LED vs Chequered Dancefloors | Venue Style Guide
LED vs Chequered: Choosing the Right Dancefloor Style
Both look amazing — but they do different jobs. This guide helps you pick the right floor for your venue lighting, photos, room style and guest vibe.
Quick answer (if you’re in a hurry)
Choose LED when your room is darker, you want a “wow” glow, or you’re building a nightclub feel. Choose chequered when you want timeless, editorial styling that looks clean in bright venues and suits classic décor.
- 💡 Venue lighting level
- 📸 How you want photos to feel
- 🏛️ Room style (modern vs classic)
- 🖤 Black-tie vs party vibe
- 🎛️ Lighting + production plan
- 📏 Floor size for the room
Cheshire-based, covering Manchester, London & the UK
AO Events installs dancefloors across Cheshire, Manchester and London. For full coverage, see Areas We Cover.
LED vs Chequered (the honest comparison)
Neither is “better” — it’s about the venue and the look you want. Use this table as the decision shortcut.
| Best for | LED: nightlife energy, darker rooms, big party moments Chequered: classic styling, bright venues, timeless photos |
|---|---|
| Photos | LED: glow + drama in low light Chequered: crisp, editorial, clean lines |
| Lighting | LED: can carry the room visually even with minimal lighting Chequered: loves good uplighting / warm room light |
| Room style | LED: modern, contemporary, production-led setups Chequered: historic venues, black-tie, elegant décor |
| Vibe | LED: “club energy” / high-impact Chequered: “classy party” / timeless |
When LED is the better choice
LED floors shine (literally) when you need the dance area to feel alive the second the lights drop.
- 🌙 Dark or moody venue lighting
- 🎤 Evening-first party energy
- 📸 You want “glow” in photos
- 🎛️ You’ve got lighting + production
- ✨ You want the floor to be a feature
Pro tip: LED works best when your DJ and lighting plan supports it — timing the “lift” moments so the room pops at the right time.
When chequered wins
Chequered floors are the “never looks wrong” choice — especially when your venue is bright, elegant, or has strong architectural character.
- 🏛️ Classic or luxury venue styling
- 📸 Bright rooms / daytime dancing
- 🖤 Black-tie, timeless décor
- 🎞️ Clean, editorial photo look
- 🍸 You want elegant over “club”
Pro tip: chequered + warm uplighting = chef’s kiss. It makes the room feel expensive without trying too hard.
Venue checks before you choose
These checks prevent awkward surprises and help your floor look exactly how you imagined.
Lighting & photos
- How dark does the room get for dancing?
- Do you have uplighting / moving heads / spotlights?
- Where will your photographer shoot from?
Access & layout
- Is there a lift? Any tight corridors or stairs?
- Distance from loading to ballroom?
- Any “no set-up after X time” rules?
Power & safety
- Power point locations near the dance area?
- Any trip hazard rules / taped cable requirements?
- What’s the floor surface (carpet / wood / stone)?
Décor & theme
- Is your styling modern, classic, or black-tie?
- Are you using bold patterns already?
- Do you want the floor to “blend” or “headline”?
Choosing the right size (quick guide)
Size matters more than people think. Too small looks cramped; too big can feel empty. We’ll recommend based on guest count, room shape, and where you want the dancefloor placed.
- 📏 Guest count + room shape
- 🧩 Where the bar & seating sits
- 🎶 DJ position + speaker coverage
- 📸 Camera angles & entrances
If you want a fast recommendation, send your venue name + guest count and we’ll suggest a clean size that fits the space.
Want us to recommend the best floor for your venue?
Tell us your venue, date, guest count, and the vibe (classic vs modern). We’ll recommend LED vs chequered, plus the best size and layout.
Next steps (keep it simple)
FAQs
Which looks better in photos: LED or chequered?
LED looks dramatic in low-light and adds glow. Chequered looks classic and editorial in bright rooms. Choose based on venue lighting and photo style.
Which suits a dark venue better?
Usually LED. It creates its own visual energy and keeps the dance area “alive” even when the room is dim.
Will a chequered floor clash with décor?
Not usually. Chequered is timeless and works brilliantly with classic styling, black-tie themes and clean modern décor.
Do you install in Cheshire, Manchester and London?
Yes. AO Events is Cheshire-based and installs across Manchester, London and UK-wide. Check Areas We Cover for coverage.
AO Events dancefloor hire · LED vs chequered venue guide · Cheshire, Manchester & London installs with delivery, setup and event-ready finishes.
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