Decorating Techniques for Special Occasions
Celebrate in Style With CHEERS
Hosting an event in Charleston? From formal dinners to backyard celebrations, CHEERS provides the rentals to make any event talked about long after it’s over. With a curated collection of tables, seating, linens, glassware, and more, we help you shape a space that works for your crowd and fits the tone of your gathering, whether it’s classic or casual.
Great décor doesn’t just decorate a space—it transforms it. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, saying “I do,” or popping the bubbly for an engagement party, your design choices can influence the entire atmosphere.
From layered linens and glowing lights to custom tableware and lounge-ready seating, the following ideas help set the rhythm of the day, guiding where people linger, laugh, and share a moment. Use them to create a space that feels relaxed and full of personality
1. Start With a Theme (Even a Loose One)
Before you choose colors or rent tables, it helps to have a style or direction. That might be:
- Seasonal tones (like warm fall shades or light spring colors)
- Visual themes (coastal minimalism, vintage garden party)
- Classic combos (black and white, green and ivory)
You don’t need to match every item perfectly. What matters is that your selections feel cohesive once everything comes together. Some planners start with Pinterest boards or reference photos, while others build around colors or materials they already love.
Think about how you want guests to feel—relaxed, energized, nostalgic? Warm tones like terracotta and mustard evoke coziness, while pastel blues and creams create a light, airy atmosphere.
Even a loosely defined vibe, like ‘Italian courtyard’ or ‘retro glam,’ can unify everything from your florals to your place cards. Mood boards can help visualize how each detail will work together in the space.
And if your event is taking place at a special venue, such as a grand mansion or a historic plantation, its existing aesthetic can offer plenty of inspiration.
2. Build the Look From the Ground Up
The surface you’re working with—grass, tile, concrete, or carpet—can guide your décor and rental choices. Outdoors? You might need a dance floor to keep heels from sinking into the turf or to give guests a spot for dancing and mingling.
Once you have decided on the flooring, map out how people will move through the space. Table and chair rentals let you adjust the look and layout. Long banquet tables create a shared, cozy feel, while round tables leave more breathing room and encourage easy conversation.
Cocktail tables work well in open areas, giving guests a place to pause with a drink or chat between activities. Arranging furniture in small groups keeps traffic flowing and makes the room feel more connected.
3. Layer Linens for Texture and Color
Linens soften hard surfaces, add color in just the right places, and help each table feel like part of the celebration. Light, airy fabric gives a relaxed feel, while textured layers or rich tones can bring warmth and depth.
At CHEERS, our tablecloth rentals range from breezy neutrals and soft pastels to bold, moody colors. Keep things tonal for a clean look, or mix patterns and shades to create something more playful and unexpected.
4. Mix and Match Table Settings for Personality
The way you set the table says a lot before guests even take their seats. Plates, utensils, glassware, and charger plate rentals help create a mood, whether you’re going for timeless and classic or colorful and fun.
Here are a few combinations to inspire your tablescape:
- Garden dinner. Floral chargers, soft pink glassware, and silver flatware
- Formal evening. Crystal glasses, embossed plates, or gold-rimmed dinnerware
- Casual brunch. Matte dishes, colorful glasses, and minimalist flatware
Formal tables usually include full place settings: chargers, multiple utensils, and more than one glass. One set of utensils, a smaller plate, and beaded glassware can keep things simple for a casual meal.
5. Use Lounge Seating as Style Anchors
Lounge seating brings comfort and connection to any event space. A cozy cluster of sofas or armchairs can break up wide-open areas and invite guests to relax, mingle, or recharge. Add rugs, low tables, and plush pillows to tie it all into your color palette and create a stylish, welcoming atmosphere.
These zones work well for bachelorette parties, cocktail hours, or anywhere people gather between activities. They’re functional, comfortable, and add visual balance without feeling overdecorated.
6. Illuminate the Room With Style
A well-lit layout helps guests feel comfortable, keeps traffic flowing, and ensures important areas stay visible as daylight fades into the evening.
Use uplights to highlight trees or architectural details. Hang fairy lights to connect open spaces and draw people in. Place lanterns or LED light candles on tables to warm things up after dark.
For extra flexibility, try dimmable uplights or string lights with remote controls so you can adjust the atmosphere as the evening unfolds. LED candles work well in wind-prone areas, while solar-powered lanterns provide a stylish, eco-friendly option for outdoor spaces.
Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting can highlight key zones while keeping the overall glow balanced and inviting.
And when lighting outdoor events, safety should always come first. Secure all fixtures, double-check cables and power sources, and prepare for wind, humidity, or sudden weather changes.
7. Decorate the Bar—It’s a Focal Point
Choose a custom bar that fits the look of your event—wood tones for something rustic, clean finishes for a modern feel, or something more colorful for casual gatherings. Dress it up with fresh florals, framed menus, or a rented backdrop to add texture and draw the eye.
Signature drinks can double as décor when served in chic glassware rentals with garnishes like citrus wheels, herb sprigs, edible flowers, or custom drink stirrers. The bar is a natural focal point; use it to anchor the space and showcase your style.
8. Think Vertical—Ceilings, Walls, and Backdrops
Hang streamers, greenery, or chandeliers to bring dimension overhead. Add balloon arches or floral arrangements to frame entryways, highlight a cake table, or create a natural backdrop for a photo booth.
Think beyond florals—try hanging parasols, cascading ribbon installations, floating candles, or balloon clouds for dramatic flair. Wall decals, neon signs, or vertical shelving displays can add personality without crowding floor space. Vertical elements draw the eye upward, making rooms feel larger and more dynamic.
Drapes are also helpful in softening large spaces or dividing open layouts into smaller, more focused zones. These elements help balance the room from top to bottom and create visual impact without cluttering the floor.
9. Add Personal Touches That Reflect the Guest(s) of Honor
Bring in elements that feel personal to the guest of honor. Use framed photos to show off favorite moments, add a quote they love to the welcome sign, or slip a shared joke into the table numbers.
Display a keepsake from their childhood, tuck a travel memento into the centerpiece, or choose flowers they’ve always loved. These small details spark conversation and help guests feel connected to the celebration.
10. Use Signage to Guide and Style
Signage helps guests move around the space while reinforcing the event’s style. Use matching fonts, colors, and materials to maintain a cohesive look. Try chalkboards, acrylic signs, or printed cards in elegant frames.
You can include signs for:
- Welcome messages
- Event itineraries
- Bar menus
- Seating charts
- Photo booth prompts
- Restroom directions
Well-placed signs reduce confusion and keep things moving, especially for larger events or multi-room layouts.
11. Incorporate Fresh Greenery or Dried Botanicals
Floral arrangements aren’t the only way to bring life to a space. Greenery garlands, potted herbs, or dried grasses offer a fresh and natural touch that doesn’t always need water or careful handling.
Place eucalyptus runners on long tables, use pampas grass in corner arrangements, or scatter small succulents around lounge areas. Dried flowers in bud vases work well for modern, rustic, or boho themes—and they won’t wilt, so they’re easy to reuse.
12. Create an Interactive Decor Element
Décor isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s also about how it feels to be in it. Adding interactive elements invites guests to participate, move around, and connect with each other in a more playful, memorable way. Try:
- A Polaroid photo wall or guestbook signing area
- An interactive dessert display, like a cupcake decorating station or Build Your Own Sundae bar
- A DIY flower crown bar
- A message tree or advice cards
Tailor interactive elements to fit the occasion. A Date Night Jar invites guests to leave fun ideas for the couple’s future at weddings. A Memory Lane wall with guest-submitted photos is a heartfelt conversation starter at birthday parties. For baby showers, prediction cards—guessing the baby’s name, weight, or due date—add a personal touch (and a few laughs).
These hands-on moments give guests something to do, talk about, and take home. They add personality to the event and leave a lasting impression beyond the final toast.
13. Frame the Entry for a Strong First Impression
Guests start forming impressions before stepping inside, so give them something to walk into. Frame the entry with flowers, draped fabric, or a sign that feels personal to the celebration. You’re not just marking the start of the event—you’re setting the mood.
For evening gatherings, add string lights overhead to draw the eye forward, naturally leading guests inside. A patterned rug or woven runner adds softness underfoot and subtly directs foot traffic toward the action, whether that’s the bar, the dinner tables, or the dance floor.
If you’re including a guestbook, welcome table, or check-in spot, fold it into the entry design so it feels like part of the experience, not just a formality.
14. Highlight Key Areas With Styled Stations
Accent furniture and visual vignettes do more than fill space—they tell a story. A vintage dresser makes a charming dessert station, while a bench near the dance floor gives guests a cozy spot to unwind. The following touches shape the flow of your event and infuse the venue with personality:
- A memory table with framed photos and keepsakes
- A tribute shelf with candles and a note honoring a loved one
- A party favor station styled with fabric runners and fresh greenery
Build each station with layers—like mixed textures, varied heights, and one or two personal elements that tie into your event’s overall style. Even a single floral stem, a framed quote, or a handwritten sign can turn a quiet corner into something warm and thoughtfully styled.
15. Make the Kid Zone Fun and Functional
If your event includes children, consider setting up a dedicated kid-friendly zone that entertains the little ones and allows adults to relax. Use child-sized seating, bright colors, and activity tables to define the area. Add bins with toys, puzzles, coloring books, or small crafts.
For outdoor parties, bubble machines or lawn games can keep kids engaged. The decorations don’t have to be childish—just accessible. Keep the kids’ zone close enough that parents can keep an eye out, but separate enough that kids can enjoy their own space.
16. Tie It All Together With Coordinated Details
Sometimes it’s the smallest touches that make an event feel pulled together. Coordinated details—like matching ribbons on favors, repeating motifs in signage, or a consistent font used throughout—can unify the look without being flashy.
If you’re using custom menus or place cards, carry those same design elements into your welcome sign or bar menu. A consistent floral color palette or a recurring material (like rattan, brass, or linen) can do the trick.
These small-scale details don’t require a big budget but make the overall design feel intentional and finished.
Need Help Pulling It All Together?
You don’t need a packed venue to make a statement—just the right mix of furniture, lighting, and well-placed details. Whether you’re in a backyard, rental hall, or formal wedding venue, our rentals help shape a space that feels pulled together and guest-ready.
Our team is ready to help you with everything from design inspiration to setup and breakdown. With curated collections, hands-on support, and a track record of unforgettable events, CHEERS makes event planning feel effortless. Let’s bring your ideas to life.
From relaxed dinners to full-scale celebrations, CHEERS has the tables, linens, glassware, and extras to bring it all together. Explore the collection or contact us with your event plans—we’ll help you build a setup that works.