Once essential for lighting up homes at night, candles have now transformed into a must-have home decor item to add an element of coziness and sophistication to any room. Candles provide comforting warm light, whether produced by an artificial flame or a real one, and come as either scented or unscented depending on your preferences. Read further to discover the variety of methods for decorating with candles:

1. Introduce a Candle Lantern

When decorating with candles, something as simple as a lantern to house pillar candles can work wonders and draw your attention to the warm glow. Enclosed lanterns also provide a safe alternative to open flames (win/win!). Welcome guests with a candle/lantern combo as they pass by your entryway table. Position lanterns of different sizes with groupings of pillar candles to add even more drama. Or, stick to pared-back candle decoration ideas with a traditional candle lantern atop a stack of weathered books and next to a vase of faux florals.

2. … Or Some Glass Hurricanes

Glass hurricanes are another safe and design-focused way to elevate pillar, votive, or tealight candles – and there are so many styles available. The set of glass hurricanes pictured above feature raindrop patterns that add intrigue and capture candlelight for a soft, welcoming ambience. They also feature floating candle holders so you can create a gravity-defying look – or fill the bottom of each hurricane with vase fillers like sea shells, moss, gems, or flower petals for seasonal interest.

3. Incorporate a Reflective Tray

Create a candle station on your sideboard, dresser, or coffee table with a stunning decorative tray to frame the look. Playing with light is everything when it comes to decorating with candles, so consider a mirrored vanity tray with a gold or silver finish. The combination of gleaming metallics and mirror base intensifies the reflection of light from your candles. Build up your candle station with a variety of candles and holder types like the one pictured above. Use a pillar candle as the base with room for a hurricane to showcase a votive candle and a candlestick to support a long taper candle for added height.

4. Add Drama to Your Fireplace

Bring life to vacant fireplaces with this candle decorating idea. For this look, you need a candelabra that's meant to fill out fireplaces and equipped with layered holders to resemble the spontaneous nature of flames. Then grab pillar candles of different sizes and place smaller sizes toward the front and larger sizes toward the back. If your fireplace was bricked in, you can still achieve the look with a narrow tabletop candelabra or an assortment of pillar candles lined on the hearth. Not only does this instantly level up your living space, but it also creates a safe alternative to wood burning fires that looks equally eye-catching when not lit.

5. Create Some Height

Short on table space? Add visual height when decorating with candles by opting for tall candlesticks. Create a meditative corner in your bedroom with a few taper or pillar candles mounted on top of wood candlesticks. Roll out a boho rug and place the candlesticks in a woven tray to encourage a warm ambience for your evening yoga sessions. Adapt this look to your design aesthetic and recreate it in the unused corner of your sunroom, reading nook, entryway, or dining room for an added touch of warmth and light without the need for a table or wall-mount.

6. Rethink the Wall Sconce

Liven up your walls with candle holders turned wall sconces. Wall sconce candle holders come in so many different styles and configurations – from vintage-inspired trellises to modern wall sculptures with space for tea-lights, to traditional candlestick varieties – the possibilities are endless. Decorate with candles and wall sconces while also framing your favorite artwork or ornate entryway mirror. Line dark entry halls and stairways with three or more candle sconces and flameless candles for an alternative to harsh overhead lighting at night. Perhaps the best part? No electrical hook-ups required.

7. Line the Dining Table

Get creative with candle centerpieces for tables that instantly transform holiday get-togethers, weekly dinner parties, or much needed take-out nights. Line your table with an assortment of candles set in hurricanes or stylish candle dishes. Opt for short or low-set candle holders so you can really engage with your guests. Add a seasonal touch with faux florals, leaves, or decorative objects intermixed with your candle display.

8. Play Around With Tapers

Dress the mantle with tall, slender taper candles in an assortment of bold colors that match your home aesthetic. Add to the fun by layering in different candlestick heights. Keep the candlestick finishes the same, like the gold ones pictured above, to make sure your eyes go right to the candles themselves.

9. Let the Candle Speak for Itself

Decorating with candles gives you the excuse to further cement your interior design style through themed candle jars and novelty candle shapes. Add a touch of bohemian style to your entryway table with jar candles featuring intricate patterns and earthy color schemes. Or add something fun to your bookshelf with a candle shaped like a Greek sculpture. Filter for your interior aesthetic in the product style tab to the left-hand side of the product page.

Tip!

Refresh your knowledge on your candle options in our types of candles guide.

Get glowing with candle decor ideas in mind.