30 Party Decorating Ideas

I just hosted an e.l.f. Cosmetics Makeup At Home party at my home and added pink accents to my black and white design to get the party look I was going for.  This made me start to think about all of the great party decorating ideas I have used (or think about using) and I wanted to share them with you!

So, here are 30 tips on how to easily decorate with a color theme for any party.

Just so you know, one of my favorite accent colors to decorate for any party is red, it works almost any time of the year so the photos are all about red party decorating, but you can use most of these ideas with any color.

 

 

FLOWERS AND ITEMS FROM NATURE...

1. Flowers make great centerpieces. Is there anything more classic than a centerpiece of red roses?

2. For a fresh look, I also like mums and gerbera daisies. Try adding color with creative flower vases, like decoupaged tin cans, or inserting your vase inside a flower pot.

3. You can also use pomanders (round flower arrangements) made of mums, which are also easy to make yourself.

4. Use decorator rocks in the flower vases; you can also spray paint rocks to get your desired color.

5. Get large black rocks and markers and write your guests' names on the rocks as place cards. Or ask your guests to write you a note on the rocks; it makes a great memory of your special day and you can use the rocks in your home and garden.

6. Other great items from nature: pine cones, sea shells, twigs - all of them also look great spray painted and/or with glitter.

 

SWEETEN THE PARTY WITH CANDY...

7. One of my favorite items to decorate with... candy. For example red heart candy.

8. Personalized mint tins are also a great way to make a colorful display (you don't have to get all the same style, you can mix and match).

9. The Mini gumball machine comes in a variety of colors and you can fill it with any color gumballs.

10. Candy stations are fun and look great. Get clear containers and lots of candy in your party colors and bags so people can fill up their own party candy favors.  Easy and fun. Most of the candy pictured is from Candy Warehouse.

 

SET THE TABLE

11. Look for recipes using foods that incorporate your party color. There are fruits and veggies in so many colors!

12. Cakes can be decorated in any color - match your cake with your party theme... but don't go overboard.

13. Cupcakes! Cupcake stands make great centerpieces and cupcake are easier to make at home than one big cake.

14. If food fails to bring you enough color - serve the food on colorful plates.

15. I like white dinnerware the best though - it's easy to mix with any color.  Also, you can bring in the color with a tablecloth and napkins.

16. Get creative with the tablecloth - you can use high-quality sheets, or tapestries.

 

PARTY FASHION

17. Scarves make great table runners.

18. Fashion designer and former Project Runway finalist Daniel Vosovic created a centerpiece made of jewelry. Combine inexpensive jewelry from places like Claire's or Forever21 (pictured) and combine with items found from craft stores.

19. Ask your guests to bring the color to your party - add a dress code according your party colors.

20. If it's too much to ask all of the guests to dress in one color, ask them to wear only a scarf, hat or socks in your party color (great for Red Sox fans...). I'd love to host a Red Shoe party!

21. You can always bring in celebrity guests to bring in the color- or just a cutout of them. How about Heidi Klum in a red dress?

22. If you really want to glam up your party add a real red carpet. You can rent a red carpet, or you can just buy a red runner from Target to create the look for your home. Just add a spotlight or two and a family photographer.

 

GET CREATIVE AND CRAFTY

23. Get creative and decorate with flea market treasures or craft store supplies. Etsy is a great idea bank for DIY ideas - and best of all: you don't even have to make them, you can just purchase them...

24. If you have Photoshop or any other design program and a good printer (I love my Kodak), you can create dream catchers yourself. They are great as name cards or table number cards. If you are not feeling creative or don't have time, you can custom order them from Kat's Krafts.

25. Make paper strings from wrapping paper or craft paper to match your party colors or get the kit from Snow and Graham.

26. Paint or decoupage clothes pins.  Again - a great idea for name cards, or on the buffet table if you have one.  It's an easy do-it-yourself project, or you can also get some from Etsy, the pictured ones are made by Queenvanna Creations

27. The corset candle is also handmade, and will require a little more time and skill to do it yourself.

28. Use wide ribbon and tie it around chairs or curtains. Tie ribbon around flower vases - or skip napkin rings and tie napkins with ribbon. Buy inexpensive cloth napkins and sew a ribbon on them. Add ribbon to the table cloth too.

29. Get colorful candles - or candle holders.

30. Ready-made party favors are the easiest way to bring in color. Beau-coup is my favorite place to shop for them.

Do you have party decorating ideas?

Comment here and share!

Photo sources: Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas, Brides Cafe, About Details Details (weddings 5, 7 and 18) Etsy, Amazon and other places where products sold.