Patriotic & Summer Door Hanger DIY
There’s something really special about creating a piece that can be used for more than just one season. In this project, I’m taking our previously finished wood round and transforming the back side into a fresh summer design, while still keeping those patriotic touches that make it perfect from Memorial Day all the way through the warmer months.
Supplies List
- Wood round (door hanger)
- Minwax water-based white wood stain
- Sponge or applicator
- Essential Stencil “Home Sweet Home Since 1776” stencil
- Essential Stencil “Hello Summer” stencil
- Acrylic paint (red, blue, green tones)
- Stencil brushes (various sizes)
- Transfer designs (florals, mason jar, butterflies, bees)
- Transfer burnishing tool or popsicle stick
- Sandpaper (120 grit)
- Painter’s tape
- Polycrylic sealer
This one starts with a simple step: staining the wood. A water-based white stain is used to create a soft, neutral background that still lets the wood show through just enough. It’s one of those little details that makes everything layered on top feel brighter and more intentional. Once the stain is fully dry (which is important when working with transfers), the surface becomes the perfect blank canvas.
The first layer of design comes from a patriotic stencil—“Home Sweet Home Since 1776.” Instead of using it in the traditional way, the colors are flipped and alternated, giving it a fresh look that feels less like a holiday-only piece and more like something that can stay out all season. It’s a great reminder that stencils don’t have to be used exactly as shown—you can always make them your own.
At the top, “Hello Summer” is added in a soft green, which might feel unexpected at first, but it ends up tying everything together once the rest of the design is in place. That green becomes the bridge between the patriotic colors and the softer, more natural summer elements that come next.
And this is where the project really comes to life.
A mason jar transfer filled with florals is layered onto the design, pulling in soft blues, reds, and greens that echo the stencil colors underneath. Additional small elements—like butterflies and bees—are added around the jar to create movement and fill in the space in a natural, effortless way. It starts to feel less like separate pieces and more like one cohesive design.
The beauty of this project is how flexible it is. Even if you don’t have the exact transfers used here, the concept still works. Any florals, seasonal accents, or small details can be layered in to create something similar that fits your own style.
To finish everything off, a protective coat of polycrylic is applied to seal the design and give it durability. A soft touch of green around the edges frames the piece and helps everything feel complete.
What you’re left with is a door hanger that can easily transition between seasons. One side celebrates patriotic holidays, and the other brings in that relaxed, welcoming feel of summer. It’s practical, beautiful, and just a little bit unexpected in the best way.
