Tips for Decorating & Lighting your Marquee

A marquee gives you a blank canvas to work with, which is both its biggest advantage and its biggest challenge. Without a fixed interior, the way you decorate and light the space is what defines the overall feel of the event.

With the right approach, you can turn a simple structure into something warm, inviting, and well-organised. The key is to think about how the space will be used and how people will move through it.

Start with the atmosphere you want to create

Before choosing any decorations or lighting, it helps to decide on the overall tone of the event. A relaxed gathering will feel very different to a formal celebration, and your setup should reflect that.

Lighting plays a big role here. Softer, warmer lighting tends to create a more comfortable and intimate environment, while brighter or more colourful lighting can bring energy into the space. Getting this balance right early on makes every other decision easier.

Layer your lighting

Instead of relying on a single light source, it’s more effective to layer different types of lighting throughout the space. This helps avoid harsh shadows and creates a more natural feel.

• Ambient lighting: Provides overall visibility and sets the base level of light
• Feature lighting: Draws attention to specific areas like entrances or focal points
• Task lighting: Ensures practical areas such as dining or walkways are well lit

Combining these layers allows you to control both the mood and functionality of the space without it feeling overlit or flat.

Use colour carefully

Colour can completely change how a marquee feels. Subtle tones can create a calm and elegant atmosphere, while stronger colours can make the space feel more energetic.

It’s usually best to keep colour consistent across the space rather than mixing too many different tones. This helps everything feel more cohesive rather than disjointed.

Bring in texture and natural elements

Because a marquee starts as a blank structure, adding texture makes a big difference. This can come from fabrics, flooring, furniture, or natural elements like greenery.

Simple additions such as plants, floral arrangements, or timber accents can soften the space and make it feel less temporary.

Plan zones within the space

Breaking the marquee into different zones helps the event feel organised and easier to navigate. Instead of one large open area, think about how different parts of the event will function.

• Entry area: A clear and welcoming arrival point
• Dining or seating: A comfortable space to sit and gather
• Social areas: Places where guests can stand and interact
• Feature areas: Dance floors, stages, or focal points

Lighting can be used to subtly separate these areas without needing physical barriers.

Don’t overlook practicality

While appearance is important, the space also needs to function well. Walkways should be clearly visible, key areas should be easy to access, and nothing should feel cramped or difficult to move through.

Good lighting in practical areas such as entrances, paths, and service zones helps everything run smoothly, especially as the event moves into the evening.

Keep it balanced

It’s easy to overdo decoration in a marquee, but often the best results come from a more considered approach. A few well-placed elements tend to have more impact than filling every part of the space.

When everything works together — lighting, layout, and decoration — the marquee feels less like a temporary structure and more like a complete environment.

If you’re planning your setup and want to explore different layout options, you can view our outdoor setup range here.