Transform Ordinary Candles with Craft Paint

If you’re looking to add a touch of charm to your home, painting taper candles is an easy and delightful project. With a few supplies and a bit of creativity, you can turn plain candles into beautiful decor pieces that enhance any room and add individuality to a table setting. I recently painted taper candles I purchased and was surprised at how easy and fun it was.

Supplies for Painted Taper Candles

• Plain taper candles
• Craft paint
• Paintbrushes (various sizes)
• Palette or plate for mixing colors
• Sealant (optional)
• Newspaper for easy cleanup

Steps to Follow

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Start by laying down some newspapers to protect your surface and gathering the supplies you need. I purchased a 3 pack of taper candles from Kmart and used paints and brushes I already own. It was also useful to have a damp rag on hand. That way, the inevitable mistakes can easily be wiped away and you can start again.
2. Choose Your Color Palette: Cottage style often embraces soft pastels, earthy tones, or floral patterns. Select a color scheme that resonates with your decor.. I searched Pinterest for ideas of flowers and designs to copy and saved the image to my iPad for reference. Then I mixed a few lavender and pink shades for a Spring based theme.

3. Paint the Base: Using a wider brush or sponge, paint the base color on your candles. This might be a soft white, light blue, or gentle lavender. Allow it to dry completely before moving to the next step. I chose to leave my candles white, but in hindsight, I wish I’d followed my own advice and painted the whole candle first. However, doing so would make it more difficult to erase your errors with water, so as a first timer, a non painted base might be the way to go.

4. Add Details: Once your base is dry, use a smaller brush to add floral patterns, leaves, or even delicate dots. This is where you can truly express your style. Consider using a sponge for a textured effect and a wide brush to add stripes or checks. The ideas are limitless but I’d suggested having a practice on the palette or paper first so you can get the effect you want and know the brush strokes required.

And Finally . . .

5. Seal Your Work: This step is optional but if you want to preserve your designs, apply a clear sealant such as Mod Podge once the paint is dry. If you want to option to remove your paint at some stage and add a new decoration, skip this step. Make sure you check the sealer is not flammable too. You don’t want to burn the house down when flame meets sealer.

6. Display with Love: Once everything is dry, place your newly decorated taper candles in a charming candlestick holder. They’re perfect for a cozy dinner or simply as a decorative piece on your table.

Painting taper candles is not only a fun craft but also a wonderful way to bring warmth and personality to your cottage-inspired home. Enjoy your creative journey!