A surprise announcement at the office that you got a promotion, calls for an unplanned party, right? But what do you do when your house is in a mess and you hardly have time to turn it into an ideal place to jam in.

Says interior designer  Bindiya Chhabbria, “If you have to plan a party at a short notice, keep it simple.” Interior designer Anita Hirani says, “Flowers can do wonders if you are throwing a party at the eleventh hour. Draping colourful dupattas on the doors and windows will give a party look to the house."

Tips for doing up the house in a jiffy:
Cushions add colour to your room. Place coloured sequined cushions on the diwan and sofa.

Don’t stack in chairs and stools, make the sitting arrangement by placing mattresses on the floor.

Good lighting can set the mood. Place long ivory candles or Malaysian lights in the room.

Plan a theme for the party. If you have a devil theme, get devil’s horns, crystal chandeliers, devil’s posters.

Serve food in stylish dishes like earthen pots. 

Put paper frills at the entrance. Place flowers and pots in the room and the dining area. Put aroma oils in the room.