Setting the Mood with Votives

Nothing creates a sense of tranquility and calm like a beautiful candle display. Votives are a décor tool to use throughout your home’s spaces. Their small size and subtle glow provide ambient lighting and even foster romance.

Votive candles

Votives are small, versatile candles that are ideal for enhancing ambiance in a variety of settings. Whether used for home décor, special occasions, religious practices, or everyday relaxation, their warm, flickering light and wide range of options make them popular for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Occasionally, votives come pre-poured into containers, which you can reuse and fill with new candles once the wax melts completely.

Tea lights are shorter, giving them minimal burn times. Votive candles come in varying heights but are often at least one inch high. Because of their larger size, votive candles have longer burn times than tea lights. Votives are mostly made of paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax, all of which promote a smooth, even burn.

Choosing a votive candle

 

Selecting the perfect votive candle involves considering various factors, such as size, scent, color, and container style.

Size

Votives typically come in standard sizes, but you may find variations in height and diameter. Consider the size of the space where you plan to place the candle and choose accordingly. Keep in mind the burn time of the candle, as larger votive candles may burn for a longer duration.

Scent

 

Decide whether you want a scented or unscented votive candle. If you opt for scented candles, consider the fragrance and its suitability for the intended use and environment. For example, choose calming scents like lavender for relaxation or fresh scents like citrus for a refreshing ambiance.

Unscented candles are ideal for dining settings or situations where fragrance might be undesirable.

Color

Choose a color that complements your décor or fits the theme of your event. Consider seasonal colors for holiday decorations or select colors that evoke specific moods. For example, warm tones like red, orange, and gold create a cozy ambiance, or cool tones like blue and green create a calming effect.

Containers

 

Votives are often placed in containers for safety and aesthetic purposes. Consider the style and material of the containers, such as glass, metal, or ceramic, and choose one that matches your décor style. Look for containers with decorative accents like etching, embellishments, or patterns to enhance the visual appeal of the candle display.

Where to use votives?

Votives for living room decoration

 

Decorating your living room with votives can add a warm, inviting ambiance and enhance the overall aesthetic of the space. Surround the candles with small decorative items like pebbles, shells, or seasonal ornaments to add interest and texture. Use candle holders of different heights to create a dynamic and visually appealing centerpiece. This can add depth and interest to your living room arrangement. Combine votive candles with pillar or taper candles on shelves or mantels. Place the candles at varying heights and mix them with books, vases, framed photos, and other décor pieces to create a balanced display. Choose scented candles that complement the ambiance of your living room but aren’t overpowering. For example, use calming scents like lavender or vanilla, or seasonal scents like cinnamon or pine.

Incorporating votives into your living room décor can transform the space, making it feel more welcoming and cozy. Whether you’re creating a centerpiece on your coffee table, decorating your fireplace, or adding accent lighting to shelves and side tables, votive candles offer endless possibilities for enhancing your living room's ambiance. By choosing the right holders, scents, and complementary décor elements, you can create a beautiful, inviting environment that reflects your style.

Bathroom decoration

 

Decorating your bathroom with votive candles can create a spa-like, relaxing atmosphere that enhances your bathing experience. Use floating candles with votives in the bathtub or in a decorative bowl of water on the countertop. This adds a unique and calming touch to your bathroom décor. Choose votive candles and holders that match the bathroom’s color scheme. For a cohesive look, coordinate the candles with towels, rugs, and other accessories. Choose subtle, calming scents that enhance relaxation without being overpowering. Avoid strong fragrances that might become overwhelming in a small space.

Adding votives to your bathroom décor can transform the space into a relaxing, spa-like retreat. Whether you’re creating a serene bathtub edge, enhancing countertops, or using wall-mounted holders, votive candles offer versatile and elegant options for enhancing your bathroom’s ambiance. By carefully choosing the right holders, scents, and complementary décor elements, you can create a beautiful, tranquil environment perfect for unwinding and relaxation.

Dining room decoration with votive candles

 

Votives can create a warm, romantic, and inviting atmosphere perfect for meals and gatherings in your dining room. Combine votive candles with fresh flowers or greenery. Place candles in between small bouquets or garlands for a natural, elegant look. Opt for unscented votive candles during meals to avoid interfering with the aroma of the food. If using scented candles, choose subtle fragrances that enhance the dining experience without being overpowering. Whether you’re creating a centerpiece, decorating a sideboard, or adding accent lighting to shelves and window sills, votives can transform your dining space into a warm and inviting environment. By choosing the right holders, incorporating complementary decorations, and considering safety and scent, you can create a beautiful dining room setting perfect for any occasion.

Bedroom decoration with votives

 

Decorating your bedroom with votive candles can create a cozy, intimate, and relaxing atmosphere. Pair the votives with decorative items such as small plants, books, or photo frames. Use scented votive candles with calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or vanilla to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Choose subtle, calming scents that promote relaxation and do not overpower the space. Avoid strong fragrances that might become overwhelming in a small bedroom. Add seasonal decorations around the candles, such as autumn leaves, winter ornaments, or spring flowers, to reflect the time of year. For your bedroom decoration, votives can transform the space into a cozy, inviting retreat. Whether you're adding a soft glow to your bedside tables, creating an elegant display on your dresser, or enhancing a reading nook, votive candles offer beautiful options for enhancing your bedroom’s ambiance.

Votives for kitchen decoration

 

Adding votives to your kitchen décor can add warmth, charm, and a cozy feel to the space where you cook and gather. Change up the decorations around the candles according to the season. For example, use small pumpkins and autumn leaves in the fall, or fresh flowers and greenery in the spring and summer. Choose subtle scents that complement the kitchen environment. Citrus, vanilla, and herbal scents work well and can enhance the cooking and dining experience. Place votive candles on kitchen countertops, combining them with practical items like a bowl of fresh fruits or a cutting board with bread and cheese. This makes the kitchen feel lived-in and inviting. If you're creating a central display on your kitchen island, adding ambient lighting to window sills, or enhancing open shelving, votive candles offer versatile and stylish options for decorating your kitchen.