Make a big impact with an easy balloon arch or garland that will transform your party space.
Whether it's for a baby shower or a birthday party, you want your party decoration to be stunning. Creating your own balloon arch or garland as part of your celebration can be a game changer. Because nothing is more impressive than a giant wow factor when you walk into a room.
So why not eliminate the hours you'd spend making table centerpieces that will only get destroyed? In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create your own balloon arch, garland or column that will retain its value and even enable you to reuse parts for another design. Make a huge impact for less with a budget-friendly DIY balloon arch that can be made at home.
Supplies for Making a Balloon Arch
I find the easiest way to make a balloon arch is using a balloon strip. Gone are the days of making a balloon arch with string because it's just not as convenient and string gets messy and tangled.
To make your own balloon garland or arch at home, you'll need the following detailed supply list:
- Various sizes and different colors of balloons, depending on your color palette
- Glue dots
- Decorative balloon strip
- Electric balloon pump
- Command strips or command hooks or balloon arch
- Fishing line or ribbon
Or, you can also buy a balloon arch kit that comes with the majority of the items - Balloon arch kit here. But you will need a balloon pump too. I like to purchase my balloons in bulk on Amazon for convenience. However, you can also try to price check and look into buying at places like the Dollar Tree, Walmart or even your local party store.
Balloon Sizes Used
To give you an idea of what I used to make my black and gold balloon arch, here is my supply list:
- 4 - 18 inch balloons (2 black, 2 gold)
- 30 - 12 inch balloons ( 10 black, 10 gold, 10 clear)
- 50 - 10 inch balloons (25 black, 25 gold)
- 40 - 5 inch balloons (20 black, 20 gold)
- Gold ribbon
5 Steps to Make Your Own Balloon Arch
Design your own snazzy balloon garland or arch instead of purchasing pre-made arches that cost a fortune.
1. Pick a Color Scheme
Decide what you want your party colors to be for your celebration and then order your latex balloons. Obviously, you won't have an exact count to go off of because it will depend on the size of space or wall you are displaying your garland. Either way, you'll want a bunch of balloons. Always order a little more generously with your first time garland, just in case.
2. Blow Up Balloons
You do not need to use helium-filled balloons for this project. It's also best to avoid using a single balloon hand pump because it will take quite a bit longer if you go that route. The easiest way to efficiently inflate your balloons is with an electric balloon pump.
Using your electric pump, blow up all of your balloons. It might be easiest to do this in a room with a door so all of your balloons stay in one place. Or you can also put them into large bags until you are ready to design your arch. Don't forget to tie them off.
Tip: Because this can take a lot of time if you are making a larger arch or garland, it is helpful and highly encouraged to have another set of hands.
3. Add Balloons to Decorative Strip
Measure how much decorative strip you will need for your space. Begin by attaching your inflated balloons to the decorative strip. An easy way to do this is by pulling the balloon knots all the way through to the end of the slot so it holds in place. This is significantly less time consuming that tying each balloon onto a piece of string.
Continue to add one balloon at a time, all along the decorative strip. You can alternate a variety of sizes with smaller balloons and larger balloons or keep them all the same size until you fill in holes at the end.
Tip: It is helpful to leave the ends of your decorative strip open to make it easier to secure and then add final balloons afterwards.
You can also design your garland to be in color blocks or randomly placed. Both options turn out cute. Examples of both are towards the end of this post. Keep in mind that what it looks like during assembly may change a bit as you get it hung up and balloons shift.
4. Hang Up Your Garland or Arch
When your decorative strip is filled with balloons, your next step will be hanging the garland. There are several options you can use to tie it or secure it. Part of that may depend on if you are hanging it on a wall, a column or somewhere else. You will need:
- Some kind of command strip hooks
- Ribbon, twine or fishing line that can tie around something
- Balloon arch - if you have the tools and equipment to construct your own balloon arch stand at home, go for it! You can probably construct one easily out of PVC pipe or something similar. I invested in a stand that I can reuse because it was less of a headache for me to just buy one.
5. Use Glue Dots to Fill In
Once your balloon garland is hanging and secure, use glue dots to fill in any extra holes or spaces that may need a filler. For best results, put glue dots directly onto the balloon near the knot of the balloon before attaching to the garland. This helps to keep the knot hidden.
I like to add in small balloons for filling in holes. It adds more dimension and variety to the garland instead of using a standard size throughout.
The Finished Product: Balloon Arch
I have been making balloon arches for years and just using command strips to hold them up. This has worked great most of the time. But one thing I didn't love was that the arch didn't always stay exactly how I wanted it, because of available walls around me.
This year I decided to invest in a balloon arch and it has made putting up the balloon arch so much easier! Here is the end result!
So where do you store something like this? I am happy to report that this arch breaks down into small sections so it can easily be stored in a closet or under a bed.
This was the perfect arch to celebrate New Year's Eve. You can view some other decoration ideas here.
Ideas for Your Easy Balloon Garland or Arch
Outdoor Garland
This garland turned out amazing. It was a lot of extra fun to have a big decoration outside and no mess inside of the house. And it held up pretty well outdoors in the heat too. I just used ribbon to tie it to the pergola and it held really well.
Pretty in Pink
To create a really full garland like this one, I used 2 kits from Amazon.
To hang this one, I have found it is easiest to use command strips. Luckily, balloon garlands are very light so they are easy to hang.
Teal and White Half Arch
You can still string up your easy balloon garland DIY on an arch even if it doesn't span the full length. I love the splash of color for this half garland. Mermaid vibes, anyone?
40th Birthday Garland
We did this one for my hubby's 40th and it was so fun to do with all of the black and gold accents. Take a look at all of the decoration ideas and treats I made here.
60th Birthday for Mom
We did a full arch for celebrating my mom's 60th birthday and hung large numbers in the middle.
Balloon Arch for a Baby Shower
For a gender-neutral baby shower, a beautiful and serene atmosphere can be created with a soft, minimalist decor. A stunning white balloon arch serves as the focal point, symbolizing purity and joy, while scattered sage green single balloons add a touch of natural elegance.
This timeless color combination of white and sage green creates a calm, welcoming space perfect for celebrating the upcoming arrival of a little one. Whether it’s a gathering of friends and family, this neutral palette ensures a chic and inclusive environment, allowing the focus to be on love and new beginnings.
Single Balloons
Don't have time to do DIY balloon garlands but still need something fun? 20 helium balloons will do the trick!
How to Style DIY Balloon Garlands
Balloon arches or garlands are some of the best decorations because they are an easy way to dress up any special occasion.
Use balloons for:
- A wedding arch
- Retirement party
- Backdrop for a photo booth
- Add to embellish a dessert table
- Use for a balloon column
- Birthday parties indoor or outdoor
- Decorating a doorway
The best type of celebration isn't complete without a few delicious treats to go along with it. Make your party truly memorable with a delicious charcuterie board or a dessert birthday charcuterie perfect for kids and teens. You can even try these easy and elegant cakes that are sure to impress.
These DIY balloon garlands and arches are super stylish, but also budget-friendly. And even though they take a little time to make, the end result is amazing. Use these 5 easy steps to create your own party wow factor with a custom balloon arch that your family will love.
Happy Decorating!
Brooke
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