The Art of Floating Decorations

I knew I’d fall in love with the Harry Potter film series after seeing the floating candles in the dining hall. Harry had just been whipped into this new magical world, and the floating candles fantastically illuminated the room. It visually paralleled the whimsical feeling this young, inexperienced wizard must have felt before being placed in a Hogwarts House. 

Of course, I watched the films as a kid, but I had watched it casually in passing with very little interest in the book or film series. Watching the movie as an adult who was assured of herself and her interests, I viewed the film with an open mind and was swept away by the magic and how the Wizarding World pushed the bounds of one’s imagination. I wanted to create this effect in my home—not only for my own enjoyment but so I could create a magical experience, encouraging an active imagination for my children. 

So, with a clear fishing line, mounting tape, and decorations of my choice, I created floating decorations. For Halloween, I made witch hats float on my front porch; on Christmas, I dangled ornaments and sparkling snowflakes in my hallway; and now, for the month of love (February), I’ve mounted hearts and artificial pink flowers on the ceiling of my hallway. Below are the steps for mastering the Art of Floating Decorations

How to Make Floating Decorations

Tools Needed

• Clear fishing line

• Scissors 

• Clear mounting tape

• Decoration of choice

• Hot glue gun (optional)

Directions

Step #1 - Attach your decorations to the fishing line

Either by tying the line onto the decorative piece or by hot gluing, attach the decoration in a pattern of your liking to one end of the fishing line. Once the object(s) are attached, cut the fishing line. Be sure to cut the line long enough to dangle appropriately from the ceiling.

With my floating hats, I used a sewing needle to thread the line through the tip of the witch hat and tied it to secure it. For my floating ornaments and snowflakes, I slid them onto the line and tied them in place. I used a hot glue gun to attach the hearts and artificial flowers to the fishing line for my Valentine’s Day decorations. Visit the gallery above for reference.

Step #2 - Mount the fishing line on the ceiling 

Tape the opposite end of the fishing line to the ceiling or other fixture with clear mounting tape. Be sure to adjust the height of each decorative fishing line to sell the floating effect better and provide variety.

Step #3 - Cut loose fishing line

After adjusting the height of each fishing line, you may have extra line dangling off the edge of the clear mounting tape. With your scissors, cut the excess line to create a more flush finish on the ceiling. If there is extra or loose line exposed on the decorative end of the fishing line, snip that off as well.