5 Tips for Elevating Your Party Decor

How to elevate your party decor without blowing your budget.

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and just cause parties. There are many reasons to celebrate and share the joy with friends and family.

Let's face it, we like to have fun and planning a party is always an opportunity to let your creative spirit go wild. But for many, it doesn't mean blowing our bank accounts doing it.

So if you are asking yourself 'What can I do to elevate my party decor on a budget?' You are not alone.

Having the opportunity to plan, host and attend our fair share of parties, we've learnt some neat tricks along the way you can tryout for yourself to make your next party look fabulous, without breaking your bank account in the process. Here are 5 tips that have helped us, and maybe can work for you too!

Tip #1 - Keep it Simple

This sounds counterintuitive but keeping your decor ideas simple helps you execute your vision from start to finish. Let me explain, we all begin our journey at the research phase- visiting Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, maybe a Google search or two for inspiration.

Pretty quickly we are drawn to a handful of ideas we really like. Navigating through the labyrinth of endless possibilities, we will always find bits and pieces from each idea we like the best.

A key step we find that is overlooked after selecting our list of inspirations is the reviewing them from the lense of whether each individual idea will actually work together. In theory, anything is possible right? It's when we actually execute on the idea we realize, 'wait a minute, this isn't working the way I had pictured in my head.' Sound familiar? We've ALL been there!

So what do I do?

Have a maximum of 1 to 2 key motifs/ideas you want to centre your decor around. There is nothing wrong with blending ideas together but we need to make sure they can work in harmony.

Here is an activity we like to do that helps us get more clarity on the direction we want to take. We take out a paper and on that sheet of paper we put together a table to help us review each idea.

Here is an example:

Note: repeat this step for each idea you've saved/bookmarked, be as specific as you can.

With the completed table, we now have a better sense of what we liked from each idea. So now, taking a look at our 'Likes' column we group similar items together (E.g., Style: Bohemian, Cartoon, Rustic, Minimalism)

Once we organize our groups, we then narrow down our top 1-2 choices we like the most from each group, and those chosen ideas are the ones that would be used to decorate our party.

Tip #2 - Have a Solid Colour Scheme

The colours we choose play a big role in our event planning, from the centre piece decor, lighting, the stationary, down to the dress code for our party guests.

Do we want to make the space look bigger or cosy? Do we want the space to radiate with bohemian warmth or have an air of cool elegance? Do we want it to give off a calm and soothing vibe, or more energetic?

The right colour choice can send the right message, and when used to strategically highlight or accent specific decor, can take your overall aesthetic to the next level!

Taking the time to really think about your colour choice and studying all your individual components that will come together to create your vision is time spent you will never regret.

If you're having trouble narrowing down your colour choices, or if you don't have the faintest idea where to start, here are a set of questions that can help you find the perfect colours:

1. Is the event formal or casual?

2. Is the event during the day or in the evening?

3. Is the event outdoors or indoors?

4. Is it in a large, medium, or small sized venue?

5. Has a theme been selected? If yes, what colours are standing out from the chosen theme?

6. Is the event theme bright or dark?

7. Are there any accessories already picked out that the colours need to compliment? (E.g., Center pieces, Table Settings, Light Fixtures, Venue Colours, etc...)

Tip #3 - Lighting is EVERYTHING!

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere of a party. It contributes to the overall ambiance and enhances the visual appeal of the space. Twinkling lights, lanterns, candle light you name it! Different light fixtures will give a different feel to the space. Don't be afraid to play around with it.

Here are few reasons why lighting is important when decorating a space for a party:

• Highlights Decor and Details: Well-placed lighting can accentuate your party decorations and draw attention to specific details. It acts as a spotlight for focal points such as a dessert table, floral arrangements, or themed decor, enhancing the overall visual impact.

• Encourages Socializing: The right lighting can encourage social interaction by creating comfortable and visually appealing spaces. Soft, ambient lighting in seating areas can facilitate conversations, while brighter lighting in activity zones can encourage guests to engage in games, dance or other interactive elements.

• Enhances Photography: Good lighting is essential for capturing memorable moments during the party. Properly illuminated spaces ensure that photographs turn out clear and vibrant. This is especially important for events where guests will be taking pictures to commemorate the occasion. We want our guests to share how much fun they are having! #YOLO

• Adjusts the Perception of Space: Strategic lighting can influence the perception of the size and layout of the venue. Well-lit areas may feel more expansive, while darker corners can create a sense of coziness. This allows you to manipulate the spatial experience based on your party's theme and goals.

• Aligns with Theme and Decor: Lighting can be a key element in reinforcing the theme of the party. For example, string lights and lanterns might enhance a garden party, while neon lights could complement a modern or retro theme. Consistency in lighting choices helps tie the decor together.

Tip #4 - Centrepieces

Centrepieces, they don't always have to be made of flowers. As beautiful as they are, depending on the time of year they can be quite expensive.

There is no set rule that a centrepiece must always include flowers. So if you have a party theme where a floral centrepiece just won't get the job done, think outside of the box with your table decor-have fun with it! Here a few examples to get your creativity juices flowing!

• Star Wars Theme: What about a Star Wars Millennium Falcon as a centrepiece?

• Fair Forest Theme: A glass cloche encapsulating battery operated candles sitting in a bed of fake moss and fake butterflies.

• Beach Theme: Large glass vase filled with sand and decorating with various sized seashells, sitting on a bed of twinkling lights.

• Harry Potter Theme: A cauldron with dry ice smoke spilling from the rim, a sorting hat sitting on top, with candles surrounding the middle of the the table.

There are so many possibilities and ones that don't require breaking your wallet to create something beautiful and impactful!

Tip #5 - Table Setting

Generally, a basic table setting includes no less than a fork, knife, spoon, and napkin beside the plate.

Don't underestimate the power of a good table setting for a party, here are a few reasons why:

• Creates a Focal Point: The table is often a central element in party spaces, especially during meals or gatherings. A well-set table becomes a focal point, drawing attention and providing a visually pleasing anchor for the overall decor.

• Enhances the Theme: The table setting is an opportunity to reinforce the party theme. Coordinated tableware, linens, centerpieces, and other decorative elements contribute to a cohesive and immersive thematic experience for guests.

• Facilitates Guest Comfort: A well-set table considers practical aspects like guest comfort. Proper spacing, comfortable seating, and well-arranged utensils and glassware make it easier for guests to enjoy their meals and engage in conversations without feeling cramped or uncomfortable.

• Highlights Culinary Offerings: The table setting serves as a stage for presenting the culinary offerings. Well-chosen plates, serving dishes, and presentation styles enhance the visual appeal of the food, making the dining experience more enjoyable for guests.

• Photogenic Moments: A beautifully set table provides an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for photographs. Whether guests are capturing memories or the event is professionally photographed, a well-decorated table adds to the visual appeal of the images.

There are inexpensive ways we can elevate our table setting decor, and they focus around the following elements:

• Contrast: Adding a blend of light and dark creates a dynamic visual for the table that engages your guests and elevates their dinner experience.

• Patterns: Don't be afraid to play with patterns, solid colours add a little pop but adding a pattern or texture that fits the theme adds a little more flare and visual interest.

• Accents: They add a layer of complexity that compliments the overall colour scheme. Accent colours are generally neutral or take on the primary colour of your chosen colour scheme.

• Texture: Offers a way to add warmth to make it feel more welcome while maintaining a minimalistic colour palette.

Overall, table setting is a critical component of party decoration as it not only contributes to the visual appeal of the space but also plays a practical role in enhancing the guest experience, promoting social interaction, and expressing the overall theme and style of the event.

Summary

Decorating for a party on a budget is an art of ingenuity, where simplicity takes center stage. The key lies in harnessing the power of a well-thought-out color scheme that unifies the space with a cohesive and visually appealing palette. Lighting becomes the secret weapon, transforming the ambiance with inexpensive yet impactful solutions such as string lights or candles. Centerpieces need not break the bank; instead, they can be crafted from budget-friendly items, adding a touch of creativity and charm. Lastly, the table setting, a focal point of any gathering, can be elevated with affordable yet stylish choices in tableware and linens. In the realm of budget-friendly party decoration, a thoughtful combination of simplicity, colour, lighting, centrepieces, and table settings creates an inviting and celebratory atmosphere without compromising on style.

We Want to Hear from You!

Let us know if these tips have helped you. Leave us comment and share the tips that have helped you elevate your party decor to the next level.