If we had to choose one night out of the whole year that we look forward to the most of anything, we’d absolutely have to say New Year’s Eve. There’s just something so celebratory and exciting about it that makes it one of our very favourite things to experience! That’s why we usually host a party and do our best to make it an awesome time for all our friends and family. Of course, that means DIY decorations and we usually try to set up an awesome photo spot as well, since we know how people love to post about their night on social media.
Just in case you love the idea of making an awesome photo space for your friends to use at your annual NYE party just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the cutest DIY backdrop ideas that we’ve come across in this year’s search for inspiration!
1. Bright tinsel wall hanger
If you’re going to get crafty with party decor right after Christmas, why not save on materials by using something that’s abundant around the season? Making yourself this awesomely bright tinsel background, which is outlined step by step on Lovely Indeed is a great way to save yourself having to search for special supplies. You’ll find this in just about any store and it might even be discounted if you buy it after December 25th!
2. Fringed jumbo paper strips
Just in case you love the idea of all the texture that the tinsel idea offers but you’re not so sure about the idea of having it shed little metallic pieces all over your floor, here’s a cleaner but equally textured alternative! Oh Happy Day shows you how to make awesome jumbo streamers by cutting thick strips of different coloured paper and fringing the edges.
3. Scrunched tissue paper backdrop
Are you actually feeling quite into the idea of making some kind of awesome background from paper but you’d rather build your visual on a flat surface and spread it across the background than letting it hang horizontally? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Lovely Indeed created a beautiful colour washed background from pieces of scrunched tissue paper.
4. Fluffy marshmallow strings
Even though winter has passed by the time you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, are you still the kind of person who hangs onto every holiday moment of wintery charm? Then we think you just might be the perfect person to give this fantastic faux falling snow backdrop idea a try! Green Wedding Shoes shows you how to make it happen by making vertical strings of- yes, you read that right- big fluffy marshmallows. Just make sure people don’t start snacking on the backdrop until everyone has had a chance to snap a few photos!
5. Floor to ceiling balloons
In your mind, does a party automatically equal balloons? Well, we can’t say we blame you and we also think they make fantastic backdrops, especially if you build something like this full balloon well by Apartment Therapy! Now, for NYE we might choose a slightly different colour scheme than these pastels, like black and gold for example, but that idea itself is still great.
6. Chalkboard drop cloth
If you’re going to go to the trouble of making a whole DIY backdrop of your own, would you rather make it one that’s a little interactive or customizable? In that case, we think you might get along a little better with something like this chalkboard painted drop cloth by The Homesteady! Let each person write their name and some other cut detail, like one New Year’s resolution.
7. Paper doily wall
If your party’s colour scheme is white and gold and you’re going for something a little fancier and more delicate looking, then you’re in luck with this next idea from Sarah Hearts because most of those details are already taken care of! Check out how they arranged lacy paper doilies all across the wall so they layered in a pretty way and provided a detailed background with a neat metallic contrast.
8. Chevron strings
Just in case you were kind of intrigued by the thick DIY paper streamers but you found their density too overwhelming for what you’re picturing, here’s a slightly more delicate looking alternative! We love the way Glitter Guide created small garlands of chevron shaped stripes in alternating colours and hung them like beaded curtains.
9. Geometric paper gemstone wall
Would you rather add some visual texture to your photos that has a little more structure than a lot of what you’ve seen so far? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Green Wedding Shoes created no just a changing colour pattern but a gemstone inspired geometric design that actually stands out from the wall even though it’s only made of paper!
10. Paper polka dot wall
Just in case you’re pressed for time but still completely intent on the idea of adding some kind of colour pop or adorable character to one wall so your friends have a particularly interesting spot to take selfies in, here’s a quick and simple concept from We Are Scout! They show you how to scatter colourful polka dots in a way that’s celebratory and fun.
11. Sparkling paper shape garlands
Were you tempted by the chevrons idea but you can’t help feeling like your decor for NYE should be a little more full of glitz and glam? In that case, we think you’ll really appreciate the way Paper n’ Stitch used leftover silver wrapping paper to make a bunch of garlands featuring all kinds of funky shaped cut outs! Hang them horizontally or vertically; they’ll pick up the light and add some sparkle to the room either way.
12. Metallic party fringe
Just in case you’re still in a hurry and in search of something very easy to make but the coloured polka dots idea just isn’t glam enough for the rest of your NYE decor, here’s a metallic fringe concept from Brit + Co. that’s perfect for just about any party, but especially New Year’s.
13. Layered fringe scale shaped backdrop
Are you actually still thinking about how much you loved the layered effect in the paper doily idea we showed you earlier but you just can’t get into the delicacy of the lace detailing even though you would like some visual texture? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest checking out how The Decorista created a similar idea in its layering but using differently coloured fringe pieces instead!
14. Black and gold plastic table cover backdrop
Maybe you’re intent on the idea of covering your wall entirely because its painted shade is nowhere near the aesthetic you’d like to create for your friends’ photos? Well, one of the easiest ways to do that on a budge is to follow in Somewhat Simple‘s lead and tack up a plastic table cloth! We love the way they embellished theirs in contrasting polka dots. I really does create a very simple DIY step-and-repeat area!
15. White chiffon and fairy lights
Since you’re in complete creative control of your DIY background, would you actually rather create your party guests a photo area that’s a little more dreamlike or whimsical? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to try out this white chiffon curtains and fairy lights idea outlined step by step on A Life From Scratch!
