Candlelight is representative of many things. Peace, serenity, relaxation, and romance are just a few. We are no doubt drawn to candlelight for the same reasons that our ancestors were once drawn to fire. Candles are an easy and elegant way to access our primitive attraction to the flame. Nothing creates a sense of tranquility and calm quite like a beautiful candle display. However, with so many choices in the candle market, how can you choose the best product and candle type for your space?
In the warm glow of a votive candle's flickering flame, there exists a timeless charm that transcends mere illumination. Votives have held a special place in human rituals and traditions for centuries, offering more than just light; they embody a sense of serenity, reverence, and celebration.
These are small cylindrical candles, sometimes also fragrant candles, that are typically placed in a special holder or container, offering a warm, ambient glow. These candles are specifically designed for religious, ceremonial, or decorative purposes.
Often used to set intentions or enhance meditation, they create a serene atmosphere, inviting moments of peace and reflection. Their gentle light symbolizes hope and devotion across various cultures and traditions.
Key features of votive candles include their relatively short size, typically around 2 to 3 inches in height, and their wider base, which allows them to fit securely into votive candle holders. They are commonly made from paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax, which facilitate a clean and steady burn.
Votives are small, short candles often confused with tealight candles, but the two types vary in several ways.
While both tealights and votives are smaller and easily interchangeable, tealights come in self-contained cups. Votives, on the other hand, are often sold independently, meaning you'll need a votive container to burn these candles safely. Sometimes, votive candles come pre-poured into containers, which you can reuse and fill with new candles once the wax melts completely.
Tealight candles are shorter, giving them minimal burn times. Votive candles come in varying heights but are often at least one inch high. Because of their larger size, votive candles have longer burn times than tealights.
Candles are an easy and inexpensive way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any room. Votives are small, making it easy to change the color scheme or ambiance of a room quickly and simply.
No matter the atmosphere you're trying to create, votives help you add a touch of class and calm to your space, whether in the bathroom or the living room. You can use them in yoga classes, religious services, or ceremonies. Also longer-lasting activities like weddings, receptions, meetings, or romantic dinners. Place lavender-scented candles in your day spa or yoga studio to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. Or add unscented votives throughout your restaurant for a romantic ambiance. Whether you place one candle or one hundred, votives are guaranteed to add an extra flair to your area.
Votives are incredibly popular in a variety of locations around the world: private homes, businesses, restaurants, religious establishments, and self-care facilities. Because these candles are extremely versatile, their applications and uses are endless.
Scattering votive or tealight candle holders down the length of your dining table will make it feel longer. Start with three votives and add more depending on the length of your table. You can place them in a straight line or stage them, depending on your preference. Add a few votive candles to a centerpiece at the family dinner. Create stunning centerpieces for dining tables or mantelpieces using groups of votive candles. Arrange votive holders of varying heights and styles together, and intersperse them with natural elements like pinecones, berries, or seasonal flowers for a festive touch. All the options look wonderful.
Bring life to vacant fireplaces with this candle decorating idea. For this look, you need a candelabra that's meant to fill out fireplaces and is equipped with layered holders to resemble the spontaneous nature of flames. Then grab votive candles and place smaller sizes toward the front and larger sizes toward the back. If your fireplace was bricked in, you can still achieve the look with a narrow tabletop candelabra or an assortment of pillar candles lined on the hearth. Not only does this instantly level up your living space, but it also creates a safe alternative to wood-burning fires that look equally eye-catching when not lit.
Create a candle station on your sideboard, dresser, or coffee table with a stunning decorative tray to frame the look. Playing with light is everything when it comes to decorating with votive candles, so consider a mirrored vanity tray with a gold or silver finish. The combination of gleaming metallic and mirror bases intensifies the reflection of light from your candles. For this decoration, you can also use a pillar candle as the base with room for a hurricane to showcase a votive candle and a candlestick to support a long taper candle for added height.
Glass jars are another safe and design-focused way to elevate votives. Place these candles inside hurricane candle holders made of glass or metal. Fill the bottom of the hurricanes with sand, seashells, or decorative stones for a beachy or coastal theme. These hurricanes are perfect for outdoor entertaining or as accents on coffee tables and bookshelves. Depending on the occasion, you can also put scented candles in a glass jar.
Place votives inside lanterns made of metal, glass, or wood for a rustic or vintage-inspired look. Line them along staircases, patios, or windowsills to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. You can also hang them from hooks or shepherd's poles for added charm.
Hang votive candle holders from branches, strings of beads, or decorative hooks to add a whimsical and romantic vibe to outdoor gatherings, weddings, or garden parties. You can also suspend them from shepherd's hooks along pathways or in trees for a magical effect.
Install decorative wall sconces or shelves and place votive candle holders on them to create a captivating focal point in any room. Arrange them symmetrically or asymmetrically for visual interest, and pair them with mirrors to amplify the candlelight and create the illusion of space.
Line pathways, driveways, or garden borders with votive candles placed in glass jars or lanterns. This creates a magical and inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings or romantic strolls under the stars.
With these creative decoration ideas, you can use votive candles to infuse your home, events, and outdoor spaces with warmth, charm, and a touch of elegance. Experiment with different styles, textures, and arrangements to create personalized and memorable displays that delight the senses and inspire conversation.
