21 Events That Prove Monochromatic Color Schemes Are Anything But Boring

It can be tempting for event designers to get as colorful as possible, but simple does not have to mean boring. When layered with interesting patterns, textures, and shapes, monochromatic color schemes can create truly memorable event design for corporate events, benefits, trade show booths, and more. Check out these events that used red, blue, yellow, pink, green, gold, white, and orange in a dramatic, eye-catching way.

Red

For Diffa’s Dining by Design event in New York in March, the School of Visual Arts created an all-red display with cylindrical elements. The goal was to create a sense of unity all in the representative color of the H.I.V./AIDS movement.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash

For its Golden Globes party in January 2018, Netflix took over the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills with an all-red bash produced by Swisher Productions.

Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Diesel called the inaugural Canadian edition of its Red Room Party, held in Toronto in April, the “sexiest party in the world” thanks to its all-red color scheme. Guests were instructed to wear red clothing, and red lighting added a moody effect. Hanging condoms created an on-theme ceiling installation; they were filled with water and red food coloring.

Photo: Ernesto Distefano

Blue

For Diffa Dining by Design in New York in March 2016, Sunbrella joined forces with Ghislaine Viñas Interior Design to offer a twist on a tropical tablescape by using a monochromatic purple-blue palette with hanging leaf-like fabric cutouts, banana-decorated fixtures, and tassel-adorned chairs.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash

For the Allie Awards in Atlanta in March 2016, themed environments channeled earth, water, and fire. Dinner took place in the water-inspired space which had deep blue lighting and blue rentals designed to make guests feel as though they were submerged in ocean waters. Active Production and Design built a custom stage set for the space.

Photo: PWP Studio

For its annual industry party in June 2012, Toronto architecture firm Raw worked with Sublime Catering to create eye-catching, monochromatic food. The blue-hued bite was Parisienne potatoes topped with blue-dyed whitefish mousse and blue sea salt.

Photo: Kyle Burton

Yellow

Bumble’s pop-up for co-working, networking, and mingling launched in a vacant space on Melrose Place in Los Angeles in February and March. The space was painted in the dating app’s signature yellow hue and included yellow furniture, as well as light and wall fixtures inspired by honeycomb. The pop-up was designed by experiential marketing agency Manifold.

Photo: Courtesy of Bumble

At the Color Factory, a 12,000-square-foot tribute to color that took place in San Francisco in August 2017, a room filled with 207,000 yellow balls had fun and inspirational sayings written on the walls, such as “Celine Dijon” and “There are nice people all around you.”

Photo: Courtesy of Color Factory

For the launch of Pilates NYC’s pre- and post-natal programs, Amy Atlas designed a monochromatic table with yellow flowers, artwork, cupcakes, and other treats. 

Photo: Gemma Comas

Pink

In 2016, the Gathery designed a whimsical holiday press preview for Sephora in New York. The “home for the holidays” theme featured five traditional environments completely decoupaged in custom wrapping paper, some of which was derived from the brand’s color palette. The dining room setting included hot pink walls and a matching pink tablescape, complete with a paper turkey.

Photo: Courtesy of the Gathery

In February 2017, the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, had a hot pink color scheme for its annual gala. The bold color was used for everything from the table linens and seat cushions down to the gala programs.

Photo: Capeheart Photography

Wieden & Kennedy New York worked with Stoelt Productions to transform a Los Angeles car wash in honor of Lyft’s fifth anniversary in July 2017. Pro Painting Company was tasked with painting the entire venue pink, and Atomic Props & Effects created a custom marquee sign using LED bulbs and neon.

Photo: Paul McKelvey

Green

For VidCon in Anaheim in June, Twitter worked with The Say OK for its lounge, which featured multiple rooms designed in monochromatic colors. The green area, which also included branding for influencer network Niche, featured a rounded entrance lit with neon. A series of Twitter and Niche icons formed on-theme decor on the wall. Each colorful room featured props, furniture, carpets, and pillows that matched the color scheme.

Photo: Courtesy of Twitter

Toronto architecture firm Raw’s 2012 industry party also included monochromatic green dishes, including a chicken salad with green peas and pesto served inside a cut green pepper.

Photo: Kyle Burton

Gold

For the N.B.A. All-Star Game weekend in February in Los Angeles, American Express created a multi-sensory public activation. A golden vault tied into American Express’s long partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers. A 500-pound door led to a room with 500 safety deposit boxes and 30 gallons of gold paint. Valuable Lakers possessions were displayed, and iconic players such as Shaquille O’Neal posed for photos.

Photo: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for American Express

For HBO’s 2016 Golden Globes party in Los Angeles, the network’s Cindy Tenner worked with longtime design partner Billy Butchkavitz on a “winter garden”-theme design. Gold was the primary color, with touches of black and cream. 

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

Gold was also the main color for HBO’s Golden Globes party in 2018 as a nod to the award show’s 75th anniversary. Orchid was used as an accent color throughout the party space. 

Photo: Gabor Ekecs

White

At Diffa Dining by Design New York in 2016, Benjamin Moore and Cosentino Chicago designer Julia Buckingham presented a luxe tribute to the paint brand’s color of the year, Simply White. Cast-resin sculptures, a Murano glass chandelier, and eclectic seating options in a mix of textures gave interest to the mostly-white vignette.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash

For Diffa’s Dining By Design in New York in March 2015,  Smartwater’s all-white space aimed to reflect the brand’s natural water purification process, which is mirrored after rain clouds. The fluffy fixtures lit up like a storm above the simple table setting.

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash

Orange

To celebrate the launch of the Wedding Shop by Shutterfly, the brand partnered with event planner Mindy Weiss and actress Ashley Greene to host an event in New York in April. The entrance to the event featured a balloon installation in various shades of orange.

Photo: Dennis Kwan for the Wedding Shop by Shutterfly

For a bold meeting-break offering, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas offers the “Orange-You-Glad” setup, a variety of orange foods in clear glass vessels, including kumquats, tangerines, sour candies, and orange mango cupcakes. 

Photo: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas