If you're hosting 2025's countdown to New Year's, you'll need some fun decor to rev up the revelry.
Over the past 25 years, our style experts have been dreaming up and photographing the best New Year's Eve decor ideas for the style-conscious host, a select few of which we're sharing below.
From welcome signs (it's all about first impressions) to Champagne stations, and photo walls to record the memories, plus clever ideas for transitioning from Christmas decor to New Year's, this is how to dress up your home for the party of the year.
1. Welcome guests in with a dramatic door display
Give your guests an exciting taste of what's to come – showcasing the time and energy you've put into creating a magical New Year's Eve from the word go – by decorating your front door and front path or stairs with some festive details.
"Balloons are the easiest and quickest way to create a visual splash," says Interiors Editor Emma Breislin. "Choose them in a color that matches your indoor New Year's decor to set the theme. I love gold because you can include it in your holiday decor from the get-go, then transition it easily into New Year decorations. It's really fun to set the tone at your front door with a New Year's balloon set, like the one above, at Amazon, or a 2025 balloon set, like this one from Target, below."
This festive balloon banner is a bold, easy way to elevate your entrance, instantly setting the tone for an exciting night ahead as guests arrive.
2. Get your entryway party ready
Other than your front door, your entryway is really where the party gets started, so choosing Christmas entryway decor that's easy to switch up or out is a must. Taking the gold theme from front door to entryway is a great way to continue the color scheme, and a dramatic garland on the staircase will make the biggest impact.
If you have a real-foliage staircase garland that's already wilting, you could spray it gold (Rustoleum's spray paint at Amazonis one we've tried and trust) to create a look like the one above; or simply wind plenty of gold tinsel (like this 50ft length from Amazon) into or around your garland.
"Tying in super-sized gold balloons or supersized ornaments will add to the drama," continues Emma. "This gold balloon 12-pack at Amazon is my top pick."
3. Welcome guests with a themed drinks' tray
"Make life easy for yourself and dedicate your entryway console to jello shots," says Livingetc's UK Editor Hugh Metcalf. "These lime magarita jello shots look so pretty, they won't spill, and they'll get the guests in the mood as soon as they step in the door, without you having to worry about pouring them a drink straightaway."
4. Light up your staircase
"Candlelight is a must as party of your New Year's Eve decor, and I always make sure entryway lighting is dimmed and candlelit at a party to set the mood straight off, though I prefer battery-operated lighting for safety," says Lucy Searle, Livingetc's Content Director for Audience. "Last year, I put battery-operated tea lights like these from Amazon in pretty glass sconces on every step of my staircase and it made my entryway look magical."
5. Roll out a glamorous bar cart
"Bar carts add a splash of glamor to any living space or kitchen and can be truly personalized to suit your individual style," says Lucy St George of interiors emporium Rockett St George.
"I always recommend dedicating an area in your home to create your drinks trolley style spot — you want the space to sing and not be hidden away. This is especially true for New Year’s Eve and a few simple touches such as string lights, candles and star or ornament garlands can help set the tone and create a party atmosphere.
Bar cart styling tips? "For the perfect final touch, why not add a set of three disco balls to one side of your drinks' trolley to embrace the celebration theme of New Year’s Eve. These can be left on display all year round, with string lights or garlands replaced with plants for a dash of greenery that suits any season."
"This disco ball set from Amazon is a great buy," says Emma Breislin, "with balls in varied sizes to decorate everything from your bar cart to entryway garland."
6. Make windows sparkle with glittery garlands
Create a cozy, festive spot for the essential sitting-soft where guests can relax, mingle, and sip cocktails or mocktails. Layer plush throws and pillows in metallic or jewel tones can give the space a celebratory vibe. A small coffee table can be styled with snacks, candles, and party favors. This is also a perfect spot to incorporate party games, creating a lively atmosphere pre- or post-dinner. You can buy a silver drape just like this from Amazon as the perfect backdrop for your New Year's Eve decor.
For the perfect ambiance, Dominique Bonet, co-founder and lead designer at LD&D, emphasizes the importance of thoughtful lighting: "Soft tones through unscented candles in neutral hues and layered light sources, such as table lamps with dimmers, enhance the overall atmosphere. This approach creates a cozy yet refined setting, perfect for intimate New Year’s Eve gatherings."
7. Boost candlelight, safely
Is there anything as warm and inviting as candlelight? We think not. Candles are an affordable and easy way to make your guests feel cozy and snug as they see in the New Year.
"When it comes to decorating for New Year, my favorite thing to do is to add touches of sparkle to the home," says Geraldine Florin, Creative Director at French decor brand Maisons du Monde. "Candles are perfect for this and so versatile; choose pillar candles in the mantelpiece, tea lights on sideboards, or majestic candlesticks at the dining table or on a console to bring height and light to your home."
Top tip? Geraldine adds: "Placing candles in front of mirrors helps to reflect the light and create a really magical atmosphere."
Want to play it safe? Amazon sells a huge range of battery-operated pillar candles in various sizes.
8. Decorate walls with string lights
"A really quick way to switch up your decor for New Year, especially if you are taking your Christmas tree down before your party is to take the string lights from it and suspend them from the ceiling with Command Light Clips (at Amazon)," says Hugh Metcalfe. "I think these mini string light lanterns and hummingbird battery operated lights are so pretty, casting lots of pretty colors onto the wall."
9. Go for gold, gold and gold again
Whether it's a candelabra centerpiece, cutlery, candle holders, a bar cart, or a cocktail corner, gold accessories are the color for this year's New Year's Eve party decorations.
"Gold-rimmed glasses, gold placemats, gold cutlery — basically, gold anything - can help add a festive party touch to the table and decorating ideas for New Year," says Geraldine Florin.
Add timeless elegance to your New Year’s Eve table with these gold brass candlestick holders. Their vintage-inspired design will sparkle under candlelight.
These Star Burst table toppers are the perfect small detail to elevate your tablescape. They can be scattered, tucked into clear vases, or added to floral arrangements.
Stylishly subtle, these gold hanging swirl decorations will sparkle when they catch the light. Hang them from the ceiling, from the mantelpiece or light fittings.
10. Set up a drinks' station
Give your drinks' station a theme that matches your party's. For a unique twist, Amy McCoy, of McCoy Design Studio, suggests leaning into celestial inspiration.
"For some of our existing clients, we assist in New Year's decorations. This year, we are taking more of a celestial approach to New Year’s Eve. Instead of the traditional black and gold, we’re embracing the enchanting beauty of the moon and stars. To bring the vision to life we sourced exquisite vintage glassware from Charish, beautifully etched with star motifs. Additionally, we curated table settings adorned with zodiac maps, infusing the atmosphere with a cosmic flair that is sure to captivate and inspire."
11. Create drama at the dining table
If you're hosting a dinner party on New Year's Eve, go full throttle with dramatic decor to really impress your guests.
Geraldine Florin says: "Run a garland of battery-powered lights down the center of your dining table if you are hosting friends or family for dinner to add some sparkle, and gold tableware.
"Take colored ornaments from the tree and place them in bowls or in transparent vases to create a centerpiece for the table or place them on a console table in the entryway for guests to see when they arrive.
"You can also use ribbons to hang ornaments from a pendant light in the kitchen or a chandelier above the dining table. If you don’t have anywhere to hang ornaments up above, consider tying them to the back of dining chairs ready to welcome dinner party guests."
Or you can attach ornaments to a hand-tied bunch of string light-lit foliage and hang it on the wall for added festive ambiance.
Geraldine adds: "As a finishing touch make clocks the center of attention to welcome in midnight. Consider placing a clock on your mantelpiece or even add a small clock to your dining table décor so that you can see the clock strike 12 in style."
Out of all the best champagne glasses to toast the New Year, the coupe takes the cake for style. Their sleek, modern design adds a touch of drama and elegance, making them the perfect addition to your table for sipping bubbly in style as the clock strikes 12.
Add a dazzling touch to your dinner party with this gold cutlery set. Perfectly complementing festive tableware, these gold utensils can bring warmth and glamour to your dining experience, ensuring every detail feels thoughtfully coordinated for your celebration.
Bring a burst of color to your New Year’s Eve celebration with these colored crystal wine glasses. Each glass adds a playful element to your table, whether you’re tying together a vibrant theme throughout your party space or adding a pop of color to a pared-back tablescape.
12. Did somebody say disco (balls)?
The ultimate way to say: "let's party"? It's got to be disco balls. Sparkly and ultra-glam, they'll work to create a fun, celebratory vibe that New Year's Eve is all about.
Interior designer Raili Clasen comments: "Get a bunch of disco balls and tack them up onto the ceiling above a common space such as the dining area to make your own installation."
Or, if you've got room, hang them over a 'dance floor' space to add extra wow to the evening. This large disco ball selection from Amazon is a great place to start.
13. Restyle your Christmas garland
If you put a lot of effort into your Christmas garland, it's a lovely idea to get the most from your time investment by repurposing it as a New Year's Eve decorating idea.
Simply take it off the mantelpiece and hang it above a table that's home to the drinks and nibbles for your party. This will help to zone the space while also making it feel extra-special — with minimum effort.
"Mixing up and restyling your Christmas decorating ideas, like a garland, is a great way to decorate for New Year," says Kyra Cotgrave, home designer at Neptune Farnham. "Keep the main foliage, such as fir and eucalyptus, and take out pinecones, instead adding in a little glitz and glamor with some sprayed berries or twigs."
It's also a good idea to move the table to the side of the room to create space for socializing and dancing as the clocks strike midnight. And don't forget to dot candles and lanterns around the space for that cozy atmosphere, too.
14. Add a pop of color with paper honeycombs
"New Year's is all about hope, sparkle, fun and anticipation. As such, the decorating can have the same holiday elements as Hanukkah or Christmas, with candles and lights. But add fresh bright layers to wink to the start of something new," recommends Lisa Staton, founder of Lisa Staton Design.
Balloons, whether strewn across the floor or styled in balloon arches, are fabulous for a party atmosphere. While paper honeycombs (above) are an on-trend and easy way to add color as well as a celebratory atmosphere (they also look amazing as a Christmas stair decor idea, btw).
Simply hang them next to your bar cart or drinks' dresser to highlight it as a party zone. You can buy honeycomb ornaments in a huge range of colors at Amazon.
For a unique and eye-catching idea, Sean Edwards, founder of The Balloon Guy, suggests crafting a Champagne-inspired balloon display. "Picture a sophisticated balloon garland in metallic gold, white, and silver, designed to mimic Champagne bubbles cascading from a foil Champagne bottle at the top," he explains.
Then, add gold accessories for that added glam-luxe touch. "Adorn your buffet with a mix of metallic ornamental decorations, dried flowers, and ribbon for a picture-perfect backdrop to celebrations," says Wayfair’s resident style advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill.
15. Set up a memory wall
"Having a Polaroid camera on hand is a wonderful way to record the festivities," says Lucy Searle. "Last year I bought my daughter the highly rated Instax Mini 11 from Amazon as a Christmas gift, with a couple of extra packs of film so that I could 'borrow' it for the evening. I displayed the pictures on the wall as the evening went on, and it was great fun, especially when I woke up the next morning, to see the party progress. I even framed a few of the better photos as New Year's gifts for friends."
16. Break out the confetti at midnight
"New Year's Eve is all about Champagne, confetti, and being entertained," says Dani Taylor, Product and Creative Director at British decor brand Cox & Cox.
"Decorate with dark and moody accessories, which are glamorous yet fun. Opulent gold and a hint of pearl and cream create a look well suited to New Year celebrations, too. Celebrate midnight with a fun golden stars confetti cannon."
When midnight comes, we love to break out this gold stars confetti cannon set from Amazon. Yes, it's pretty messy, but, hey, you've got some clearing up to do anyway.
For us, the key to decorating for New Year's Eve is to keep it simple: if you can order in some quick-to-place decor, load up on food and drink and turn up the music, that's all you need to welcome in 2025 in style. Cheers!
