Stunning Candle Decor ~ An Easy Upgrade

Candles~ they are a home décor staple for good reason.  They add a warmth and ambiance to a room that cannot be achieved in any other way. A lit candle adds life to a space and it's just more inviting somehow.  While I enjoy their beauty all year long, in fall and winter, I crave their glow even more. As the sun sets earlier and there's a chill in the air, the glow provided by candlelight romanticizes the weather and makes me happy to be tucked into our cozy home.


Each spring, I pare down and lighten up my décor to give the house a more open and airy feel. Now that the leaves have begun to turn and the trees will soon be bare, it's time to add color and textural items back inside my home, to spice up my décor.  Candles are not immune.  It's getting cold outside and they need to be warmed up too!  As a big proponent of easy and affordable DIY, I can honestly say that it doesn't get any easier or more affordable than candle dressing!

In the picture above, I simply wrapped a dollar store berry garland around a flameless candle and tucked them both into a trifle bowl that I pulled out of cabinet.  I think the result is lovely.

In my bedroom, I have always had a candle in a glass hurricane on my dresser. I wanted to add some color to the room and saw many cute ideas on Pinterest where acorns or beads were added to the hurricane for drama.  I decided to use lentils and kidney beans, because they were natural elements, the perfect colors for my décor...and free!  I had them in my pantry!


I did however spend a few bucks, fifteen of them, after using a coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond, for a package of four flameless candles with timers.  I knew that once I surrounded the candle with the beans, I would not be able to pull it in and out of them to turn the candle on and off.  It was a necessary purchase and one I am so happy that I made, I have peppered the others around the house and I love how they go on and off automatically!


Again, this was a super easy DIY, I simply poured the beans in the hurricane, around the candle and leveled them off with my fingers.  I think the result is actually quite dramatic and I love it!  I just had to remember to turn the timer setting on the candle on at the proper time to set it and all was well!


I have other flameless candles in the house and I wanted some variety in my displays, so I left a few of them plain, sitting on holders.  However, they are still dressed by their surroundings.  The candle below sits atop a thrifted brass pedestal, flanked by seasonal décor. 


This trio of candles is my favorite in the house.  The Pottery Barn glass stands were a Christmas present from my mom a few years ago and I love their clean elegance in contrast with my rustic décor, pine server and plate rack.  I move a lot of things around in the kitchen, but those candles never budge.  They are some of the precious accessories that transform this house into my home, as their light warms the room and a little bit of my soul. 

• I am very partial to flameless candles.  I never need to worry about the kids or their friends having an accident. If we forget to "blow them out" before leaving the house or bed, it's no big deal and, most importantly to this form over function girl, I can decorate them and not need to worry about flammability. 

• Flameless candle varieties are almost endless.  They come in pillars, tapers, votives and free form shapes, scented and unscented and a variety of colors. Some come with timers and some with remote controls.  I always check price, as they can vary widely. I have not found any benefit in spending more. Always check battery requirements, some need four, some need two...I usually go with the ones that need two for obvious reasons.  

• Of course, decorating with real candles is always fabulous as well, sometimes nothing beats a real flame, just please use caution and keep in mind that whatever is used to embellish them is probably flammable.

Looking for some more fall inspiration?