8 Cheap & Easy Ideas for a Patriotic Porch
Are you wanting to celebrate our freedom with a patriotic porch? Not only is this a classic Americana aesthetic, but it’s also a lovely salute to every person who has served our nation in the military, past and present. Read on for ideas that are cheap, quick, but look stylish and festive.
4th of July Porch Decorating
Although the above heading says 4th of July, at our house, we get things set up in time for Memorial Day weekend. We love celebrating America’s birthday, but Memorial Day is a special time that our family loves to honor those who have laid down their lives for our country.
My grandfather was a lieutenant colonel in the Army; my husband’s father was a captain in the Army as well.
We keep flags out just about all year long, but for Memorial Day and on, this is our time to take things up a few notches.
If you like to add a lot or just a little, today I’m sharing quick, easy, and cheap ways to get your porch ready to celebrate our wonderful country.
Let me share with you how I did it this year.
8 Quick and Easy Ways to Decorate Your Porch for Memorial Day
This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures for details.
1| Paint Rocks
We’ve done quite a bit of rock painting with our homeschool co-ops this year. We went through a 5-gallon bucket of rocks and still had some left over.
I thought these would be perfect for patriotic decor. Painted rocks are such a simple and creative way to add color and a personal touch to your porch.
I was a little worn out on the actual painting (though I did get 1 American flag design in), so I took a little shortcut.
All you need to do is paint a rock red, white, or blue. Let it dry. Then, put a thin coat of Mod Podge on it and add a patriotic sticker (I got mine at Hobby Lobby but Amazon also has cute vinyl ones! You can even use rub-on transfers, too.).
Once it’s dry, add another coat of Mod Podge (not a bad idea to use Outdoor Mod Podge), and done! They look so classy this way, in my opinion!
If you want to create your own designs, you can try painting stars, stripes, fireworks, and classic American sayings like, ‘God Bless America’ or “United We Stand.’
For extra durability, coat them with a clear waterproof sealant.
Where to display:
-
Tuck them into planters
-
Line them along your porch steps
-
Scatter them in your flowerbeds
This is a great project to do with kids, and your porch will look uniquely festive!
2| Give a Plain Wreath a Patriotic Makeover
Take a wreath you already own and give it a red, white, and blue refresh!
I used bandanas for a classic American vibe.
All I did was lay them out in red, white, and blue.
Then, I just tied them around the wreath form in a simple knot.
You could also use ribbon, fabric scraps, or even old t-shirts. Off-center the bow on the ‘corner’ or on the side for a festive look.
Display Tip:
Hang it on your front door, on the porch wall, or lean it against a planter or bench for a laid-back, country-style feel.
3| Hang Patriotic Paper Fans
These are such a fun addition and are super budget friendly. You can buy them at or make your own with scrapbook paper or cardstock.
In the past, I’ve hung these indoors on curtain rods. This year, I brought it outside and hung them on the porch wall and on a rustic window pane.
Ways to display:
-
Hang them from your porch ceiling
-
Cluster them on a wall or fence
-
Add a few to planters with skewers or sticks
4| Decorate Your Flower Pots
Giving your flower pots a patriotic makeover is an easy way to create inexpensive porch decor.
Here, I decorated mine and placed them in a long wooden tray and placed on a bench.
To create these (tutorial here!), I used paint, decoupage, and stickers, to add stars, stripes, or simple red, white, and blue designs. You can even use patriotic rub-on transfers!
This is a great way to reuse old pots or give basic plastic ones a patriotic look.
It’s a fun project for kids or a relaxing afternoon DIY—and it makes a big impact for very little cost!
5| Use Red, White, & Blue Pillows & Accents
Adding a red, white, or blue throw pillow to a porch chair or bench instantly brings in seasonal color.
You don’t need a specifically patriotic pillow. I grabbed some red ones I was using on my deck and brought them to the front.
You can even slip a pillow insert into a patriotic-themed cover for a quick and easy swap.
If you have any other accents in red, white, and blue – like an Adirondack chair or a plant stand, those coordinates wonderfully, too!
I usually have a brown Adirondack rocker on the porch, which I used at first.
I just swapped it out for one of my navy blue chairs that was in the backyard!
This little touch makes your seating area feel festive and adds another pop of color.
6| Plant Red and White Annuals
Don’t underestimate what flowers can contribute to a porch! In my opinion, a porch doesn’t need a whole lot more than fresh flowers, and I love that we can work that into 4th of July porch decor.
Red and white annuals like petunias, begonias, vincas, geraniums, or impatiens look beautiful in porch pots and bring in that patriotic color scheme naturally.
Plant them in clusters or mix them together for a bold and cheerful.
7| Add American Flags to Your Planters
This is probably the easiest decor idea ever—but it packs a punch!
Pick up some small American flags, and stick them in your flower pots, window boxes, or even directly into the ground around your porch.
You can even vary things a little by mixing flag sizes for a layered, festive look.
8| Use a Patriotic Rug
You can get a rug for super-cheap, and it adds a burst of color!
I got mine at Aldi for just $6.99!
This is a super simple addition to your decor that requires just about zero effort! Doesn’t get easier than that!
If you want to do just a teeny bit more, layer it with another rug. A buffalo check rug finishes off the Americana farmhouse vibe.
Bonus Decorating Tips
1| Mix and Match
You don’t need to do everything on this list—just pick a handful of your favorites and build from there.
2| Start Small if Needed
You don’t need to have of all this done by Memorial Day. You can add things little by little (lots of patriotic decor goes on sale the closer you get to 4th of July!).
You can find super-cute patriotic decorations for super cheap. Just add on slowly, as needed.
3| Use Evergreen & Multi-Purpose Decor
You don’t need to use exclusively patriotic decorations. See what you already have that is red, white, or blue that you can use. Or, what you don’t mind spray-painting.😉
Maybe a white basket for flowers or a red lantern or a blue flowerpot. Any of those items would be perfect!
Just incorporating evergreen pieces in red, white, and blue will immediately contribute to the Americana aesthetic without overpowering it with strictly patriotic themed decorations.
In Whatever Way, Celebrate America & Those Who Have Sacrificed
The point of these holidays isn’t the decorations or the BBQs or the kick-off of summer (though they are great!). It’s to honor and remember those who gave their lives for all the freedoms we enjoy.
Sure – decorate, have a BBQ – but take time to remember and let your heart fill with gratitude for the amazing ways God has blessed us here in America.
More Patriotic Inspiration
If you’re looking for more Memorial Day or 4th of July ideas, take a look below!
35+ EASY Patriotic DIY Home Decorations to Celebrate America
30+ Easy No Bake 4th of July Desserts (Red, White & Blue!)
Patriotic Wall Art Free Printables for 4th of July & Memorial Day
If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @100affections & I’ll share in my stories!
I’d love for you to join me on Instagram, too! I share lots more that I don’t get to put on the blog.
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
And if you enjoyed this post, I’d be so grateful if you pinned or shared!
