Candles can create a sense of warmth, drama, or romance depending on how you choose to use them.  Your options for decorating with candles are limited only by your imagination.  However, you do want to use caution when using candles to reduce the risk of fire.

In the Living Room/Family Room

Group an arrangement of pillar candles on a mirror and place on a coffee or end table.  The mirror will reflect the glow of the candles doubling the impact.  For extra impact consider placing greenery, fruit, glass aquarium rocks, or glass Christmas ornaments around the base of the candles.

If you have a fireplace that no longer use why not fill it with candles?  The glow of the candles creates the illusion of a warm flickering fire.  For added drama place a mirror behind the candles to radiate even more warmth into the room.

Consider making your own candlesticks using blocks of scrap 2 x 4’s, stacked and glued, then painted to match your décor.  Imagine how dramatic old banister or headboard dowels would be as candlesticks.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home.  What better place to use candles?

For a country or casual theme place candles in small jelly jars  or miniature terra cotta pots then tie a piece of ribbon or torn fabric around the jar.  The finished jars can be placed on a window ledge or on your kitchen counter.

Perhaps you have a collection of old tea cups why not use those as candle holders?  Look around at thrift stores for interesting glasses or tea cups.  Remember, you are only limited by your imagination.

Consider filling a jelly jar with alternating layers of dried beans such as kidney, navy or pinto beans then placing a small candle on top.

For a simple but elegant look fill a small clear votive holder with coffee beans and place a tea light candle in the center.  To finish the holder, tie on a piece of black and white ribbon.  The warmth of the candle will warm the coffee beans allowing them to fill the room with the delicious aroma of coffee.

For large pillar candles consider gluing cinnamon sticks or bay leaves around the candle and then tying a bow around it.

In the Dining Room

With just a few simple elements you can create a dramatic and elegant centerpiece in a matter of minutes.  For a Christmas display fill a glass bowl with cranberries and add a few tea lights.  To give the cranberries a frosty shimmer place them in the freezer for an hour before setting the arrangement out.

Instead of placing candles in traditional votive holders consider using cored apples, small pumpkins, bell peppers or artichokes as candle holders.

Place pillar candles in pretty bowls filled with greenery, nuts, fruit, or coffee beans.

If you are looking for an arrangement to place on a buffet table try filling a large footed candle holder or vase with a variety nuts (still in the shell), cranberries, kumquats, or starlight mints then place a candle on top.

 For another easy winter candlescape fill a glass container with rock salt and then place candles into the salt.  This would work well for tapered candles, votives or pillars.  The rock salt creates the illusion of snow.

If you really want to wow your guests at your next dinner party try creating your own ice sculpture candle holder.  These are relatively easy to make using two empty cans (of various sizes), water, and your freezer.  Make sure that your smallest can fits inside the other.  Fill the largest can 1/3 full of water.  Then place the small can inside.  Place something heavy inside the small can such as rocks or dried beans to force the can down rather than allowing it to float.  Then place the cans in your freezer overnight (make sure they are sitting flat).  When ready to use simply remove the smaller can and the ice “candleholder” from the larger can.  If you have trouble removing either can run warm water around the outside.  Then you can place the votive inside the icy candle holder. Make sure that you place the arrangement on a container that will collect the water as the ice begins to melt.  Now, that is an arrangement that is sure to have your guests talking!

However you choose to use candles remember that they are the most dramatic when they are grouped together.  Also, keep in mind that candles do not have to be lit to be beautiful.  For a casual look consider using a variety of colored candles, and for a more formal look use candles of only one color.  Have fun using candles in your décor and remember that candles can be used in any room in your house.  Also, think of all the possibilities for using candles outside.

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