Have you noticed that presidents often put their personal stamp on the White House? Well, President Trump is taking that tradition to new heights—literally. He’s announced several big changes to America’s most famous home, including massive flagpoles that will tower nearly 100 feet high. But that’s just the beginning. From gold accents in the Oval Office to completely redoing the Rose Garden with inspiration from his Florida resort, Trump is giving the presidential grounds a major makeover that reflects his personal style and vision.
Two giant American flags will stand on the grounds
If you’ve ever visited the White House, you might have noticed there’s only one American flag flying from the top of the building. That’s about to change in a big way. President Trump recently announced plans to install two massive American flags on the White House grounds—one on the north side and one on the south side. These won’t be your average flags, either. They’ll stand on poles nearly 100 feet tall, making them visible from quite a distance away. What makes this change even more interesting is that these will be the first freestanding flagpoles ever installed on the White House grounds.
Trump has already been spotted walking the grounds with White House staff, pointing and gesturing to show exactly where these impressive flags will stand. And here’s something that might surprise you—the president says he’ll pay for these flagpoles out of his own pocket. The north-side flagpole will fly the American flag, while the south-side pole will display both the American flag and the POW/MIA flag, honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. For anyone interested in American flags for their own homes, this presidential upgrade might inspire some patriotic decorating.
The Rose Garden is getting a Mar-a-Lago makeover
If you’ve ever walked across wet grass in nice shoes, you know it’s not a fun experience. That’s exactly one of the reasons President Trump wants to make a major change to the historic Rose Garden. Instead of the grassy lawn that’s been there for decades, Trump plans to pave it over with limestone or another hard surface to create a patio-like space similar to what he has at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The change would transform the garden from a green space into more of an event venue. Trump has mentioned that the current grass gets too wet and can be a problem for women wearing high heels during press conferences and other events.
The plans don’t stop with just replacing the grass. Designers have reportedly drafted options that include installing hardwood floors for dancing. While this would be a significant change, it’s worth noting that the Rose Garden has gone through several renovations throughout its history. It was first created in 1903 but got its current design during the Kennedy administration when Jackie Kennedy oversaw a major renovation. More recently, during Trump’s first term, Melania Trump led another renovation that improved drainage and accessibility. The current plans would focus on changing the lawn area while keeping the actual rose plantings intact.
Gold accents bring Mar-a-Lago style to the Oval Office
Have you ever redecorated a room to match your personal style? President Trump has done exactly that with the Oval Office. Since returning to the White House, he’s given the president’s workspace a golden makeover that reflects his well-known love of gold decor. The changes include adding gold trim to the crown molding on the ceiling, which complements the existing gold curtains. He’s also added gold vermeil figurines, medallions, and gilded Rococo mirrors that are reminiscent of the decor at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Even small details haven’t been overlooked—visitors might spot gold coasters branded with Trump’s name.
The Oval Office redo goes beyond just adding gold accents. Trump replaced the dark blue rug used by President Biden with a lighter rug that was previously used by Ronald Reagan. This rug features the presidential seal, a sunbeam pattern, and olive branches. The office walls have also gotten a makeover, with Trump creating a gallery wall of portraits. He replaced Biden’s portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt with one of George Washington and added more portraits of past presidents that he personally selected. For anyone looking to add a touch of elegance to their own home office, gold desk accessories can create a similar luxurious feel.
A new White House ballroom is in the works
Have you ever attended an outdoor event where a huge tent had to be set up? It’s not ideal, and apparently, President Trump agrees. He’s proposed building a completely new ballroom on the White House grounds to eliminate the need for those large temporary tents often used for state dinners and other formal events. This new space would be similar to the grand ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort, which many consider quite impressive. Adding a permanent structure like this would be a major change to the White House grounds, which haven’t seen many new buildings added in recent decades.
The proposed ballroom isn’t just about avoiding tents—it’s reportedly inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, suggesting it would be quite ornate. Building a permanent ballroom would give future presidents more options for hosting large gatherings without worrying about weather conditions affecting outdoor events. While the White House already has rooms for entertaining, like the East Room, they’re often not large enough for bigger functions. This addition would potentially make the White House even more suitable for the diplomatic and ceremonial functions that are such an important part of the presidency.
The Jackson Magnolia gets a replacement
Trees might not seem like a big deal, but on the White House grounds, they often have deep historical significance. President Trump has personally overseen the replacement of the historic Jackson Magnolia tree on the South Lawn with a new 12-year-old sapling. This isn’t just any tree—the original Jackson Magnolia was planted by President Andrew Jackson in memory of his late wife Rachel. It had stood on the White House grounds since the 1800s, making it the oldest tree on the property and a witness to nearly two centuries of American history before it had to be removed.
The replacement tree isn’t just a random choice—it’s actually a descendant of the original Jackson Magnolia, helping to preserve the historical connection. Trees on the White House grounds often hold special meaning, and many presidents have planted trees during their time in office as living legacies. The White House grounds are home to about 500 trees representing around 40 species, many with interesting stories behind them. For those inspired to add a magnolia to their own yard, magnolia trees come in various sizes and can add both beauty and historical significance to home landscapes.
More presidential portraits fill the Oval Office walls
Walk into someone’s home, and you’ll often see family photos on the walls. In the White House, those “family photos” come in the form of presidential portraits. President Trump has significantly expanded the number of these portraits in the Oval Office, creating what amounts to a gallery wall of former presidents. This is a departure from the approach of many previous presidents, who typically displayed just a few carefully selected portraits. Trump has personally chosen paintings of his favorite past presidents to surround him while he works, creating a space that reflects both his personal taste and his connection to presidential history.
Among the new additions to the Oval Office walls is some unexpected artwork—a painting depicting a moment after an assassination attempt on Trump himself. He’s also reportedly interested in displaying a front-page photo of his mug shot from an indictment in Fulton County, Georgia. These unusual choices show how Trump is using the Oval Office decor not just to connect with presidential history but also to highlight significant moments from his own political journey. For history buffs who want to bring a touch of presidential style to their own homes, presidential portraits are widely available as prints and reproductions.
Military flags now stand alongside the American flag
When you think of the Oval Office, you probably picture the American flag standing proudly behind the president’s desk. That iconic image is getting an update under President Trump, who has added flags from different branches of the U.S. military to join the Stars and Stripes. This change brings representation of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and other military branches directly into the president’s workspace. The addition of these flags reflects Trump’s frequent expressions of support for the military and creates a visual reminder of all branches of the armed forces in the room where many important military decisions are made.
The placement of military flags in the Oval Office isn’t entirely new—other presidents have used similar displays—but the current arrangement is part of Trump’s broader approach to decorating the space in a way that reflects his priorities. The military flags create a more formal, ceremonial atmosphere in the office and establish a clear visual connection between the presidency and the armed forces. Adding these flags is a relatively simple change compared to some of the other renovations, but it significantly alters the appearance of one of the most photographed rooms in America. For veterans or military families who want to display similar flags at home, military branch flags come in various sizes for indoor or outdoor use.
A platform in the Rose Garden will make events easier
Have you ever tried to set up chairs on grass? It’s not easy, and apparently, it’s been a challenge at the White House too. As part of the Rose Garden renovation, President Trump plans to include a platform for events and speeches. This change is designed to make it easier to hold press conferences, announcements, and other gatherings in this historic space. Currently, temporary platforms often have to be installed for major events, which takes time and resources. A permanent platform would eliminate that need and provide a stable surface year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
This platform addition is part of Trump’s larger vision to make the Rose Garden more functional as an event space. The Rose Garden has long been used for presidential events, from press conferences to bill signings and even some weddings. Having a dedicated platform would streamline the preparation process for these events and potentially make the space more versatile. While some traditionalists might prefer keeping the garden in its current form, others might appreciate the practical benefits of this change. For homeowners who host outdoor gatherings and face similar challenges, outdoor deck tiles can provide an easy way to create a stable surface for furniture on grass.
Presidents have been putting their personal touches on the White House since John Adams first moved in over 200 years ago. Trump’s changes—from towering flagpoles to a redesigned Rose Garden—continue this tradition in his own distinctive style. Whether you love or hate these changes, they’ll become part of the building’s rich history, telling future generations about the priorities and preferences of its 47th resident. The White House has always been more than just a building—it’s a living symbol that evolves with each new family that calls it home.
