How Do You Style Candles In A Bedroom?

Candles can be a lovely decorative touch that makes a bedroom feel cozy and inviting. The warm flickering glow creates an intimate ambiance, while the scent can help relaxation and set the mood. Strategically placing candles around a bedroom allows you to highlight decor, illuminate dark corners, establish a color palette, and infuse personality into the space.

When styling candles in a bedroom, it’s important to choose appropriate holders, decide on placement, and select complementary colors and scents. The goal is to use candles to enhance the overall aesthetic – illuminating decor you want highlighted, introducing pops of color, and setting a relaxing or romantic vibe. With some thoughtful styling, candles can take a bedroom’s design to the next level.

Set the Mood

Candles can set the tone for a bedroom’s atmosphere. Consider whether you want to create a romantic mood or a more relaxing vibe. Romantic candles tend to have floral, fruity, or musky scents, while relaxing candles often have lavender, chamomile, or clean linen smells. Think about when you’ll be using the bedroom and what kind of ambiance you want to cultivate. Having a variety of scented candles on hand allows you to tailor the mood for different occasions.

Group candles with complementary scents for a coordinated fragrance profile. Candles also come in different sizes and burn durations – having candles that last 6, 8, and 10 hours means you can maintain the desired atmosphere all evening long. LED candles are great for achieving a consistent mood, as they emit a continuous fragrance without needing to be lit or replaced.

Safety First

When using candles to style your bedroom, fire safety should always be a top priority. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, bedding and clothes. Leave at least 12 inches of clearance.
• Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving the room.
• Use sturdy, tip-proof holders placed on a flat, heat-resistant surface.
• Avoid using candles near drafts which can cause rapid, uneven burning.
• Carefully trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent tall, sooty flames.
• Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room and avoid cluttering the space.
• Consider using flameless candles which provide ambiance without the fire risk.
• Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.

Making fire safety a priority will allow you to enjoy candles in your bedroom responsibly.

Choosing Candle Holders

Candle holders come in a variety of materials like glass, ceramic, and metal. Consider what aesthetic you’re going for in the bedroom when selecting holders.

Glass holders allow the candlelight to shine through beautifully, creating a warm glow. They come in clear and colored varieties. Clear glass has a modern, sleek look. Colored glass like deep blues or greens can create a soothing ambiance. Etched glass offers an elegant option.

Ceramic holders are available in many colors and patterns. Handpainted designs can make them into works of art. Ceramic also retains heat well to help candles burn evenly. Neutral glazed ceramics blend into room decor seamlessly. Boldly patterned ceramic holders make more of a statement.

Metal holders range from classic silver and brass to modern copper and iron. They conduct heat efficiently to melt the candle wax. Metal finishes like antique bronze or shiny metal can set different moods. Sturdy metal candlesticks and lanterns work well. Colorful enamel-coated metal holders add pops of color.

Whatever material you choose, make sure the holder coordinates with the room’s overall aesthetic. Mixing and matching different holder styles can be visually interesting. Just be careful not to go overboard. Stick to one or two dominant materials or colors for cohesion.

Candle Height and Shape

When selecting candles, consider the height and shape that will work best in your bedroom. Tall taper candles in candlesticks can make a dramatic statement on a dresser or nightstand. Opt for taller candles if you have high ceilings. Shorter candles around 3-4 inches work well on low nightstands or windowsills so they don’t get lost.

Pillar candles in varying heights look great lined up on a mantel or dresser. They create a clean and cohesive look. Varying the heights adds visual interest.

Round candles like jars or columns can add softness on nightstands or side tables. Use both round and taper candles together to create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Just make sure to mix up the heights and shapes for variety.

Avoid placing too many overly tall candles in one space. This can look chaotic and cluttered. Find the right balance of heights and shapes for your bedroom’s proportions.

Color Palette

When selecting candles, it’s important to choose colors that complement your existing bedroom decor. Matching candle colors to your wall colors, bedding, and other accents pulls the look together into a cohesive theme.

Lighter hues like whites, creams, and soft pastels are ideal for creating a peaceful, airy ambiance. Try matching white candles with white bedding and pale green walls for a crisp, refreshed aesthetic. For bedrooms with lavender accents, go for light purple candles to tie into the color story.

On the other hand, richer, darker colors can make for a moodier, more intimate vibe. Deep reds and navys pair well with darker wall colors and wood tones. Match black or chocolate brown candles to espresso-stained nightstands and darker bed frames. Just take care to still provide enough light for safe navigation.

You can also mix and match both light and dark colors in the same space for visual interest. Just be sure to stick to 2-4 colors overall for a cohesive look. And don’t forget unscented candles – they work with any color scheme!

Nightstands and Dressers

Bedside tables and dressers make excellent spots to style candles in a bedroom. Place a set of matching candles on each nightstand to create a cohesive and pulled-together look. Opt for pillars or short and stout candles so they don’t block the nightstand surface. Position them toward the back corner of the nightstand so they don’t get knocked over easily and are out of the way.

For a bolder look, place a set of tall taper candles in holders on top of the dresser. Flank them with smaller votives or pillars to add depth and dimension. Make sure the dresser is not directly next to curtains or bedding to prevent potential fire hazards. Keep the candles a safe distance from any mirrors or artwork hanging above to avoid smoke damage.

Windowsills and Mantels

Accenting windows or fireplaces with candles can add a gorgeous glow to any bedroom. For windowsills, opt for tall taper candles or pillars which won’t block the view. Place them in simple cylindrical holders spaced evenly apart. For mantels, arrange varying heights and shapes along the length to give a dynamic look. Stagger candles closer to the wall’s edges to frame the area. Candles with woodsy or spicy scents like cedarwood, palo santo, or cinnamon become an aromatic accessory. Layer candle pillars between books and decor on the mantle to incorporate the whole space. Center an ornate candelabra filled with slim tapers for a traditional style mantel. The warm lighting of candles against these focal points creates an inviting atmosphere.

Mix and Match

Don’t be afraid to combine different candle styles, scents, and heights in a room. Mixing things up can create visual interest and allow you to layer scents. Here are some tips:

• Choose candles in complementary colors and materials. For example, pair mercury glass votives with ceramic pillars.
• Alternate tall and short candles on a mantel or dresser. The height variation creates a nice look.
• Blend different scents throughout the room. Try pairing fresh scents like citrus with cozy vanilla or sandalwood.
• Incorporate candles with and without holders. You can nestle a few pillars directly on a table surface.
• Mix natural beeswax and paraffin wax candles for variation.

The key is to choose candles that coordinate in some way, either through color palette, scent, or style. But don’t be too matchy-matchy. The mix-and-match look will create a collected, curated feel.

Finishing Touches

Add some extra flair to complete your candle decor by pairing them with other bedroom accents. For nightstands, consider adding a small plant, framed photo, book, or mini lamp next to your candle holder. On dressers, you can place a jewelry box, perfume bottle, flower vase, or small decorative tray alongside your candle. For windowsills, try pairing your candle with sheer curtains, a set of crystals, or a string of fairy lights.

Proper lighting is also key for maximizing the ambiance of your candles. Use table lamps or wall sconces to cast a soft glow over the room. Dimmer switches allow you to set just the right mood lighting. You may also use flameless candles around your bedroom to provide general illumination without worrying about open flames.

With a thoughtful candle design and the right finishing touches, you can create a welcoming oasis that encourages relaxation in your bedroom.