Candles & Candle Holders

Candle holders give a living room that soft, low glow overhead lights never quite manage. A few tealights on the coffee table or a pair of tapers on the mantelpiece make the room feel more relaxed once evenings draw in.Match the holder to the candle. Taper holders are sized for a set diameter, and many standard dinner candles are about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick, so check before buying. Pillar candles want a flat, wide base, while tealights and votives sit best in glass, which reflects the flame and keeps wax contained. Mixing heights works well: tall brass or gold candlesticks at the back, chunky wooden pillar stands in the middle and a cluster of coloured glass tealight holders at the front. Never leave candles burning in an empty room.For more on layering light, see our living room lighting ideas, or head back to living room decorative accessories.