Candle Holders Give Fireplaces a Special Touch

As winter approaches and the nights grow longer, many homeowners begin preparing their fireplaces for the cold weather ahead. While a cozy fire can help keep your home warm all season long, fires aren't always possible or practical to have continuously burning.

This is where fireplace candle holders can make all the difference in creating delightful ambiance on those evenings when you'd prefer not to start up a full fire. Strategically placed candle holders allow you to safely add flickering candlelight, warmth, and charm to your hearth whenever desired.

Benefits of Displaying Candles in Your Fireplace

Fireplace candle holders offer a unique and convenient way to utilize your fireplace to enhance the atmosphere of your home, even without an active fire present. They provide an attractive alternative on nights when building a real fire may not make sense.

Candle holders serve as lovely decor pieces and design elements, adding style and sophistication to any living space. Groupings of candle holders act as eye-catching centerpieces that infuse rooms with inviting light.

Vintage Iron Candle Holders

Iron has long been used in fireplace tools and accessories for its durability and ability to withstand high heat. Traditional iron candle holders often feature vintage designs and blackened bronze finishes that allow them to blend in beautifully next to an existing fireplace.

Wrought iron candle holders with intricate scrollwork bases provide an elegant backdrop for displaying groups of pillar candles. The metal catches and reflects candlelight in an enchanting way. Iron holders can also safely cup votives, containers, or pillar candles while protecting your fireplace hearth or mantle from melting wax.

Handcrafted Nature-Inspired Holders

For a touch of artisan charm, hand cast aluminum candle holders feature earthy finishes like verdigris inspired by nature. Sculptural pine tree, wildlife, and woodland scenes give a nod to the great outdoors.

Wrought iron tabletop holders designed as fallen pinecones clustered in a snowy forest setting capture the essence of winter. Bear or moose shaped holders allow you to showcase pillar candles in a novel, eco-friendly way.

Classically Styled Candlesticks

In a traditional or farmhouse decor style home, few candle holder designs capture the vintage era better than elegantly turned candlesticks placed atop a fireplace mantel. Crafted from iron or aluminum, these holders stand ready to showcase taper or pillar candles.

For larger groupings, unique fireplace candelabras hold rows of candlesticks together on scrollwork metal branches in wrought iron. Designed specifically for fireplace and fireplace insert applications, these holders make stunning seasonal focal points.

Materials to Consider for Fireplace Holders

Fireplace candle holders draw on iron, wrought iron, aluminum, steel, brass, glass, ceramic, concrete, stone, and wood elements to create stunning yet functional holder designs.

Metals: Iron, Steel, Brass

Due to their high heat resistance and durability, iron and steel metals rank among the most popular materials used in fireplace candle fixtures. Wrought iron incorporates elaborate shapes with scrollwork and intricate details. The blackened, antique finish of iron candlesticks and lanterns pair beautifully next to fireplaces.

Brass lends a hint of shine and polished luxury. Mixing metal types and finishes allows for great contrast between matte black vintage iron holders and bright brass or nickel finished contemporary styles.

Glass and Crystal Holders

For fireplaces flanked by shelves or side cabinets rather than mantels, opt for pretty glass votive holders or glass container candles. Clear glass votives allow flickering candle flames to shine through beautifully. Etched, frosted, or jewel toned glass votives offer glittering and saturated colors when lit. For safety, always ensure glass votive containers are heat resistant before placing in or near a fireplace.

Ceramic and Pottery

Glazed ceramic and terra cotta pottery house tealights safely while bringing natural vibes to a fireplace setting. Rustic finished ceramic votives pair perfectly with farmhouse decor. Hand thrown pottery in gorgeous glazed colors adds artisanal flair. Mix varying heights and sizes of ceramic holders to create charming clustered arrangements perfect for mantels or hearths.

Concrete and Stone

For a raw, organic look, concrete and stone easily lend themselves to the fireplace surround. Concrete votive holders come in round or square shapes, often with pebbled detail. Soapstone, marble, and other stone pieces work beautifully to display pillar candles near fireplaces.

Wood Holders

The natural beauty of wood makes it a wonderful material for fireplace candle fixtures. Hand carved wood, distressed wood, unfinished wood, and live-edge wood votives and candle holders infuse spaces with cozy warmth. Teak, oak, cedar, and pine are all durable, heat-resistant species suitable for housing candles safely.

Size, Scale, and Placement

To help your fireplace candle holders make the best impression, pay special attention to their size, scale, and placement. How can you best showcase their style while allowing them to enhance your existing decor?

Location Considerations

Groupings of fireplace candle holders make splendid mantel decor or focal pieces atop media consoles and hearths. Cluster holders together in odd numbers at varying heights for visual interest and balance. Place them symmetrically for formal spaces, or asymmetrically for a casual look.

Leave enough space between grouped holders to allow candlelight from each piece to shine. On wider mantels, place holders all along the shelf area to create a cohesive display. For narrow mantels, place a pair of holders or candlesticks at either end.

Size and Scale Tips

In most cases, fireplace candle holders should relate well to the scale of the fireplace opening and surrounding area. Oversized lanterns can overwhelm small openings, while tiny holders might get dwarfed in a larger space.

When grouping mixed pieces together, vary their heights, sizes, and shapes for pleasing contrast. Add height with tall taper candlesticks, width through round votive clusters, and slim profiles using glass votive holders.

Select pillar and taper candles in sizes suited to your holders. Pillar candles generally range from 2-4 inches in diameter. Size taper candles at least an inch shorter than the holder's height.

Candle Guidance for Fireplace Fixtures

What types of candles work best with fireplace surrounds? While most standard candle varieties can be incorporated, here are some tips for choosing candles to safely enhance fireplace holders.

Flame Type

Opt for battery operated candles to enjoy the ambiance of flickering flames without a continuous open flame. For traditional wax candles, pillar, taper, tealight, and votive varieties are safe options. Select candles sized to appropriately fit their holders.

Melting Point

Beeswax and soy wax candles have high melting points, maintaining their shape longer when exposed to heat sources. Paraffin wax melts more quickly and tends to get sticky as it liquefies. Carefully watch wax levels in containers placed directly inside fireplaces.

Fragrances

Lightly scented or unscented candles work best near fireplaces, where smoke and woodsy fire smells take center stage. Choose subtle aromas like balsam fir or vanilla that gently mingle with existing scents.

New automated candle collections allow you to set timers for candles to turn on and off automatically at dusk and at the desired shut-off hour. These ensure candle flames safely extinguish if left unattended.

Safety First with Fireplace Candles

While fireplace candle fixtures create beautiful light displays, special safety precautions help ensure household protection.

Never leave burning candles unattended in the presence of children or pets. Place out of reach or utilize enclosed candle holders to prevent accidental tipping or singed fur.