The Classy Way to Do July 4th Decor, According to New England Designers

Between the fireworks and barbecues, The 4th of July is one of summer’s biggest holidays (and hosting opportunities). But if we’re honest, the bold stars and stripes on a lot of party essentials and decor can feel a little out-of-place in an otherwise curated home and yard.

If you’re hoping for a setup your guests will love that feels more chic and less cheesy this year, try these classy ways to decorate for July 4th—brought to you by designers and stylists from the Pinterest-worthy New England coast.

Focus on Florals

Hydrangeas, Nantucket, and the Hamptons all go hand-in-hand—and placing a planter of these dreamy flowers on a porch or filling up a vase for your 4th of July tablescape is the perfect way to introduce the day’s staple colors and make instant impact while still feeling elevated, effortless, and East Coast-inspired.

“You can’t go wrong with blue hydrangeas in the summer; those big, overflowing snowball blooms are such a quintessential East Coast touch,” says stylist and home blogger Ann Couser Kittredge. “I love styling them alongside red geraniums, white petunias, and classic greenery for a nod to the 4th of July that feels charming, not cliché.”

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Less Is More

Less is more in a chic July holiday setup. Instead of going for the classic bright red, stark white, and royal blue, interior designer Susan Petrie recommends looking to your front porch and backyard’s blooms, planters, and structures as inspiration for florals, vessels, and more subdued and subtle shades of the patriotic color palette.

“The key to this aesthetic is to decorate with a relaxed approach that isn’t stiff,” Petrie says. “Think free from excess and orientation, and try to go from loud to low-key when working outdoors. Consider your surroundings, and embrace what is around you.”

Go Nautical

Whether it’s through wall art, cushions, or sculptural pieces, another staple of the coastal decor style is the use of marine motifs. Even if seafood isn’t on the menu for your 4th of July party, you can still bring the vibrant color, bold shapes, and nautical feel of lobsters and shells to your tablescape through painted platters, plates, place cards, and patterned napkins.

“Lobster just defines summer in New England, and when it’s paired with classic Americana colors and vintage charm, it becomes something really special,” Kittredge says. “For me, lobster is the ideal way to celebrate the Fourth of July in a way that feels authentic to the northern East Coast, and can easily be styled to feel elevated and festive.”

Lean Into the Vintage Look

If you’re hosting indoors this year, embrace the natural wood grain of your table, lean into linen, denim, or woven placemats and napkins, and bring blue and red in through details on textiles, ceramics, glassware, and vintage pieces of holiday decor for a coastal cottage feel.

Outdoors, Kittredge says you can bring the nostalgia factor with planters, pots, and vases.

“The key to this aesthetic is placing blooms in vintage vessels, old enamel pitchers, galvanized clam buckets, white ironstone, or even milk glass,” she explains. “The mix of weathered charm and fresh florals adds character and instantly elevates a table, porch vignette, or garden corner.”

Add Some Unexpected Red

The unexpected red theory has become a timeless styling tip for a reason: It’s a great way to make an area feel intentionally styled, considered, and eye-catching. And since red, white, and blue are classic shades to use for 4th of July decor, it’s also the perfect technique to use for seasonal decorating.

Put this famous theory into practice by focusing the main elements of your decor on the classic coastal color combination of white and blue through patterned dinnerware, linens, and outdoor cushions—and bring a pop of red through a natural element, like perfectly placed pieces of fruit or a bold bouquet of red roses.