Many people associate candles with the smell and warmth, but did you know that candles can be great decoration pieces? While it might not seem like it, candles can really accentuate any room as a beautiful accent to complete any look. Before you pick up any old candle, read this candle buying guide to learn all about the important aspects that go into choosing a candle.

Use our table of content to skip to the sections you want to read most:
Types of Candles
Types of Candle Wax
How to Choose a Candle That Is Right For You

Types of Candles

It might seem as if the only difference between the candles on the market are their smell, but there are different forms of candles due to their size and intended usage. Here are the different types of candles on the market to give you a better idea of the product you’re looking for.

Pillar: Pillar candles are meant to stand alone without any type of casing. They are usually made of Paraffin wax and can come in different heights and sizes to give you flexibility in your design. Typically, these candles are long and slender in shape, resembling a cylinder, and include one wick for burning.

Taper: You know those movie scenes with the romantic candlelit dinners? Those long, thin candles with a narrow top are taper candles. They make for elegant table centerpieces, but don’t forget the base to catch its drippings.

Jar: These types of candles are probably already lying around your house. Jar candles are most known and can be found in any scent imaginable. Some jars come in different colors and patterns to allow you to find what fits your room and mood the most when choosing a candle to fit perfectly in your aura.

Votive: Votive candles are small in size and can give a lot of versatility when it comes to your decoration style. They are meant to sit in small glass containers to give subtle ambience to any room in a beautiful way.

Tealight: Smaller than votive candles, tealight candles are single wicks placed in a small cup or tin circular container. They are widely used for decoration purposes and are generally white or yellow in color.

Novelty: Our candle guide couldn’t leave out these types of candles – meet novelty candles. Whether their jar or container is something other than a glass jar or the shape resembles more than the typical cylinder shape, novelty candles are not your standard lit item. These candles make excellent gifts or unique decor pieces.

Floating: Like the name implies, floating candles are tiny unscented candles meant to float in water for decoration. They have specific makeup to ensure they stay floating instead of tipping over in the water, and they can fit in nearly any glass, though slender ones tend to look more elegant.

Wax Melt: Wax melt candles are different from the standard candle. They do not have any wicks for you to light, but instead are little wax blocks for you to place in the electric burner to release the fragrance.

Tumbler: Already have a favorite fragrance in mind? Tumbler candles are taller pillar candles in a glass jar with colors and scents that can fit any design space and room.

Tip!

Check out our guide Types of Candle Holders: The Complete Guide to learn about the different candle holder designs, materials, and sizes.

Types of Candle Wax

No candle buying guide would be complete without discussing the different types of wax. Here are some wax types you can expect to find in a variety of candles.

Beeswax: Beeswax candles are natural products made from honeybees. They have a higher burn rate that outlasts paraffin candles, and have less soot or drippage.

Citronella: Citronella candles use citronella oil derived from an Asian grass root. As you would assume, these candles release a floral, citrusy scent when lit.

Paraffin: Scented and unscented, paraffin wax candles are the most popular. The wax made in paraffin candles is produced from a by-product in the oil industry and has a high burn rate.

Soy: Another natural candle wax is soy wax. These types of candles are 100% natural and made from soybeans.

Plastic/LED: Unlike the other waxes, plastic and LED candles contain no wax. Instead, they are battery powered to be an alternative to actual candles without sacrificing the candle look. If you are hosting an event at a venue that restricts lit candles, plastic and LED candles are a great substitute.

How to Choose a Candle That Is Right for You

When wondering how to choose a candle that will fit your room or intended purpose, there are a few qualities to consider to lead you to the best option.

1. Consider the Intended Use

Knowing the intended use of your candle can lead you to the perfect choice. Think of the room you plan to use your candle in and the function it would serve. Is it to brighten up the room with its fragrance? Match a theme? Or create a mood you want to experience with the fragrance, look, and design?

2. Think About Scent

Sometimes scented candles can throw off your vibe if you’re not liking the scent. Not all candles include fragrances, so if you would like an unscented votive candle to style as a centerpiece for purely decorative purposes, be sure to think of the unscented option.

3. Opt for the Right Size

Candles come in all shapes and sizes to fit a variety of design styling setups and functions. Before purchasing a candle, consider where it would go to understand what size would fit best.

Tip!

Find more inspiration with our guide Decorating With Candles: How to Decorate With Candles for Glowing Displays, or check out the video below:

Now that you know about the different types of candles, it’s time to find the right one for you!