Learn how to decorate candle holders for your home or for gifts! You’ll find a lot of budget friendly ideas using a variety of materials. These are perfect home decor projects for beginners.
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for new ideas for how to decorate your home. I find that candle holders are one of the easiest ways to do just that! But did you know, it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated?
This blog post will show you 35 different easy and inexpensive ways to decorate candle holders using items you probably already have sitting in your house.
If you’re a beginning crafter, these projects will be great for you – especially because they’ll give you experience with a variety of craft materials on a relatively small surface.
Before we get into the projects, I wanted to give you a bit of information if you’re a newbie. If you want to scroll down to get the list, you can do that. Otherwise, I hope these tips help shorten the learning curve.
Tips for Decorating Candle Holders
Decorating a glass candle holder is relatively simple, but there are some tips you need to know – like where to buy, how to prep, and paint to use. I address those three things below.
Where to Buy
One thing I love about glass candle holders is that they can be found just about anywhere – and the first place to look is your recycling bin!
A lot of people use jars (like pasta sauce, Oui yogurt, or jelly) as their base. You can remove the labels with these tips.
But if you don’t have anything in your recycle bin, you can also get your glass holders at Dollar Tree (or your local dollar store) or the thrift store/Goodwill. You might have to do some regular checking for new stock, but they show up frequently.
Of course a place that is always reliable for candle holders is the craft store. Check your local shop or Michaels, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, etc. They’ll have something you can use. Be sure to check the $1 areas too for deals!
How to Prep
Before you do anything, prepare your glass. This step is crucial if you want the paint or Mod Podge to stick. Thoroughly wash in warm, soapy water to remove dirt, dust, and grease film.
You can also use rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to do the same. Let your vessel dry before crafting.
Paints to Use
You’ll want to check out my posts about painting on glass or painting on mason jars to get all the details, but typically I use spray paint, chalk paint, or glass paint (including multi-surface) on any candle holders.
You can use any of the Mod Podge formulas for glass, but I always like Gloss or Matte, personally. I have a guide for Mod Podging on glass too!
Are you ready to check out the ideas for decorating candle holders? Scroll down to get them!
Decorate Candle Holders
Learn how to decorate glass candle holders with a variety of methods and craft supplies! These are great projects for home decor or gifting.
Paper Wrapped Dollar Store Candles
These paper wrapped and paint-dipped candles use the power of Mod Podge to bring some springy life to some boring, dollar store candles. You can use this same method with any candle holders.
Packing Tape Photos
Learn how to transfer images to packing tape, make clear stickers, then transfer them to glass candle holders for Christmas decorations, weddings, easy crafts, and gifts!
Upcycled Frosted Votives
Grab some glass yogurt jars out of the recycle bin and turn them into cute little frosted votives with the help of some spray paint. Karen will show you how easy it is.
Wrapped in Twigs
If you have a surplus of twigs outside your home, use them to decorate your glass votives! Add a bit of spray paint to spice them up for a holiday table.
Glitter Candle Holders
Learn how to decorate candle holders with glitter the easy way - no previous crafting skills required. Perfect for any celebration!
Decoupage Candles with World Maps
Jazz up boring candles with antique world maps. You can get the free printable at the blog - and either Mod Podge them on LED candles, or use them to decorate candle holders with a wrap.
Pretty Blue Coastal Inspired
If you've never tried sea glass spray paint, you're missing out. You can decorate candle holders in minutes with beautiful shades. Learn how to do it at the blog post.
Terrazzo Clay
Everyone loves terrazzo these days! It's such a trendy pattern. Rebecca shows you how to use white clay as well as some additional colors to cover a small glass votive holder.
Wrapped with Paper
These easy DIY votive candle holders are made from old glasses – you won’t spend a lot of money for this pretty, vintage inspired home decor.
Coastal Driftwood Touch
Add a coastal touch to your home cottage or special event decorating with an easy upcycled driftwood candle holder. This is such pretty decor that you can keep up all year.
Gold Lace
If you want to decorate candle holders and really make an impression, you can do it with spray paint and lace. These are very simple to make with a little bit of patience (use light coats of spray paint, several layers).
DIY Candlestick Holders Out of Crib Parts
These DIY candlestick holders were made out of the most unexpected materials – baby crib parts! This is the perfect recycled project, and you can use this same fabric and paint method for any candle holders.
Alcohol Ink Glass Votives
Alcohol inks are so pretty on glass! Learn how Sara used them to decorate candle holders. Her method is pretty fun and older kids will love it as well as adults!
Stained Wood
Get the look of stained wood with this super easy painting technique. If you find a candle holder that is painted but you'd rather it have a stain finish, this is the method you'll use.
Day of the Dead
Do you love Day of the Dead crafts? Use napkins to create these unique decorative candle holders! So fun for Halloween and beyond.
Sea Glass
Learn how to make DIY sea glass lanterns with glass paint and mason jars. These candle holders are really easy and make a big impact.
Dyed & Stenciled
Learn how to make a dyed mason jar candle holder the easy way - you can customize this project with any colors you like.
Ombre Painted
Spray paint does amazing things, especially when it comes to decorating candle holders! These glass thrift store finds were spiced up with some bright colors.
Scrap Wood & Paper
Learn how to make wooden candle holders using scraps! This DIY project is simple and you can customize it to any style.
Super Simple Lace Covered
Can you believe these candle holders were made using only four supplies (including the glass)? This is a simple project idea perfect for parties, weddings, and more.
Pretty Painted
These painted votives are simply lovely! Use them to decorate your home, for a party, or even a wedding.
Carved Initials in Birch
Learn how to make a birch candle holder using a real log! This would make a pretty home decoration or even a wedding or anniversary gift. It goes great with all sorts of decorating styles including outdoor, rustic, and farmhouse.
Stained Glass
Jenny was inspired by memories of making faux stained glass in elementary school when she came up with these fun little glass votive holders. This project is quick and easy, and a great way to whip up custom party decor on the cheap.
Confetti Covered
Are you ready to party?? Decorate simple glass candle holders with inexpensive confetti. Perfect for a celebration or just fun home decor! Easy, too.
Dollar Store Marbles
Decorate a glass candle holder with vase filler from the dollar store! These would be great for table centerpieces, gift ideas, wedding decorations, and much more. Plus it only cost $2 to make.
Hardware Store
Do you want to make a luminary to accent your decor, but you want to keep the costs down? David does it with budget materials from the hardware store! You'll like his method for decorating them, which you can use on any candle holder.
Rope Wrapped
This is one of the most simple projects in this collection! Once you gather your supplies to make these candle holders, the rest takes about ten minutes.
Tissue Paper
One thing I will always love is the glow of pretty tissue paper with a candle behind it. Learn how to decorate these glass candle holders with tissue and your favorite Mod Podge formula.
DIY Copper Striped
I've never used copper tape on a project before, but I can't deny how pretty it looks on these candle holders! It's a very simple technique, and will look pretty with a variety of decor styles.
Black Lace
If you're looking for a simple way to add some vintage Halloween flair to your decor, or you just like black lace, this is a perfectly easy and pretty idea.
Epsom Salt and Twine
Learn how to make these easy Christmas luminaries from glass mason jars! All you need is some Mod Podge, epsom salt, and a few embellishments.
Icy & Frosted
Grab some frosted spray or brush on paint and the free graphics to make these beautiful lanterns! These holiday candle holders are perfect for a little Christmas ambiance.
Did you enjoy these crafts? I’d love for you to check out these other ideas I think you might like as well:
Roger Lam
Monday 13th of September 2021
Love the Twig Votive one! I've seen the resin candle holder before and it's quite awesome as well.
Patricia
Thursday 2nd of September 2021
Beautiful crafts
Amy
Thursday 2nd of September 2021
Thank you Patricia!