Y’all know I love a cute and crafty moment, especially when it’s something simple that brings a pop of seasonal joy into your space. And this little DIY lemon sign? It’s the perfect touch of sunny, citrusy goodness for your summer decor!

If you’ve never made a sign using a napkin before, don’t worry—I’m walking you through the whole thing. This is one of those fun and easy DIY projects that feels crafty, creative, and totally doable (even if you’re not super “crafty”).

Why I Love This DIY Summer Decor Project

If you know me, you know I’m buffalo check obsessed AND you know I love some lemon décor in the Spring and Summer! That’s why this is the perfect project in my eyes!

There’s something about lemon decor that just screams summer—fresh, happy, and bright! I knew I wanted a sign that would blend perfectly with my summer pieces, and when I found this cute lemon napkin, I immediately knew what I had to do.

This DIY lemon sign took hardly any time at all and used a mix of basic craft supplies and things I already had on hand. That’s always a win in my book!

These are the supplies you will need for this project (I didn’t end up using the wood beads)

Supplies Needed to Make Your Own DIY Lemon Sign

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• A wooden sign base (you can find these at Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, or even in your craft stash)
• Lemon napkin (any fun summer pattern will work!)
• Mod Podge
• White paint (or a neutral base coat of your choice)
• Scissors
• Ribbon and greenery for embellishing (optional but cute!)

Tip: Choose a napkin with a bold pattern and good color contrast—it really makes the finished sign pop!

DIY Lemon Sign Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep your sign.

Start by painting your sign base in white or a light neutral tone. This helps your napkin design stand out more once applied.

The square piece of wood came from Hobby Lobby and I painted the whole thing white first. Any type of white paint should work here!

2. Create a buffalo check border.

I then cut strips of buffalo check scrapbook paper to fit all around the edges of the sign and mod podged them on. I ended up doing small strips of scrapbook paper on the front too, just to tie it all together.

3. Separate your napkin layers.

Next, I got my cute lemon napkins from Hobby Lobby and I “peeled” the layers so that it was just the one layer of lemon only. Most decorative napkins are 2 or 3-ply. Gently peel away the white backing layers and keep just the top printed layer.

4. Apply Mod Podge.

Add a thin, even layer of Mod Podge to your wood surface. Carefully place the napkin on top and gently press it down, smoothing as you go.

You do have to be careful not to rip the napkins, so just go easy with it.

5. Seal the napkin.

Once that was dry, I put another coat of mod podge over the top of it! Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

6. Embellish your sign. (optional)

Add a little bow, some faux greenery, or whatever speaks to your summer style. Totally optional—but totally adorable.

This DIY lemon sign turned out even cuter than I imagined! It’s such a fun, fresh little accent piece that works perfectly on a shelf, in a tiered tray, or even tucked into a summer wreath. The lemons make it feel bright and cheerful, and the fact that it was so easy to make? That’s just the cherry (or lemon!) on top.

Whether you’re decorating your kitchen, porch, or entryway, this sign adds that perfect splash of DIY summer decor charm.

I love a project that’s low-stress but high-impact, and this napkin technique is one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. It’s an easy way to create custom seasonal decor without spending a ton of money or time.

If you give this DIY lemon sign a try, be sure to tag me—I love seeing your creations and how you style them!

Until next time…

Stacey