Choosing a Colour Scheme
A tight colour scheme is the single biggest reason some parties look styled and others look thrown together.
The good news: you only need two or three colours and one simple rule to make everything match, from balloons to tableware.
Start with the 60-30-10 rule
Pick a dominant colour for about 60% of your decorations, a supporting colour for 30%, and a metallic or bright accent for the last 10%. Use the dominant on the big pieces (backdrop, most balloons, tablecloth), the support on the mid pieces (bunting, plates, a run of balloons), and the accent as sparkle (confetti, ribbon, a few foil balloons).
Palettes that work by occasion
- Milestone birthday or New Year: black, gold and a pop of white.
- Baby shower or christening: sage, cream and rose gold, or soft pastels.
- Kids party: two bright primaries plus white to stop it looking busy.
- Wedding or anniversary: one colour plus ivory and a metallic.
Stuck? Pull your two colours from the guest of honour's outfit, the cake or an invitation, then add one metallic to lift the whole scheme.
Frequently asked questions
How many colours should a party use?
Two or three is the sweet spot. Beyond that a room starts to look cluttered rather than styled. A metallic counts as your accent, not a full third colour.
Do all my decorations have to be an exact match?
No. Sticking to a family of shades (say three tones of blue) reads as more relaxed and still looks intentional. Matching the accent metallic across pieces is what pulls it together.
Shop a whole look in colour themes, then match your balloons and decorations to it.
More in the Decorations guide