How to Decorate a Patriotic Cottage Table
Seasonal decorating doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. I'm sharing 5 fantastic ideas for styling a patriotic Americana table with cottage charm using items from around my home and a couple select items from Walmart and the thrift store!
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate
links. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
My full disclosure policy can be found here.
Thrifty Patriotic Decorating
I'm excited to show you how I pulled together a charming cottage table that
screams Americana. I did it all for under $15 using pieces from my
collections, some new thrifted items and a quick stop at Walmart!
I used to decorate for seasonal holidays with items strictly related to that
holiday (ie: stars and stripes for patriotic holidays).
There's nothing wrong with that except that it requires you to store all those
pieces for the rest of the year. And when you tire of it, you need to start
purchasing items all over again, so it definitely gets expensive!
And I'm all about thrifty!
I wised up a few years ago when I realized that the colors of the
holidays make just as much of an impact as the actual decor! By using items I
already own (that aren't seasonal specific), I get a lot more mileage from my
decorations!
Let me show you what I mean.
5 ideas to style a patriotic table using items you already own
1. Layers
Decorating a table (or even your island) with layers helps to emphasize the
theme you are decorating for. In the past I've used wrapping paper, a sheet, a
quilt, even scrapbook paper to create a thrifty runner or base for my table
decor!
When I spotted this
Pioneer Woman floral drawer liner, I knew it would make the perfect base for my patriotic table. Are florals
patriotic? No, not at all! But when you combine them with other elements, you
can achieve the feeling that you're aiming for.
I wanted my table to feel like a little explosion of cottage charm with lots
of color. The drawer liner was a smart and inexpensive choice. I simply cut it
to size and placed it down the middle of the table.
I topped the drawer liner with a vintage doll quilt. I used this same quilt
when I
decorated my table for Easter and you can read the story about it here. The colors are muted and softened by time, which seemed very fitting.
I also used a set of
floral monogram napkins from Returning Grace. The napkins are from her Spring line, but they work beautifully on this
patriotic table because I've used other floral elements.
Other items you could use:
a quilted pillowcase, fabric remnant, a single place mat,
vintage sheet music
or book pages
2. Mason Jars
To me, mason jars just feel like classic Americana. I own a lot of authentic
vintage blue mason jars, but I couldn't resist these
pint size blue mason jars when Ball first came out with their reproductions. They're a brighter
blue than the originals but that makes them perfect for using on a patriotic
table!
Adding some inexpensive
patriotic paper straws
to the mason jars makes them the ideal drinking glasses for my patriotic
table. Extra straws are in a vintage pitcher that I found at the thrift store
last week for $2!!
I try to avoiding matching my decor whenever possible; I think when you use
complimentary colors and patterns, rather than perfect matches, it creates a
casual style and definitely adds more of that cottage charm! Plus you'll find
yourself using those items over and over, maximizing your dollar!
Other items you might use:
red or blue solo cups, white enamel glasses, these
blue vintage looking glasses from Walmart
3. Fat Quarters
Fabric fat quarters
are like a little known top decorator secret! When you need a pop of color,
use a fat quarter!
What is a fat quarter? It's a quarter yard of fabric that's cut
crosswise across the fabric, yielding a piece that is 18 x 22" or a "fat" 1/4
yard piece.
What makes a fat quarter so perfect for home decor? The awesome thing
about fat quarters is not only their price (you can buy them individually at
Walmart for $1.47 each), but their size! They make perfect napkins! I like to
wash them first and allow the cut edges to naturally fray like I did when I
decorated my
blue and yellow summer table.
You can
click here
to see how I made Millie some no-sew collar bandanas (they slip right over her
collar) using fat quarters and bandanas. She is proudly show off her patriotic
spirit lol and so happy not to have a bunch of bulky fabric tied around her
neck!
I don't have a lot of decor items that are red (aside from Christmas of
course!), so I used
red fabric fat quarters with polka dots
as napkins on my cottage patriotic table.
Other ideas to consider:
paper napkins, bandanas, other fabric remnants
4. Food
If you've been to a party around July 4, the tables are loaded with food!
You've no doubt made patriotic cupcakes or sugar cookies with sprinkles.
|
| Click here for my favorite soft sugar cookie recipe |
Don't forget about blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and watermelon! Display them in vintage tea cups like I did here for an extra dose of charm.
Other ideas to try:
cupcakes in blue liners with red sprinkles, cookies with red and blue
frosting, fruit salad in a watermelon bowl
5. Mix and Match Dishes
I mentioned above that I like to use mismatched items to decorate my spaces.
That is especially true when I set a table! I've been collecting antique white
ironstone as well as blue and white transferware for years and I have quite an
impressive collection of dishes.
I needed just a little something extra to really make my patriotic table
pop.
The
Pioneer Woman line at Walmart
came to the rescue! I bought a single lunch plate with a pretty floral on it,
as well as two cereal bowls.
The items available in my store were limited, or I would surely have purchased
the
timeless floral and retro dot set
because they are perfect for patriotic cottage decorating! I also fell in love
with
this set of dishes
online, with the red, white and blue florals!
The idea here is to mix old and new dishes together for a charming mismatched
look. My blue and white dinner plates are all thrifted, as is the Dutch
windmill pitcher I set on my
DIY rustic wood pedestal as a simple patriotic centerpiece.
And after taking these pictures, I realized that I forgot all about the
red dinner dishes with white polka dots
that I bought from HomeGoods last Christmas. Those would have worked here as
well.
The idea is to stay away from using decor that is too "theme-y" or it limits how and when you can use those items (and you have to be able to store them in the off seasons!).
These mismatched dishes are ones that I use everyday, and when I combine them
with other red and blue and floral elements, they all work together to add
patriotic flair to my cottage table!
I also tied a simple red and white striped ribbon around a potted plant for a
centerpiece. Tucking a small decorative USA flag into the pot helps to set the
patriotic theme and is the only thing that is truly tied to a theme on my
cottage table.
What other everyday objects can you used for patriotic decor?
- red and blue candles
- vintage books with red/blue spines
- ribbon
- denim (I'll be sharing a patriotic denim garland with paper pinwheels soon!)
- red and blue gingham, buffalo check, striped fabric, pillows, throws, etc
- plants because a little green makes every other color pop
- baskets
In a couple weeks I'll be sharing more patriotic decorating ideas in my home,
as well as the sweetest mini garland with DIY paper pinwheels!
Make sure to visit the links below for many more patriotic decorating ideas
that you can use in your own home!
Here's more Thrifty Style Team patriotic decor ideas
Redhead Can Decorate -
Affordable Patriotic Home Decorating Ideas
The Painted Hinge
- Patriotic Centerpiece Using Thrifted Finds
DIY Beautify - you are here 😍
Chaz' Crazy Creations -
Easy Patriotic Summer DIYs
The How-To Home -
Easy and Inexpensive 4th of July Centerpiece
The Tattered Pew -
How to Repurpose a Vintage Soda Crate for Your Yard
Cottage on Bunker Hill -
DIY Patriotic Wood Crate Planter
2 Bees in a Pod -
Easy Patriotic Pinwheel Wreath
Postcards From the Ridge -
Patriotic Tablescape with Vintage Thrift Store Dishes
Lora B Create and Ponder -
DIY Lake Themed Patriotic Wreath
Vinyet Etc -
Happy Canada Day - Vintage Potting Bench
Sweet Pea -
16 Patriotic Home Decor and Craft Ideas
Our Crafty Mom -
10 Patriotic Home Decor Ideas
I Should be Mopping the Floor -
Patriotic Paper Chain Garland Printable
Cottage at the Crossroads -
Patriotic Mini Easel Place Cards
White Arrows Home -
Styling Patriotic Decor Inside and Out
Pin it to remember
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
OMG Cindy, your patriotic centerpiece is beautiful. We love the advice that you offer - practical for all of us. We too love to mix and match dishes and fabrics for centerpieces and tablescapes. Your styling is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteYour table is absolutely charming, Cindy! I love the mix and match of old and new and all the fun patterns together. Yes, that Pioneer Woman line is so cute...it always tempts me when I go to walmart;) Beautiful job on your tablescape!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lora, sure do appreciate that!
DeleteUsing fat quarters as napkins is genius! I just love how you've mixed the old with the new. I love the colors in the new PW line. Last week, I really wanted the paper towel holder but I whipped out a can of spray paint instead!
ReplyDeleteIt is tempting to buy more pieces, it's all so pretty!
DeleteThose plates and bowls are absolutely gorgeous! I used fat quarters for many different tables when I didn't know I was using fat quarters! Thanks for telling me lol ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Julie!
DeleteCindy, your table looks so cozy and patriotic, even without the stars and stripes! I love the florals and stripes mixed together. And it's so smart to use things that aren't too season-specific. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, it was a fun challenge to see if colors alone could impart the theme!
DeleteCindy, I love the mix and match of plates and how you used raspberries as part of the color scheme! And I love your idea of using fat quarters as napkins - totally genius!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle!
DeleteAs always, beautiful and creative ideas! I love your choices of mixing and matching. I have so much fun using polka dots, too. Thanks for the inspiration, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meegan, polka dots always make me smile! Hope your enjoying a great summer ;)
DeleteCindy this table of yours is my favorite!!! I kept looking at all of the details and I couldn’t figure out why I loved it SO much….finally figured out that the turquoise mason jars just make this table special! All the details are lovely and I pinned for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly! The blue mason jars help all the other colors to really pop!
DeleteYour table looks fantastic, and I love the napkin idea! Such a great centerpiece. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chas!
DeleteCindy, I had to do a double take.-- that's drawer liner? It looks amazing! I absolutely love how you've mixed and matched all of these beautiful pieces to come up with one stunning table. Absolutely lovely. xoxo, Kristi
ReplyDeleteWhat a warm and welcoming Patriotic Table Cindy! I absolutely love the pioneer woman dishes wishing you a happy fourth.
ReplyDelete