Displaying candles in a fireplace can create a warm, cozy atmosphere. When done properly, fireplace candles also provide beautiful, flickering accents to a living space. There are a few key factors to consider when placing candles in a fireplace for the best visual effect and safety.
Some quick questions to answer upfront when putting candles in a fireplace include: What type of fireplace do I have – wood-burning or gas? What size and shape is the fireplace? Where are the best spots to position the candles? How many candles should I use? What types of candle holders work best? Are there any safety precautions?
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Choosing Appropriate Candle Holders
One of the most important decisions is choosing candle holders that work well in a fireplace setting. You want to select sturdy holders that keep the candles secure and won’t get knocked over easily. Here are some popular options:
- Fireproof metal or ceramic containers – These are designed specifically for fireplaces and are safest. Look for ones with weighted bases or secure handles.
- Glass votives or hurricanes – Low-profile glass votives or tall cylinder hurricane vases containing votives can provide beautiful flickering light. Use fireproof versions.
- Metal baskets or containers – Wrought iron, copper or other metal baskets or containers meant for candles can add nice decoration.
- Stone, concrete or heavy ceramic bases – These sturdy materials can anchor taper candles or pillars securely.
Safety Tips for Candle Holders
Keep these safety guidelines in mind when selecting candle holders for your fireplace:
- Choose fireproof or flame-resistant materials whenever possible.
- Pick low, heavy, sturdy bases that won’t tip over or get knocked down easily.
- Ensure candle containers are placed on surfaces that can withstand heat.
- Avoid light plastic or flimsy metal options that could melt or get blown over if near an active fireplace.
- Opt for enclosed vessels like hurricanes or lanterns to contain melting wax and prevent blowing embers.
Determining Optimal Placement
The shape and size of your fireplace will determine the best spots to place candles for optimal visual impact. Here are some placement tips:
Mantel Display
Arranging candles along the mantel is a classic fireplace candle display. Make sure to keep them far back from the edge for safety. Mix heights, shapes and sizes for interest. Groupings of 3-5 candles work well.
Hearth Placement
The brick or stone hearth in front of the fireplace is perfect for large pillar candles, hurricane vases, or multiples of smaller votives. Place symmetrically for balanced presentation. Leave enough space around candles for safety.
Inside the Firebox
For a striking look, line up an arrangement of pillar or taper candles along the back edge inside the firebox. This works best for gas or non-working fireplaces. Take proper precautions to keep candles very stable and avoid open flames near combustibles.
On Surrounding Shelves and Mantles
Creative shelving built into the fireplace architecture provides even more real estate for candles. staggered rows of votives on built-in shelves or mantle ledges can create a beautiful candlelit glow. Just be conscious of proximity to open flames.
Choosing the Right Candles
Picking the styles, shapes, sizes and colors of candles is the fun creative part! Consider these tips for selecting fireplace candles:
- Go with flameless battery-operated candles for easiest, safest application.
- For real candles, choose unscented to avoid conflicting or overwhelming aromas.
- Taper and pillar candles look classic and provide bright, tall flames.
- Votives and tealight candles offer small, subtle twinkling light when grouped together.
- Opt for fireproof or non-melting candles marketed for fireplace use for safety.
- Use varying heights and diameters for visual interest.
- Mix and match colors for a colorful, eclectic look.
Recommended Fireplace Candle Colors
These classic color palettes pair beautifully with fireplace surroundings:
- Warm whites, creams, ivories – Match natural stone or brick fireplace finishes
- Rich reds, burnt oranges, golds – Coordinate with fall and winter color schemes
- Nature greens, blues, grays – Compliment an earthy, outdoorsy style
- Metallic coppers, silvers, golds – Reflect and enhance a fire’s glow
Number of Candles to Use
When deciding how many candles to place in your fireplace, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Focus on 1-3 statement pieces (like large pillar candles) for simple, dramatic look.
- Groupings of 3, 5, 7 or 9 candles provide balanced arrangements.
- Larger fireplaces can handle 15-30 or more candles when placed on multiple surfaces at varying heights.
- Aim for clusters of odd-numbered candles for visual interest.
- Make sure to leave negative space around candles and not overcrowd the area.
As a general rule, it’s better to start with fewer candles and add more if needed. You want the flames to be the focal point, not the excessive number of holders.
Sample Fireplace Candle Arrangements
| Fireplace Type | Candle Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Standard wood-burning | A trio of pillar candles in fireproof hurricane vases on the hearth |
| Double-sided corner | 5 assorted taper candles on each mantel |
| Large stone floor-to-ceiling | 9 votive candles on built-in shelves; 3 large glass hurricanes along back ledge |
| Gas fireplace with mantel | 7 votive candles in alternating colors on the mantel |
Safety Tips
While candles can add great ambiance to a fireplace, take these precautions to ensure proper safety:
- Always keep candles far back from open flames, out of high heat zones.
- Place on sturdy non-flammable surfaces, not directly on combustible materials.
- Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4” length to reduce big leaping flames.
- Avoid leaving burning candles unattended.
- Keep pillar candles in glass containers or hurricanes so melted wax doesn’t drip out.
- Don’t overload one area with too many candles crowded together.
- Make sure there is adequate ventilation for candles and air circulation.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Never leave real burning candles in a fireplace that is in active use with an open flame present. Battery-operated flameless candles are the best hassle-free option to enjoy the look without the fire risk.
Choosing LED Flameless Candles
For maximum ease and safety, high-quality LED flameless candles are an excellent choice. Here are benefits of using battery-operated flameless candles in fireplaces:
- Provide the flickering glow of real candles without actual flames.
- Made of real wax with molded “wicks” to mimic real candles.
- Offer convenient touch-button or remote controls to turn on/off.
- Flame brightness can be adjusted from dim ambiance to full brightness.
- Built-in timers provide auto shut-off after 6-8 hours unattended.
- Last for thousands of hours without needing new batteries.
- Allow flexibility to position candles anywhere safely.
- Come in all standard styles – tapers, pillars, votives, tea lights.
- Available in white, ivory, metallic, multi-color, etc.
High-end flameless candles now provide such realistic ambiance, it’s hard to tell the difference from real candles. And they can be incorporated seamlessly into any fireplace design without safety concerns.
Putting It All Together
Displaying candles in a fireplace requires assessing your fireplace style, choosing appropriate candle holders, determining optimal placement, selecting suitable candles styles and colors, deciding on the right number of candles, and taking proper safety precautions.
When done thoughtfully using these guidelines, fireplace candles can create a warm, welcoming glow and completely transform a living space for special occasions or everyday enjoyment. Just be sure to always make safety the top priority when incorporating an open flame.
With the right selection and positioning of candles and holders, you can safely bring flickering ambiance and a decorative accent to any style fireplace.
Conclusion
Displaying candles in a fireplace requires careful consideration of placement, candle selection, holder choice and safety factors. Assessing your specific fireplace size and configuration, opting for sturdy holders, determining optimal placement areas free from combustibles, choosing appropriate candle sizes and styles, and using proper precautions will allow you to create an attractive candlelit display. LED flameless candles provide the safest hassle-free option. With some thoughtful planning, fireplace candles can add beautiful, cozy lighting and visual interest to any living space.