How to Hang the American Flag at Home
We’ll show you how to display the American flag on your house for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or all year round
The day before my house burned down, I was thinking about flags. It was the end of June, and we were in the midst of painting our home’s exterior. The front and back and one side were finished, and I was closing in on the fourth. It looked so fresh and bright, and I couldn’t wait to hang a flag or two, or 20, for the upcoming Independence Day. I was debating what would look best, but the fire took care of all that.
We moved back into our new house almost a year to the day after the fire, yet again right before the Fourth of July. I was so exhausted that flags were the last thing on my mind, but one more year after that, I couldn’t wait. I’d always loved the look of flags, but now it was a way for me to make a tangible declaration that our family was home and “still there.”
We moved back into our new house almost a year to the day after the fire, yet again right before the Fourth of July. I was so exhausted that flags were the last thing on my mind, but one more year after that, I couldn’t wait. I’d always loved the look of flags, but now it was a way for me to make a tangible declaration that our family was home and “still there.”
How to hang a flag on a flagpole. If you are lucky enough to have a flagpole, you might already know it’s not necessary to lower your flag every night as long as it is illuminated; however, the flag should be removed in inclement weather. There are a few days when it is recommended to fly the flag at half staff: May 15, which is Peace Officers Memorial Day; September 11; the Sunday of Fire Prevention Week (early October); and December 7, which is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. For Memorial Day it’s recommended the flag be flown at half staff from sunrise until noon. Other days are sometimes added as well; see the Half Staff American Flag Notifications website for updates.
Hang a solitary flag on a porch post for a simple and classic look for any house.
Over the front door is a great alternative.
When displaying more than one flag, the U.S. flag should be flown to the observer's left, as shown.
This display is perfect with the beautiful symmetry of this home's architecture.
If you choose to suspend a flag, whether horizontally or vertically, be sure the union (the starry part) is in the upper left, like this ...
With fans and bunting, the issue is style rather than code.
Scale is the most important consideration when hanging flags on houses.
With the intricate trim on this porch, the message seems to be “more is more.” As I’m a flag maximalist, my preference would be to pump up the size of the flags on the pillars and line the entire balcony with fans.
I love everything here: the two flags displayed on the third story, the gorgeous hanging basket and window boxes, and the fencing covered with fans.
Don’t worry if red flowers aren’t your style. You don’t have to match your hanging baskets or planters with the flag; it goes with everything.
You may have to look twice to see it, but there above the garage is a metal and modern take on the stars and stripes.
A simple and inexpensive way to display flags is to start is with a few handheld flags stuck into planters, and that may be the perfect amount.
Here's a picture of my 30-plus flags on Election Day last fall.
This year I'm debating smaller fans hung from the tops of my windows, and I'm casting my thoughts to the patio and pool area as well.
This year I'm debating smaller fans hung from the tops of my windows, and I'm casting my thoughts to the patio and pool area as well.
Tell us: How and when do you hang the American flag at your house? If you’re a Houzzer from outside the U.S., what are your flag customs?
See more tips regarding American flag display
See more tips regarding American flag display
Whether you are hanging a flag to commemorate or to celebrate, here are few rules of flag etiquette and some style considerations. We’ll also show you some of the best places to hang a flag on your house.