Birthday balloons: how many to buy, what size, and what to hang them with

Balloons are the cheapest way to make a room look like a party, and the easiest thing to get wrong. Buy too few and the wall looks bare; buy one size and the display looks like a shop window.

This page is the buying guide: how many balloons a wall actually needs, the sizes worth mixing, when helium is a waste of money, and how to hang the lot without pulling the paint off.

We stock large number and themed birthday balloons, plus the banners, cake toppers, confetti and cards that go around them, all posted from the UK in one order. We don't sell helium, bunting or arch kits.

How many balloons you need

• A doorway garland: 60 to 70 balloons per metre, so about 130 for a standard door. Shop this card
• A photo backdrop wall: 200 to 250 balloons across roughly three metres. Shop this card
• A table cluster: five to seven balloons per table, tied at mixed heights. Shop this card
• A ceiling of loose balloons: one per guest is plenty for a front room. Shop this card
• Buy 10% more than you calculate — some pop while you're threading them. Shop this card
• Split the count roughly 40% large, 40% medium, 20% small for a natural look. Shop this card

Which sizes and colours to buy

• Mix 5in, 10in and 12in balloons. A single size always reads as cheap. Shop this card
• Pick two main colours, one accent and one metallic or neutral. Four maximum. Shop this card
• Match the balloon colours to the banner, not the other way round — the banner is fixed. Shop this card
• Chrome and pearl finishes photograph better indoors than matte under lamps. Shop this card
• Number balloons ('4' and '0') say the age without a single word of decoration. Shop this card
• Clear balloons with confetti inside look expensive and cost about the same. Shop this card

Air or helium

• Air-filled displays hold shape for days; helium latex sags after about eight hours. Shop this card
• Helium is worth it only for floating clusters and ceiling displays. Shop this card
• Foil balloons hold helium for a week or more — latex does not. Shop this card
• A small helium canister fills roughly 30 nine-inch balloons. Shop this card
• Fill helium balloons on the day, air-filled ones the night before. Shop this card
• Cold rooms shrink helium balloons; they perk back up as the room warms. Shop this card

Hanging a display without wrecking the wall

• Command hooks at each end and one in the middle stop a garland sagging. Shop this card
• Loop the decorating strip over the hook rather than sticking balloons to paint. Shop this card
• Outdoors, cable-tie to a frame — wind pulls a garland straight off hooks. Shop this card
• Keep balloons out of direct sun and off radiators, or they pop. Shop this card
• Hang the banner first and build the balloons around it, not the reverse. Shop this card

Happy birthday banners

The wall piece that anchors a balloon or bunting display.

Cake toppers

Wooden, rose gold and children's designs for shop-bought cakes.

Table confetti, sashes and crowns

Table and photo details that match the colour scheme.

Birthday cards to order with it

Card and decorations in one UK delivery.

Where to shop next

• Party supplies
• Buy party supplies
• Birthday balloons
• Happy birthday banners
• Bunting & banners
• Cake toppers
• Table confetti
• Party bag fillers
• Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• How much helium for balloons
• Balloon arch ideas
• How to use a balloon arch kit
• How to make bunting
• How to hang bunting
• Party bag ideas for kids
• What to put in a party bag
• Birthday badges & party pins
• Birthday cards
• Birthday bunting
• Party decorations
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts
• Funny Birthday Cards for Dad - shop the range
• Funny Birthday Cards for Her - shop the range
• Funny Birthday Cards for Him - shop the range

Frequently asked questions

Do you sell balloons?

Yes — large number and themed birthday balloons, posted from the UK with your card. We don't sell helium, bunting or balloon arch kits; this page tells you where to get those and how many balloons you need.

How many balloons do I need for a birthday party?

For a garland arch, count 60 to 70 balloons per metre — about 130 for a doorway and 200 to 250 for a three-metre photo wall. For loose balloons, one per guest is plenty in a front room.

Do I need helium?

Usually not. Air-filled garlands and arches last days and cost nothing to inflate. Helium is only worth it for floating clusters, and latex balloons start sagging after around eight hours.

What size balloons should I buy?

Mix three sizes — 5in, 10in and 12in — in roughly a 20/40/40 split. A display made from one size looks flat in photos.

How do I hang balloons without damaging the wall?

Use Command hooks or 3M strips and loop the balloon decorating strip over them. Never stick balloons directly to paint or wallpaper.

What goes with a balloon display?

A happy birthday banner behind it, a cake topper on the table and confetti scattered thinly. All three are in stock here and post with your card in one delivery.