20 Creative Ways to Decorate Your Home with Candles

01of 20

Decorate the Dining Table

Alexandra Nicole Nolan

Candlesticks of various sizes shine on this dining room table. Candles are excellent components of a tablescape all year long and will be even more key during the winter holidays. Don’t be afraid to cluster a few as seen here.
02of 20

Add Vintage Glam to the Bar Cart

Kristel Gonzaba

Bar carts certainly don’t have to solely be for housing alcohol and glᴀssware. Why not set out some of your favorite candlesticks, too? These candelabras add a touch of vintage glam and will make hosting friends for a happy hour feel way more festive.

Continue to 3 of 20 below.
03of 20

Make a Nonworking Fireplace Shine

@mariannesides / Instagram

Nonworking fireplace? No problem! Place candles inside to create a welcoming glow. Whether you opt for real candles or faux, battery-operated ones is up to you. The more, the merrier.

Continue to 4 of 20 below.
04of 20

Finish Off a Stylish Vignette

Jacqueline Clair

Purchase taper candles in a fun shape and use them to create a charming display on your dresser. These candles are stunning even when unlit and add welcome height to any vignette.

Continue to 5 of 20 below.
05of 20

Add Height to a Sideboard or Buffet

Julia Dags for Julia Dzafic

Display tall candlesticks on your dining room buffet table to add some elegance to your main entertaining space. Here, blue and white candle holders fit the theme of the room perfectly.

Continue to 6 of 20 below.
06of 20

Relax in the Living Room With a Scented Candle

Kat Jamieson

It’s always nice to have a scented candle burning as you relax in your living room. Placing small accessories on a tray on top of your coffee table will help your space look more complete. Keep a stylish matchbook nearby, and you’re golden.

Continue to 7 of 20 below.
07of 20

Go Big With a Dramatic Candelabra

Susan

While it’s common to group together various candlesticks on a dining room or kitchen table, displaying an oversized candelabra can add some dramatic effect. A setup like this is excellent for when you want to go big and make a statement!

Continue to 8 of 20 below.
08of 20

Incorporate Candles Into a DIY

Lindsay Aratari

There are plenty of ways to get creative and repurpose household items to use as part of your candle display. Here, an old toolbox houses flameless candles and adds some shabby chic elegance to this living room.

Continue to 9 of 20 below.
09of 20

Adhere a Sconce to Your Built-Ins

@grandmillennialmama / Instagram

Add a wow factor to your built-in shelving by installing a candle sconce so that it adheres to your bookshelf. Light the candles as you please and pretend you’re relaxing in an old-timey library. Bonus points if you pick some artful candlesticks—these striped ones are stunning even when not lit.

Continue to 10 of 20 below.
10of 20

Place a Candle Under a Cloche

Kathleen Barnes

Here’s another stylish example of placing candles on a bar cart. A cloche is an excellent way to add some oomph to your candle setup. Here, a single jar candle is given extra special treatment and really stands out.

Continue to 11 of 20 below.
11of 20

Fill the Length of a Table in Candles

Lauren McBride

If you’re decorating a long dining room table, consider placing a series of individual candles side by side with a bit of space in between in order to cover the whole length of the piece. During the holiday season, weave in some garland and finish off the look with some tealights for some extra brightness.

Continue to 12 of 20 below.
12of 20

Don’t Forget About the Bathroom

Louis Duncan-He

Don’t forget to place a candle in the bathroom! It will come in handy in eliminating everyday odors and making your room smell more pleasant to guests who come over— be sure to keep something fragrant lit while entertaining.

Continue to 13 of 20 below.
13of 20

Keep it Simple and Classic on the Mantel

Erin Williamson Design

The mantel is one of the most common places in which to display taper candles. Cluster together two or three together to avoid cluttering up the space.

Continue to 14 of 20 below.
14of 20

Think Outside the Box With Colors and Shapes

Gray Space Interior Design

Note that candles come in all shapes and colors; don’t be afraid to think outside the box a bit. Here, black pillar candles blend in with their holders perfectly and result in an incredibly sleek setup.

Continue to 15 of 20 below.
15of 20

Light Candles in the Kitchen

Cathie Hong Interiors

You sit at your kitchen table most of all, so why not elevate the everyday? Even when you’re eating leftovers, you’ll feel a little more glam dining by candlelight.

Continue to 16 of 20 below.
16of 20

Try This Twist on the Classic Sconce

Ashley Montgomery Design

Throw it back to simpler times by hanging candle sconces on the walls in your dining room. Note that you can still opt for more modern-looking fixtures if your aesthetic leans contemporary.

Continue to 17 of 20 below.
17of 20

Light Up Your Entryway

@afrobohemianliving / Instagram

Place a cluster of candlesticks on your entryway table to make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Candlelight has a way of encouraging people to be celebratory, after all.

Continue to 18 of 20 below.
18of 20

Bring Charm to the Kitchen Counter

@cottageandsea / Instagram

Add ambiance to the kitchen by placing a candle on your countertops. Whether you opt for a taper candle like this one or something scented is entirely up to you.

Continue to 19 of 20 below.
19of 20

Make Getting Ready Feel Fun

Ashley Montgomery Design

Make getting ready feel like less of a chore by outfitting your vanity so that it feels glamorous and is filled with your favorite things. Lighting a scented candle every morning will help you get the day started on the right foot.

Continue to 20 of 20 below.
20of 20

Keep the Coffee Table Simple

@cottageandsea / Instagram

If you’re not one for coffee table decor galore, simply setting out a few candlesticks can make a major impact. Light them at night when you unwind in front of the TV and turn off all of the overhead lights.