Using candles as a centerpiece not only brings sophistication and color to your table, but it also allows for more intimate, flattering lighting at social gatherings. Steer clear of scented candles, of course, and keep the color scheme to one or two colors for the best results. Don’t be afraid to pair various sizes and heights together, and remember that odd numbers will look most pleasing to the eye.
Elle Décor gives us a couple of ideas:
The crisp contrast between the black candles and white houses (above) melts away as the candle burns.
Look for matching candle holders of varying heights but the same color for a uniform look. They don’t have to be joined together like the centerpiece above as long as they are similar in color and circumference.
Better Homes and Gardens also has a few suggestions:
This type of centerpiece is most appropriate for outdoor settings when you’re finally able to enjoy the warmth on your skin after a long, cold winter. Fill a clay pot with potting soil and pebbles, add the glass chimneys and candles, and then slip in the daisies so that their ends are in the soil so they’ll last longer.
Take a few identical candles and float them between dahlias in a saucer for a spring or summer gathering. This type of centerpiece thrives on a tiny bit of chaos contained between the walls of a shallow pan.
This is an autumn idea, perfect for Thanksgiving, but you can use other seasonal items to make it appropriate for any occasion. First, identify your color scheme. Then gather up a dish, small items (like the popcorn kernels here), and matching votive candles.
House Beautiful demonstrates how choosing candles in similar colors and then combining several heights in an odd number can look elegant.
Photo credits: Elle Décor, Better Homes and Gardens, and House Beautiful
