A deep red color palette is a classic look that will never go out of style, and this season’s cherry red aesthetic trend is taking fashion, beauty, home decor by storm. For good reason! The dark red cherry color palette gives a feeling of drama and sophistication, which is perfect for high impact event design.

When designing this recent celebration, I went all in on the dark red color palette and used a color drenching approach to maximize the look. Color drenching, as it’s called in interior design, or monochromatic event decor, doesn’t just create a look, it adds atmosphere, mood and a real wow-factor to any event. But using this much of such a powerful color requires careful planning and design techniques to get just right.

Thinking designing cherry red event decor? Here are a few design tips to help make your look a success…

1. Layer Patterns and Textures

With monochromatic design, since you’re using a single-color palette, you need to find additional ways to add interest to your space. Layering patterns and textures is key! From the visual texture of the florals in your arrangements, to the actual physical feeling of the tables, linens and flooring your guests will be interacting with, everything impacts the look and their experience.

At this event, the majority of the floral arrangements were made up of abundant red roses, which created incredible texture all around the room. From the tightly packed pavé rose centerpieces and photo backdrop wall, to the flowing rivers of roses draping down the dessert wall and off the tables, the roses alone added so much depth. To contrast the sculptural look of the roses, I created additional tall centerpieces made with loose, hanging red Amaranthus, and accented some of the arrangements with layers of red tassels.

2. Add Clear and Reflective Surfaces

With a deep, rich color palette, it’s nice to add pops of lightness! In this cherry red event decor, using clear materials and shiny reflective surfaces was the perfect approach to adding brightness that didn’t interfere with the the monochromatic look.

Clear red lucite dining chairs still had the cherry red color but looked light and bright. On the table tops, the table numbers, textured glass chargers and crystal glassware reflected light beautifully and added sparkle to the space. Even the long table’s surface, and the shiny red dance floor were so smooth and glassy, they contrasted perfectly with the velvety fabric draped walls soft red carpeting of the dining area.

3. Incorporate Fruit in Your Floral Arrangements

Since luscious fruit is the inspiration for this look, why not include it in your decor? It could be as simple as setting out beautiful bowls of plump cherries, or serving sweet, glossy candied apples as a dessert. Using accents of fruit in floral arrangements can be gorgeous too - you’ll see in these photos that I incorporated whole and open pomegranates in one large, show-stopping arrangement, and used strawberries as the main material in arrangements surrounding the cake and dessert wall. They were creative, playful and dramatic all at once!