Kersten is a German design brand known for sculptural decorative items with surprising details — peacocks, abstract shapes, hidden motifs. The products combine ceramics and metal and are continually refreshed with the seasons, giving each piece a limited-edition feel. Kersten suits homes that favour character over minimalism, and ranges from candlesticks to wall décor.
Decoration doesn't have to be neutral. Kersten's products are the opposite: sculptural, colourful and full of personality — the kind of things that stop visitors mid-step on their way past the shelf. The brand works with a blend of ceramics and metal and draws its motifs from nature — birds, flowers, organic shapes — but treats them with a craft-based freedom that sets them well apart from decorative mainstream. Here's everything you need to know about what Kersten is, and how to use it at home.
What is Kersten?
Kersten is a design brand specialising in decorative items for the home. At the heart of the range are sculptural objects — candlesticks, ornaments and wall décor — that share a visual DNA: a tight design language, surprising details and a clear craft reference in the surface treatment.
Materials-wise, Kersten primarily works with ceramics and metal, often in combination. Ceramic allows for organic, plastic shapes, while metal — typically in a brass or iron-like finish — adds contrast and edge. It's this combination that gives many Kersten pieces their sculptural quality: they work just as well standing alone as part of a combined arrangement.
The collections rotate with the seasons. This means specific pieces aren't necessarily available all year round, and the range is continually refreshed with new shapes and colours.
Sculptural candlesticks
Kersten's candlesticks are a good starting point for understanding the brand's aesthetic. Rather than the clean, cylindrical shapes that dominate many other ranges, Kersten works with figurative and organic starting points: peacocks with unfurled plumage, flower buds that double as candle holders, abstract human figures in stylised ceramic.
A candlestick is, at its core, a functional object — it's meant to hold a candle. But at Kersten, the shape comes first. The candle-holding function itself is integrated into the motif, so you don't see a stand with a candle on it, but rather an object that just happens to also hold a flame.
Ceramics and metal in combination
Many of Kersten's candlesticks combine materials: a ceramic figure mounted on a metal base, or metal details that trace an outline around ceramic shapes. It's a technical challenge to get the two materials to work visually in harmony — thermal expansion, surface treatment and finish all need to be coordinated. Kersten typically solves this by keeping the metal elements simple, so they act as a frame rather than a competitor to the ceramic.
Take a look at our range of candlesticks — including the entire Kersten series — to get an overview of the current shapes and sizes.
Tip: If you want to create depth on a shelf or in a shelving unit, mix Kersten candlesticks of different heights. A low, wide shape next to a tall, narrow one gives the eye's movement something to follow — and highlights the details of both better than when they're paired with identical sizes.
Unique details that surprise
Kersten's design philosophy has an element of surprise built in. Many pieces contain details you won't notice at first glance: a small bird hidden in foliage on the side of a vase, an unexpected pattern on the back of a figure, a colour that shifts tone depending on the light source.
It's a deliberate strategy aimed at those who want something to discover — decoration that rewards a closer look. That's what sets these pieces apart from mass-produced decorative items, where what you see is what you get.
Colours and finish
Kersten's colour palette varies from collection to collection, but generally moves in two directions: either earthy, muted tones with a matte, handmade finish, or more expressive, saturated colours with glaze-like surfaces. Both approaches are designed to look as though they were made by hand — even when they're mould-cast.
For those drawn to the figurative and colourful, it may also be worth looking at ornaments in our range — here you'll find a broad collection of objects with comparable design energy.
For the whole house
Kersten isn't limited to just one room. The range covers product categories that make sense throughout the home:
- Living room: Candlesticks and sculptural ornaments on the coffee table, bookcase or mantelpiece.
- Hallway: Wall décor and figures that welcome guests — and set the tone for the rest of the home.
- Bedroom: Smaller, delicate pieces on the bedside table or dressing table.
- Kitchen: Ceramic figures as eye-catchers on open shelves.
For wall décor in the hallway, Kersten's flat-backed reliefs and hangings are a good choice — they have enough depth to cast shadows, but are light enough not to need a wall fixing.
For the open shelves in the living room, Kersten pieces can be combined nicely with vases in contrasting materials — glass or raw ceramic gives breathing room around Kersten's more detailed shapes.
Seasonal collections and collector's pieces
Kersten's range is seasonal: the collections rotate, and specific pieces are discontinued along the way. This creates a dynamic reminiscent of what you might know from art and design galleries — a piece available today isn't necessarily there in six months.
This gives Kersten products a natural element of scarcity. Many customers come back to keep up with what's new — and to secure the pieces they've put on their wishlist before they disappear from the range.
What does this mean for your purchase?
In practical terms, it means it makes sense to buy when you see something you like — rather than waiting. The collections aren't announced with exact dates, and a piece that's "almost sold out" is rarely restocked in the same edition.
| Product type | Typical material | Primary placement | Seasonal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candlesticks | Ceramic / metal | Living room, dining room | Yes |
| Wall décor | Ceramic / metal | Hallway, living room | Yes |
| Ornaments / figures | Ceramics | Shelving, shelf, table | Yes |
Styling: how to use Kersten
Kersten's pieces are designed to stand alone — but they also work well in groups. Here are three approaches:
Solo placement as sculpture
A single, striking Kersten piece on an empty shelf or side table doesn't need company. It works as sculpture in its own right. Choose a spot with natural light from the side, so the depth of the shape and any relief details are highlighted.
Thematic grouping
Bring together three to five pieces that share either a motif (birds, flowers) or a colour tone. Vary the height, and let the pieces overlap in depth — rather than standing in a single line. This creates a visual cluster rather than a display shelf.
Material contrast
Kersten ceramics look strongest when surrounded by materials with a different texture: raw wood, linen, glass. It's the same principle used in professional shop styling — the contrast draws attention to the most detailed shape in the group.
For those who want to work with a similar design philosophy in other categories, it's worth taking a look at the decoration range as a whole — here you'll find Kersten alongside related brands and styles.
If you want to combine Kersten with textiles, rugs in colours or animal motifs are an obvious counterbalance to the harder shapes of ceramics — particularly in the living room.
Frequently asked questions
What does Kersten mainly make?
Kersten specialises in sculptural decorative items for the home — mainly candlesticks, ornaments and wall decoration. The products are characterised by figurative motifs from nature (birds, flowers, abstract shapes) and a combination of ceramic and metal as materials.
Are Kersten products handmade?
Kersten products have a clear craft reference in their surface treatment and level of detail, but aren't necessarily handmade in the traditional sense. Many pieces are mould-cast ceramics with a finish that retains the character of the handmade look. Check the individual product's description for specific information.
Does Kersten's range change often?
Yes. Kersten works with seasonal collections that rotate continuously. This means specific pieces are discontinued and replaced by new shapes and colours. If you see something you're interested in, it's recommended to buy relatively quickly rather than wait.
Which rooms does Kersten suit best?
Kersten suits any room that can carry a characterful element. Most typically, the pieces are used in the living room (on a coffee table, shelving unit or mantelpiece), in the hallway (wall decoration, figures) and on open shelves in the kitchen. Kersten's palette and design language suit homes with a non-minimalist approach to interiors best.
Can Kersten candlesticks be used with real candles?
Yes, Kersten's candlesticks are functional and designed to hold ordinary candles. Check the specific product's measurements for the candle opening, as they vary between models. Never use a candle wider than the holder, and never leave a burning candle unattended.
What do Kersten products typically cost?
Prices vary depending on size, complexity and material. Smaller ornaments and candlesticks are typically in the lower price range, while larger sculptural pieces with metal details are priced higher. See the current range for specific prices — the collections change, and prices change along with them.
Summary
Kersten is a design brand that takes decoration seriously as a design language — not as background noise. The products in ceramic and metal are sculptural, figurative and full of details that reward a closer look. The seasonal collections ensure that the range is constantly refreshed, so there's always something new to discover. Whether you use Kersten as a focal point in the living room, as a welcome in the hallway or as a detail on an open shelf, the logic is the same: one piece does more work than ten generic decorative items combined. It's an investment in character rather than volume.
Explore our range of Kersten products— candle holders, ornaments and wall decorations in the current collection.
