How to Design Parties

Do you struggle with how to design a party? Get the basics of party planning from set up, to overall design, plus some of my best hosting tips. These are the rules I’ve followed for years!

How to Design a Party like a Seasoned Pro

Create an Overall Design Concept & Carry it Through.

Whether you’re hosting a baby shower, kids birthday, or a fun theme party, design and decor plays a key factor in the overall experience. You want to dress your party space so it flows easily from one area to another, especially if you’ll be spread out into different rooms or areas of the back yard.

My favorite way to do this is by using patterned fabric.

Use Fabric to Bridge the Party Spaces

• Use fabric right off the bolt and create a table topper or runner for seated tables or buffet tables. No need to sew either. You can use pinking shears to cut {prevents raveling} or use hem tape, or simply iron a hem in place.
• To “cross pollinate” two areas, use the same fabric as a backdrop or other type of table covering. I like to use the fabric as a backdrop because it adds another dimension rather than being on another horizontal table. This will visually connect the 2 areas together even if they’re in different rooms.
• Other ways to incorporate the same fabric are homemade napkins, fabric swags, inserted into a frame, place mats, or thin strips tied onto a Manzanita branch.

Use Paper & Printable Party supplies

Paper elements help to “Brand” a party.

Other than fabric, paper elements are a very popular way to carry your design throughout, and very economical too.

• When you use printed signs, tags, activity cards, etc. that are all coordinated, it immediately pulls the entire look together.
• Paper and printables can help set the tone of the event by being whimsical, sophisticated, rustic, etc.
• Use printed Welcome signs that the guests see as soon as they arrive.
• Be creative with the printable items available. Just because it is listed as a “food tent” doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a favor tag.
• Get crafty with the items and add embellishments like adhesive rhinestones, or ribbon, etc.

Pick a Style to Design a Party Around

One of the first things I think about when designing a party is, what “feel” do I want it to have. When you decide on this it’s a lot easier to pull together the rest of the design elements.

• Some of the most popular choices are modern, rustic, vintage, shabby chic, whimsical, etc. Within this framework you can begin to combine styles such as rustic + modern, vintage + whimsical, or vintage + shabby chic.
• A bridal shower below, combines rustic materials with modern design & styling.
• Vintage + rustic elements are combined to create a warm and inviting Autumn celebration.
• A Modern style can be achieved by incorporating sleek simple lines and a clean white base.

The idea is to pick a style or combination and stick with it throughout the decor.

How to Set Up the Party 

Aside from the party decor there are logistical things to consider. Party layout, do-ahead tasks, thoughtful touches your guests will appreciate, etc. Here are some of my all time favorite tips to follow:

• If you do nothing else, set up your tables days ahead if you can. You can’t imagine what a time saver this will be, as well as a useful tool to help you see if things will work out the way you plan them. I’ve been known to set up my buffet table a week ahead and place tiny paper labels on each dish so I know exactly what food item will go where.
• If you can, set up a small table with drinks available as soon as guests arrive. This is a good way for guests to “warm up” and feel immediately a part of the party as they enter.
• Speaking of drinks, serve a signature drink in coordinating color and give it a cute themed name for the day.
• Set up specific activity stations according to where you want your guests to be. As the hostess you have the power to place your guests where you want them simply by setting up food, drink, or activities in a certain area. Make sure you have plenty of space for the designated task – you don’t want a bottle-neck affect.
• We never talk about music but it’s one of the most important elements in creating ambiance. Create a playlist on your ipod and play it at a low volume. I prefer smooth jazz for ladies luncheons, and hip dance tunes for livelier events. Match the music to the theme such as country music for a Western party, Samba for a Fiesta, old “Rat Pack” tunes for a Casino party, etc.
• Perform one house cleaning task each day for the week leading up to the party. Better yet, treat yourself to a house cleaning service to do the job for you. Rentals.com blog also has some helpful quick cleaning tips to follow.
• Don’t forget to pay special attention to the restroom that your guests will be using. Take a cue from those upscale bathrooms that have attendants, and provide some amenities your guests might need. I like to have available lotion, room spray, feminine products, mints, ibuprofen, and safety pins. I also like to have either a pretty night light turned on or a candle burning. No one likes to walk into the dark.

With these tips I think you should be well on your way to hosting a fabulous party. It’s a great way to celebrate friends and family, or a great way to meet your new neighbors.

In fact that’s exactly what got me hooked on entertaining 15 years ago. We moved to a new state into a neighborhood where we knew no one. I decided I’d host a Christmas Cocktail party to meet our new co-workers and neighbors and it ended up becoming a yearly event.

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