Decorating
Styling: How to Decorate With Twinkling Candlelight
Use these simple styling gems to add sparkle to any space
There aren’t many people who would fail to be heartened by the sight of a room filled with twinkling candles, especially on a chilly winter’s eve. Yet how often do you light candles in your own home? If the answer is not very frequently, perhaps you just need a little inspiration to encourage you to fit them in with your own style and space. Try out some of these styling ideas to give your home that magical glow.
Work a little tray chic
Containing candles on a tray is a good, practical display choice, making it easy to clear them off your table if necessary, and helping them feel more curated. Opt for a shiny metallic tray, or even a mirrored plate, to help bounce the candlelight throughout the room.
Containing candles on a tray is a good, practical display choice, making it easy to clear them off your table if necessary, and helping them feel more curated. Opt for a shiny metallic tray, or even a mirrored plate, to help bounce the candlelight throughout the room.
Exploit niches
If there are any natural nooks within your home, candles can be a great way to fill them, with their golden glow creating miniature pockets of light throughout the space.
If your nook is quite small, consider how much heat the candle might be throwing onto the surface above, especially if it’s made of wood. If the surface is close, consider getting a battery-operated LED candle instead. If you’re using it within a votive, you won’t see it directly, and that way you’ll get a flickering candle effect without the heat.
If there are any natural nooks within your home, candles can be a great way to fill them, with their golden glow creating miniature pockets of light throughout the space.
If your nook is quite small, consider how much heat the candle might be throwing onto the surface above, especially if it’s made of wood. If the surface is close, consider getting a battery-operated LED candle instead. If you’re using it within a votive, you won’t see it directly, and that way you’ll get a flickering candle effect without the heat.
Add a natural touch
Candles nestled among foliage make for a stunning arrangement, whatever the occasion. This zinc container is perfectly in keeping with this wintry tablescape, but the look could work just as well for Easter with the addition of daffodils and tulips, or even for a summer wedding with some pretty, seasonal flower heads.
Try out other table centrepiece ideas
Candles nestled among foliage make for a stunning arrangement, whatever the occasion. This zinc container is perfectly in keeping with this wintry tablescape, but the look could work just as well for Easter with the addition of daffodils and tulips, or even for a summer wedding with some pretty, seasonal flower heads.
Try out other table centrepiece ideas
Create alternative firelight
Filling a redundant fireplace with candles looks pretty, especially when they’re lit, and stops the space feeling like a dark hole. Group several different sizes for the best effect.
Read about integrating a fireplace into your living space
Filling a redundant fireplace with candles looks pretty, especially when they’re lit, and stops the space feeling like a dark hole. Group several different sizes for the best effect.
Read about integrating a fireplace into your living space
Go graphic
A striking arrangement of three candles looks contemporary and considered. Even if your table is quite long, keep the candles close together for impact. A short runner or place mat underneath will visually ground them within the table space.
A striking arrangement of three candles looks contemporary and considered. Even if your table is quite long, keep the candles close together for impact. A short runner or place mat underneath will visually ground them within the table space.
Fall for tall and sophisticated
A contemporary alternative to tall, tapered candlesticks is pretty holders that take a tealight instead. These feel less precarious than taller candles, so could be a good choice for a family space.
A contemporary alternative to tall, tapered candlesticks is pretty holders that take a tealight instead. These feel less precarious than taller candles, so could be a good choice for a family space.
Arrange en masse
Gathering basic pillar candles together in a large group can look greater than the sum of its parts. If you’re short of spots to achieve this, consider going upwards – this ceiling-mounted candle shelf offers a fantastic spot in which to set up a group affair. Mix in a few different candle heights for a more interesting look.
Gathering basic pillar candles together in a large group can look greater than the sum of its parts. If you’re short of spots to achieve this, consider going upwards – this ceiling-mounted candle shelf offers a fantastic spot in which to set up a group affair. Mix in a few different candle heights for a more interesting look.
Flirt with a splash colour
Glass candle votives are often neutral in tone, but a coloured glass number can be just the accessory to tie together accents within your room. This shocking pink votive perfectly matches this towel, toilet brush holder and radiator, helping unite the space.
Glass candle votives are often neutral in tone, but a coloured glass number can be just the accessory to tie together accents within your room. This shocking pink votive perfectly matches this towel, toilet brush holder and radiator, helping unite the space.
Light the lamps
Outdoor hurricane lanterns can work equally well indoors within a wide hallway, especially in winter when you might want to bring them in from the garden. Opting for the same design for each holder creates a simple, graphic look.
Note Never leave a burning candle unattended.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of candlelight? Share ways you bring it into your home in the Comments below.
Outdoor hurricane lanterns can work equally well indoors within a wide hallway, especially in winter when you might want to bring them in from the garden. Opting for the same design for each holder creates a simple, graphic look.
Note Never leave a burning candle unattended.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of candlelight? Share ways you bring it into your home in the Comments below.
Jam jars make a good-sized (and free!) holder for tealights. Why not personalise them by introducing some natural elements? Wrap leaves around the inside of the jar and add in some water, creating a miniature floating ‘pond’ for each light, or wrap a sheet of bark around the exterior for rustic simplicity.