20 Ideas for Decorating With Candles Throughout Your Home

If you're a candle lover, consider the following rooms as an excuse to fuel your obsession. The 20 spaces we've highlighted below prove that there are so many innovative ways to use candles as decor all throughout the home—scented, taper, pillar, you name it, the choice is entirely yours. Truly, when it comes to candlelight, no room is off-limits!

Closeup of a dining room table decorated with candles and colored glass candle holders — The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

While we certainly witness an influx of candles throughout the home during the holiday season, keep in mind that candles can (literally) shine in your space all year long. Ready to get decorating? Keep reading to see how others have seamlessly integrated various types of candles into their houses.

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Decorate the Dining Table

Alexandra Nicole Nolan

Candlesticks of various sizes shine on this dining room table. Candles are excellent components of a tablescape all year long and will be even more key during the winter holidays. Don't be afraid to cluster a few as seen here.

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Add Vintage Glam to the Bar Cart

Kristel Gonzaba

Bar carts certainly don't have to solely be for housing alcohol and glassware. Why not set out some of your favorite candlesticks, too? These candelabras add a touch of vintage glam and will make hosting friends for a happy hour feel way more festive.

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Make a Nonworking Fireplace Shine

@mariannesides / Instagram

Nonworking fireplace? No problem! Place candles inside to create a welcoming glow. Whether you opt for real candles or faux, battery-operated ones is up to you. The more, the merrier.

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Finish Off a Stylish Vignette

Jacqueline Clair

Purchase taper candles in a fun shape and use them to create a charming display on your dresser. These candles are stunning even when unlit and add welcome height to any vignette.

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Add Height to a Sideboard or Buffet

Julia Dags for Julia Dzafic

Display tall candlesticks on your dining room buffet table to add some elegance to your main entertaining space. Here, blue and white candle holders fit the theme of the room perfectly.

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Relax in the Living Room With a Scented Candle

Kat Jamieson

It's always nice to have a scented candle burning as you relax in your living room. Placing small accessories on a tray on top of your coffee table will help your space look more complete. Keep a stylish matchbook nearby, and you're golden.

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Go Big With a Dramatic Candelabra

Susan

While it's common to group together various candlesticks on a dining room or kitchen table, displaying an oversized candelabra can add some dramatic effect. A setup like this is excellent for when you want to go big and make a statement!

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Incorporate Candles Into a DIY

Lindsay Aratari

There are plenty of ways to get creative and repurpose household items to use as part of your candle display. Here, an old toolbox houses flameless candles and adds some shabby chic elegance to this living room.

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Adhere a Sconce to Your Built-Ins

@grandmillennialmama / Instagram

Add a wow factor to your built-in shelving by installing a candle sconce so that it adheres to your bookshelf. Light the candles as you please and pretend you're relaxing in an old-timey library. Bonus points if you pick some artful candlesticks—these striped ones are stunning even when not lit.

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Place a Candle Under a Cloche

Kathleen Barnes

Here's another stylish example of placing candles on a bar cart. A cloche is an excellent way to add some oomph to your candle setup. Here, a single jar candle is given extra special treatment and really stands out.

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Fill the Length of a Table in Candles

Lauren McBride

If you're decorating a long dining room table, consider placing a series of individual candles side by side with a bit of space in between in order to cover the whole length of the piece. During the holiday season, weave in some garland and finish off the look with some tealights for some extra brightness.

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Don't Forget About the Bathroom

Louis Duncan-He

Don't forget to place a candle in the bathroom! It will come in handy in eliminating everyday odors and making your room smell more pleasant to guests who come over— be sure to keep something fragrant lit while entertaining.

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Keep it Simple and Classic on the Mantel

Erin Williamson Design

The mantel is one of the most common places in which to display taper candles. Cluster together two or three together to avoid cluttering up the space.

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Think Outside the Box With Colors and Shapes

Gray Space Interior Design

Note that candles come in all shapes and colors; don't be afraid to think outside the box a bit. Here, black pillar candles blend in with their holders perfectly and result in an incredibly sleek setup.

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Light Candles in the Kitchen

Cathie Hong Interiors

You sit at your kitchen table most of all, so why not elevate the everyday? Even when you're eating leftovers, you'll feel a little more glam dining by candlelight.

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Try This Twist on the Classic Sconce

Ashley Montgomery Design

Throw it back to simpler times by hanging candle sconces on the walls in your dining room. Note that you can still opt for more modern-looking fixtures if your aesthetic leans contemporary.

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Light Up Your Entryway

@afrobohemianliving / Instagram

Place a cluster of candlesticks on your entryway table to make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Candlelight has a way of encouraging people to be celebratory, after all.

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Bring Charm to the Kitchen Counter

@cottageandsea / Instagram

Add ambiance to the kitchen by placing a candle on your countertops. Whether you opt for a taper candle like this one or something scented is entirely up to you.

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Make Getting Ready Feel Fun

Ashley Montgomery Design

Make getting ready feel like less of a chore by outfitting your vanity so that it feels glamorous and is filled with your favorite things. Lighting a scented candle every morning will help you get the day started on the right foot.

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Keep the Coffee Table Simple

@cottageandsea / Instagram

If you're not one for coffee table decor galore, simply setting out a few candlesticks can make a major impact. Light them at night when you unwind in front of the TV and turn off all of the overhead lights.