Candlescaping is like landscaping but for your home. You're decorating your space with fire, nature, air, and form. Whether you're setting the table for a dinner party or curating a cozy reading corner, the way you arrange your candles matters.
But first, here are a few things to consider:
🌿 Form, Function & Feeling
Before you light the flame, ask yourself:
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Are you looking to create contrast and spark conversation, or lean into cohesion and comfort?
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Are your candles meant to serve a function--like scenting a space or are they purely aesthetic? Or maybe get you some that can do both.
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What’s the purpose/occasion behind a candle when lit? Is it for ritual, relaxation, ambiance, or simply visual joy?
How you style your candles should reflect the intention of the space and who you are sharing it with. Let your flame match your flow...
🍽️ For Tables & Dinner Parties
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Go scent-free. Scented candles can compete with food aroma or offend scent sensitive guests.
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Use taper candles of varying candle holder heights for visual dimension and good old fashion drama darling.
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Wherever food is served, be sure to place candles on trays or in hurricanes to catch drips and keep flames protected and away from food.
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Think about your guests' reach and range of motion in the space. Be sure that candles are strategically arranged to avoid close calls with open flames.
☕ Coffee Tables & Communal Spaces
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Cluster different shapes—chunky pillars, squat styles, tapers and playful forms on consoles, coffee tables or even inside empty fireplaces.
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Stick to a color palette that complements the textile decor in your home - think throw pillows, upholstery and wallpaper. When choosing shapes consider patterns that compliment the structure of space - think intricate details vs sharp clean lines.
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Use heat-safe serving trays to group candles together—this adds style and function. Plus it protects from drips and potential head damage. Don't miss the opportunity to add other nonflammable elements to the tray like seashells and ceramic objects d'art.
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Here's my favorite part... think of it like an art piece that changes as each candle melts over time. A hallmark of time spent and shared.
🧘🏾 Personal Spaces & Ritual Corners
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Keep it natural. Strike a match, use beeswax or soy blends with natural fiber wicks.
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Choose candles that burn slow and clean, like those made for prayer, meditation, or journaling.
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Make lighting the candle feel like part of the ritual—short moments with long impact.
Colorless, unscented is best for clarity and intention.
🏡 Entryways & Common Areas
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Use scented container candles in entryways, bathrooms, and transitional spaces to add fragrance and warmth. (Stay tuned for a separate post on how to build your home’s signature scent profile.)
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Setting the mood outdoors? Safety first. Never leave candles unattended, and always keep flames away from flammable materials, pets, and little ones.
💡Container candles work best for outside spaces. Opt for vessels like metal lanterns, decorative glass hurricanes, or ceramic/stone containers. They're not only visually interesting but also weather-friendly and reusable.
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Don’t forget about tealights. Like tiny tyrants, they’re small in size but can shift the mood of any room. Use these little luminaries to create clusters of ambient warmth during gatherings. They can also gently guide the flow of spaces by lining windowsills, stairways, walkways and cozy corners.
💡Always place them in decorative holders and keep them out of reach of sleeves, hemlines, or curious fingers.
Sometimes you want soft, simple shapes to echo your space. Sometimes, something bold and sculptural can spark a conversation. Other items you just need them to deter pests and scent your home.
At Oonuh, every candle and home fragrance I pour is designed to be visually stimulating—even when unlit.
It’s about creating a moment in the space you’re in.
A flicker to remember.
A glow to lean into.
A vibe that lingers.
Remember to place your candles with care.
Let them illuminate not just your room, but your routine.
Because when you light a candle with intention, your space lights up in return.