Best Types Of Candle Shapes & Styles

Candles come in a variety of shapes and styles to suit different decorative purposes. Some of the most popular candle shapes include pillars, tapers, votives, tealights, floating candles, gel candles, beeswax candles, and scented candles. The shape and style of a candle impacts how it burns, how much wax it holds, and the overall ambiance it creates.

Pillar candles tend to be the most versatile all-purpose shape. Tapers create an elegant, sophisticated look perfect for formal settings. Votives and tealights are ideal for candle holders and can create mood lighting. Floating candles work well in bowls of water to add a serene element. Gel candles often come in more unique shapes perfect for themed decor. Beeswax and scented candles also appeal to those looking for natural and aromatic options.

The diversity of candle shapes allows people to choose styles that align with their decor goals, whether they want to set a romantic mood, add a rustic touch, or create a relaxing spa-like atmosphere. The popularity of various shapes also shifts with home decor trends over time. But classic shapes like pillars and tapers have remained go-to choices for their versatility and timeless elegance.

Pillar Candles

Pillar candles are tall, cylindrical candles that are wider than taper candles. They come in a variety of diameters ranging from 2 to 4 inches. Common sizes are 2 x 3, 2 x 4, 2 x 6, 3 x 3, 3 x 4, 3 x 6, 4 x 4, and 4 x 6 inches (diameter x height).

Pillar candles are versatile and can stand freely on their own or can be paired with a candle holder. They create an elegant decor accent and provide hours of illumination as the wax pool slowly melts down the cylinder. The self-supporting design means the flame remains stationary and does not need to be monitored. Pillar candles come in different colors, materials, and scents, offering diverse decorative options for any space.

Compared to taper candles, pillars burn slower and provide more light, making them popular for centerpieces, mantels, table tops, fireplace hearths, and other fixtures. The consistent shape and broad base is ideal for anchoring floral displays and votive constellations. Pillars also work well as space fillers and can be grouped into clusters for increased glow. They are a classic option for candelabras and candlesticks. Beeswax and soy blends give off minimal dripping for added convenience.

Some key uses for pillar candles include:

• Centerpieces for dining room tables, console tables, sideboards
• Focal points for mantels, shelves, credenzas
• Decorative accents for entryways, hallways, bedrooms
• Ambiance lighting for outdoor spaces like porches and patios
• Supplemental lighting during power outages

With their clean-burning capabilities, subtle ambiance, and stylish form, pillar candles make an excellent choice for almost any room or decor theme. Their simplicity provides versatility to become an integral part of a well-decorated home.

(Source: https://fraendi.com/blogs/blog/pillar-candles, https://creativecandles.com/blogs/blog/guide-to-pillar-candles)

Taper Candles

Taper candles are long, slender candles with a wax body that tapers on both ends. They are among the most elegant and traditional candle shapes, often used for formal dining tables and events (source). Taper candles come in a variety of lengths, with popular sizes ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches. Shorter tapers are commonly used for dinner tables and candelabras, while taller tapers create a dramatic effect for mantels, entryways, and ceremonies. Beeswax and paraffin wax are common materials for taper candles.

Taper candles are frequently used for elegant table settings, focal points, and ambient lighting. Their tall shape allows the flame to rise up and create a still, genteel glow. Taper candles also enable decorative candle holders like candelabras and hurricane vases to function properly. Keep in mind that taper candles require a candle holder, as they do not have a wide enough base to stand upright on their own (source). Popular uses for taper candles include:

• Formal dining room tables
• Candleabras
• Fireplace mantels
• Weddings and ceremonies
• Religious services

Votive Candles

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles that typically measure 1-3 inches tall by 0.5-1 inch in diameter. Votive comes from the Latin “votum” meaning vow or dedication, as they were originally used in churches.

Votive candles are designed to fit into small glass holders called votive holders or votive cups. These holders help contain the melted wax and provide stability. Typical votive holders are made of glass and measure 2-3 inches tall with an opening about 1 inch wide.

Today, votive candles are popular for home decorating and aromatic use. Their small size allows them to be used in groups to create ambiance and scent. Common uses include scattering votives down the center of a dinner table, lining a windowsill or fireplace mantel, and filling holders to create mood lighting around a living space. Votive candles lend a warm glow and enable safe, contained flames in small areas (Source).

Scented votives are available in a wide variety of fragrances to set a particular mood or atmosphere. Unscented votives are also available for those sensitive to scents or preferring a clean-burning candle. As a versatile, inexpensive option, votives are a candle staple for home or event decor (Source).

Tealight Candles

Tealight candles are a type of small candle designed to fit into a metal or plastic holder. As defined by Wikipedia, “a tealight is a candle in a thin metal or plastic cup so that the candle can liquefy completely while lit.” The metal cups allow the wax to liquify when lit so the candle can burn pool-less and not spill.

Some unique features of tealight candles are their small size (usually 1-2 inches wide), round shape, and ability to float in water when placed in a holder. Tealights are inexpensive to produce so they are very affordable. They come in a variety of colors and scents, making them versatile. The metal cup contains the melted wax so tealights are safe to use without a candle holder.

Tealight candles are commonly used to create ambience and scent. They can be placed in decorative holders on tables, floats in water, or lined up along walkways. Restaurants often use tealights on tables to create mood lighting. Tealights are also popular components of DIY projects and crafts. Their small size makes them perfect for scattering in large numbers to create a beautiful candle display.

Floating Candles

Floating candles are a unique and eye-catching candle variety. They are designed to float on water, creating a magical effect as the flickering flame seems to hover above the water’s surface. According to Quick Candles, “A floating candle is a candle that when placed in water displaces more water by weight than the weight of the candle. So when it’s placed in a container with water, it will float” (https://quickcandles.com/blogs/blog/floating-candles-ideas).

To properly use floating candles, they need to be placed in a wide, flat holder or bowl filled with water. The container should be made of a non-flammable material like glass, metal, or ceramic. It’s important to use containers specifically designed for holding floating candles, with at least 2-3 inches of water. This ensures the candles have enough buoyancy to float properly and the flame stays above the water level.

Safety is paramount when using floating candles. Be sure to keep them away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets. Don’t leave them unattended for long periods. Have a snuffer on hand to safely extinguish the flames. With proper precautions, floating candles can create mesmerizing ambience and magical lighting effects.

Gel Candles

Gel candles are made from a gel wax that has a smooth, crystal clear appearance. Unlike traditional wax candles, gel wax is transparent and glossy. Gel candles are valued for their visual appeal and ability to hold decorative items like seashells, flowers and glitter inside the candle. The clarity of the gel wax allows the decorations to be seen while the candle burns (Source: https://candlepursuits.com/gel-candle-vs-wax-candle/).

Some key benefits of gel candles include:

• Long burn times – Gel candles can burn up to 2 or 3 times longer than regular wax candles.
• Vibrant colors – Gel wax allows for extremely vivid and translucent colors.
• Clean burn – Gel candles produce very little soot and wax dripping.
• Decorative – The clear gel wax highlights embedded decorations and objects.

Potential drawbacks of gel candles to be aware of:

• Higher cost – Gel wax is typically more expensive than paraffin wax.
• Fragrances don’t adhere as well – Scent throw can be weaker in gel candles.
• Higher melting point – Gel wax requires hotter temperatures than paraffin, around 160°F to 190°F (Source: https://www.candlejunkies.com/choosing-the-right-candle-wax-guide/).

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles are made from the wax produced by honey bees. The wax comes from bees’ wax glands and is harvested from honeycomb. Beeswax has some key differences from other candle waxes like paraffin or soy:

Benefits of beeswax candles:

• Natural wax – Beeswax is all-natural, nontoxic, and biodegradable [1]
• Clean burn – Beeswax candles emit negative ions when burning which help purify the air [2]
• Aromatic – Beeswax candles have a light, honey-like scent when burning
• Long-lasting – The high melting point of beeswax makes these candles burn longer than other types

Some potential drawbacks of beeswax candles:

• Higher cost – Pure beeswax candles are generally more expensive than paraffin or other wax candles
• Fragility – Beeswax is brittle when cold and subject to cracking or breaking
• Bloom – Beeswax can develop a whitish powdery coating on the surface over time [3]

Scented Candles

Scented candles are extremely popular and come in a wide variety of fragrance options. Some of the most popular scents for candles include lavender, vanilla, sandalwood, citrus scents like lemon and orange, and seasonal or holiday scents like pine, pumpkin pie, and apple cinnamon. The scent options are practically endless!

One of the main benefits of scented candles is their ability to set a mood or ambiance. The scents can be relaxing, energizing, or remind you of a favorite season or memory. Studies show scents can influence our moods and emotions. For example, lavender and vanilla scents are known for their calming properties while citrus scents are more uplifting. Candles can help create a spa-like environment or make your home smell like the holidays.

However, there are some potential concerns with scented candles to be aware of. The fragrances may contain chemicals that can cause headaches or allergic reactions in some people. Burning the candle wax itself produces some smoke that could worsen respiratory issues. It’s best to blow out a scented candle after an hour or two of burning. Those concerned about chemicals may want to opt for candles made from natural soy, beeswax, or vegetable waxes rather than paraffin wax. Unscented candles are another alternative to enjoy the ambiance without any added fragrance. Overall, scented candles can be enjoyed safely and make a great decorative touch to any space when used moderately and with adequate ventilation.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing candle shapes and styles, the options are plentiful. From classic pillar candles to innovative floating candles, there are many different types to consider for your home or event décor.

Some of the most popular and versatile candle shapes include pillar candles, taper candles, votive candles, and tealights. Pillar candles make great all-purpose candles that can stand alone or be grouped together. Taper candles are elegant and slim, perfect for candlesticks or candelabras. Votive candles are ideal for containers and votive holders. Tealights provide beautiful ambience in multiples.

In addition to traditional wax candles, there are also gel candles, beeswax candles, and scented candles to choose from. Gel candles offer vibrant colors and intricate designs embedded within the gel. Beeswax candles are an eco-friendly, non-toxic option made from honeycomb. Scented candles infuse wonderful aromas into any space.

With this wide range of candle shapes and styles, you can find beautiful candles to light up any space or occasion. From simple lighting to impressive arrangements, candles remain a versatile and classic decorating element to enhance the look and feel of your home.