Are Candlesticks In Style?

Candlesticks are decorative holders designed to grasp candles. They have a rich history dating back centuries as both beautiful objects and functional lighting. Candlesticks were utilized in palaces, churches, and homes before the invention of modern electric lights.

While candlesticks faded in popularity for a time, they are currently experiencing a major resurgence as vintage-inspired home decor. The flickering ambience of candlelight never loses its charm. When set upon candlesticks, candles become an elegant focal point. The variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and designs make candlesticks a diverse decor choice.

Different Types of Candlesticks

There are several common types of candlesticks to consider when looking to incorporate them into your home’s decor.

Taper Candles

Taper candles are long, thin candles that are wider at the bottom and taper to a point at the top. They come in a variety of heights, from short 4″ tapers to extra tall 12″ or 18″ tapers. These elegant candles are designed to fit into candlesticks or candelabras. Tall taper candles make a dramatic statement when clustered together on the table or mantel.

Pillar Candles

Pillar candles are cylindrical candles that come in a range of diameters from narrow to wide. They are designed to stand upright on their own without a candle holder, making them very versatile. Pillar candles look great displayed on plates, trays, or other flat surfaces. Column candles are a type of extra wide pillar candle.

Floating Candles

Floating candles have a low profile shape designed to float in liquid like water or oil. They come in shapes like spheres, ovals, squares, or short cylinders. Floating candles create a peaceful ambiance when placed in glass containers, candles, or bowls. The candle floats on the surface while the glow reflects off the surrounding liquid.

Votive Candles

Votive candles are short and stout, designed to fit into glass votive holders. They typically burn for 5-10 hours. Votive candles lend an intimate feel when placed in votive holders on tables, windowsills, shelves, or other surfaces. The small scale makes them ideal for accent lighting.

Material Options

Candlesticks come in a variety of different materials, each with their own aesthetic and functional qualities. Some of the most popular materials for candlesticks include:

Glass

Glass candlesticks have a sleek, modern look and allow the candlelight to shine through beautifully. Glass is prone to breaking however, so it’s best used in low-traffic areas without kids or pets. Clear glass has a lightweight appearance, while colored glass can add pops of color to a space.

Ceramic

Ceramic candlesticks have an earthy, rustic feel. Glazed ceramic provides a polished look, while unglazed terra cotta has more texture. Ceramic is durable and comes in endless shape and color options. However, it can chip if knocked over.

Metal

Metal candlesticks like brass, iron, and stainless steel have an industrial modern vibe. They’re great for high-traffic areas since metal is durable and scratch-resistant. Metal conducts heat well though, so it can get hot with prolonged use.

Wood

Wood gives candlesticks a natural, cozy look. Different woods like maple, cherry, or oak provide unique grains and colors to match any decor. Wood needs occasional polishing to stay looking its best. Avoid placing wood candlesticks too close to the flame since wood is combustible.

Classic Styles

Some of the most iconic and timeless candlestick styles stem from major design movements in history. These classics have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices today.

Colonial

Colonial candlesticks feature simple, early American designs. They often have a tapered shape, turned wood construction, and minimal ornamentation. The pillars may have subtle ring turnings but lack elaborate carvings. These candlesticks convey rugged simplicity and rustic charm.

Victorian

Victorian candlesticks reflect the ornate aesthetic of the era. They showcase intricate metalwork, carved decorations, scalloped edges, and elegant shapes like spirals and curves. Lavish materials such as marble, brass, and glass give them an opulent look. The distinctive silhouettes make them recognizable as Victorian.

Art Deco

With their bold geometric forms and sleek visual style, Art Deco candlesticks epitomize 1920s modernism. They feature glossy black lacquer or luxurious materials like chrome, glass, and crystal. The candlesticks have distinctive angular shapes or stylized floral motifs. Their avant-garde profiles capture the essence of the Art Deco movement.

Modern Styles

Candlesticks today come in a variety of modern styles that can add flair to any décor. Some popular modern trends include minimalist, geometric, and nature-inspired designs.

Minimalist candlesticks feature clean, simple lines and a lack of ornamentation. These candles work well in contemporary, Scandinavian, or boho chic spaces. Glass, concrete, and wood are common minimalist materials. The shapes tend to be cylindrical, squared, or faceted.

Geometric candlesticks have bold mathematical shapes like hexagons, triangles, and cubes. Metals like brass, copper, and nickel are commonly used. The structured look meshes well with mid-century or industrial room styles. Geometric candles make eye-catching accent pieces.

Nature-inspired candlesticks pull organic shapes and textures from the outdoors. Examples include tree branch, antler, stone, and shell designs. Bringing natural elements indoors creates a relaxed, earthy feel. Foraged, raw, or peeled materials give a rustic charm.

Tips for Incorporating Candlesticks

Candlesticks can add warmth and atmosphere to any space when incorporated thoughtfully. Here are some tips for stylishly bringing candlesticks into your home decor:

Mix and match styles. Don’t be afraid to combine different candlestick designs, heights, and materials in one space. Eclectic groupings of vintage, modern, glass, ceramic, and metal candleholders can look wonderful together. Go with your personal taste.

Use varying heights. Try staggering candlesticks of different heights on a mantle or table for visual interest. Mix tall and short or group three to five candleholders of graduated heights.

Coordinate with color scheme. Make sure your candlesticks make sense with the overall color palette of the room. Gold and silver metallic candlesticks pair well with both warm and cool tones, while colored glass or ceramic holders can match or complement your color scheme.

Candlesticks are a timeless way to add ambience and warmth to any space. Don’t be afraid to get creative and combine styles when incorporating them into your home!

Where to Place Candlesticks

Candlesticks can add ambiance and style to many areas of the home. Consider placing candlesticks in these key locations:

Coffee Tables

A pair of candlesticks looks lovely on a coffee table in the living room or family room. Choose a height that doesn’t obstruct conversation or block the view. Place them at either end of the table for symmetry.

Bedside Tables

For a cozy and welcoming touch in the bedroom, set a candlestick on each nightstand. Opt for a short height so the flames are visible but don’t pose any risk. Bedside candlesticks create a warm glow for reading before bed.

Entryways

Welcome guests with candlesticks on a console or small table near the entryway. Their light will lead the way in while setting the tone for relaxation. Pick a style that coordinates with your decor.

Dining Tables

Candlesticks lend an elegant ambiance to dinner parties and holiday meals. Place them in the center of the table or spaced evenly down the length. Make sure they don’t obstruct conversation or the serving of food.

Safety Considerations

When using real candles, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips for safely incorporating candlesticks in your home decor:

• Avoid placing candlesticks near curtains, drapes, paper, or other flammable materials. Leave at least 12 inches of clearance.
• Never leave burning candles unattended. Always blow them out before leaving a room.
• Use flameless battery-operated candles which provide the ambiance without the fire risk. These are safe even around kids and pets.
• Keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets to prevent burns or fire.
• Always place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces. Avoid placing them on furniture or rugs.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent smoking and uneven burning.
• Extinguish candles when they burn down to within two inches of the holder.
• Consider using a timer or automatic extinguishing device for added safety.

With some simple precautions, you can safely add candlesticks throughout your home and take advantage of their warm, welcoming glow.

Scented vs Unscented

When choosing between scented and unscented candles, there are pros and cons for each option to consider.

Scented candles can help set the mood and create an ambiance in a room. The fragrances can be relaxing, energizing or evoke certain emotions depending on the scent. Popular scented candle options include floral, fruit, spice, woodsy and seasonal scents. However, the artificial fragrances can cause issues for people with allergies or scent sensitivities. The strong smells can trigger headaches, asthma attacks, nausea and other problems for those with sensitivities. Scented candles also release volatile organic compounds into the air which can have negative health effects.

Unscented candles avoid these issues associated with artificial fragrances. They don’t release any added scents into the air. Unscented candles are a better option for people with asthma or scent allergies. They also don’t contain any VOCs that can be problematic for sensitive individuals. However, unscented candles don’t provide any aromatherapy benefits or help set a particular mood with their scent.

If you or someone in your home has scent sensitivities, an unscented candle is the safest option. For others without sensitivities, a lightly scented candle in a ventilation area may be enjoyable. But be cautious of overpowering scented candles or burning multiple scented candles at once, as this can trigger problems for even those normally not sensitive.

Conclusion

Candlesticks have remained a popular home decor accent for centuries, with both classic and modern styles that can complement a variety of aesthetics. From elegant crystal and ornate metalwork to sleek contemporary designs, candleholders make a statement in any space when thoughtfully incorporated. When used properly by following safety precautions, candlesticks provide beautiful ambience and a touch of timeless flair. Their warm glow creates welcoming spaces for relaxation or entertaining. With diverse options available, it is easy to find candle holders that align with your personal taste and interior design vision. Candlesticks continue to shine as an evergreen decorative accessory.