Disco Balls in our home decor

INSIDE : Learn the reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your home right away! Plus all the ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping guide. 

Disco Ball Living Room

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Disco balls have been around for quite some time (from the Disco era of the 70’s to nightclubs), but it wasn’t until more recently that they’ve moved from being party staples to home decor staples!  I’m here today to tell you why we all need disco balls in our everyday home decor!

What is a disco ball?

A disco ball is basically a round object covered in small square mirrored pieces.  When a light source is shown directly on that mirrored ball, a complex display of light reflection is created. Using hundreds or thousands of similar sized mirror facets, a disco ball is suspended from the ceiling and spins via an external motor.  

In 1924 an inventor named Louis B. Woeste filed a patent for an object he called a “myriad reflector.” The US patent filing describes the device as a “sphere, yet any other geometrical form-may be substituted therefor, which is preferably hollow and has its surface covered with a multitude of mirrors.” (source)

12" Disco Ball Living Room

What are fun ways use different sized Disco Balls in your home?

For about the last eight years, I have have had a stash of 8 mini disco balls… they move around from place to place in my house. 

I used to display the fruit on my dining room table in a basket.  There was something about having a handful of mini disco balls nestled into my apples and oranges that made every single person who entered my house notice and LOVE it.  (You can see my fruit bowl disco ball display here.)

More recently, I moved my set of mini balls to our dining room window sill – I love the pattern they create when the sun hits them.  

Looking for a few different sizes?  Shop now.

After seeing the reaction of people to my fruit bowl disco balls, I knew there was more than one way to incorporate them into my home.  So I started to do some top secret disco ball investigation.

I had casually been on the hunt for bigger sizes for years and when I found an inexpensive 8″ disco ball, I knew it had to be mine!  Fast forward about a year and a half later and… I upsized to a 12″ disco ball – ha, best decision ever!

Living Room with a Disco Ball
 
Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor

What is the history of Disco Balls?

One of the first disco balls appeared in a Boston ballroom in 1897.  Soon after the 1920’s dance era, disco balls (sometimes they are referred to as mirror balls or glitter balls) were noted to be seen in a wide variety of establishments, mainly “underground” dance houses.

After some time passed, the disco ball fad seemed to fade out. Then, in the late 1960’s, the disco balls made a huge comeback for the disco era.

Since then disco balls can be found in many different locations including: dance clubs, weddings, skating rinks, home decor, and more. This more than 100 year old trend with mirrors and light is back on the rise.

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor

Disco Ball Decoration

My disco ball is 8" in diameter and although it is a fairly frivolous purchase, it is one that has brought straight magic to our home!  Each day, our entire family sits on the sofa and takes note where the sunshine is and how close it is to hitting the disco ball.  (Note, now I have the 8" one in our dining room and the 12" disco ball in the living room - you can never have TOO MANY disco balls!)

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor

And I still keep my stash of mini disco balls on a rotating basis in our home!

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor


When the light hits the disco balls, we all just stop immediately in awe... and then maybe have a dance party.  That is the power of a disco ball, small or big.  Mini | 8" Disco Ball | 12" Disco Ball

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor
Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor

Here is a few pictures of the disco light shimmer in different parts of our living room!

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor

Best Priced Disco Ball Shopping Resource:

Reasons why you need a Disco Ball in your everyday home decor! Plus, ways to use different sized disco balls, the history behind them and a disco ball shopping resource. Delineate Your Dwelling #discoball #discoballhome #discoballdecor
Chill Disco Ball Living Room

And after doing quite an excitable Instagram Story about how much joy and magic having disco balls have in our home, the ever wise MJ of Good in Store wrote me and said "Never apologize for enthusiasm... We all need more joy."  Well said, friend.  Well said.

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4 Comments

  1. I ordered 6 little ones and an 8” one after you shared yours and I LOVE THEM!! Every room needs some fun and whimsy. My grandkiddos haven’t seen them yet, but they will love the magic!

    1. delineateyourdwelling says:

      Oh my, how wonderful!!! It is so exciting to see the light dance around the room each day. You’re right, your grandkids WILL LOVE it! 😉

    1. delineateyourdwelling says:

      Thank you! I’ve loved having a little sparkle in my house each day.

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