Check out these 15 DIY candle holder ideas that are a little more unconventional and a lot more fun to set up than your average store bought holder!

1. Rustic tree slice candle holder

Does your home have a wonderfully comfortable rustic feel that’s very natural and incorporates many outdoor elements? Then keep that theme up by making yourself this stunning wooden slice candle holder! Technically you could use this piece of natural tree trunk for many things, but the moment we saw how calming Brit + Co.‘s idea of putting a small candle on the wood and letting it melt how it pleases, we were taken with it. They show you how to make one of your own.

2. Ice cube tray votive holders

Do you love upcycling pieces of old household wares in ways that put them to simple use so that you can save them from being thrown out without going far out of your own way? Well, there are plenty of candle holder designs that meet your criteria but one of our very favourites is one from Paper n’ Stitch! They’ve taken the cups from an ice cube tray and cut them from the frame to make little holders that are perfectly sized for candles that have gotten a little short. We like the reclaimed aesthetic of the way they’ve left the edges jagged.

3. Stained wood block candle holder

Do you have some very thin candles at home that you’ve been looking for a perfect display for because they’re an unconventional shape that you haven’t seen store bought holders for yet? That’s the perfect opportunity to make one of your own! We love this darkly stained wooden block design from Houzz that looks wonderfully rustic chic. With candles this size, one of the bits on your drill will probably be the perfect size for you to drill the holes in the block to hold them.

4. Film negative candle holders

Perhaps you don’t quite have the time to make your own candleholder from scratch but you do have some plain glass ones that you find kind of boring and would love to spruce up a little? Well, there are plenty of ways to do that, but as nostalgic crafters, this photo memory idea from Photojojo might be one of our very favourites. They’ve used actual photo negatives pasted around the outside so that the flame when you light the candle will cast a glow that shows the image.

5. Copper pipe candle holder

Are you browsing through this list hoping to find a candleholder design that looks a little bit more contemporary than some of the things you’ve seen so far? Well, if you’re ready to work a little bit with wire bending and molding, then check out this copper design from An-Margritt! The candle sticks right on the end and voila! You have an awesomely curving, tall standing candleholder that really stands out.

6. Rope wrapped candle holder

Perhaps you’re still looking for a rustic or reclaimed chic look in your decorative accessories and you think that making yourself some nice, weathered candleholders would really contribute to the whole aesthetic? Then check out how Minted Strawberry made these adorable, low sitting rounded holders wrapped in thin rope like a coil. They look like something you’d find on a boat!

7. Small clay candle holders

Perhaps you’re intent on making your very own candleholders yourself from scratch but you’re no good with wood so you’re not likely to make the stained wooden block design? Then try creating these adorable, individual clay candle stands like Once Wed did! We love their semi-twisted, spiral shape and we think they’d look completely adorable painted all different colours as well.

8. Metallic finish mercury candle glasses

If you’ve never seen mercerized glass, then you’re missing out! The shining chromed effect is an awesome finish that makes even the simplest candleholders look rather fancy and, contrary to popular belief, it’s an easier craft to do! Ruffled Blog guides you through the process of making it happen so you can enjoy the way the candle glows through the silvery chrome on the outside.

9. Concrete votive holder

Perhaps you’re very into the idea of making your own holder from scratch but you’re not keen on using wood or clay because you want something a little more industrial chic? Then try using concrete! If you’ve never worked with concrete before then you might not actually realize how easy and useful it is for homemade things. This awesome tea light holder by Signepling is a great project to start with. We love the minimalist look it adds to the room.

10. Marble painted votives

Have you ever used marbling techniques with water and nail polish on things like DIY coffee mugs or even your finger nails? Then you already know how much fun it is! We love doing it too and that’s why this cute little candleholder project from Once Wed caught our eye. We like the idea of making an entire set that matches in technique but contrasts in fun bright ways when it comes to colour.

11. Coloured birthday candle blocks

Did you like the idea of making a candleholder out of wood but you’re looking for something a little more pop art minimalist than weathered rustic chic like we showed you before? Then perhaps you’ll prefer this individual wooden holder style from Hank and Hunt! Cut small cubes form a piece of wood, sand the edges smooth, drill a candle-sized hole in the trop, and try your hand at a bit of stain style ombre painting! They’ll look great no matter what colour you choose to do them in.

12. Wooden paint dipped holders

With Easter coming, perhaps you’ve been looking for cute novelty candleholders to place on the dinner table when you host your family? We love these smooth, egg-shaped wooden holders that you can either make yourself of find at your local crafting store, but we love them even more the way they’ve been customized by Hello DIY. They drilled a hole in the top for the candle to sit in and then dipped the tops and bottoms into a lovely pastel blue paint with chrome finish. Tape off the parts you don’t want painted to make a clean edge when you peel the tape off.

13. Cut paper candle holders

Of course, you probably wouldn’t want to make an entire candleholder entirely out of paper since it’s such a flammable material, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate how cool it can be for décor into making your own candleholders. Follow in How About Orange‘s lead and make some cut out paper slips for the plain glass holders you already have but have become bored with. You’ll love how the flame glows through the slits in the paper.

14. Constellation votives

Just in case you’re still caught on the idea of making wooden candleholders but the ideas we’ve shown you still just haven’t quite held your attention yet, here’s another simple design for your consideration! Design Sponge guides you through the process of creating specific holes in small pieces of particle board wood so that, when the light from the lit candle shines through, they look like star constellations!

15. Copper wire candle holder

Copper wire might not sound like the most common thing to work with on an average crafting day, but with a good pair of pliers and some patience , you can create all kinds of things. By using a mid-thickness wire that isn’t too tough to bend but isn’t so thin that it’s too malleable, A Merry Mishap shows you how you can make a candleholder that will hold your candle high and look totally unique and minimalist all at once.