Whether marking a milestone or simply celebrating life, these DIY birthday decoration ideas are a great way to make your party unforgettable!
When I posted my list of DIY party decor ideas for any party, I mentioned that you can customize any party through the following DIY decorations:
- Photo backdrops and wall decorations
- Garland or banners
- Party balloons
- Centerpieces and table decorations
- Hanging decorations and lights
- Party signs
While these ideas also apply broadly to birthday party decor, I’d like to focus on two specific customizations in this post.
First, I’ll share some decoration ideas that work for any age and gender. These decorations can be used ‘as-is’ for anyone—no need to change colors or theme.
When you look at them, you don’t think, “This looks like a kids birthday party.” or “Only a man would like these decorations.” Of course, you should feel free to add your personal touch when creating them.
The other decorations on this list are DIY projects that allow you to create a personalized birthday celebration for someone special. These items can include the guest of honor’s name, age, or even incorporate their photos!
As you plan your next birthday party, keep in mind that it is the details that make it special. DIY birthday decoration ideas not only allow you a chance to get crafty but also to create a memorable birthday bash.
Scroll down for some inspiration and craft your way to an unforgettable celebration! Let me know what you think about these projects in the comments.
DIY Decorations for Any Birthday Party
Here are some DIY birthday decorations that will work for anyone's party—boy, girl, man or woman!
1
ohhappyday.com
Watercolor Squares Backdrop
This watercolor backdrop reminds me of tile — can you imagine this as a backsplash? Anyway, this technique is so easy your kids could help. Just paint squares and attach them to the wall!
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2
Felt Ball Garland
Don’t buy a felt ball garland when they are SO easy to make! Use felt balls and embroidery floss to add colorful and fun DIY garland to your birthday celebration!
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3
thehousethatlarsbuilt.com
Confetti Tablecloth
Nothing says party like confetti, right? So feature it on your table by making this tablecloth with iron-on vinyl shapes!
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4
sisoo.com
Sequin Letter Garland
I can't believe how easy it is to make this sequin letter garland! Just cut your letters out of cardboard and add sequin trim to cover.
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5
designimprovised.com
Pom-Pom Balloons
Add tiny pom poms to helium inflated balloons for a bit of color. Just make sure not to add too many or the balloons will sink!
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6
Photo Booth Props
Learn how to make unique photo booth props using wood pieces and craft paint! Perfect for your birthday, wedding, graduation, and more.
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7
akailochiclife.com
Colorful Geometric Backdrop
Kara created this beautiful geometric display for above the party dessert table. The shapes are just painted pieces of Styrofoam!
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8
thehousethatlarsbuilt.com
Balloon Chandelier
This isn't really a working light, but it was made to resemble a glass blown chandelier from a restaurant. I think this version is much more fun!
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9
Pom Pom Garland
Making a pom pom garland is so simple! I'll show you how to do it in the color and size that you like. Perfect for beginning crafters!
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10
Crepe Paper Flowers
Learn how to make crepe paper flowers in 5 minutes flat – so easy and so pretty! You don’t need any crafting experience, and they are perfect for birthday parties.
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11
Denim Bunting
If you have denim scraps left over, it’s easy to turn them into a DIY bunting! Perfect for a party or for little girls’ room decor.
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12
www.marthastewart.com
Bubble Chandelier
Create a 'chandelier' of varying sizes of glass ball ornaments. It looks great as-is, but you could use different colors, fill the balls with something first, or add designs to some of the balls!
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13
www.bespoke-bride.com
Boho Backdrop
This boho backdrop was made as a DIY wedding idea, but it would be great for any party. I think the colors would work really well with a man's birthday party. However, you can change up the colors if you like!
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14
kelseybang.com
Pom Pom Party Hats
Make these pretty party hats in any color combination! I have decided that a pom pom party hat is making an appearance at my next shindig, otherwise I'll probably be wearing these around the house. They're that fun!
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15
Newspaper Pom Poms
This newspaper craft is so easy and budget friendly – make poms that would be perfect for parties or in your home decorating!
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16
lovelyindeed.com
Balloon Photo Backdrop
Fill the wall behind your food table with this super easy balloon idea. Again, this would make a great photo backdrop as well.
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17
abeautifulmess.com
Macrame Yarn Garland
This is a different way to do a yarn garland – it definitely has a boho vibe and a 70s feel. This would look beautiful at just about any birthday party.
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18
Paper Flowers
Learn how to make paper flowers the easiest way possible! Perfect for hanging from the ceiling or on the wall for a photo backdrop.
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19
www.letsmingleblog.com
Pom Pom Tablecloth
Make your food or drink table stand out by attaching pom poms to a plain tablecloth using hot glue. Keep them all one color as shown or mix it up to match the pom pom balloons earlier on this list.
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20
www.easypeasyandfun.com
Paper Ball Garland
Paper ball garland would look absolutely adorable at any party and any time of the year. This paper craft is addicting – you'll want to make paper balls all day!
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21
www.inspiredbythis.com
Streamer Chandeliers
A hula hoop, streamers and a bit of ribbon go into making these hanging decorations. They remind me of the ones used in the tents at Oktoberfest!
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22
www.bowerpowerblog.com
Yarn Garland
Want to make a yarn garland the easiest way possible? This is a great idea! It can add all sorts of texture to your party decor.
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23
ohhappyday.com
Striped Tablecloth
Update a plain white tablecloth with extra wide washi tape. I like that she used diagonal stripes; it gives it a much more festive look!
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24
modpodgerocksblog.com
Confetti Balloons
Learn how to make confetti balloons the easy way – with Mod Podge! This is so simple, and can be customized to your party colors.
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25
creativelybeth.com
Happy Birthday Balloon Banner
Here is a fun decoration idea that can be used at every birthday party! Go with rainbow colors for a bright festive touch, or create them in the colors of your party theme.
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26
themerrythought.com
Fabric Canopy
Decorate the ceiling using a fabric canopy. It is really easy — just tear up sheets and drape them from the ceiling!
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Birthday Decorations for a Specific Person
These DIY birthday decorations will help make it a special day by personalizing it for the guest of honor!
27
www.marthastewart.com
Collage Number Backdrop
There is no better way to personalize a birthday party than with photos! Find out how easy it is to make this, and get 16 other personalization ideas from Martha Stewart.
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28
sweetredpoppy.com
Felt Ball Letters
I've made a few felt ball garlands, but this letter would be great for personalizing a birthday party! Just do one for an initial, or a number for the age, or do numerous letters and spell out the birthday name.
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29
studiodiy.com
Tassel Garland Numbers
Celebrate the guest of honor with a giant tassel number that can be made in any color you like! I love this because it uses tissue paper for the tassels . . . but you could use yarn, too.
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30
modpodgerocksblog.com
Confetti Letters
If you love confetti crafts, try this easy monogram letter art! This technique can be used with a variety of letters, numbers, and shapes to create a sign for your party.
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31
www.craftcuts.com
Name Banner
Hang a DIY name banner above the food table or as part of a photo backdrop. These were made using purchased cardboard letters, but you could cut your own out if you like!
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32
ohhappyday.com
Clay Words
Mold Sculpey clay into any words you like. Just bake them to harden them and you can hang them on the wall! I love that you can use any font you want to with this idea.
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33
kojo-designs.com
Floating Yarn Sign
I love this idea! Decide what you want your sign to say and then individually wrap letters with yarn to spell it out. This also makes great wall art.
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34
modpodgerocksblog.com
Photo Initial
Learn how to make this unique photo art using the initials of your choice! SO easy that anyone can do it. Such simple and unique DIY party decor.
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35
sweetredpoppy.com
Giant Marquee Numbers
Find out how to make our own giant marquee numbers using foam board. These make for a bold decoration that reminds everyone of the age of the person being celebrated.
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36
pizzazzerie.com
Sprinkle Letters or Numbers
This was created for a sprinkle themed party but would work for any party! Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see how Courtney made these small letters and a large one for the front door.
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37
www.lanaredstudio.com
Lightbox
This DIY lightbox is an easy project that can be switched up for different birthdays. Just change "fa la la la la" to a name!
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38
www.littleladoo.com
Number Pinata
Pinatas may be associated with kid's birthday parties, but you can make them for any age! Find out how to make the numbers, fill, and decorate them. You can hit them to open, or just use them as a large table decoration.
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39
www.stylemepretty.com
Floral Photo Hoop
Find out how to turn a hula hoop into a fun photo decoration! This was for a wedding, but the same can be done with photos of the guest of honor.
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40
www.makeitlaura.com
Tissue Paper Letters
Make these easy tissue paper wall letters to announce the birthday girl, or a number for the birthday age or year for New Year's Eve.
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41
cassiefairy.com
Neon Sign
Create a sign that really stands out using neon EL wire. This one is for over the candy table, but you could have it say the guest of honor's name!
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42
www.avisualmerriment.com
Lego Birthday Backdrop
I've seen paper plate backdrops before, but I love that this one is done in a Lego theme and also features the birthday boy's name. Such an easy backdrop that looks good in photos or just above the food table!
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43
www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk
Floating Photographs
What could be more personalized than featuring photos of the birthday boy? Turn them into a fun decoration by hanging them at the bottom of floating balloons.
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44
modpodgerocksblog.com
Cardboard Letters
Learn how to Mod Podge cardboard letters for your party! This is an easy craft idea, perfect for an inexpensive sign and easily customized for each birthday party.
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