it to hold flower stems and flags.

The sand will also help keep table covers weighted down (if using these as outdoor centerpieces).

***TIP*** You can also fill red solo plastic cups with sand, stick the small flags in, and use these to decorate and weigh down table covers also.

Stick a couple of floral stems and greenery into your sand.

Here it is with floral stems only….below.

Here it is with a couple of flags stuck into the sand also.

NO. 13 – PAPER LANTERNS

These patriotic paper lanterns were my big splurge this year – LOL – a whopping $3.00!!! And worth every penny! What do you think?

Hang them indoors on jute string above a mirror, on staircases, in niches, or hang them under a tree outdoors.

I love these things!!

N0. 14 – PAPER UMBRELLAS

Aren’t these red paper umbrellas so fun?? They add just a little whimsy to the traditional red, white, and blue color palette, and a nod to nautical decor.

Fill an umbrella stand with a couple of red, white, or blue umbrellas to add a little patriotic decor to your entry.

Or just prop a red umbrella up against the wall or by an entry bench like mine.