Looking for an easy way to remake a canvas? This DIY nautical flag sign is such an easy project. Here’s the step-by-step.

A beautifully arranged Blue and White Beach Bedroom features a neatly made bed with navy and white striped pillows against a black horizontal slat headboard. A white nightstand with a wicker basket and whale decor holds a small lamp. A sign above the bed reads, "When you wish upon a starfish.

I have the best before-and-after DIY to share with you today.

And it all started with this sign.

The one right there over the bed.

Can you see it?

When I found the sign, it read Starfish—Mr. and Mrs. Just between us? I’m not really sure what that meant. Maybe it was for someone who just got married? Maybe it was for people who love starfish?

I didn’t understand it, but I bought it because it was the perfect size and color for the space above the bed. I bought it knowing that one day I’d figure out someway to change it up and make it so much cuter.

And now?

That day has come.

Take one last look at that sign because I used it to create something that has a story and is full of color and was ALMOST free to create.

Because now?

The sign looks like this.

A neatly made bed with blue and white checkered bedding is against a black paneled wall. Nautical flags are framed above the bed. A white nightstand with wicker baskets and books stands nearby, with sunlight streaming through sheer curtains.

Yes, friends.

That is the same sign, just changed up with a few nautical flags and a little paint.

Can you scroll back up one more time to see the before and after?

And the best part?

Those just aren’t any flags.

They are flags that tell a story.

(total aside: I like to live my life in stories and I love it when my DIY’s come along for the ride).

A white flagpole with nautical signal flags in various colors and patterns strung along ropes, set against a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.

This is where the project started.

My husband was trained on flags like this in the Navy. It was called Semaphore and you used the flags to create letters to signal on the ship.

But the flags also have letters and numbers associated with the different colors.

They are called International Maritime Signal flags, and you can read all about them here.

I knew.

That I knew.

That I KNEW this would be the perfect project for the sign.

Five nautical signal flags are shown: the first is red-yellow-red stripes, the second is blue-white vertical stripes, the third is blue X on yellow, the fourth is red-white vertical stripes, and the fifth is red-white horizontal halves.

So I took the number associated with each flag and created this sign.

If you look up the numbers associated with the flags, it translates to 1957.

This is the year that our beach house was built.

ISN’T THAT THE COOLEST?

A sign with a story.

And here’s how you can paint a sign like this, too.

A rectangular wall art piece displays five colorful nautical signal flags in red, yellow, white, black, and blue, mounted on a dark wooden wall with horizontal slats.

DIY Nautical Flag Sign

supplies:

old canvas (you’ll want to adjust the pattern to the size and I discuss this down below)

craft paint

sponge brushes

painters tape

Five nautical signal flags are shown: the first is red-yellow-red stripes, the second is blue-white vertical stripes, the third is blue X on yellow, the fourth is red-white vertical stripes, and the fifth is red-white horizontal halves.

1. Plan out your pattern

Choose what you want it to say.

Maybe a name?

Maybe an address?

Maybe a year your house was built?

Here are what the flags look like for all the letters and numbers.

Then plan out the flags on your canvas. I lined them all up because my canvas was rectangular. If your canvas is square or rectangular, then you might put them in a grid of four or six or eight.

You just need to find something that has even numbers.

A close-up of a dark surface with bright green painter's tape arranged in horizontal and vertical stripes, creating a geometric pattern. The surface shows faint streaks and round marks.

2. Start by painting the entire sign with a base coat

Once you have your pattern established, you’ll want to paint one layer of basecoat over the entire canvas to hid the original pattern.

3. Tape off the pattern

Next, measure and tape off your flag pattern.

I didn’t leave any spaces between the flags, but that might be an option if it helped them fit better.

If you have a frame (like the white frame on my canvas) you’ll want to tape that off, too.

A close-up of a foam paintbrush applying yellow paint over green painter’s tape on a surface, creating clean, straight edges.

4. Paint your pattern

You’ll probably want to paint at least three coats (more if you have a vibrant color like red) on each of the flag sections.

I used craft acrylic paints because they dry so quickly and they are super inexpensive (especially if you have several colors with your flags).

Paint all the sections of the flag that you can, peel off the tape, let the sign dry overnight and then tape off the other sections and paint.

A close-up of a surface divided diagonally into red and yellow areas, with green painter's tape partially peeled back, revealing clean paint lines. The image is abstract and geometric in composition.

A piece of green painter’s tape is being peeled off a painted surface with geometric shapes in red, yellow, and blue, revealing clean, sharp color lines underneath.

A close-up of a wooden surface being painted red, with green painter’s tape marking the edges and part of the tape being peeled back. White and gray surfaces and gravel are visible in the background.

5. Peel off the tape

This is the most satisfying part of the project.

When you peel back the paint and let those beautiful, paint stripes appear.

That’s it.

Your sign is ready to decorate.

A rectangular wall art piece displays five colorful nautical signal flags in red, yellow, white, black, and blue, mounted on a dark wooden wall with horizontal slats.

A close-up view of three nautical signal flags: the first has red and yellow horizontal stripes, the second has vertical stripes in black, white, and black, and the third is yellow with a black diagonal X.

A neatly made bed with blue and white checkered bedding is against a black paneled wall. Nautical flags are framed above the bed. A white nightstand with wicker baskets and books stands nearby, with sunlight streaming through sheer curtains.

Just a couple of quick notes about the project:

  • I adjusted the paint colors of the flag slightly to fit the colors I had in the room
  • I’m never one to let a little paint color come between me and a really good after
  • I also worked to find a word (or in this case, a number) that looked cute with the flags
  • For example, WOOD is NOT cute
  • Score (rub along the tape with a flat edge) the tape when you place it on the canvas to make sure your lines are clean
  • Pull back the tape as quickly as possible for the cleanest lines
  • You might need to prime the canvas if it has a finish or heavy oil paint on it

You can almost create the project for free if you already have the canvas and the craft paint. I’m up here at the Cape, so I had to buy the paint, but at home I could have created this for free.

What do you think?

Have you ever heard of flags like this?

Am I the last one to figure it out?

And seriously—the only thing better than a DIY? Is a DIY with a story.

A bedroom with a nautical theme features a bed with blue gingham bedding, a white nightstand with flowers, and a large wall art of colorful nautical flags above the headboard.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: July 7, 2025

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  7. Image for Dianne Bell Dianne Bell

    It’s cute. I like it. And I get the meaning. I kinda miss the “when you wish upon a starfish”. It was a sweet thought. Either way, it’s nice.

    Reply
  9. Image for Katherine Katherine

    Hi KariAnne, This is a wonderful project that you thought of and then created. Then the number turned out to be 1957 makes it even more special. Give your self a big hug for a job well done.

    Reply
  10. Image for Sue Sims Sue Sims

    I love this project, and mostly how you actually complete projects!! 😂🤣 My house looks like the island of misfit toys with all of the projects I have attempted and not officially given up on (yet). Your house looks “freshy” and my house looks like it needs a “re-freshy”! Hahaha.

    Reply
  14. Image for Carla Erickson Carla Erickson

    I love your DIY project especially the meaning behind it! Enjoy the Cape! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us!

    Reply
  19. Image for Kris Kris

    It looks great, and I love that there is a deeper meaning. Thanks for the education on the maritime signal flags.

    Reply
  20. Image for Victoria Victoria

    I didn't know the flags were for numbers! What a great idea, a house on the ocean, boats around and all, and year built shown in Navy flags, which happen to be known by your Navy husband! He probably smiles each time he sees it! I LOVE IT, plus the colors! So cheery plus educational. Always creative! I hope no one in your family, friends, church have people missing or lost in the horrific flash floods at the Christian camps in TX. My heart goes out to them all. Kids from as far away as Alabama lost their lives. Two sisters were found with their hands clasped together. I hope more are found alive as rhe Coast Guard Navy helps search with helicopters, along with other groups and individuals and dog searchers. Prayers for all. I hope your work is getting completed and the book signings are going well! Maybe get some relax time soon!

    Reply
  23. Image for Angela Boswell Angela Boswell

    Now I know why I love all your ideas!...lol... I just put up a nautical flag sign over my back porch door last week that spelled out the word welcome.... KariAnne we are very simpatico...😉. I like your 1957!

    Reply
  25. Image for Linda Scott Linda Scott

    Thanks for a great tip! Your sign looks great! Since my husband races sailboats that might be a great idea for his office!! Plus, I can at least paint straight lines with tape as my guide! Haha!!

    Reply
  28. Image for Donna Boschulte Donna Boschulte

    You are so fresh and creative; I marvel at the wonderful ideas you have! All so pertinent and meaningful! I am an older lady (almost 80) and can sometime get a little "blah," but when I start to read your posts, I feel a special energy and strength because you have such positive and fun thoughts that I have never considered all my life! Blessings to you and your sweet family.

    Reply

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