How to Make Cost Effective Party Lights Look Professional
Professional party lighting does not have to break the bank. That’s the good news.
But ensuring that cost effective party lights don’t look cheap requires considered choices. That’s the less good news.
With smart planning, the right mix and some deliberate design choices, you can ensure that your next party, venue set up or corporate event features professional party lighting even without the need to purchase professional party lights.
Explore the range of party lights available right now from DJ City.
How Can You Make Cheap Party Lights Look Professional?
While it is true that investing in professional party lights can be expensive.
It is also true that quality lighting for your party or event is not always about the price.
Even low cost party lights, with handy effects like lasers, can be used strategically and creatively to great effect.
How?
- Mix different types of lights
- Use sync and rhythm features to your advantage
- Hide your cables
- Conceal your mounts
- Control the colour balance
Mix Different Types of Lights
There are a variety of different types of party lights:
- Static LEDs
- Moving head lights
- Washes
- And a whole lot more
By using a few different types of lights, you can combine the effects and create a far more impressive lighting situation.
Use Sync and Rhythm Features to Your Advantage
Nowadays it is easy to find modern affordable lighting units that also include DMX control.
This allows you to sequence your lights as per a pre-determined program to ensure the dimming, strobe and movement patterns all work in sync with the music.
Hide Your Cables and Mounts
Concealing your light cables might seem like a small deal but it has a big impact on the overall appearance and feel of your lighting situation.
The same goes for your mounts. The cleaner and more organised your lighting display, the more professional even cheap party lighting will seem.
Control the Colour Balance
It can be tempting to go overboard with your coloured lighting. However, sometimes less is more. Controlling your colour balance, i.e., sticking to complementary colours or themes, can ensure the visual aesthetic doesn’t come off as cluttered and therefore unprofessional.
How Do You Position Party Lights for Best Effect?
Good party light positioning is about two main things:
- Depth; and
- Direction
The aim is to ensure your lights reach all of the areas of your dance floor or event venue in a layered and even manner.
You want to avoid flooding one area with too much light whilst ignoring another and leaving it in too much darkness.
Are There Corners and Edges You Can Utilise?
Position your uplights in a corner or by an edge so that it reflects effectively off the surrounding walls.
Do You Have a Balance of Lighting?
Try, if possible, to mix your overheard light washes with floor effects to help create a dynamic and effective layering aesthetic.
Are There Focal Points?
Sometimes, you may have a particular area you want in high focus. This could be a dance floor, a DJ booth or even just some feature artwork.
Are Your Lights Directly Pointed at People?
Avoiding direct eye glare is important.
Always angle your lighting slightly upwards or even sideways to enhance the entire ambience and atmosphere.
How Do You Use Colour and Movement for a Professional Party Lighting Effect?
Moving lighting effects and coloured lighting are actually easy and cost effective ways to make cheap party lights look more than their weight in gold.
Vivid movements, used in moderation but deliberation, can help to smooth lighting transitions and help ensure that the lighting feels deliberate, works in sync and creates a strong aesthetic.
When it comes to colours, keeping it simple is most effective. Start with four base colours and build up complementary additional colours according:
- Red
- White
- Blue
- Green
Professional tip: Even cheap party lights nowadays come with programmable presets. Spend some time before your event learning how to set and control these features so that you can use your party lights for optimal effect.
What Other Lighting Equipment is Worth It?
Budget lighting gear nowadays is often more than enough for simple parties and celebrations.
But for party light setups that go the extra step, you can invest in a few low cost but high value additional pieces of equipment:
This versatile uplighting includes effective colour wash effects for greater impact.
These devices ensure ongoing motion and spotlighting without appearing too bulky or cumbersome amongst your lighting
Lasers are great for injecting high-energy and visual impact into your party.
The interplay of fog or haze and light beams help the colours stand out very effectively.
With modern technology, even affordable party lighting kits allow for highly synchronised, professional lighting results.
FAQs About Cheap Party Lights
Can You Mix Old and New Lighting?
Yes. If your lighting shares compatible power, can both be connected to your DMX controller and complement each other aesthetically, combining lighting can be very effective.
Do You Need Lasers or a Fog Machine?
Not necessarily. Whilst both pieces of party lighting gear can be highly effective, they are not mandatory for achieving cost effective but professional looking lighting.
Can Professional Party Lighting Be Battery-Powered?
Yes it can. Battery powered lighting can be a great solution for quick party set ups, portable gigs, or general low-hassle use.
How Do You Hide Lighting Wires?
The best way to hide wires and trussing for party lights is to:
- Use cable ramps if possible
- Cover with black tape
- Invest in fabric covers
- Position it behind furniture if possible
- Blend cables along skirting lines
Find Your Affordable Professional Party Lighting Solution at DJ City Today
Using cheap party lights doesn’t mean you need to settle for bad lighting for your party.
With the range of lighting available here at DJ City and our team of gig and party experts on hand to help, it is easier than ever to use your creativity and savvy party light positioning to achieve great event illumination, even on a budget.
Explore our range of everything from cheap party lights to professional party lighting today.
