Lady arranges 40 colorful plastic Dollar Store fly swatters and glues them onto a thick black wooden broomstick. This front door hack is blowing up.

I love a front door project that makes a big statement without asking for advanced crafting skills, and this giant butterfly door hanger absolutely does that. The whole design is made by arranging colorful plastic fly swatters into oversized wings and attaching them to a thick black wooden broomstick that acts as the butterfly’s body, so you get something cheerful, graphic, and wonderfully unexpected for summer.

As someone who spends plenty of time thinking about color, balance, and presentation in the kitchen, I approach décor the same way: simple ingredients, bold contrast, and a finished result that feels joyful. This project is ideal if you like budget-friendly seasonal decorating, especially if you want a large front door piece that is lightweight, bright, and easy to customize.

Materials

40 plastic fly swatters in assorted bright colors, standard size about 18 inches long each

1 thick wooden broomstick, painted black, 48 inches long and about 1 inch in diameter

12 high-temp hot glue sticks, full size 4 inches

1 tube heavy-duty construction adhesive, 7 to 9 ounces

4 feet black floral wire, 22 gauge

1 metal sawtooth hanger or 1 large heavy-duty jute hanging loop

1 yard black weather-resistant ribbon, 1 1/2 inches wide

1 piece black felt or craft foam, 9 x 12 inches

1 small bottle black acrylic craft paint, 2 ounces, for touch-ups if needed

12 black zip ties, 8 inches long, optional for extra reinforcement

Instructions

1. Wipe all 40 fly swatters and the broomstick clean and dry them well so the glue bonds properly, then sort the swatters by color to plan a balanced butterfly wing layout.

2. Lay the black broomstick vertically on your work surface and mark the center point, then mentally divide each side into upper and lower wing areas so the butterfly shape stays even.

3. Arrange 10 fly swatters on the upper left side and 10 on the lower left side, overlapping the handles toward the broomstick and fanning the paddle ends outward to create full wings.

4. Mirror that layout on the right side with the remaining 20 fly swatters, adjusting the overlap until both sides match in height, width, and color distribution.

5. Starting with the innermost upper wings, apply a bead of construction adhesive where the fly swatter handles meet the broomstick, then secure each handle in place with hot glue to hold it quickly while the stronger adhesive sets.

6. Continue attaching the lower wings on both sides, working from the center outward and pressing each handle firmly for several seconds so the layers stay flat and symmetrical.

7. Add black floral wire around grouped handle sections near the broomstick in 3 or 4 spots, twisting tightly at the back to reinforce the structure without showing from the front.

8. Cover the center handle area with a strip of black felt or craft foam glued over the wire and handles, creating a cleaner butterfly body silhouette and hiding the construction details.

9. Tie a small length of black ribbon near the top back of the broomstick and attach your sawtooth hanger or hanging loop securely so the piece can sit flat against the front door.

10. Let the entire piece cure flat for at least 12 to 24 hours, then hang it on your front door and make any final adjustments so the wings flare evenly and the butterfly sits centered.

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