Pillar Candle Holders

What is a Pillar Candle?

Pillar candles are some of the most popular candles out there. They are usually two inches or wider in diameter and anywhere from six inches to a foot or more tall.

Most pillar candles are round, but there are also square pillars and pyramid shaped candles. Just as you can find a candle holder in any style, you can find pillar candles in a variety of styles. However, the plain ones are the most easily found at local discount, craft and home décor stores.

Choosing Pillars and Candle Holders

When picking out candles and pillar candle holders for your home, you first need to consider where you want the candle or candles to go. If you're planning to use the candles as a centerpiece, for instance, you'll want to choose candles that don't have a scent that will interfere with the food you might be eating while they're lit.

When choosing candles for a bedroom, bathroom or even a corner of the living room, you can go with more richly scented candles. If you have several candles you plan to light at the same time, however, the scent may become overpowering

Candles come in all sorts of colors these days. You can pick a color that will coordinate with the rest of the décor in the room or choose plain white or other light-colored candles, which are always a classic no matter where they're put.

Once you've chosen the candle, it's time to pick out some pillar candle holders. The most basic candle holders for pillars are little more than a heatproof decorative plate. Because these candles are so thick, they don't need the protection a votive candle does. You can use almost anything to burn the candle on.

Pillar candles can be placed on actual oven-safe plates or decorative candle plates made of metal, marble, ceramic, glass, tile or just about any other substance you can think of. The only material to avoid is plastic, which may melt when the candle heats up.

You'll find many basic candle holders at the same stores where you shop for candles, from Target and Wal-Mart to your favorite crafts store. It's likely you'll be able to find just what you're looking for right where you live, but if you're looking for some other options, check out:

• Discount Candle Shop
• Candle 4 Less
• 100 Candles
• Candle Distributor

Finding Unqiue Candle Holders

If you're looking for a pillar candle holder that is really special, try looking at décor shops that specialize in the look you are going for. For example, if you're decorating a log cabin, try shops that offer more rustic options, or even stores that sell only things that come from Maine or Montana.

For a French look, go to a website that sells French housewares. A country look could be found at many antique stores or flea markets. And with the help of the Internet, anything you're looking for is not going to be far away.

Decorating with Candles

Once you have your pillar candles and holders, it's time to place them in your home. If you're going to actually light the candles, you need to keep them away from any small hands that might be in the house. Don't put them somewhere the animals might jump onto or knock over.

Don't leave candles burning in nooks you won't pass often. (You really shouldn't leave burning candles unattended at all, but a well-protected candle on a sturdy kitchen or bathroom counter would probably be OK.) It's best to keep candles burning for only a few hours at a time, so a bunch of melted wax doesn't build up. This will also keep the candle from burning through one of its sides.