If you have ever admired holiday displays where glowing orbs seem to hang in midair like floating ornaments, you already know how enchanting this style can be. The effect feels whimsical, modern, and almost weightless. It draws the eye without overwhelming the space, which is why homeowners and designers are using this lighting style more and more.
The good news is that you do not need special equipment or professional installers to create this look. With AQ Lighting’s LED hanging spheres, especially the compact six inch models, you can build a floating ornament display that looks polished and magical from the moment the lights turn on. These spheres are bright, durable, and designed specifically for outdoor use, which makes them perfect for both holiday decorating and year round installations.
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know. You will learn where to hang them, how to space them, the best mounting tricks, and how to create a layered floating effect that feels intentional rather than random.
Floating ornaments immediately add charm to any yard because they combine clean geometry with soft, glowing light. A single sphere feels gentle and minimal, while multiple spheres create movement and depth. When grouped together, they look like bubbles of light hovering in the air. The effect works beautifully in front yards, backyards, patios, porches, and gardens.
Six inch LED spheres are a perfect starting point. They are compact enough for small spaces, but bright enough to stand out even from a distance. Their shape also makes them incredibly versatile because you can hang them in straight rows, cluster patterns, or staggered heights.
This style offers a modern twist on traditional holiday lights. Instead of wrapping everything or outlining your home, you create art suspended in the landscape. It feels thoughtful, elegant, and creative.
The placement is what makes or breaks a floating ornament design. Here are some of the most reliable locations that almost always work well.
Trees are the classic foundation for this type of display. Even thin branches can support the lightweight six inch spheres. Hanging them at different depths in the same tree creates a depth filled glow that pulls attention from the street.
Hang spheres along the walkway or near the front porch to create a warm, inviting approach. A few ornaments placed at eye height make your entryway feel festive without being overwhelming.
Suspend the spheres slightly above shrubs to create a hovering effect. This works especially well at night because the contrast between the glowing spheres and dark greenery is stunning.
If you have outdoor structures, floating ornaments turn them into instant decor pieces. A pergola filled with hanging spheres can look like a winter wonderland or a romantic outdoor dining space.
If your trees are small or if you want a cleaner look, use nearly invisible fishing line to hang spheres from tensioned wire or thin cable. This creates the strongest floating illusion since nothing is visible during the day.
The number of spheres depends on the size of your outdoor space and how dramatic you want the effect to be.
Use five to ten spheres placed at different heights. This is ideal for porches, small patios, or a single entry tree.
Ten to twenty spheres create a balanced, artistic layout suitable for front yard trees, garden spaces, or wide walkway areas.
Twenty or more spheres let you build a true floating forest of light. This works beautifully when you have tall trees or open lawn space.
Always remember that spacing matters more than quantity. You can create a high end look with only a few spheres if you position them well.
The floating effect comes down to two things: the hanging material and the height arrangement.
Fishing line is the classic choice because it disappears completely once the lights come on. Choose a strong, outdoor safe line so it can handle wind and cold temperatures. AQ Lighting’s hanging sphere kits are designed with safe mounting points, so attaching your line is quick and secure.
If you prefer something more durable, thin coated wire also works. Just choose a color that blends into your environment.
If every sphere hangs at the same level, your display will look flat. Staggering their height creates a gentle motion effect, similar to ornaments floating downward.
Try grouping heights in sets of three:
This creates natural variation without looking messy.
Spacing determines whether your ornaments look intentional or random. Here are reliable spacing guidelines:
Hang the spheres twelve to twenty inches apart. Closer spacing gives a dense glow, while wider spacing looks airy.
Aim for two to three feet between spheres unless you want a dramatic installation. Wider spacing works very well in open areas.
Space spheres evenly on either side of the walkway. Keeping them at the same height creates a clean, guiding effect.
AQ Lighting’s hanging spheres come in bright cool white, warm white, and sometimes color options depending on the model.
Warm white:
Soft, cozy, and classic. Great for welcoming entryways and trees.
Cool white:
Bright, crisp, and modern. Perfect for large installations with a contemporary style.
Color changing RGB (if available in larger spheres):
Ideal for playful yard displays, special events, and themed lighting.
Six inch spheres are typically most striking in warm white, especially when used for floating displays.
Power setup is one of the most important steps, especially outdoors.
Make sure every extension cable and power strip is rated for outdoor use.
Use cable ties or hooks to secure all plugs above soil level. This prevents moisture from entering the connection.
Lay out all spheres on the ground, connect them, and confirm brightness and color consistency before installing them.
Six inch LED spheres are low wattage, which gives you plenty of freedom to connect multiple units to a single outdoor outlet. Even so, always check total wattage and stay within safe limits.
If you want something more artistic than even spacing, try creating clusters. A cluster is a group of spheres hung in a tight formation while the rest are spaced more widely.
Clustered arrangements feel whimsical and unexpected. They also help draw attention to specific landscape features like a favorite tree or a seating area.
Try these cluster shapes:
Clusters add personality and dimension to your display and give your yard a designer touch.
LED spheres are low maintenance, but here are a few tips to keep them looking great.
Since AQ Lighting’s designs are made for outdoor conditions, they hold up well through rain, wind, and temperature changes.
Floating LED spheres bring a sense of magic to any outdoor space. Their soft glow, round shape, and lightweight design make them perfect for creating a modern holiday feature that looks expensive but is surprisingly simple to install.
With careful spacing, varied height placement, and reliable power planning, you can create a floating ornament scene that lifts your entire home’s holiday atmosphere.
AQ Lighting six-inch hanging spheres are bright, durable, and built for outdoor conditions, giving you professional results with very little effort. Whether you want a subtle glow or a full floating light canopy, these small but powerful spheres bring your creative vision to life.
If you want a holiday display that looks fresh, artistic, and effortlessly magical, floating LED spheres are one of the most rewarding lighting projects you can choose.
Use clear fishing line or thin wire and hang each sphere at different heights. When the lights turn on at night, the line becomes nearly invisible, creating the floating effect.
Yes. AQ Lighting’s hanging spheres are built for outdoor use and can handle cold temperatures, rain, and seasonal weather conditions.
For trees, twelve to twenty inches works well. For open yard displays, two to three feet creates a balanced floating look without overcrowding.
No. LED hanging spheres use very little wattage, so you can connect multiple units to a single outdoor outlet as long as you stay within safe electrical limits.
Tree branches, front entry areas, garden pathways, patios, and open yard spaces are all great options. The effect is strongest when spheres hang at staggered heights.
