Disco Ball Art Hacks: How To Attach And Suspend Your Art Pieces

Finding the best way to hang your disco ball art can be difficult. For example, have you recently made a stunning disco ball but don't know how to attach and suspend it from the ceiling? What's the best way to hang a disco ball? Luckily, we've done plenty of research and have a few ideas to share below.

One of the easiest ways to attach and suspend disco ball art pieces is by using specialty screws and hooks. These designs allow your disco ball to hang safely. Swag hooks and ceiling S-hooks are some of the best choices.

If you don't have a rope or chain for hanging your disco ball art, we recommend using monofilament fishing line to tie it to the ceiling hook.

In this post, we will cover how to hang disco ball art and other ways to display it. Whether you're setting up a window display in your store, want to spruce up your home, or have further questions, we're here to help. With that said, let's dive right in!

An orange disco ball shining and bringing vibe to a club, Disco Ball Art Hacks: How To Attach And Suspend Your Art Pieces

What's The Best Way To Hang A Disco Ball?

To hang a disco ball, you want to use a compatible hook or screw. An S-hook or a swag hook will do the best job of getting your disco ball secured and hanging from the ceiling.

Since most disco ball art kits come with a chain or rope, you can loop that around your ball and secure it around the hook or screw in your ceiling.

Three different colored disco balls

However, if you're making a disco ball from scratch, you should attach a chain or rope or use a monofilament fishing line to hang it.

Disco balls can get pretty heavy, making them unsafe if you don't secure them properly. With an S-hook or swag hook, you can expect your disco ball to stay in place and shine for the foreseeable future.

Finding a spot on your ceiling or above-head structure that can handle the weight is also essential. For example, you don't want to hang a hefty disco ball from a panel ceiling.

Heavy-Duty Swag Ceiling Hooks 

These swag hooks work well for hanging heavy items from the ceiling. The set includes two hooks with an antique finish and comes in a few color choices.

Check out these hooks on Amazon.

Where Is The Best Place To Hang A Disco Ball?

Once you create a stunning disco ball, it's time to hang it somewhere. Usually, you want to suspend a disco ball near a window or source of light. Doing this allows your ball to reflect light and project it throughout the room.

Additionally, it's important to hang a disco ball somewhere it won't be in the way. For example, you do not want to hang a disco ball near a busy hallway, entrance, exit, or anywhere someone may hit and break it.

Even in your home, you want to use your disco ball like a light fixture. Keep it high enough from the ground so everyone can enjoy it. According to designers, here are some places to consider hanging a disco ball:

  • Rec room
  • Garage 
  • In a corner
  • Above coffee table or dining table 

You might prefer to hang your disco ball over a reading nook or in the family room so everyone can enjoy it. Have fun with the placement of your disco ball, and keep it high off the floor.

How Much Does A Disco Ball Weigh?

A silver colored Disco ball on a white background

Depending on the size, a disco ball can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to over 100. Generally, disco balls between one and two feet weigh 5-10 pounds.

Disco balls that are three to five feet across may become heavier: up to 100-150 pounds!

Some creators of even larger disco balls have weighed their creations at over 500 pounds, so these reflective art pieces are not lightweight when they become bigger.

On top of size, your disco ball's material also plays a role in weight since disco balls are usually made with styrofoam, polystyrene, cardboard, or a solid plastic core.

Of those materials, you can expect solid plastic disco balls to be heavier than styrofoam, polystyrene, or cardboard. The density inside your disco ball will make it heftier.

Although it might make sense to create a durable interior for your reflective art piece, from a hanging perspective, this may not be ideal. Most ceilings and hooks can't handle more than 100 pounds.

How High Should You Hang A Disco Ball?

Up close photo of a Disco ball spinning

When it comes to how high your disco ball should be from the floor, this depends on your ceiling. Let's say you have ten-foot ceilings and need to hang a disco ball.

To avoid hitting your head or having others run into the art piece, we recommend keeping it at least 6-7 feet from the ground.

Then, most people's heads won't touch the disco ball as they walk below it. Of course, for those taller than six feet, you may need to choose a different place for your ball or have it be higher from the ground.

If you prefer to have your disco ball be above a dining table or coffee table, it can be lower to the ground. In that event, you might keep the disco ball 4-5 feet from the floor to allow more people to enjoy it at the table.

Again, this all depends on your layout, ceiling height, and section of the room.

How Big Should My Disco Ball Be?

For the most part, a disco ball should stay between 12 and 16 inches in size. As we said, a 12-inch disco ball typically weighs 5-10 pounds. That makes it easier to hang from the ceiling.

Anything bigger than that may risk the structural integrity of your screw/hook or ceiling. Disco ball art pieces are also subjective to the people making and enjoying them.

Therefore, one space might look better with a giant hanging disco ball, while the next will do better with one 12 inches or smaller. If you have high ceilings, that's when your disco ball can be larger.

Some experts recommend sticking to 20-inch disco balls for event spaces, as they capture people's attention better and help get the party started.

However, that same mentality can apply to homes if they are larger and need some vibrance. Let's say you want to create a massive disco ball for the foyer of your home. That's when a 2-5 foot disco ball becomes more appropriate.

Floor-bound disco balls can be as big as you want them to be, so that's another idea to consider.

Is It Hard To Make A Disco Ball From Scratch?

Making a disco ball from scratch can be a bit challenging, depending on the route you go. The easiest method is to purchase a styrofoam ball and then glue mirrored pieces to it.

Check out these mirror tiles on Amazon.

However, if you're planning a larger project and want your disco ball to be heavier, you can mold one using plastic or figure out a customizable alternative.

For hanging disco balls, we don't recommend getting too crazy with the underlying ball. Styrofoam is lightweight and will look nice with mirrors glued to it, so that's our suggestion.

Some people also use cardboard for the underlying dome of their disco balls, so that's another lightweight choice. Regardless, the mirror pieces will add weight to your creation, so don't start with something that's already very heavy.

Carnival mirror sheets, which aren't regular glass but resemble it closely, are a top pick for anyone wanting to create a lightweight disco ball.

There are endless ways to create a disco ball, so don't be afraid to experiment with different reflective ball materials. Furthermore, a rotating motor might be nice for anyone who want their disco ball to move.

To Wrap Up

An orange disco ball shining and bringing vibe to a club

Whether you have a disco ball you need to hang, or you want ideas for an upcoming project, it's always good to know your options. We found that hanging a disco ball is as easy as connecting it to a chain, rope, or monofilament line and then to an S-hook or swag hook.

Usually, hoisting your disco ball into the air will be easy as long as the ceiling and screw or hook can support it. Many disco balls should weigh under 10 pounds, but they can become 100+ if you choose a larger size.

Of course, if your disco ball becomes too heavy, you can also turn it into a floor-bound piece and allow people to enjoy it!

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