Fifties Party Decorations
We've cooked up some 50's party decoration ideas for you, including some using 45 rpm records and LP album covers.
45 Record Decorations
This is an example of how you can use genuine 45s to decorate your fifties party.
Visit local thrift stores to find some 45s, especially ones with colorful or interesting labels. If you can get 45s from the 50's, great. If not, don't worry about that too much.
The 45s will not be damaged in this project, by the way.
Tie a large loop of monofilament (fishing line) through the top record. This one will be longer than the others, because it will hang from the ceiling, so consider that distance.
Monofilament is a bit stiff, and resists knotting, so tie it tight, and make several square knots (right over left, left over right) to make it secure. Alternatively, you can use medium to heavy weight black thread, which is easier to tie.
Tie a loop through the center of the first 45 and the second, allowing a few inches of space between them. Continue in this fashion until your 45s are all chained, and attach to the ceiling securely with a small nail or hook in a stud.
Make several strands of 45s for more impact.
Note: If you have a phonograph and actually play these records, you may want to replace your needle before playing valuable records from your collection. The different groove pathways from records previously played on other phonographs can affect your needle, which can then affect your records!
LP Album Cover Decorations
These examples demonstrate the use of genuine 50's LP album covers as wall decor for a fifties party.
Shop your local thrift stores for inexpensive and cool albums from this era.
This illustrations includes musicians and groups.
Remove the records to lessen the weight and so they don't come rolling out!
Attach them to the wall using push pins around the edges, so you don't damage the covers.
Here are some album covers from crooners Perry Como and Frank Sinatra, plus other smooth and exotic fifties music.
If you're having a cocktail party, you may want to go with this style of album cover.
In this group, there are album covers with dance party themes. If you're having a sock hop or other dance party, covers like these can really enhance your decor.
Beatnik Party Decoration Ideas
- Bongos set around the room or in one strategic location.
- Berets, on hat stands, hung on chairs, on a table, or on your head!
- Dark sunglasses or printouts of images of them, attached to the walls, or on individual strings hanging from the ceiling.
- Hand-written or printed bits of poetry attached to the walls. (It doesn't have to be genuine "Beat" poetry, which can be pretty harsh)
- You're going for counter-culture here, so keep the decor down to earth, a bit grungy...sophistication in this setting is a man with a goatee wearing a black turtleneck sweater.
- Dim the lights to help set the atmosphere.
Jazz Lounge Decor
- Set up a stage area, with piano, drums, upright bass, brass instruments, whatever you have. Even if there aren't musicians to play them, it will give the atmosphere of a band taking a break. Just play some fifties jazz CDs in the background. Or hire a real band!
- Deep red or gold velvet curtains lining an accent wall.
- Gold accents wherever you can add them in: lamps, dishes, brass instruments on the walls, etc.
- Small wooden tables with chairs for seating/dining.
- Photos or posters of jazz musicians.
- Use dim lighting, with more in the stage area, or food table, if you don't have a stage set up.
- A bar, if you have one, also helps set the tone.