Ceiling & Wall Decorating
Decorating up high is the quickest way to make a whole room feel like a party, and it uses space you are not walking through. Hanging swirls, lanterns and fairy lights add height and movement for very little money.
Here is what to hang where, and how to fix it so it looks even and stays put.
What to hang where
- Swirls and streamers: the go-to ceiling filler. Hang them in clusters of 5 to 8 at slightly different lengths so they twirl.
- Lanterns and pom poms: group in odd numbers (3s and 5s) and vary the sizes for a natural look.
- Fairy lights and party lights: run them along the top of a wall or drape across a corner for a warm glow after dark.
- Bunting and banners: best on walls, along mantels or shelf edges at eye level, where people actually read them.
Hang it safely and evenly
- Heights. Keep hanging decorations above 2m so nobody walks into them. Over a table you can go lower, around 60 to 80cm above the surface.
- Fixings. Removable hooks and low-tack strips protect paint. For a grid of swirls, run a length of fishing line or ribbon across the ceiling and hang from that.
- Spacing. For an even ceiling, space your hanging points about 40 to 50cm apart.
- Electrics. Keep lights away from anything flammable, do not cover the plug, and switch them off before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hang decorations without damaging the ceiling?
Use removable adhesive hooks rated for the weight, or string a line of fishing wire between two wall points and hang from that. Paper decorations weigh almost nothing.
How many swirls do I need for a room?
For an average room, 15 to 30 swirls hung in a few clusters gives a full look without covering the whole ceiling.
Can I leave hanging decorations up overnight?
Yes, paper swirls, lanterns and bunting are dry and light, so they hold for days. Switch any lights off when the room is empty.
Look up with hanging decorations, swirl decorations, lanterns and party lights.
More in the Decorations guide