This giant summer sunglasses door hanger is one of those cheerful projects that makes the whole front porch feel ready for sunshine. By wrapping two bright pink pool noodles around large black serving trays, you can create a playful pair of oversized sunglasses that looks bold, beachy, and surprisingly polished on a front door.
I love projects like this because they use easy-to-find supplies and come together without fancy tools or complicated cuts. If you enjoy fun seasonal décor, want something lightweight for a door, or just like making the front of your home feel welcoming for family and friends, this is a simple weekend craft that really stands out.
Materials
Instructions
1. Wipe both black serving trays clean and dry so the glue will stick well. Set them side by side with a small gap between them to form the sunglass lenses.
2. Gently bend one pink pool noodle around the outer edge of the first tray to measure the fit. Mark where the ends meet, then trim the noodle so it wraps snugly around the tray.
3. Repeat with the second pool noodle and second tray so both frames are the same size. Check that the trays look balanced next to each other before gluing anything down.
4. Run a thick bead of hot glue along the rim of the first tray in small sections, then press the cut pool noodle edge around it. Hold each section for a few seconds until it sets before moving on.
5. Glue the second pool noodle around the second tray the same way. If a section lifts, add another line of glue underneath and press it back into place.
6. Place the two framed trays together with about a 1 to 2 inch gap in the middle, like a pair of sunglasses. Use hot glue between the inner sides, then reinforce the connection on the back with black duct tape.
7. Cut a short curved piece from any leftover pool noodle and glue it across the center front to create the sunglass bridge. This small piece helps the project read instantly as sunglasses instead of two separate circles.
8. Turn the piece over and attach two 12-inch wires across the back center seam for extra support. Cover the wire ends with duct tape so they stay flat and do not scratch the door.
9. Make a hanging loop with ribbon or cord and glue or tape it securely to the top back of the hanger, centered between the two frames. Test the balance by lifting it before the glue fully cools, and adjust if needed.
10. If you want, cut a simple bow or summer accent from pink craft foam or felt and glue it to one upper corner. Let the entire hanger cool and set completely before hanging it on your front door.
Variations & Tips
Color swap: Use turquoise, yellow, orange, or lime green pool noodles if pink is not your style. I think this is a fun way to match your porch cushions or summer planters.
For windy porches: Add an extra strip of duct tape across the back of each tray connection and use a wider hanging ribbon. Lightweight projects can shift around outside, so a little extra support helps.
Make it more festive: Glue on a faux flower, a simple bow, or even a small flip-flop accent at one corner. When I decorate for summer, I like adding one playful detail that makes the whole project feel personal.
For picky decorators: If your family likes seasonal décor but not anything too flashy, keep the black trays and choose a softer pool noodle color like blush or white. It still has the fun shape without being quite as bold.
Adhesive tip: High-temperature hot glue works best for this project because pool noodles can pull away as they relax. Work in short sections instead of trying to glue the whole edge at once.
Door safety: If the back feels uneven, add a few small felt pads so the hanger sits nicely against the door. That little finishing step keeps it from rubbing or thumping every time the door opens.