One of the most important elements of any event is the atmosphere. As an event planner, you want to have as much control over the atmosphere as you can, and there’s one simple and versatile way to transform a space and maintain control of the event atmosphere: drapes.
The idea of using drapery to change a space may sound elementary, but you shouldn’t underestimate what drapes can do. Drapes aren’t just for lining the walls of a space or dividing a larger room into smaller areas — and they serve those purposes well — but they’re also a way to create a truly immersive and engaging atmosphere and foster an experience that attendees will remember long after the event is over.
You can put drapes to work as a decor element that allows you to devise a customized atmosphere that fits the branding and theme of your event as well as the attendees' needs. Drapes allow you to create a sense of depth and atmosphere by adding texture, color, and dimension to a space. Nothing else works like drapery to achieve this kind of transformation, and here we’ll explore how you can harness the power of drapes at your next event.
Create a Focal Point
One of the ways that drapery can help you create a unique atmosphere and sense of drama is by creating a stunning focal point for the event, drawing attendees' attention to the main stage or ceremony space. For example, you can draw attention to an area or space by using floor-to-ceiling drapes in a bold color or pattern.
Drapes can give attendees an extra sense of engagement and immersion by focusing them on a specific area or section of the space. They’re more than just room dividers. Drapes can bring your attendees to a specific moment when you use draped partitions to create separate areas for dining, networking, or entertainment.
CORT’s Inspiration Gallery shows us multiple examples of how drapes can set up a dramatic focal point in an event space. At an event for the Wedding International Professional's Association at Essex House in New York City, lush indigo drapes drew attendees’ attention to a bar area. A wedding produced by Damselfly Designs relied on red drapery to highlight the stage area where the ceremony took place.
Add Color and Texture
Drapes are a great way to enhance the experience of your event because they help you add color and texture to a space. So many event spaces are blank canvases, which means that drapes can help you create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
Using drapes in sheer fabrics or light colors help evoke a dreamy and romantic atmosphere for a wedding. CORT’s Winter White Sheer and Beige Super Velour are terrific examples of this kind of drapery style. Rich, luxurious drapes in a deep, moody color, such as Merlot Super Velour or Deep Sea Blue Super Velour, can help you create an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere for a cocktail party or gala.
When you look at CORT’s Inspiration Gallery, you’ll see the example of the use of drapes at the Springtime Soiree benefit event. Luxurious dark green drapes highlighted comfortable lounge areas with sumptuous color and texture.
Combine With Lighting
Drapes give you even more control over your event space when you incorporate lighting. That combination of drapery and lighting puts the ability to completely transform a space into your hands. It’s about more than just providing the right amount of lights. It’s also about developing an atmosphere that perfectly matches the theme and purpose of your event.
Placing colored lights behind sheer drapes gives you the ability to create a soft ambiance for a wedding or gala event. Spotlights on bolder, more colorful drapes contribute to a dramatic atmosphere that is engaging and eye-catching.
The right lighting, such as uplights or spotlights that highlight patterns and textures, can draw attention to a focal area and create interesting depth within a space. Don’t forget about projection mapping technology for creating a unique and immersive experience and incorporating branding or theming into your event space.
Ready to Transform Your Space?
Decor and atmosphere may seem like small details, but they’re crucial to ensuring that your event is a memorable experience. We’ve seen how drapes can help you achieve the experience you want for your attendees. Whether you’re creating a focal point, adding color and texture, or incorporating lighting — or all of the above — you can give your event attendees more than just an event.
CORT Events doesn’t just offer you drapes and lighting in addition to the furniture and decor for your event, but they also give you creative inspiration and planning tools that allow you to make the most of your space. You can count on CORT to stand with you from the early stages of planning your event to the execution of the experience.
With CORT Events, you don't just get an event, you get an experience that lives long after the last chair is loaded into the truck. That's the power of more.
