Candlesticks

Candle holders are one of the easiest ways to give a table, a shelf or a windowsill some personality. At Dims Studio you'll find a wide range of candle holders and tealight holders in ceramic, polyresin, glass, crystal, stoneware and metal, from colourful figural candle holders shaped like hotdogs, dogs and cats to classic holders in crystal and coloured glass. In this guide you'll get an overview of types, materials, sizes and brands, so you can find the candle holder or candlesticks that suit your table and your style.

What is a candle holder?

A candle holder is a holder for candles that keeps the candle standing steady and burning safely. The term covers a lot: from the slim single holder to the candelabra for taper candles to the low tealight holder that holds a round tealight. What they all have in common is that they have both a practical function and a decorative role, where material, colour and shape help set the mood on the table. At Dims Studio, the candle holders are chosen so they can be used either as a single statement piece or gathered in groups for a more playful look.

Types of candle holders

The range at Dims Studio spans from pure figural candle holders to more classic holders in glass and crystal. Below you'll get an overview of the types you'll come across in the range.

Figural candle holders: animals and food motifs

A large part of the range consists of figural candle holders, where the holder itself is shaped like an object or an animal. Here you'll find, among others, dog and cat candle holders in polyresin from Kersten, a hotdog candle holder and a croissant candle holder that both play on the food theme, as well as animal motifs like peacock, toucan, parrot, sardine and lobster. The figural candle holders are typically cast in polyresin or ceramic and are a great choice if you want a clear, playful look on a table or shelf.

Fish candle holders

&Klevering contributes a series of fish-shaped candle holders in several colours, including green, blue, yellow and pink. The fish candle holders are cast with a graphic, almost stylised expression and work well grouped together, where the different colours create a dynamic look on the table.

Candy candle holders

The Candy series from Kersten is a group of ceramic candle holders in several colour combinations, such as pink and blue, yellow and blue, and purple and red with dots. They're shaped with a soft, rounded expression that resembles candy and sweets, and suit a festive or colourful table well.

Glass and crystal candle holders

For a more classic and elegant look, you'll find candle holders in glass and crystal from EJA. The glass candle holders come in several colour combinations, while the crystal holders have a faceted surface that reflects the light and gives a sparkling look on the table.

Stoneware and metal

Bloomingville supplies stoneware candle holders like Missy, Sassy, Tacana, Caty and Florita, which have a more muted, handcrafted look. Kersten also has a simple candle holder in black metal, a great choice if you want a clean, minimalist look without colour or figure.

Type	Material	Examples in the range	Expression
Figural candle holder (animals and food)	Polyresin, ceramic	Hotdog, croissant, dogs, cats, toucan, parrot	Playful and colourful
Fish candle holder	Polyresin/ceramic	&Klevering fish candle holders in several colours	Graphic and stylised
Candy candle holder	Ceramic	Kersten Candy series	Soft and festive
Glass and crystal candle holder	Glass, crystal	EJA glass and crystal holders	Elegant and sparkling
Stoneware and metal	Stoneware, metal	Bloomingville Missy, Sassy, Tacana, Caty, Florita; Kersten metal holder	Muted and handcrafted

Materials: ceramic, polyresin, glass, crystal, stoneware and metal

The material has a big impact on both look and maintenance. Here's an overview of the materials in our range.

Ceramic and dolomite

Ceramic and dolomite are both fired clay materials that give a solid, often glazed surface. They're used for several of the figural candle holders, including the Sardine and Caviar candle holders from GiftCompany, as well as the Pancake and Churros candle holders. The surface is easily wiped down with a damp cloth.

Polyresin

Polyresin is a cast synthetic material that's lighter than ceramic and makes it possible to shape detailed figures like dogs, cats and parrots with a precise expression. It's also more moisture-tolerant than many other materials, which makes it well suited to the bathroom.

Glass

The glass candle holders from EJA come in several colour combinations and give a light, transparent look. The glass is cleaned with ordinary glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

Crystal

Crystal is used for the heavier, faceted candle holders, where the cut facets break up the light and create a sparkling look. The crystal holders from EJA come in several colour layers and variants.

Stoneware

Stoneware is a denser, more robust type of ceramic that often has a raw, handmade finish. Bloomingville's stoneware holders typically have a simple, organic shape that works well as a base for other, more colourful candle holders.

Metal

The metal candle holders, like the black metal holder from Kersten and the bow candle holder from Rice, give a slimmer, more graphic look. Metal wipes down easily and holds up well to being out on display every day.

Material	Feel	Care	Brands in the range
Ceramic/dolomite	Solid and glazed	Wipe down with a damp cloth	Kersten, GiftCompany, klevering
Polyresin	Light and detailed	Wipe down, avoid abrasives	Kersten
Glass	Light and transparent	Glass cleaner and soft cloth	EJA
Crystal	Heavy and faceted	Glass cleaner, handle carefully	EJA
Stoneware	Raw and handmade	Wipe down with a damp cloth	Bloomingville
Metal	Slim and graphic	Wipe down with a dry or lightly damp cloth	Kersten, Rice

Sizes and candle types

Candle holders vary in height and in which type of candle they're made for. Many of the figural candle holders, like the candy and fish candle holders, are designed for taper candles or candlesticks, while others, like the tealight holders from the Florita series, are made for round tealights. Always check the dimensions and candle size on the individual product before buying candles for it, as the diameter of the hole varies from model to model. Also see our range of candles if you need candles to go with the holders.

How to choose between several holders in the same series

Several of the series in the range, like the Candy candle holders from Kersten and the glass and crystal holders from EJA, come in several colour variants and sizes. When choosing between them, it can help to think in pairs or groups rather than picking a single holder. Feel free to buy two or three variants from the same series in different colours, so they can stand together and play off each other, instead of looking for the one "right" colour. This also gives you the option to rearrange the holders depending on the season or occasion, without having to buy anything new.

Styling and using candle holders

• Gather several figural candle holders in different colours and shapes for a playful, layered look on the dining table.
• Combine a single crystal or glass candle holder with a couple of stoneware holders to break up the elegant look with something more earthy.
• Use a group of Candy candle holders as a centrepiece for a party or birthday.
• Let a single figural candle holder, like the hotdog or the croissant, stand alone on a side table or shelf as a quirky eye-catcher.
• Mix tall and short holders to create depth and variation on the table.

The brands behind our candle holders

Dims Studio has gathered candle holders from a number of brands, each contributing their own expression.

Kersten

Kersten is behind the largest part of the figural candle holders in the range: dogs, cats, parrots, hotdog, croissant, the Candy series and the pancake candle holder, plus a simple candle holder in black metal. What the Kersten holders have in common is a playful, often colourful expression with a clear theme.

&Klevering

The Dutch brand &Klevering is behind the fish candle holders in several colours as well as the churros candle holder in dolomite. &Klevering is generally known for graphic shapes and a playful design language that also shows up throughout the rest of their range.

Bloomingville

Bloomingville supplies the stoneware holders Missy, Sassy, Tacana, Caty and Florita. The brand has a broader, more muted expression that works well as a base in a collection of several different candle holders.

Rice

Rice contributes bird candle holders in ceramic and a bow candle holder in metal. Rice is known for colourful, functional everyday products with a wink.

EJA

EJA is behind the glass and crystal candle holders in the range, with several colour combinations and variants spanning from muted tones to more sparkling crystal editions.

GiftCompany

GiftCompany supplies, among others, the Sardine, Caviar and Pink Dachshund candle holders in ceramic and dolomite, all with a clearly figural expression.

Brand	Characteristics	Examples in the range
Kersten	Playful figures in polyresin and ceramic	Dogs, cats, hotdog, croissant, Candy series
&Klevering	Graphic shapes, Dutch design	Fish candle holders, churros candle holder
Bloomingville	Muted stoneware	Missy, Sassy, Tacana, Caty, Florita
Rice	Colourful ceramic and metal	Bird candle holders, bow candle holder
EJA	Glass and crystal	Glass and crystal holders in several colours
GiftCompany	Figural ceramic and dolomite	Sardine, Caviar, Pink Dachshund

The right candle holder for your needs: decision guide

If you're unsure which candle holder to choose, start from where and how it will be used.

Situation	Our recommendation
You want a playful eye-catcher on the table	A figural candle holder like hotdog, croissant or one of the animal motifs from Kersten
You want a festive table with colour	Candy series from Kersten or fish candle holders in several colours from &Klevering
You want an elegant, classic look	Glass or crystal candle holders from EJA
You want a calm base to build on	Stoneware holders from Bloomingville, like Missy or Tacana
You need holders for tealights	Florita tealight holders from Bloomingville
You want to give a fun gift	A figural candle holder with a clear theme, like the dog or cat candle holder from Kersten

Safety around candles and candle holders

Whichever candle holder you choose, there are a few general precautions worth knowing. Always place the candle holder on a stable, non-flammable surface, and keep a good distance from curtains, tablecloths and other textiles that can easily catch fire. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and put it out before it burns all the way down to the base of the holder, so the flame doesn't get too close to the material. Figural candle holders in polyresin should be watched if the flame comes very close to the material, while ceramic, dolomite, stoneware, glass and crystal generally withstand the heat from an ordinary candle without any issues.

Candle holders for different occasions

Because the range at Dims Studio spans so widely in both material and expression, you can put together different holders depending on the occasion. For everyday dinner, a single holder or a pair of stoneware holders from Bloomingville is often enough to create atmosphere without stealing attention from the food. For a birthday or party, you can bring out the Candy series or the colourful fish candle holders and style the table with several colours at once. For a more formal dinner, the glass or crystal holders from EJA are an obvious choice, where the sparkling look suits a table with fine tableware and candles at several heights. The figural candle holders, like hotdog and croissant, are great for the more relaxed brunch or as a quirky touch alongside the more classic holders, so the table doesn't feel too stiff.

Frequently asked questions about candle holders

What's the difference between a candle holder and a tealight holder?

A candle holder is typically made for taper candles or candlesticks, while a tealight holder is lower and shaped to hold a round tealight. Both function as candle holders, but the size and shape of the hole differ.

Which material is easiest to maintain?

Ceramic, dolomite, polyresin and metal all wipe down easily with a damp cloth. Glass and crystal need a bit more care with glass cleaner to avoid streaks, but are easy to get shining again.

Can figural candle holders from Kersten stand in the bathroom?

Polyresin generally tolerates moisture well, but avoid direct water splashes and constant steam close to the shower. Wipe the holder with a damp cloth as needed.

How many candle holders should you gather on a table?

There's no fixed rule, but a group of three to five holders at different heights and preferably mixed materials often gives a more lively look than a single holder alone.

What's the difference between ceramic and dolomite?

Both are fired clay materials, but dolomite contains a higher proportion of the mineral dolomite, which often gives a slightly lighter and whiter raw material to glaze. In practice they're cared for the same way.

Which candle holder suits a festive occasion?

The Candy series from Kersten or the colourful fish candle holders from &Klevering are great options if you want a festive, colourful look on the table.

Can you use different types of candle holders together?

Yes, it's actually recommended. A mix of, for example, a crystal holder, a ceramic figure and a stoneware holder gives a more layered, personal look than if all the holders match.

How do I clean a crystal candle holder?

Wipe the crystal with a soft cloth and, if needed, a little glass cleaner to bring out the sparkle. Avoid abrasives that can scratch the cut surface.

Is a figural candle holder a good gift?

Yes, a figural candle holder with a clear theme, like a dog, cat or food figure, is a personal and humorous gift that's also useful in the home.

What suits taper candles best, and what suits tealights?

Most of the figural candle holders as well as the glass and crystal holders are made for taper candles or candlesticks, while tealight holders like the Florita series are designed specifically for round tealights. Always check the product's measurements if you're unsure.

How do I store candle holders I'm not using?

Store ceramic, dolomite and crystal somewhere they won't risk being knocked or tipped over, preferably wrapped in soft paper or fabric, while polyresin and metal can handle a bit more in a drawer or box.

How far down can a candle burn in a candle holder?

Always put the candle out before the flame gets too close to the holder itself, so the material isn't exposed to unnecessary heat. As a rule of thumb, there should be a couple of centimetres of wax left when you put the candle out.

Do the candle holders suit both everyday use and parties?

Yes. A single stoneware holder or a single figural candle holder works well for everyday use, while a gathered group of Candy, glass or crystal holders elevates the table for parties and festive occasions.

Can I mix candle holders from different brands?

Yes, it's recommended if you want to avoid the table looking too uniform. Combine, for example, a figural candle holder from Kersten with a glass holder from EJA and a stoneware holder from Bloomingville for a personal, layered look.