5 Costly Decor Mistakes We See at Festivals & Large Corporate Events
Designing decor and schemes for festivals and large corporate events isn’t just about aesthetics; it HAS to be about crowd experience, brand storytelling and logistics at scale.
At Nikkita Palmer Designs, we’ve delivered an abundance of large-scale London events, and we know that even the smallest design misstep can leave a space feeling chaotic, underwhelming, or disconnected.
We also understand just how demanding planning at this level can be. With stakeholder pressures, ambitious targets, high expectations and tight timelines, balancing complex logistics alongside creative vision can quickly feel overwhelming, and you shouldn’t have to navigate that alone.
That’s where we’re here to help.
With years of hands-on experience across festivals and corporate events, we’ve seen the same décor challenges arise time and time again. Below, we’re sharing the most common pitfalls we encounter, along with practical guidance and solutions to help you avoid them and create events that feel cohesive and impactful.
Mistake One: Designing for photos instead of the crowd experience at brand events
It can be tempting to focus on statement backdrops and ‘Instagrammable’ moments, but events are lived in and not JUST photographed. Now, don’t get us wrong, we love a backdrop and engagement opportunity, but it HAS to be engaging in real life. If guests feel forced, cramped, confused or uncomfortable with a forced activity, no amount of styling will compensate.
We always design with people first, considering movement, spaces to indulge, feel, comfort and interaction. When the experience works in real life, the photos and content will naturally take care of themselves.
The top line: don’t just add a photobooth and tick the ‘engagement’ box. Think deeper.
The top line: don’t just add a photobooth and tick the ‘engagement’ box. Think deeper.
The top li: don’t just add a photobooth and tick the ‘engagement’ box. Think deeper.
MISTAKE TWO:Underestimating the scale of spaces at festivals and large outdoor events (the dreaded feeling of an empty space)
Large venues and outdoor spaces sometimes have the danger of feeling sparse or unfinished without the right planning. The dreaded ‘empty room’, effect can make even a well-produced event feel low energy.
The solution to this lies in layering.
Zoning areas into their specific functions (chill, chat or hospitality), introducing height and structure, using lighting strategically and creating multiple focal points all help fill a space with purpose. Thoughtful scale ensures every corner feels intentionally delivered and unforgettable.
The top line: consider every corner and the function of every space. Don’t just ‘fill’ the area, but plan small ‘rooms’ with their uses in mind.
MISTAKE THREE:Ignoring brand storytelling in corporate events
In case we hadn’t mentioned…
Decor should do more than look good. It should communicate something meaningful and purposeful. Without a clear narrative, events will just feel generic and honestly quite forgettable.
We approach design as storytelling, by weaving in brand colours, messaging, textures and tone through every single touch point. When guests instantly recognise and connect with the space, the experience becomes far more memorable and impactful.
The top line: logos aren’t enough. Don’t just brand your cups or hand out merch. If your brand has strong sustainability messaging, reference that with materials or textures in your designs and at every touchpoint for guests.
MISTAKE FOUR: Poor flow, bottlenecks and dead zones (the guest experience killer)
Even the most aesthetic and beautiful spaces can fail if guests simply do not know where to go.
Congested entrances, hidden features or empty, dead spaces can disrupt energy and create awkward frustrations amongst guests.
Smart layouts, clear signage and wayfinding keep people moving naturally through your space. Considering crowd behaviour from the start helps everything feel truly seamless, something your guests notice without even realising themselves.
The top line: Open spaces still need segmentation. And signs, PLEASE don’t forget signs!
MISTAKE FIVE: Forgetting about day-to-night transitions for all-day festivals or corporate events
All-day events need to evolve. What works at 10 am rarely works at 9 pm. Natural daylight fades, energy shifts, and guest vibes change, yet decor is often left static.
Without planning for those transitions, even the most beautifully styled space can start to feel flat or loose momentum as the day goes on.
The key is designing with flexibility in mind from the start. Layered lighting, adaptable décor and styling that can subtly transform the atmosphere help carry guests seamlessly from professional daytime settings into a more relaxed, celebratory evening feel.
This is where thoughtful prop styling makes all the difference. Lamps, festoon lighting, disco balls and feature pieces can completely shift the mood of a space as the sun sets. Statement props that feel playful or bold at night can bring a second life to areas that felt functional earlier in the day.
We often build these elements into our designs from the outset, so the space doesn’t require a full reset, it simply evolves.
The top line: small, evening tweaks to ensure guests can slightly release and feel those evening vibes go a long way. Oh, and make sure they can see too- outdoor lighting is quite often missed!
Great decor isn’t just about how an event looks, it’s about how it feels, flows and functions for every guest in the room. When design, logistics and storytelling work together, your event becomes impactful at every scale.
We hope this provides some useful tips as you begin planning your 2026 events and festivals, and also shines a light on the importance of how a space feels and functions, something that’s often overlooked in large-scale event planning.
With the right preparation and support, these common mistakes are completely avoidable. And that’s exactly what we’re here for: to help you create spaces that work beautifully on all scales.
At Nikkita Palmer Designs, we partner with brands, agencies and event teams across London and the UK to deliver creative direction, corporate event décor, conference styling, prop hire, lighting, and full-scale design. Whether you’re transforming a large conference venue, planning a corporate event in London, or creating an immersive festival environment, our experienced team is here to make the process smoother and the results exceptional.
Planning a London conference, corporate event, or festival?
We’d love to support you. Get in touch to chat through your brief and discover how we can bring your vision to life.
