How to Make a Balloon Arch

September 7, 2026

A balloon arch looks like a professional job and costs about £25 to do yourself. The version almost everyone builds now is a garland arch: balloons threaded onto a decorating strip, clustered in fours, then hung in a curve over a doorway, table or photo corner.

You don't need helium. Air-filled balloons hold their shape far longer, cost nothing to inflate and won't drift off overnight, which is why every arch you've seen on a wall is air-filled.

Allow ninety minutes for your first one, and build it the night before rather than on the morning of the party.

What you need

This straightforward setup suits anyone planning a birthday, baby shower or anniversary at home who wants high-impact decor without the designer price tag. It is best to gather your kit a few days before your celebration to avoid any last-minute stress. A practical tip is to test your inflator beforehand to ensure your preparation goes smoothly.

Balloons: roughly 60 to 70 per metre of arch, in three or four sizes (5in, 10in, 12in).
Balloon decorating strip — the plastic tape with holes. About £4 for 5 metres.
Glue dots for tucking small balloons into the gaps. Around £3 a roll.
A hand pump or electric inflator. An electric one is £15 and saves your hands.
Command hooks or 3M strips for hanging without damaging paintwork.
Fishing line or cable ties if you're anchoring to a frame or bannister.
Optional: eucalyptus or ivy sprigs to fill gaps and lift a plain colour scheme.

How many balloons you need

This planning guide suits hosts who want to match their decor perfectly to their venue size, whether dressing a small cake table or a grand entrance. Use these calculations when sketching out your party layout to ensure your display looks abundant rather than sparse. As a practical tip, always measure your designated wall space before ordering your party supplies.

1 metre arch: about 60 to 70 balloons — good for a doorway top or a cake table.
2 metre arch: about 130 balloons — the standard doorway or backdrop size.
3 metre arch: about 200 balloons — a full photo backdrop wall.
5 metre garland: about 330 balloons — a whole feature wall or a marquee entrance.
Split them roughly 40% large, 40% medium, 20% small for a natural garland look.
Buy 10% more than you calculate. Some will pop while you're threading them.

Step by step

This simple method suits first-time crafters looking to build a beautiful display for a weekend party or family gathering. You should follow these instructions step by step during your afternoon preparation session. A useful practical tip is to work on a clean, soft sheet spread across the floor to prevent any accidental punctures while you assemble your masterpiece.

Choose three or four colours: two main shades, one accent, one metallic or neutral.
Inflate in mixed sizes — don't fill every balloon to the same size, or the garland looks like a tube.
Tie balloons in pairs, then twist two pairs together to make a cluster of four.
Push the cluster onto the decorating strip, threading two opposite balloons through a hole each.
Alternate cluster colours as you go, turning each cluster slightly so it faces a different direction.
Keep going until the strip is full, then hold it up and check for gaps.
Glue-dot 5in balloons into the gaps to fill it out. This is the step that makes it look professional.
Hang it with Command hooks at each end and one in the middle, and tuck greenery in last.

How to hang it so it stays up

This securing guide suits anyone hosting an indoor or outdoor event who wants their beautiful creation to remain perfectly in place throughout the festivities. Apply these hanging methods during your final venue setup to guarantee a sturdy display. Our practical tip is to check the local weather forecast if your party is held in a garden or marquee.

Use two hooks at the top corners and one at the arch's midpoint to stop it sagging.
Loop the decorating strip over the hook rather than sticking the balloons to the wall.
For an outdoor arch, cable-tie the strip to a frame — wind will pull it off hooks.
Don't hang it in direct sun. Heat expands the air and balloons pop.
Keep it away from radiators for the same reason.
Build it the night before and hang it the same evening; air-filled balloons hold for two to three days indoors.

Key things to remember

Don't inflate every balloon to the same size — mixed sizes are what make it look professional.
Fill the gaps with 5in balloons on glue dots at the very end.
Build the night before, not on the morning of the party.

Frequently asked questions

How many balloons do you need for a balloon arch?

Around 60 to 70 balloons per metre for a full garland arch — so about 130 for a 2 metre doorway arch and 200 for a 3 metre backdrop. Buy 10% extra to allow for pops.

Do balloon arches need helium?

No. Garland arches are air-filled and attached to a decorating strip, which holds the shape far better than helium and lasts two to three days indoors.

How long does it take to make a balloon arch?

About 90 minutes for your first 2 metre arch, and closer to an hour once you've done one. Most of the time goes on inflating, so an electric pump is worth the £15.

How do you hang a balloon arch without damaging the wall?

Command hooks or 3M strips at each end and one in the middle. Loop the decorating strip over the hooks rather than sticking balloons directly to paintwork.

How far in advance can you make a balloon arch?

Build it the day before. Air-filled balloons stay inflated for two to three days indoors, as long as you keep them out of direct sun and away from radiators.

What colours work best for a balloon arch?

Three or four: two main shades, one accent and one neutral or metallic. More than four and the garland looks busy rather than designed.

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