What to Put in Candle Holders Besides Candles

Candlestick holders are one of the best “use what you have” decorating staples that we own. Most of us have more than one and keep them stored behind closed doors in our home decor storage stashes lying in wait to use for their intended purpose.

When I feel my decor starts to look stale and needs a refresh, instead of buying something new on a whim, I enjoy the process of “using what I have” in new and different ways to give the decorative items new energy.

Decorating Ideas Using Candlesticks Without Candles

When decorating with candle holders without candles here are a few of my favorite ways to repurpose candle holders beyond using them to hold a candle.

Here are a few candle holders I own. All are nice just on their own.

To create something new with them, I also gathered a basket, bowl, and a variety of dessert size plates I had, along with the round piece of marble.

When a candle holder is paired with one of these items, look what you can create:

The two unrelated items became a decorative pedestal that holds my jewelry on my bedroom dresser – no candle needed.

It looks like something I bought at HomeGoods, but it is just a white plate from my kitchen and a wicker candle holder I bought at a thrift store.

For this pedestal plate, I used the clear formula of Liquid Nails to attach a glass plate to a silver candlestick holder. Adding a paper doily creates a festive plate for an edible treat.

More proof that a candle holder can be used without a candle.

For this fruit basket, I used hot glue to attach the basket to the pillar candle holder. 

If you want to make any of these pedestal plates temporary, use Glue Dots that you can buy in the craft store.

For instant decor – use a glue dot if needed to place a pumpkin, Christmas ornament or anything you like on top of a candle holder.

Doing this makes the item more interesting and decorative.

How to Glue a Candle Holder to a Plate or Basket to Create a Pedestal Plate

When gluing a candle holder and a plate/basket together, place the plate upside down and then place the candle holder face down on top.  This way you will be able to see clearly and center the candle holder on the plate.

Use either clear Liquid Nails…

… or hot glue.

Let the glue dry and then turn the stand right side up and it will be ready to use.

Change Your Candlestick Arrangements

Decorating with candleholders with candles in them never has to be done in the same way. Each one by itself is static and looks the same, but when you create different arrangements and groupings with many of them, you can create new looks easily without spending a dime.

Decorating Tip: Always remember that there is never only one way to use any item in your home. Experiment by using them in different ways to come up with unique one-of-a-kind decor. You may end up liking the item even better used in a new way.

Create Candle Tray Decor

When placing candlesticks on a dining table when entertaining, instead of using the traditional arrangement of two, one on either side of a floral centerpiece, make the candles and holders themselves the centerpiece.

• Place all of the candles on a tray, even if they are mismatched. They can be all tapers, votive, or pillar style or a mix of all types. When grouped together with the taller ones in the center they create more impact on the table and will add more ambiance for your gathering. No floral arrangement needed.

Arrange a trio of candles on a rectangular tray to place on an entry table. When you tire of it in this way – use the candles outside and the tray to hold perfume on your vanity table.

I really like this collection of the classic brass candle holders I bought at a church rummage sale a few years ago.

When I first bought them, I spray painted them silver.

By simply moving them off the mantel and onto the sofa table mixed in with greenery and a stack of books I painted white gave them a new appeal.

Helpful TIP: If you don’t want to have lit candles in a room – these battery-operated flicker candles look like the real thing.

“Simply changing a decorative item’s location in your home will give it a new look without spending a dime.”

Homemade Candle Holder Ideas

While on the topic of candles and holders, here are are few DIY candleholders that you can easily make.

Don’t throw away tin cans. Clean them and wrap fabric around them held on my raffia or ribbon. Place a pillar style candle on the can.

Drill holes into a slice of tree trunk.

This type of candle holder looks best with tall taper candles.

• How to Make a Tree Trunk Taper Candle Holder

Turn wood scraps into modern block style candlestick holders. Stain or paint to coordinate with your decor.

• How to Make Wood Block Candle Holders

Clean glass jars to use to hold candles. Use them empty, filled with food-colored dyed water or un-popped popcorn.

• How to Make Glass Jar Candle Holders

For a super simple candle holder – use the screw top from a glass jar. This one is from a jar of pickles.