Design candle holders – how to find the right model for your home
- Candle holders for different candles
- Decorating with candles
- Special candle holders for Christmas
- Hurricane lamps for the outdoor season
- Candle holders with that special something
- Material and cleaning
- Summary – what to consider when buying
1. Design candle holders for different candles
Candles bathe a room in a special light. There are many types of candle – and a matching candle holder for each.
Dinner candles: Long, slim dinner candles can't stand on their own. Candle holders keep each candle stable and secure.
Tealights: Placed in a glass tealight holder, tealights are protected from draughts. Other models have a built-in holder where the small round candles sit.
Pillar candles: Candle holders for pillar or block candles keep them steady and stop wax dripping onto the table. Pillar candles are also often used in hurricane lamps and lanterns.
Bear in mind that candles come in different diameters. So compare before you buy: check the diameter of the candle against the opening of your candle holder.
2. Arranging candle holders
On the table
Candles are an essential part of any table setting. Most are lit for celebrations such as birthdays or Christmas, yet as a decorative element they create a special atmosphere on the dining table all year round.
When decorating the table, make sure you don't block the view of the person opposite. For example, place a large multi-arm candelabra at the end of the table. (1) Alternatively, arrange pillar candles on a plate or tray.
For a long festive table, use several small candle holders, grouped with flowers at regular intervals. (2) Alternatively, create a centrepiece on a long dining table. One highlight is a collection of candle holders with dinner candles in different colours and heights, grouped in the middle of the table. (4)
Choose candle holders in colours and materials that match your tableware (3) and suit your personal style. Or go for a simple version in black, white, silver or gold that works with everything. Decorative placemats, napkins, vases and flowers complete your table setting.
On a chest of drawers
Wherever there's room for decorative pieces such as vases or picture frames, there's room for candle holders too. On chests of drawers, sideboards or shelves, design candle holders look decorative even when the candles aren't lit.
In general, candle holders of different sizes and shapes from one colour family make an attractive focal point. Choose an odd number of candle holders for a harmonious look.
You can also group candle holders with other decorative objects. For example, pair a candle holder with a glass vase. Add a small box or tin for keeping matches, and you have a well-balanced trio.
"You don't necessarily need a new candle holder to ring the changes. Try new combinations of colours and materials for your candles and holders. Either make a simple candle holder more striking with a coloured candle, or choose candle and holder in the same tone to create a new ensemble." – Kerstin, interior expert
3. Special candle holders for Christmas
Soft candlelight is part of the run-up to Christmas. As well as the Advent wreath, tealight holders are a classic Christmas decoration – and you can use them throughout the winter.
A stylish alternative to the traditional Advent wreath is a four-arm table candle holder, decorated with green sprigs, pine cones and the like. (1) Other candle holders also work well for creating a festive atmosphere on the table or windowsill. (4)
Tealight holders come in many shapes: shaped like a house or a cone, they are attractive decorative objects even when unlit. Depending on the material, the candle casts a cosy glow through the holder onto the sideboard, table or windowsill. (2) Candle holders in festive designs, shaped like a star or an angel, also make lovely decorations on their own. (3)
4. Hurricane lamps for the outdoor season
In summer, hurricane lamps and lanterns create a cosy, stylish light. The glass protects the flame from going out. That's why hurricane lamps are ideal outdoors, but also in draughty indoor spaces such as the entrance or hallways.
5. Candle holders with that special something
Sculptural candle holders that look like figures in their own right are real eye-catchers. Here, the design of the holder plays a key role. (1) Candelabras made of individual modules are also special: you can stack, combine and connect them as you like to create your own candle holder. (2)
There are also reversible candle holders: turn them upside down and they hold a different type of candle. That way, one holder works for both tall and short candles. (3)
Some candle holders also make attractive wall decorations, as they can easily be mounted on the wall. You'll find wall-mounted candle holders from Audo, for example. (4)
6. How to clean candle holders
As well as looks, how easy a material is to clean also matters. Depending on the material, there are two common methods – heat or cold.
Please note: Let the wax harden and cool before cleaning. Avoid using sharp objects.
For candle holders made of metal or steel, hot water from the tap is usually enough to let you wipe the wax off with a cloth. If any wax remains, place the candle holder on a sheet of baking paper in the oven for a few minutes. Please note: the material gets very hot!
To clean porcelain candle holders, put them in the freezer for a few minutes. Don't forget about them, though, as the material could crack. Afterwards, the wax comes away almost by itself. If any residue remains, you can then put the candle holder in the dishwasher. For wooden candle holders, the freezer is also the best option – but don't clean them with water or in the dishwasher.
Clean candle holders made of glass or stone with either heat or cold. Both can go in the freezer for a few minutes – just don't forget about them, as the material could crack. Then remove any residue with a cloth. With tealights or candle jars, wax can also drip into the container. In that case, fill the glass with hot water so the wax melts again, floats to the surface and can be skimmed off.
Please note: Never leave lit candles unattended and keep them out of the reach of children!
7. Summary – what to consider when buying a candle holder online
- A stable, secure base is important. Choose a candle holder that suits your tealights, dinner candles or pillar candles.
- When decorating, choose an odd number of candle holders for a harmonious look.
- As well as the classic Advent candle holder, there are alternatives such as tealight holders that create an atmospheric glow in the run-up to Christmas.
- The glass of a hurricane lamp protects the flame from going out, making it ideal for warm summer evenings or draughty indoor spaces.
- Reversible candle holders that take a different type of candle when turned over are particularly practical. Wall-mounted candle holders are another alternative to the classic version.
- As well as looks, cleaning matters: metal is easy to clean with hot water, while porcelain and wooden candle holders are best cleaned using the freezer. Both methods work for glass or stone.
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Shopping advice at Connox
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