After the patriotic holidays have passed, I like to hang something summery on my exterior doors that will last until fall. I’m a believer that door décor isn’t just for the holidays!
While I love the red, white, and blue of Memorial Day and Independence Day, July and August offer an opportunity to showcase additional summer colors and textures. Sunflowers top my list of picks for these months. They’re cheerful and look seasonal all the way into October. Other great choices include hydrangeas, geraniums, daisies, and non-floral options like grasses, rope, shells, and starfish.
This year I’m working on sunflower baskets accented with red and white checked ribbon. The vibrant colors scream summertime and the sunflowers transition beautifully into fall. My inspiration came from Pinterest (of course!) and the original is included as the first idea below. Once my ribbon arrives, I can get to work!
For next year, I’m already planning to do something nautical. It’s a nod to being on the coast and I LOVE the anchor and buoy ideas (#2 and #8 below). But I’m also loving the hydrangea-lemon basket (idea #13), so who knows?! I have several exterior doors, so maybe I’ll do both and tie them together with a common element.
As you can guess, the hardest part of door décor is picking an idea. There are SO many incredible ones out there. We’re sharing 15 we think are pretty awesome. Our hope is that they will spark your creativity and lead you to your perfect design (or two or three…).
On with the show!
As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Sunflower Gingham Swag
The inspiration for my in-progress door baskets this year! The boldness of the sunflowers is accented with greenery and a darling red and white checked ribbon. Smaller flowers in red, yellow, and lavender acts as fillers, creating the perfect arrangement for summertime. It’s happy and bright and I just love it.
2. Navy Blue Anchor
Nautical without being kitschy, this anchor “wreath” is one of my favorites. Similar versions are available on Etsy, though the origin of this one from Pinterest is unknown. To DIY your own, paint a wooden anchor dark blue and wrap a length of jute roping around the top. Add some faux greenery stems at an angle and tie on a bow made from three different ribbons. You could also create your own color combination to best complement your exterior.
3. Lemon & Boxwood Wreath
Fresh and sunny, this faux boxwood wreath features just three elements! Find a similar wreath, lemons, and tiny white flowers at your local dollar or craft store. Attach loose lemons with hot glue or choose some with wire stems. You can just wire those into the wreath, avoiding the mess that sometimes goes with gluing. Tuck some white flowers in and you are done. It’s a look that comes together in just minutes, but packs a style punch.
4. Hydrangea-Eucalyptus Basket
Hydrangeas rank among the most popular flowers for both gardeners and florists. It’s no wonder, given their big beautiful flower heads and gorgeous color choices in blue, pink, white, and even green. Pair blue and white blossoms with eucalyptus. Add some feathery foliage and tuck it all into a charming basket.
5. Sunflower Pineapple Wreath
How creative is this?! Turn a bunch of sunflowers into a pineapple for a head-turning alternative to the typical wreath. Faux palm fronds stand in for the pineapple stem and a burlap ribbon with a yellow chevron print adds a finishing touch.
To make this door decoration at home, you’ll need a block of foam as the base for your pineapple, artificial sunflowers, faux palm fronds (which will probably need to be cut to size), ribbon, and craft wire. You can find a video tutorial here.
6. Red Geranium Bucket
A hallmark of summer, the geranium makes a bold statement in this cute arrangement. Red geraniums and boxwood grace a galvanized bucket with a flat back (designed for hanging). The simple burlap and black and white gingham ribbons offer a lovely contrast.
7. Buoy & Shells Door Hanger
I am stealing this idea for next year! A couple of buoys, sand dollars, and starfish, backed by simple trailing greenery. Hang it with some jute rope and you have a seaside look that will make you want to set sail.
8. Gerbera Daisy Basket
Bright and colorful, this big basket of gerbera daisies will make everyday feel like a celebration. Pack them in using different sizes and colors to create interest, and accent the arrangement with hydrangea leaves and wispy stems. A rustic basket holds everything together and keeps it from being too formal.
9. Mixed Summer Flowers Basket
This feels like a bouquet for a summer wedding on the farm – simply beautiful. Peach and yellow daisies and blue hydrangea form the bones of this design. Fill it out with trailing greenery, smaller flowers in different shades of blue, and tiny yellow flowers. It’s dramatic without being over the top.
10. Rope and Starfish Wreath
Sometimes the simplest things have the most impact, like this rope and starfish wreath. Just two elements make the perfect summer statement: welcome to the coast. Attach jute rope to a wreath form and glue on a few starfish. That’s all it takes to achieve this charming wreath.
While this one features rope coiled in a circular pattern, you could also wrap it around a foam or straw wreath form, which may be easier.
11. Hydrangea Swag
For a wreath alternative, try a door swag covered in multi-hued hydrangeas. Using a foam block for your base, add hydrangeas and their leaves, filling out the sides with additional floral, like green berries and wispy stems. Finish it with a burlap bow and fashion a hanger using wire covered in a narrower burlap fabric or twine.
12. Grapevine Burlap Wreath
Natural elements attached to a grapevine wreath form offer a gentle welcome. The key to this neutral wreath is texture. Grapevine, rope, moss, and starfish each offer a subtle change and keep things interesting. It would even make a wonderful Christmas wreath.
13. Hydrangea-Lemon Basket
This hydrangea and lemon basket captures the pure essence of summer. A single white hydrangea takes center stage in this creation, flanked by bright yellow lemons. Blackberry stems, ficus leaves, and fern fronds complete the lush arrangement. White jute rope brightens the wicker basket holder and a blue and white striped ribbon tops things off. Love it!
14. Moss Mushroom Basket
Amazingly creative, this one has lots of wow factor. DIY moss mushrooms, moss balls, willow stems, leaves, and drippy Amaranthus fill a vintage basket. Consider adding grapevines balls (sans moss) or twigs for additional contrast and texture.
Tip: stuff the basket with crumpled paper to prevent your arrangement from slipping down.
15. Garden Hose Wreath
One person’s old hoses are another’s fantastic wreath! Recycled garden implements get new life in this inspired design. Hose lengths in multiple colors secured to a wire wreath form create the foundation. A couple of old faucet handles attached to the bottom look like flowers, and a rusty old trowel creates weight and texture. Moss and succulents tucked in between hoses soften the look and enhance the organic feel.
It’s perfect for a garden shed and pretty enough for the front door.
Shop local yard sales and thrift stores for materials. The wreath form, moss, and succulents are available at craft stores or online.
Adorning your doors year-round makes a statement. It says your home is a welcoming and happy place. It’s an easy DIY project, too, that has the power to transform your exterior. Another plus: you don’t need to spend lots of money or time to create a fabulous look for your home.
Let your imagination guide your amazing creation – I have no doubt it will be a showstopper!