Wax. Candles. Light. Warmth. There are many benefits to filling your home with the soothing presence of candles. For me, I start the day by placing a mug on the Keurig and lighting a scented candle. The daily practice isn’t so much about covering up my (large) dog’s ever-present scent, but about finding a moment of calm and focus. When I sit down at my breakfast table with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, the candle’s flame provides a focal point for me — a place to spend my energy that is neither positive nor negative, but restorative.

Because I find so much power in candles — and I’m not lucky enough to have a fireplace *yet* — I make sure to always have a variety of them around. I’ve commandeered candlestick holders from my mother and registered for an embarrassing number of them for our wedding last November. But it’s all served its purpose quite well, and the ever-revolving candle displays bring me daily joy and enjoyment. Here are some tricks for candle-scapes that you can try in your home:

From wedding to holiday decor, mercury glass is all the rage right now. But this votive can — and should! — outlive the trendiness of this moment. What’s great about mercury glass is that it comes in a variety of shades (e.g. rose gold, silver, antique gold, etc.), and it gives off the gooiest warm glow. Traditional votives can be great for a clean and simple look, but mercury glass has my votive if you want to take it up notch. We suggest mixing them with larger pillar candles or grouping multiple to give a romantic hygge feel.

Let’s talk tapers. . .While I love a good jar or pillar candle — especially for delicious seasonal smells — taper candles are so underrated. Of course, there is always a time and place for the traditional silver candlestick and white tablecloth look, but there are some many other ways to integrate taper candlestick holders into interesting displays on your sideboard, kitchen counter, or even in your bedroom. We suggest mixing three objects (try two candles and one non-candle, like a small vase or picture frame). This is usually works best when all three items are different heights, although there is always fun to be had with three objects that are all the same! Get creative, try different arrangements, and always make sure to check the setup from different angles (e.g. guests might see it from one vantage point as they enter the room but a different one when they are sitting on your couch). If you’re still feeling stuck, check out the inspo below!

Other places we love to shop for candles and candleholders: Pier1 (great for unscented and affordable pillar candles of all sizes), Target (outdoor lanterns on sale now), Sagaform (statement pieces with major hygge vibes), and Neiman Marcus Last Call (designer candles with majorly good scents at cheaper prices).

Other great candle ideas or questions? Let us know in the comments!