1. Pillar Candles: The Versatile Classic
Pillar candles are ideal for creating a focal point in any room. Use them on dining tables, mantels or large open spaces where their robust size can be appreciated without overwhelming the space.
Pillar candles are also common at wedding receptions and other festive events. When combined with beads, florals and other decorative elements, they make lovely centerpieces for guests to enjoy as they dine.
Choosing Pillar Candle Sizes
Pillar candles are available in several different sizes:
- Small (3 to 4 inches high): Ideal for more intimate settings, these small pillar candles fit perfectly on petit tables or clustered together in various groupings to create a warm, inviting ambiance. They're also great for adding a subtle touch of elegance to bathrooms or nightstands. Choose from various widths as well, from 2.25" to 6" (for our 3-wick pillar candle).
- Medium (5 to 6 inches high): This versatile size strikes a balance between prominence and discretion. It's excellent for a standalone candle on a coffee table or as part of a mixed-height candle arrangement on a console or entryway table. The medium size candle is substantial enough to draw attention without dominating the space.
- Large (7.5 to 10 inches high): Designed to make a dramatic statement, these large pillar candles are best suited for large room settings such as spacious living rooms or grand entryways. They work exceptionally well as centerpieces on large dining tables or placed strategically on the floor in large lanterns or candle holders to create a dynamic lighting effect that enhances the room's overall mood.
When choosing a size, consider your room's surface area and height. Mixing different heights can add depth and interest to your decoration.
2. Taper Candles: Slender Elegance
Taper candles are right at home in formal dining settings or romantic arrangements. Their long, slender shape adds sophistication and grace to any setting. They fit seamlessly into candlesticks and candelabras, creating a refined look that complements both modern and traditional décor.
Taper candles, with their soft, flickering glow, are perfect for occasions like intimate dinners, weddings or holiday gatherings. Taper candle sizes include:
- 7" to 9" tall: This size is a staple for most dining occasions, providing just the right height to illuminate the table without obstructing views across it. These tapers offer a substantial burn time, ensuring they last through your mealtime conversations without being too tall or dominant on the table.
- 10" to 11.5" tall: For larger gatherings around extended tables or when used in taller candelabras, these taper candles add dramatic flair and are proportionally suited to grander venues. Their added height makes them a striking choice for more formal or celebratory settings, ensuring that the candlelight remains visible and effective in lighting up your guests' faces, contributing to a warm, inviting ambiance.
Choosing Taper Candle Sizes
When selecting taper candles, the key considerations should include the candlestick's height and the table's dimensions.
Consider the clearance between the candle tip and any overhead decorations or lighting fixtures. There should be ample space to avoid any heat damage or interference with hanging objects. Always choose a size that complements your setting, balancing aesthetic and functional aspects to enhance your dining or decorating experience.
3. Floating Candles: Gentle Touches of Light
Floating candles add a unique and enchanting element to any setting. Ideal for water-filled bowls or vases, these candles are a favorite for creating a reflective play of light that enhances the ambiance of any room. They're particularly well-suited for spa-like bathrooms where their gentle glow can transform the space into a relaxing retreat. Floating wedding candles are wildly popular, playing their own special part in creating a romantic atmosphere during the nuptials and the wedding reception. Additionally, floating candles serve as captivating centerpieces for dinner parties or wherever you want to add a touch of elegance and tranquility.
Choosing Floating Candle Sizes
- 1" high x 1 3/4" wide: These subtle candles are perfect for smaller vessels and are ideal for creating a serene and intimate atmosphere. They can be used in groups to enhance their visual impact or scattered individually for understated elegance. Small floating candles are particularly effective in creating a scattered light effect that can beautifully accentuate the delicate details of your decor.
- 1" high x 3" wide: With their larger diameter, our 3" floating candles create a more significant visual impact and are suitable for larger bowls or deeper water features. Their size is excellent for drawing attention to the centerpiece of your setup, offering a striking light display that reflects beautifully off the water's surface, enhancing the overall lighting of the area.
To achieve the best effect, ensure the water level is high enough to allow the candles to float freely without touching the inside of the container but not so high that they tip over. This balance will ensure each candle burns evenly.
4. Tealights: Tiny Beacons of Warmth
Tealights add a soft, warm glow to any setting. They're perfect for integrating into intricate decorative elements, placing in various votive holders or arranging on a mirrored tray to amplify their light. Tealights are welcome during festive occasions, romantic dinners, at health spas or simply as a calming light source for meditation and relaxation sessions.
The standard candle size for tealights is 1 1/2" (38 mm diameter), which is universally compatible with most tealight holders. This makes them a go-to choice for easy, understated lighting. Tealights are ideal for small spaces, such as along pathways, within glass lanterns or as part of a bathroom relaxation ritual.
Tealight Candle Sizes
Although tealight candle sizes are predetermined, your holder can significantly impact their effectiveness. A clear or reflective holder can amplify the light, while a more opaque or colored holder can soften and diffuse the light, creating different moods. You also have a choice of burn times. If you're planning a function that will last several hours, you can choose long-burning tealights to ensure an uninterrupted flame.
5. Ball Candles: The Bold Spheres
Ball candles are a dynamic and visually appealing choice that breaks away from the traditional candle shapes. Their round, smooth design makes them standout pieces that become focal points in any venue.
These candles are particularly effective in spaces that feature lots of straight lines and angles, such as contemporary living rooms or offices, where they introduce a soft, organic form.
Choosing Ball Candle Sizes
When selecting ball candles, consider the scale of your space and the surface area where they will be displayed. It's important to choose a size that's proportional to the room and other décor elements to ensure they enhance rather than overpower the space.
6. Votive Candles: Small but Mighty
Votive candles are perfect for adding layers of light to any environment. They're compact and can be placed virtually anywhere, from shelves and mantelpieces to bedside tables and bathrooms. Votive candles are especially useful in settings where you want to create a subtle yet warm ambiance without the need for larger candle forms. Votive candles are also a common sight in places of worship, where they carry symbolic significance.
These candles fit snugly into various votive holders. They offer a uniform look that can be easily mixed with other candle types to create a rich, layered lighting effect.
Votive Candle Sizes
Votive candle sizes are standard (2" high x 2.75" wide), so the choice of holder is key to defining their style and impact. Holders can range from simple glass to ornate metal, each adding a different visual dimension to the candle's glow. Selecting the right holder allows the votive candle to merge seamlessly with your existing decor, enhancing its aesthetic while providing a consistent source of light.
Get Dripless Candles in a Range of Sizes at Kisco
Kisco's unscented candles not only cater to those sensitive to fragrances but also feature longer burn times thanks to high-quality wax. These candles are also smokeless and dripless, preserving the purity of your environment. Explore our collections to find the ideal candle size for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candle Sizes
Want to learn more about candle sizes? We've addressed a few common questions below, but please reach out if you'd like additional information.
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Candle Size?
When deciding on candle dimensions, consider the space where the candle will be used, its purpose, and the holder it will be placed in. Larger candles are typically better for bigger spaces as they can emit more light and have a longer burn time, while smaller candles are suited for intimate or confined areas. Additionally, think about the duration of the event or the amount of time the candle needs to last to ensure your choice matches your needs.
How Can I Ensure My Candle Burns Evenly?
To ensure an even burn, avoid placing your candle in a breezy area, which can cause it to burn unevenly. Always trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting it. This helps prevent the flame from getting too large, which causes the candle to burn faster on one side. For pillar candles, allow them to burn long enough so the wax pool reaches the edges to help prevent tunneling.
Are Bigger Candles Always Better?
Bigger candles aren't always better. The choice of candle size should be based on the atmosphere you wish to create and the physical space. Sometimes, grouping multiple smaller candles can provide a more striking visual impact and a more distributed light source than a single large candle.
Kisco Has the Candle Sizes to Help You Burn Bright
From the gentle glow of tealights to the bold statement of large pillar candles, our breadth of candle sizes ensures you'll find the perfect high-quality candles for your space. Whether you're redecorating your home or setting the mood for a special occasion, we have the perfect candle to light up every moment!
