Mardi Gras is a fun and colorful festival celebrated every year. People enjoy music, parades, and of course, lots of beautiful decorations. If you want to join the fun and decorate your own home for Mardi Gras, I have some great ideas to share. From sparkling beads to bright balloons, these 21 decoration ideas will help you make your celebration extra special and full of joy!
Mardi Gras Decorations
Mardi Gras is a time for celebration and color, embodying the vibrant culture of New Orleans and spreading joy through its unique decorations. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to bring some of the festive spirit into your home, choosing the right Mardi Gras decorations can transform any space into a lively carnival scene.
What Factors to Consider
When selecting Mardi Gras decorations, consider the size of your space, the number of guests, and your budget. It’s important to balance the scale of decorations with the available area to avoid a cluttered look. Additionally, think about the durability of outdoor decorations if you’re planning to celebrate outside.
Top 21 Ideas
1. Beaded Curtain Entrances
Create an inviting entryway with curtains made of Mardi Gras beads. These can be hung in doorways or as a backdrop in photo areas. The shimmering beads in traditional purple, green, and gold will add a touch of glamour and festivity to your party setting.
Beaded curtains not only decorate but also engage guests as they make a playful entrance, instantly getting them into the festive spirit.
2. Themed Table Settings
Design your dining area with Mardi Gras-themed table settings. Use tablecloths with harlequin patterns and centerpieces featuring feathers and masks. This setup will serve as a functional decoration that also enhances the eating experience.
Don’t forget to include napkins, plates, and cups in matching colors to complete the look and make your table settings pop with Mardi Gras flair.
3. Masked Wall Art
Decorate walls with framed Mardi Gras masks or create a gallery wall featuring a variety of mask designs. This can turn an empty wall into a major focal point of your celebration.
Choose masks with intricate designs and vibrant colors that capture the essence of Mardi Gras and encourage a mysterious yet festive atmosphere.
4. Festive Lighting
Light up your space with purple, green, and gold string lights. Wrap them around railings, drape over curtains, or hang from the ceiling to create a magical, glowing environment.
Lighting not only enhances the mood but also highlights other decorations, making every detail of your Mardi Gras decor shine.
5. Colorful Balloon Arches
Create a grand entrance or a photo-op spot with a balloon arch in Mardi Gras colors. Balloon arches are eye-catching and can be made with balloons of different sizes to add depth and interest.
This decoration can be a DIY project that adds a personal touch to your celebrations and impresses your guests with your creativity.
6. Feathered Centerpieces
Feathered centerpieces are quintessential Mardi Gras decorations. Arrange tall vases filled with plumes of feathers in the traditional colors of purple, green, and gold. These can be placed on tables or around your party area to add height and drama to your decorations.
The feathers bring a soft, luxurious texture that contrasts well with the other more vibrant and festive elements of your party décor.
7. DIY Mardi Gras Wreaths
Create your own Mardi Gras wreaths using beads, ribbons, and masks. Hang these on doors or walls to welcome guests with festive cheer. This DIY project lets you customize designs to perfectly match your other decorations.
Wreaths are a welcoming sign that adds a festive touch right from the front door, setting the tone for the celebration inside.
8. Garland Drapes
Drape garlands made from Mardi Gras beads or fabric in party areas. These can be strung across ceilings, around pillars, or along fences for outdoor celebrations. Choose garlands that shimmer to beautifully reflect light and add sparkle to your venue.
The continuous flow of garlands enhances the cohesive look of your décor and adds a dynamic layer of texture.
9. Customized Mardi Gras Banners
Hang customized banners with Mardi Gras greetings or famous sayings like “Laissez les bon temps rouler” – let the good times roll. These can be placed at the entrance or in the main party area.
Personalized banners not only decorate the space but also make guests feel part of a special, festive gathering.
10. Confetti Poppers
Have confetti poppers on hand for guests to use at key moments of the celebration. Fill them with biodegradable confetti in Mardi Gras colors to make any moment pop with excitement and color.
This interactive decoration adds a fun, unexpected twist to your party and is great for photo opportunities.
11. Street Lamp Posts
Recreate the ambiance of New Orleans with miniature street lamp posts as part of your decor. These can be placed in corners or along walkways to illuminate your space with a soft, warm glow, mimicking the historic streets of the French Quarter.
The addition of street lamps adds an element of charm and nostalgia, transporting your guests straight to the heart of Mardi Gras celebrations.
12. Mardi Gras Tree
Turn a Christmas tree into a Mardi Gras tree by decorating it with masks, beads, and lights in festive colors. This can be a fun way to repurpose holiday decorations and make them part of your Mardi Gras theme.
A Mardi Gras tree serves as a stunning centerpiece, especially in large party spaces or entryways.
13. Bourbon Street Signs
Create signposts with names of famous New Orleans streets like Bourbon Street or Frenchmen Street. These can guide guests to different areas of your party or simply serve as fun, thematic decorations.
The signs add an authentic touch and help in creating a New Orleans-like atmosphere right in your home or party venue.
14. Jazz Music Corner
Set up a corner dedicated to jazz music, featuring posters of famous jazz musicians and old records. You can even have a small setup for live music if space allows.
This area not only decorates but also entertains, filling your party with the soulful sounds of jazz that are synonymous with Mardi Gras.
15. Sequined Table Runners
Use sequined table runners in Mardi Gras colors to add a touch of sparkle to your dining or buffet tables. The sequins catch the light beautifully and elevate the overall elegance of your table settings.
This decoration is both practical and stylish, protecting your tables while enhancing the festive mood.
16. Mardi Gras Themed Photo Booth
Create a themed photo booth with a backdrop of New Orleans’ iconic scenes and props like feather boas, masks, and hats. This provides guests with a fun activity and memorable takeaways from the celebration.
Photo booths are a hit at any party, and a Mardi Gras-themed booth is sure to capture lots of smiles and laughter.
17. Festive Door Mats
Welcome guests with festive Mardi Gras door mats at the entrance. Choose mats that feature Mardi Gras themes or witty sayings related to the celebration.
Door mats are not only functional but also set a fun tone right at the doorstep, making every guest feel immediately part of the festivity.
18. Ceiling Hangings
Decorate your ceiling with hangings that include feather boas, ribbons, and small lanterns. This draws the eye upwards and fills the space with vibrant colors and textures.
Utilizing the ceiling space helps to create a fully immersive environment, surrounding guests with decorations from all sides.
19. Mardi Gras Flags
Line your driveway or the path to your party location with Mardi Gras flags. These can be simple flags in purple, green, and gold, or more elaborate ones featuring fleur-de-lis designs.
Flags not only beautify the pathway but also build anticipation as guests approach the party area.
20. Inflatable Mardi Gras Decor
Include inflatable decorations like giant masks or beads in your outdoor area. These are eye-catching and can be seen from afar, making a bold statement.
Inflatables are easy to set up and take down, and they add a playful, whimsical element to your decorations.
21. Themed Coasters
Protect your surfaces while adding to the decor with Mardi Gras-themed coasters. Choose designs that feature traditional symbols like masks or the fleur-de-lis.
Coasters are a small but significant detail that complements other decorations and enhances the festive atmosphere of your gathering.
How to Plan
Planning your Mardi Gras decoration should start with a theme and a budget. Once you’ve settled on these, sketch out a layout of where each decoration will go. This helps in ensuring that you have a balanced distribution of decorations throughout the space.
Also, consider the time you have to set everything up and whether you’ll need extra hands. Planning ahead can make the process smoother and more enjoyable, allowing you to focus on having fun during the festivities.