9 Fourth of July Party Decoration Ideas

Light up the weekend with a star-spangled lantern, red-white-and-blue tabletop, and more.

Luminary
Luminary

Secret garden night lights
Eden Rodriguez, owner of End Design in Santa Rosa and Mill Valley, places garden stake lights or a small battery-operated camping lantern under tablecloths.

To hide an electrical cord, she parts the grass, tucks in the cord, and stakes it with a U-shaped piece of wire. If you're using electric lights, keep fabric 2 feet from the bulb.

For extra shine, you can create a table covering from brightly colored ― and inexpensive taffeta. Use fusing tape to secure panels together and tuck unhemmed edges underneath.

Lawn stars
Lawn stars

Lawn stars
This Fourth of July, let a few lawn stars brighten up your celebration. They're ideal alongside a walkway or next to your picnic table.
> Get full directions

Festive Table
Festive Table

Festive tabletop for the Fourth
Here's a quick way to tap those patriotic colors with contemporary style.

Star luminarias
Star luminarias

Make star luminarias
White bags and vellum stars make festive outdoor lanterns.

Use a star stencil and colored vellum to make red and blue stars. Glue them to white paper bags. For beautiful (and safe) illumination, use a small tap light instead of a candle.

Hanging lights
Hanging lights

Hanging lights
Give hanging lights a festive kick with blue tea candles, then suspend them by replacing their hanging chains with red and white ribbon. It's your own, updated version of stars and stripes.

Pinwheels
Pinwheels

Star-spangled pinwheels
These patriotic pinwheels are easy to make and fun to see spinning in the breeze on the Fourth of July. All you need are a few basic materials.
> More: How to make party pinwheels

Chairs
Chairs

Chairs for the Fourth
For a crisp and casual accent, cover outdoor folding chairs with red-, white-, and blue-striped canvas fabric (ours is acrylic-coated so it won't fray).
> Get full directions

Patriotic pillows
Patriotic pillows

Patriotic pillows
These pillows, from L.A. textile designer Paula Smail, instantly warm up bench seating ― and would look gorgeous on your couch year-round.

Set a table
Set a table

Set a jaunty table
This place setting says Independence Day with a modern spirit that would make our forefathers proud.

Related:
>Your complete grilling cookbook
>Mix and match July 4 party menu
>Your outdoor party kit