Giving some thought to your party decorations and lights is an extremely important part of the overall party planning. Even if the party is taking place during the afternoon, be prepared to need some night time illumination from somewhere as parties often overrun and nothing kills an atmosphere dead like pitch blackness and an inability to see your own glass! Party lighting doesn't have to be straightforward and dull, far from it. Party lighting can include novelty lights, fairy lights, LED lights and can even fit with the wildest of themes. First however, it's important to consider what needs lighting and the best way to do this.

Lighting is one of the most important mood setters at a party. Really bright lights will make the place look like a football pitch, but too dark lights will be just as bad. Before throwing a party, consider where lights are needed. If there is cooking going on then lights will be necessary here. The same can be said for eating areas, paths and walkways to the house and of course the locations where your guests will be hanging out and talking. Table lights or candles can work as wonderful lights at a party but won't be appropriate for the cooking area say which will need much brighter overhead lights. Pathways and walkways need to be bright enough that an uneven surface can be seen, but again too bright and the effect will ruin the rest of the party. Floor lamps that are free standing look great at a party, although for outside parties it is important that special outdoor lights are used as indoor lighting can be dangerous if used outside. The key to successful lighting is that it is bright enough to fulfill a function but not bright enough to make people have to shade their eyes or be distracted by it.

A good idea is to set up the lighting a few days before the party so that a trial run can be had. This way it is possible to see where is too bright, or where needs more lights. It is important that nothing goes wrong on the night itself and being fully prepared in this way will help prevent any mishaps. Place the lights as they will be during the party, light any candles if necessary and simply take a stroll around. Go from the cooking area to the eating area and into the house, then return from the house to the dance floor and the conversation area. Look for any problems and fix them immediately.

Party lighting can be so much more that just a way to illuminate the event. A great way of providing further ambience to the party is by using novelty lights that match the theme of the evening. Chili pepper lights are great for Mexican themed nights. US flags work well on 4th July parties - have fun with the lighting and choose something that will be a talking point and a bit of fun. Coloured fairy lights work really well at parties too, providing an instant party atmosphere. Popular lights are fairy lights and LED lights which look good both indoors and outdoors.

Party lights are a very important part of party planning and getting it wrong can spell disaster for the night in question. With a bit of preparation however it is simple to create a good party atmosphere in which to dance the night away. When planning it out, consider the many different types of lights available from freestanding lights to candles and fairy lights to ensure the most appropriate lighting is chosen. Choose lights that are going to fit in with the overall theme of the party. Whether it's pink fairy lights that would be appropriate or blue LED lights that may work better, make sure a trial or a run through is had before the big night so nothing is left to chance.