Even without candles in them, candlesticks provide an instant boost of elegance to your dining table, coffee table, or mantle. They come in such a wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and textures that you’re bound to discover something that fits your taste and price point. To find some of the most beautiful tapered candle holders out there, we chatted with a handful of designers and stylish candle-obsessives about where they source their favorites. As you’re shopping, try not to be too focused on matching. As food writer, recipe developer, and host extraordinaire Anna Stockwell says, “Lean into mixing and matching candle holders and candles together. It’s fun and keeps life interesting.” (And if you need help finding tapered candles to go in your new candlesticks, we’ve got tons of recs for those, too.)
Alishia Ramos, founder of Girls’ Night In, has had this candle holder in black in her home for years. It also comes in a speckled white and terra-cotta, and no matter the color, Ramos calls them “true works of art that are basically like sculptures, sure to add fun visual interest to a mantle, desk, or coffee table” — even without a candle inside.
For a classic look, brass candle holders are the go-tos for many of our experts. Ramos has had some from Hawkins New York for several years, and loves the patina that comes with the material as it ages. “These are eye-catching on any table and will instantly add a level of refinement,” she says. “They’re also quite heavy, which I like. A sturdy base is never a bad thing.”
Cheaper brass candles can be found at Jamali Garden, a “florist and prop stylist haven,” as Home52 editor Caroline Mullen calls it, in Manhattan’s flower district. “The place is brimming with vases, trays, planters, votives, and anything you can possibly imagine needing for an event,” she says. “One of the best little finds are these candle holders that have a vintage vibe but cost only $6.50 apiece. I don’t think you could find a better price at a yard sale. They’re perfect for clustering on a dining table or mixing in with genuine brass candle holders to beef up your collection.”
If you want to go real vintage — as two of our experts recommend — Etsy is the place. Mullen and Stockwell constantly comb the site to find old brass holders, and Mullen notes that collectors often bundle a variety of them together, “perfect if you want a few shapes and sizes.” Stockwell has a huge collection, thanks to the low prices. That way, she says, “I don’t mind when they get covered in wax drips.”
Rebekah Peppler, author of À Table, has a few vintage brass holders that she uses daily — but she has long dreamed of layering in one or two of these from Astier de Villatte, made from black terracotta clay and finished with a white glaze. “I don’t often play mix and match but the combination of the white glazed ceramic and patinated metal feels timeless,” she says.
EyeSwoon’s Athena Calderone loves these ceramic holders from Common Body. “The dark stoneware clay is oh-so-dreamy, and I love how sculptural they are,” she says. “They’re perfect for adding contrast when styling a space.”
This recommendation actually comes directly from me. I just ordered a set for my dining table in navy. They take a while to ship, but the sleek, playful design makes them well worth the wait.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
