D.I.Y.

Tapered Candle Holder – A Perfect Centrepiece

November 24, 2021

Okay, so while the holiday decorating is in full force on IG, I am not quite there yet. Last year the house was already decked out but this year, we are taking it slow. So my very first “holiday” DIY is actually a tapered candle holder to use as a centrepiece for any occasion. Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, a birthday, whatever you want, this DIY tapered candle holder is for you.

It is a simple one, and if you’re thinking of getting into DIY, this tapered candle holder is the most perfect beginners DIY. The dimensions and sizing is loose-y goose-y and mistakes are easily rectifiable here.

For example, maybe you made this DIY tapered candle holder for a centre piece and you’re wondering why won’t my candle stand up straight? Well, that’s easily fixable. Melt some wax and pop your candle back in. Wax isn’t working? Hot glue gun? Gorilla glue. Honestly whatever you need to get the job done.

Okay, so comfortable with what you can do here? Let’s make YOUR tapered candle holder!

Here are the tools and materials you need to make a DIY tapered candle holder

As always, this is something you can make your own using the jest of the instructions below but incorporating your own measurements. For my purposes, I used scrap wood which amounted to a 6” wide board that I cut to about 16” long.

For this you need:

One 2”X 6” X 3’ board
Stain/paint of your choice (I used flagstone and briarsmoke) + sealant
Wood glue
Nail gun and 2” nails (optional but useful if you’re impatient)Drill
Forstner Drill Bit – same size as your tapered candle base
14 Tapered Candles
Mitre saw (hand saw, or any saw that can cut a straight line)
Orbital sander
150 grit sandpaper and 220 grit sandpaper

Instructions:

Make your cuts using whatever saw you have. Cut list is:
- One 16” cut (or whatever length you want your tapered candle holder to be)
- Two 1” cuts (or whatever height you want your legs to be)

Sand your wood down until smooth. I used 150 grit followed by 220 grit
Measure out where you want your candles to go (I did two rows 1.5-2” apart along. Using your appropriately sized foster bit, make holes for your tapered candles.
Using wood glue, secure your legs. All the way to the end on either side, lined up perfectly. Here, you can wait 24 hrs for it to dry, OR, you can secure it using the nail gun and 3 nails on each leg.
Once your legs are secured or dry, take a bead of wood glue along the seams to cover them up. Let dry for 30 mins.
Sand the excess wood glue off. Here you can also round out edges to make it seem like one cohesive piece.
Stain or paint and seal, as necessary. I like use a matte finish.
Add your candles in (if they don’t stand perfectly straight, melt some wax into the holes and quickly place your candles.
Set the table with your new tapered candle centrepiece, light your candles and away you go!