Today’s candles come in such a wide range of sizes, colors and styles. You can find beautiful candles to use in every room in the house. Some people see a wonderful variety and are intimidated by the thought of decorating with candles, but they are really one of the quickest and easiest ways to freshen up a room.

Where to use Candles

There are no hard and fast rules about where you should use candles. Although tall, slender tapers are traditional accents in a dining room or on a mantle, you can put just about any style of candle anywhere in your home for instant interest and a touch of color.

Putting candles on your mantle is a wonderful way to dress up an otherwise boring fireplace. If it’s a tall fireplace, try using tapers in several different heights of candleholders to break up the strong horizontal of the mantle and play up the dramatic height of the area. In the summer time, you could create an unexpected touch of drama by placing a cluster of shorter pillar candles in an elaborate, multi-branched iron candleholder. Light them in the evenings for the dramatic flicker of flames without heat.

Candles are still lovely on the table any time you dine, but try something other than tapers if you like. A long row of votive candles down the center of the table is a more contemporary look, and one or two pillars wreathed with leaves, flowers or even pine cones will give your table a wonderful, seasonal appeal.

The bedroom is the perfect place to use scented candles to add ambience. Consider romantic scents like vanilla or patchouli if you’re setting the stage for a bit of romance, or consider lavender or a seaside scent to encourage relaxation. The low light provided by candles will add a touch of intimacy to your bedroom décor, which is bound to enhance your evening.

While most people don’t think of the bathroom as a place for candles, a few strategically placed pillars or votive candles can turn a regular bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Try placing several around the bathtub and on the vanity and light them all for a subdued, relaxing atmosphere that will help soothe away your cares while you soak in a bubble bath.

Dressing Up Your Candles

A single candle can look impressive if placed in a dramatic candleholder that’s chunky and massive. Look for hand-carved wood or oversized wrought iron for an Old World touch that works in almost any room. For a more whimsical look, try grouping together several different heights and widths of candles. The key to this working is to keep all of the candles the same color for cohesiveness and to prevent visual clutter. This kind of grouping looks wonderful as a focal point on a side table or at the end of a buffet table.

Once you’ve put your candles in place, you can dress them up by placing leaves or silk flowers around the base of each candle or creating an artful arrangement with sea shells, pebbles or almost any element found in nature. If you want something older fashioned, consider dressing up the candleholders in ribbons or thick tassels in a coordinating color. Just be sure you place anything like ribbon far enough from the flames for safety.

If you have large jar candles, you can show them off in their clear glass containers or set them down into the center of a nice arrangement of fresh flowers, fruits or nuts to set a lovely holiday table. Placing your candles on a small mirror is a great way to double the beauty and light of the flickering flames and gives a wonderful "fire and ice" effect.

Finally, be sure you decorate with top quality, scented candles to minimize smoking and give your guests the opportunity to enjoy wonderful, inviting aromas whenever they visit.