A good quality candle is a great way of transforming the mood inside of your home, as well as adding a certain style to the interior. Although they only typically make up just a small part of the accessories that you likely have in your home, there are actually a number of things that you need to consider when deciding on a candle to purchase.
Covering everything from the number of wicks that you should have to the best fragrances to use in what room, our Buyer’s Guide has it all and will help to ensure that you purchase the best possible candle for the space in which you intend to use it.
Type of Candle
The best way to determine the type of candle that you should get is by thinking about where and for what purpose(s) it will be used. Think about whether it is the fragrance, the look, or both that you want to make a statement with. Alternatively, you may want the candle to be merely a subtle addition that sits in the background of your home.
- Decorative candles – the main purpose of this kind of candle is to deliver in terms of aesthetics and to really impact on the overall style of the room that it is used in. Ideally, you would place one in the centre of a dining table, on a coffee table, a mantlepiece, or even on a bookcase. They typically come in a range of different shapes and sizes, thus allowing you to play with proportions. Materials of the actual candle holder range from textured ceramic finishes to sleek metal surfaces. A lot of the time these candles will never actually be used and are simply there to act as a objets d’art.
- Scented candles – these provide a great means of escapism and give any room that they are used in particular identity. They can be used for anything from setting a tone and even evoking old memories, thus giving an experience that stimulates several senses all at once. The fragrances in these types of candles are typically made up of the top note, the central note, and, finally, the base note. The top note is the first aroma that you smell, the central one is the core smell, and the base is the most dominant one that develops over time.
Types of Wax
Both of the types of candles that have been mentioned above come in a variety of different types of wax. Each one of these has its own set of specifications and benefits.
- Bees Wax – a material that is produced naturally in the wild, it has a scent that has a similar smell to honey. Because of this, there is no need to use ant fragrances or dyes in the candle. As a result, they are better for those people who have severe allergies. They also create less mess thanks to the fact that this type of wax has such a high melting point.
- Paraffin Wax – this is the most common type and is typically used in the cheaper, less luxurious type candles. It is quite messy when compared with other waxes as it creates a soot when burnt.
- Soy Wax – made using oil from soybeans, they are completely renewable and natural. This makes it a sustainable and safe option to go for. The material is completely biodegradable so if any wax spills, it can be easily wiped away. The burn of soy wax is clean and lengthy.
Fragrances
Candles come in a range of different smells and fragrances that are made up of multiple notes and can be used to set tones and evoke certain memories. Depending on what you want the candle for, this will have a direct impact on the type of smell that you go for.
- Fresh – this is a perfect fragrance for use in walk in wardrobes, ensuites, bedrooms, and dressing rooms. The type of notes that it includes cassis, white geranium, juniper berry, and cotton.
- Romantic – an ideal gift for a special someone to use on those cosy nights in at home or for an intimate meal. The notes typically found in this scent include jasmine, champagne, peony, violet, rose, and lilac.
- Relaxing – a smell that will get you all nice and relaxed for bath time or for having a fine glass of wine all curled up by the fire. It is equally nice to use in a guest bedroom to make those staying in it feel welcome and at home. Notes include chamomile, eucalyptus oils, sandalwood, and lavender.
- Invigorating – to be used in the home office, games room, hallways, and general living areas. The notes included in this fragrance include peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, citrus, and ginger.
- Sensual – great to use in the bedroom on a bedside table. It also makes a great gift for your other half on special anniversaries. Typically this smell includes notes of vanilla, rose, vetiver, ylang ylang, and patchouli.
- Festive – guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit this smell evokes memories of holidays gone past. It is made up of notes of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, frankincense, and even includes woody notes too.
Other Considerations
Double wick candles tend to be much larger in size and come with their own set of benefits compared to those ones with just a single wick. Because there are two flames, these candles give off a much brighter glow and create large pools of wax, which work to produce a much more intense smell. A candle with just the one wick has a more simplistic design that is equally beautiful and it too will give off a strong smell, providing that the wick is made from a material such as linen or cotton.
How long a candle will burn for is solely based on the quality of it and its size. It is typically the case that the better quality that the candle is, the longer amount of time that it will burn for. You can actually improve the burn time of any candle by making sure that you look after it correctly.
