Unique DIY Balloon Decorating Ideas With How-to Instructions

Choose from these 21 DIY balloon decorating ideas to make your next party or event extra special.

Whether you want to make a majestic balloon arch, a stately column, a fancy centerpiece or an epic balloon backdrop -- you can be sure to find both inspiration and how-to instructions in my hand-selected list.

Like these balloon decorating ideas? Share them on Pinterest!

Spiral Balloon Arch

Ever wondered how to get this enchanting spiral pattern into a balloon arch? It's a simple trick of arranging balloons in contrasting colors. 

Photo source: Enchanted Balloon

String of Pearls Arch

The classic, floating "String of Pearls" arch creates an elegant frame for a wedding head table. It's one of the easiest designs you can make yourself. Just follow our balloon arch step-by-step tutorial here. 

Photo source: Pinterest

Balloon Columns

Balloon columns (also called pillars or towers) offer countless variations in style, size, color and pattern. You're bound to find one that suits your special event.

To make them yourself, follow our simple step-by-step balloon column tutorial. 

Ideal in combination with balloon arches, or as standalone eye catchers, balloon pillars are often placed at both sides of an entrance, table or stage.

The technique behind making balloon columns can also be used for other balloon decorating ideas, like bride & groom or snowman balloon sculptures.

Photo source: Pinterest

Balloon Bouquet (Staggered or Cascading)

The variations for balloon centerpiece decorations are endless, making them ideal for birthday parties or other special occasions. For example, you can vary the number of balloons (anything from 3 to 10 balloons is possible) and the way you arrange them (staggered or stacked).

The image shows a simple, yet impressive example of a staggered design with just 3 balloons. Learn how to make this type of balloon bouquet here.

Image source: Claudia Abril

Balloon Bouquet (Stacked or Layered)

Combine plain balloons with printed ones, or latex with mylar balloons. Set romantic accents with tulle.

There are many different ways to create beautiful matching bases for your balloon bouquets. In this example of a stacked or layered bouquet, we've used a potted plant as base.

Perfect as balloon decorating ideas for Valentine's or Mother's Day!

Hot Air Balloon Centerpiece

A unique way to surprise your spouse or friend with a gift voucher for a hot air balloon ride, or a perfect décor on its own.

Hot air balloon centerpieces are such a fun balloon decorating idea and easy to make.

Photo source: Green Wedding Shoes

Organic Balloon Arch

Organic balloon decor is a new and growing trend. I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE those designs.

While in traditional balloon decorations it's all about blowing up the balloons to the exact same size, organic balloon decor gets its fanciful look from mixing balloons in many different sizes.

The organic arch in the image above was created by one of our readers, following the instructions we provided.

Image source: Events by Khatera

Giant Confetti Balloons

Another one among my all time favorite balloon decorating ideas. Giant 3 feet clear balloons with confetti and color matching tassels.

Just imagine having these floating above the tables at a wedding reception or graduation party. Heavenly! Learn how to make confetti balloons yourself. 

Image source: Balloons Online

Writing on Balloons

I often get asked how to write on latex balloons. There are several types of markers you can use. Gold letters on black balloons is for sure one of the most sparkling idea for customizing your latex balloons.

Image source: Pinterest

Heavenly Balloon Decorating Ideas for Your Pool Party

Simply awesome. `Nough said. In case you wonder what weights to use so that the balloons float majestically around the pool, read my tips here.

Image source: Style Me Pretty

Gumball Balloon

A lovely idea for any mom to be! Also works great as a personalized gift idea for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or any occasion worth to celebrate.

Creating these gumballs is easiest with a specialized balloon stuffing tool. But you can also give it a try with our instructions how to manually insert smaller balloons into larger ones.

Photo source: The Party Company

Link-o-loon Rainbow Arch

Link-o-loon balloons have special "tails" at the opposite end of their necks. This makes it super easy to tie them together and create glorious floating arches, as seen in the picture.

They also make for a cute entrance decoration. If you lean the arch against the wall, you can fill the balloons with air instead of helium. Here are some tips about making a link-o-loon arch.

Image source: Bayside Balloons Online

Tulle Covered Balloons

These tulle balloons are a dream for any wedding cake table, baby shower or pastel themed summer party.

Very important: if you want them to float, choose large balloons (30 or 36 inches), good quality helium and very light weight tulle. Smaller balloons often get weighed down by the tulle and won't float.

Image source: Joann

Balloon Ceilings

Another awesome and rather simple (but not cheap, you need lots of helium) balloon decorating idea: balloon ceilings. The tricky question is: how do you keep them from floating around the room? Read my advice here.

Photo source: Balloon City USA

Floral Balloon Backdrop

Not only will you create a real eye-catcher with this balloon backdrop, but you'll also get a lovely scent from the floral arrangements.

Image and instructions: Sisoo

Balloons and Flowers Fairy Arch

I agree with Toni from Design Dazzle that this flower and balloon arch makes you feel like you are about to enter a fairy tale.

What a creative balloon decoration idea for a garden party! And think about the awesome pictures you can take with this kind of background.

Image and instructions: Design Dazzle

A Swarm of Bumble Bee Balloons

Cute idea for your little girl's or boy's birthday party. The kids will have fun helping you make those happy yellow bees, too. And you can create a joyful happy birthday video of them making the bees and playing with them on their special day.

Image and tutorial, including a video: Hostess with the Mostess

Fruit Balloon Garland

Anyone fancy some grapes, bananas or pineapples? Who would've thought that -- with a little bit of creativity -- you can even create a fruit garland with balloons.

Image and DIY instructions: Oh Happy Day

Balloon Garland as Table Centerpiece

Isn't this balloon garland a fabulous eye-catcher for your Thanksgiving celebration? The mix of different sized balloons in orange, rose and pearl white colors makes for such a bright and happy atmosphere.

The balloons are arranged and kept in place with a balloon decorating strip, which makes this garland much easier to do yourself than you may think.

Photo and instructions: Sugar and Cloth

Floating Balloon Clouds

Be on cloud nine for a while with these heavenly floating balloon clusters. Ideal for weddings, anniversaries or corporate events. You can make balloon clouds yourself with our step-by-step tutorial. 

Image source: Lets Balloon Around

Strawberry Balloons - Yum!

These fun decorations are super easy to make. All you need are pink 11 inch latex balloons, a black marker, green crepe paper, glue, paper straws and empty jars as base. Or you could hang them from the ceiling with fishing line.

Image and tutorial (including a recipe for a strawberry ice cream cake!): The Craft Patch

I hope you enjoyed these balloon-o-tastic DIY balloon decoration ideas from around the Web. If you did, please pin and share.

Which other fun ideas for decorating with balloons have you found or - even better - tried yourself? Let me know in a comment below.