Hanging Mobile Design Ideas

If you need an idea to cheer up a bedroom or add interest and charm in a corner somewhere, a hanging mobile may be just the ticket. Here is a comprehensive hanging mobile design idea list to inspire your creativity.

This is an example of a large-scale mobile that would be really neat in a large foyer

First, decide on a theme for your mobile. That will help determine what kind of frame to build the mobile on. If you like a paper bird or leaf mobile then sticks and twigs will make the perfect frame to hang them from. If it’s geometric shapes out of origami then maybe all you need is an embroidery frame. You can use just about anything. There have been mobile designs that used a bicycle wheel or an old stripped umbrella frame. There are no rules. 

There are no limits to what you can put on a hanging mobile like this creative wind chime mobile.

Ideas

Here are a few ideas for possible themes, materials, and tools you can use to create your own hanging mobile. 

Hanging mobile out of re-purposed plastic bottles is a really cool idea for a kid's room.

Themes

• Paper flowers
• Hearts
• Stars
• Birds
• Feathers
• Leaves
• Butterflies
• Dragonflies
• Steampunk: Cogs, springs, screws, etc.
• Paper airplanes: Choose unusual paper to add interest
• Boats
• Fish
• Seashells
• Planets
• Molecular structures
• Geometric shapes

Sea shells make for a beautiful mobile design.

Materials

• Scrapbook paper
• Crepe paper
• Wire
• Vellum
• Cardboard
• Newspaper
• Funny papers
• Old sheet music
• Paper from an old book
• Plastic craft sheets
• Foam balls
• Baking clay
• Felt
• Beads
• Feathers
• Leaves
• Dried citrus fruits
• Recycled materials (be creative)
  • Old light bulbs
  • Pop can tabs
  • Plastic bottles
  • Etc.

Consider recycling plastic bottles to make a really interesting mobile design.

Cutting tools

• Scissors
• Cricut Machine
• Die Cut Machine
• Craft knife

Frames

• Craft wire
• Wooden dowel
• Sticks and twigs
• An interesting branch
• Stripped umbrella (don’t ask me how to hang it!)
• Bicycle wheel (hang with care)
• Embroidery frame
• Wire coat hanger
• Old antlers

Hanging materials

• Fishing line
• Invisible thread
• Sewing or quilting thread
• Embroidery floss
• Yarn: novelty, homespun, or other
• Artistic wire

Fastening materials

• Glue
• Needle
• Staples
• Nail
• Hook screw
• Stud finder
• Drill

Design It

Draw out your design on paper first to make sure you have what you need before you get started. There is no limit to the number or size. You can make a swarm of butterflies, a large school of fish, or five to nine lucky stars. The design and structure can be adapted to fit a variety of themes.

A hanging mobile depicting a swarm of paper butterflies is a charming look for a girl's room.

Create It

Start at the top and work your way down, making sure to test it as you go to see that everything is hanging and balancing the way you want it to.

Hang It

When you are finished take care to hang it properly. Make sure that if your mobile is heavy it’s bolted to the ceiling right so it doesn’t come down on someone’s head. Use a stud finder and a solid hook screw so there are no surprises or injuries. I would talk to your local hardware store handyman for his recommendations.

Take care to hang your mobile properly by using the right hardware and a stud finder to set the screw in the ceiling.

Family Fun

This is also a great activity for kids to do; you can do it with them which will make a fun and lasting memory for all. If your kids are really little, try using straws, paperclips, and paper shapes of their choosing for their mobile. When you’re done you’ll have decorations that will give you satisfaction every time you see them. A design that is uniquely yours and no one else can recreate exactly. 

Contact Five Star Painting

While we don't design hanging mobiles for your rooms, we do provide interior painting. To learn more about our professional services, call Five Star Painting today!