Top 24 Party Decoration Ideas for Any Celebration | Shutterfly (2023)

Are you hosting an upcoming bachelorette party? Or maybe you’re about to celebrate the big 5-0. Whatever the occasion, you’re probably searching for some fresh and exciting party ideas. From champagne towers to balloon arches– party decoration ideas quickly become centerpieces of your celebration. For that reason, it’s important to put plenty of thought and care into your decorations. Ready to get started? Check out our top party decoration ideas below.

Jump to:

• How To Decorate For A Party
• Party Decoration Ideas For Adults
• Table Decoration Ideas For Parties
• Backyard Party Decorating Ideas
• Balloon Decoration Ideas For Party
• Pool Party Decoration Ideas

How To Decorate For A Party

Whether you’re throwing a birthday party, a retirement party, or anything in between– decorations are essential. But the right decorations are different for every party. So how do you pick the right decor? First, make sure to plan ahead. Then, make a list of need-to-haves and want-to-haves, and decide what works best for your party. Finally, the most important things to keep in mind when decorating for a party are as follows:

• Theme
• Budget
• Location
• Weather
• Occasion
• Guest Age

Party Decoration Ideas For Adults

Between party supplies, celebration ready home decor, and personalized party decorations, the following ideas are perfect for any adult. Pick your favorite ideas from those below or use them to inspire a theme all your own.

1. Elegant Decor

Elevate your party decor with simple additions of elegant decorations. Classics include simple floral arrangements, candles, and gold or silver color schemes. A combination of an appropriate venue, attention to detail, and elegant decor will help you turn your party into an event to remember.

2. Barware

Step up your party game with custom barware including personalized wine glasses and shot glasses. Display them at the open bar for guests to use throughout the party, or send them home as a party favor. These ideas work especially well for wine tasting parties.

3. Lighting

Between string lights, lanterns, and custom candles, there’s plenty of lighting options for your party. Choosing the best lighting for your party depends on the time of day or night, the space in which the party is being held, and your overall decoration scheme. For example, string lights work great for a dinner party, while tiki torches would work best at a tropical pool party.

4. Signage

Signage includes everything from handmade wooden sign posts to themed posters. These signs are great ways to help explain rules, directions, and more to guests. Additionally, they also provide opportunity to carry on the party’s theme.

5.Black and White Decor

Looking for simple and classic decorations? Choosing a black and white color scheme is a common go-to for many adults only celebrations. From black and white balloons to black table runners and white flowers, there’s no end to the decoration possibilities. Just make sure to include “black or white attire requested” on the invitations.

Table Decoration Ideas For Parties

Tables aren’t just great places to keep the party food, desserts, and gifts; they’re also another opportunity to highlight your party theme. Step up your table decorations with the tips and ideas below.

6.Dessert Table

Featuring a dessert table at your party won’t just keep the guests happy and on a sugar high– it’s also an important part of your party’s decorations. Whether it’s the cake table at a Quinceañera or assorted donuts and cake pops at a baby shower, you’ll want the dessert decorations to fit your party’s theme. Through colored icing, presentation, or cute signs, there’s plenty of ways to make your dessert table pop.

7. Rose Gold Party Decorations

For a party with a rose gold color scheme, make sure to give plenty of attention to the table decorations. Table clothes should be white, light pink, or rose gold. Include gold and rose gold plating, vases, or platters. Consider gold table runners, pink cupcakes, and golden balloons to help make your party table pop.

8.Glow In The Dark Party Decorations

Glow in the dark and neon parties make for fun events for all ages. Make yours stand out with a tablescape that will get guests excited. Fill the table with glow sticks, glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces, and any other accessories you want. For another fun idea, purchase a disposable black tablecloth and provide a pile of highlighters for guests to write glow in the dark messages.

9. Floral Arrangements

Floral arrangements are a staple party decoration. But it’s important to keep in mind the different meanings of certain flowers when picking them out. You don’t want to offend or confuse any guests with flowers intended for mourning at a happy occasion. Additionally, do your best to plan for complementary or nicely contrasting colors.

10. Gift Table

Gift tables are common for many parties, including birthdays and baby showers. But by setting up your gift table with care, you can help it visually stand out. For example, by including a fun and thematic sign at the entrance to a birthday party your guests will know exactly where to place the birthday gifts. And by adding birthday balloons, streamers, and confetti, the table adds to the overall decor.

11. Plating

Plating can help take your table decorations to the next level. Whether it’s the way you arrange your appetizers, desserts, or even in the styling and decorating of the food itself – it can make a huge difference. Additionally, consider creating custom plates to match your theme.

Backyard Party Decorating Ideas

If you party will be hosted outdoors, it’s important to find some backyard-specific decorations. From outdoor seating, to lighting, to the little details, it’s important to make sure your outdoor space works with your theme. The following ideas do just that.

12. Tea Party Decoration Ideas

Throwing a party? Focus on a decor mix of floral elements and tea sets. Pastels, lace, and gold accents all make great additions for this decor scheme. Set tables with full place settings and teacups, and arrange an hors d’oeuvres table nearby the dining space.

13. Boho Style

Boho decor means decorating with plenty of style, cultural influences, and other interesting things. For example, you may want to use lanterns and string lights for outdoor lighting, a low party or dining table with pillow and cushion seating, and plenty of floral accents.

14. Vintage Decor

This party design scheme focuses on vintage accents and repurposed decorations. Look for old fashioned serving trays, cake stands, champagne chillers, tea cups, and other decorative knick-knacks. But don’t over decorate. Do your best to keep the party space looking uncluttered.

15. Seasonal Colors

Decorate your party with the colors of the season. For an autumn celebration, think browns, olive and forest green, and orange. For spring, pastels and lighter colors are more appropriate. Seasonal colors can be shown through the flower arrangements, table clothes, streamers, balloons, and more.

16. Ranch Style Party

Ranch style parties make great summer and autumn themes. Customize your decor with mason jars, flowers, wooden accents, and rustic elements like horseshoes and barrels. Use twine and leather as decorative ties, and fill the party menu with craft beer and barbecue.

Balloon Decoration Ideas For Party

Looking for some fun balloon decoration ideas for your party? Look no further than the examples below, no matter what your theme is.

17. Gold and White

Gold and white balloons work for many different party themes. Whether it’s a graduation, bachelorette, engagement, or baby shower, this classy color scheme will make your party picture perfect.

18. Pastel Colors

Pastel colors like light pink, blue, and purple look great for parties that want a softer decor and style. These balloon colors look great at the dessert table at a birthday, the entrance of a baby shower, and throughout the garden of a tea party.

19. Unique Balloon Shapes

Consider whether you want latex or mylar balloons at your party, as these look and feel very different. And if appropriate for your party theme, consider unique shapes. For example, stars and moon shaped balloons at a space themed party. Please note many of these unique balloon shapes can be ordered online.

20. Balloon Arches

Balloon arches are a great way to make a grand statement at your party. Whether it’s to welcome guests into the celebration or to be used as a background for a photo booth, these arches look amazing. Balloon arches can be handmade or ordered ahead of time.

Pool Party Decoration Ideas

Whether it’s for a summer birthday party or end of summer celebration, a pool party might be in your future. If you’re planning a pool party, you’ll want to make sure you pick an aquatic-friendly decoration scheme. From tropical to nautical decor ideas, we’ve covered it all:

21. Tropical Decor

Tropical pool parties are a staple of summer, so it’s important to take the time to make yours stand out. Fill an outdoor bar area with tropical drinks and pineapple garnishes. Stick to a bright color scheme of green, yellow, and pink and fill the pool with island themed inflatables.

22. Instagram Worthy

Through an Insta worthy pool party so you’ll have no end of summer throwback photos through the rest of the year. Include swan or flamingo pool inflatables, decorative cups and paper umbrellas, and plenty of streamers and balloons. Then fill the pool with any remaining latex balloons for a picture perfect party set up.

23. White Party

A white dress party is a summer day celebration where guests come dressed in all white. Decor, including balloons, table settings, desserts, and flowers should all be white. Make sure to confirm the dress code in the invitation so no guests accidentally show up in the wrong color.

24. Nautical Party

A nautical party is the perfect pool party theme for those who want a semi-casual yet classic party. This navy blue and white color scheme pairs perfectly with nautical accents like sailboats, compasses, and similar elements.

Resources Related to Party Decoration Ideas

If you liked this resource on party decoration ideas and you’re looking for more, make sure to visit the following related resources:

• Bachelorette Party Decoration Ideas
• Home Decor Ideas
• Where to Have a Birthday Party