When I entertain, lighting is key. Lighting really does set the mood for gatherings, and I always look to have that WOW factor when my guests walk into the room.
As much as Sean and I entertain, it’s always New Year’s Eve that is my favorite time to decorate. Though we are not fans of leaving our house on this special evening, we do love to have guests over. No matter how many times our friends have been to our home, I like to bring on the glitz and glam as if it was their first time walking in our door.
This week, I’m going to show you how to have that glitz and glam New Year’s Eve celebration in the comforts of your own home, and today, I’m talking lighting.
The cocktail area always needs good lighting, but a lamp just doesn’t make the area as special as it could be. Those colorful bottles and beautiful glasses need their well-deserved umph, so why not light up beneath them to let their colors shine.
The how-to is gorgeous, inexpensive, and easy to do. You will need a tray, white holiday lights (a string of 100 works perfectly), a sheet of plastic that goes over fluorescent lights, a pair of tin snips, and transparent tape.
First, measure the inside bottom of the tray and cut the plastic sheet with tin snips to fit. Set the plastic sheet aside.
Take the white holiday lights and line the bottom of the tray, zig zagging to fill evenly, taping the string of lights down every few inches or so. Very important – make sure each plug end of the lights are hanging over the tray.
Place the fitted plastic sheet over the lights. Add your glasses and bottles to the tray and plug in.
Twinkle Twinkle Hello Bar Tray!
You light up my cocktail!
This stunning cocktail area will have your guests mesmerized, and will be that WOW factor that you craved.
Cheers to that!
Tune in tomorrow when I share with you delicious and simple hors d’oeuvres recipes served on a glammed up table. Who knew wardrobe mirrors make such a glamorous table runner!!
Stay tuned!
Wow, this is so creative! Brooke, I’m absolutely in love with DIY!
Stunning! I love this idea – such an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up the decor for a special occasion! Thank you for sharing.
Oh I love this !!! Easy DIY is my life will definitely be doing this thanks !! Laci @ sequinsinthesouth.com
This is such creative idea, Brooke! I would never have thought to do this. Your party is going to be "best on the block"! Hugs, CoCo
That’s great what you did with the lights! How fun! It really does illuminate the whole tray! I love it!
Oooh-la-la. What you did was really cool and I like that it’s simple & easy-to-do. I’m definitely doing that next time.
I love how this turned out! We don’t have a bar in our house but if we ever have a party with drinks this would be such a fun way to serve drinks!
That is such a cute idea!! You could even use different colored bulbs to go with a theme, I need to try this out.
This is such an adorable idea! And super easy too!
I just love this idea and I might have to do this the next time we’re having a party. LOVE IT!
Oh my gosh, I’m going to do this for Valentine’s Day entertaining. What a cool idea, I wish I had seen this for New Years Eve.
Ok so this is the coolest lighting DIY have seen and so clever too, thanks for sharing will try it out.
wauuuu .this is absolutly so cool…i love this idea…
Ok, this is an awesome idea. I usually do most of my entertaining outdoors in the spring/summer and fall. I plan to make one of these trays to keep on our patio.
Wow, what a gorgeous, simply idea. I really love it makes the glasses glow – so very elegant!
This makes the glasses look extra appealing. I love the idea.
That is a great idea. My new home I’m waiting on has a wet bar. This would be perfect!
That’s so pretty! I love it! Great job making it classy with not a whole lot of work or cost.
This is such an awesome idea! Love the lights and the tray arrangement! Beautiful!