4 for the 4th: Independence Day party ideas that will make a bang.

By emily.bailey

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Schlage wants you to be holiday-ready with these four ideas for hosting the ultimate Fourth of July.

Apple pie, fireworks and pool parties. It doesn’t get much more American than that. Schlage wants you to be holiday-ready with these ideas for hosting the ultimate Fourth of July party.

Patriotic porch

1. You can’t go wrong by sprucing up your curb appeal with American flags. Try this even if you’re looking for small porch décor. Miniature flags you can find at most grocery or dollar stores this time of year are perfect for tucking into wreaths and flower pots, like we see at On Sutton Place.

2. Add red, white and blue cushions to porch furniture for a subtle patriotic flair. Worthing Court provides a great example how the furniture you already own can be transformed easily. Remove that red striped pillow and you’re ready for an Easter brunch or fall cider with friends. No one will know how little effort it took.

3. Try Fourth-themed lanterns, which you can make yourself with this tutorial from Keep Calm and Decorate. All it takes is a few store-bought flags, some decoupage glue and old pickle jars.

4. These burlap post banners from Hoosier Homemade are for you if you’re looking for a simple sewing project that makes a big impact on your summer front door décor. Try this instead of traditional bunting along porch railings.

Do you have leftover red banners or ribbon that you used to decorate porch posts at Christmas? Reuse them here for a hack that helps you be more sustainable this Fourth of July. With the addition of a bit of blue ribbon and, instead of candy canes, you’ll enjoy a little patriotic punch of style.

BBQ bash

1. Get ready to host the perfect Independence Day BBQ bash. The Budget Decorator is full of cheap and easy DIY decorating tips, including a patriotic paper chain you can make with the kids. There are also a few ideas to upcycle containers to use at your BBQ.

2. And speaking of food, try your hand at some tasty treats from Four Generations One Roof. We especially like the ombre cake and kid-friendly drinks. Looking for July Fourth recipes on the healthier side? How about My Domaine’s chargrilled corn with chili lime butter and lobster pasta salad? We think these will have your guests’ taste buds exploding in the best way.

3. Keep everyone entertained until the fireworks start with a patriotic twist on some classic yard games. Iron & Twine shares their how-to for DIY lawn dominoes. A Beautiful Mess offers up giant Jenga. And Brit + Co shows how to make an old bocce ball set Independence Day-ready.

4. If you (or your dog) aren’t into fireworks, try an entertaining alternative like a laser show. There are a variety of small at-home laser projectors that sync to music that you can use indoors or out.

Guest-ready garden

1. Whether you’re having friends and family over for that BBQ or you’re heading out of town, make sure your garden is in shape. Have it looking sharp for party guests with some red, white and blue flowers.

2. Don’t forget about the containers you put your plants in. A Little Claireification used pots from the Dollar Store and starred duct tape to create her gorgeous and budget-friendly planters. We love the simplicity … and the fact that you don’t need a lot of artistic skill.

3. Now’s also a great time for some yard maintenance that also improves security. Trim bushes that can serve as hiding places for intruders and make sure your pool, garden shed and other backyard features are safe for guests, young and old.

4. If you’re taking a long holiday weekend, try some of these tips from The Spruce for watering your plants while you’re on vacation. There are options for every gardener’s taste, from DIY self-watering jugs to high-tech sprinkler timers to asking a neighbor to keep an eye on your greens.

Secure home for the holiday

1. With all the holiday excitement, it can be easy to forget important home security practices. If you’re hitting the road for that weekend getaway, you might appreciate having the convenience and peace of mind that comes with a Schlage smart lock. The Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt, Schlage Sense® Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Connect® Smart Deadbolt can each be controlled remotely from anywhere via compatible apps on your smartphone when connected to your home’s wireless network. You can then check the status of your lock from the road – no more wondering if you locked up before you left home – as well as manage access codes for house sitters while you’re away.

Installing Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt on front door.

Always Rooney

2. You can also grant unique access codes to any guests staying with you so they can easily come and go as they please. Then schedule the codes to expire at the end of their visit. You should be enjoying the fireworks, not tracking down spare keys.

Use our Get Help Deciding Tool to find out which lock is right for you and check out more features available through the Schlage Home app.

3. Mind anything flammable during and after your Fourth of July BBQ bash. This includes grills, firepits and at-home sparklers and fireworks. Have fire extinguishers and fire blankets nearby in case of emergency, and keep pets and children away from the flames. When you’re done for the night, make sure fuel sources are turned off. Thoroughly douse coals and ash with water.

4. When the party’s over, make sure re-secure your home and yard. Go ahead and leave the dishes in the sink overnight if you want – we know it’s been a long day – but make sure your doors, windows and gates are locked. If you have a pool, secure that with a cover or any of your usual safety precautions, too. Bring in smart speakers or backyard movie screens and stow patio furniture if it could prove tempting to intruders.

Above all else, enjoy this Independence Day with friends and family. If you don’t know where to start or are looking for inspiration on the kind of party you want to host, check out our blog on finding your backyard party personality. We’d love to see how you celebrate, so be sure to share your holiday décor and festivities with us on Instagram or Twitter.