Why Jar Candles Make Great Home Accents

With a variety of home decoration accessories one decorative piece that has created a great deal of vibe these days is the jar candle. Candles are no longer just a bit of fire, bringing light upon a room, but they have become a symbol of fragrance as well as a means of home improvement. Scented jar candles have become so popular because of their ability to bring warmth and scent to an atmosphere. When melted, a contained candle with that perfect scent can emit a fragrance that can change an ordinary room into a cozy environment, instantly enhance a mood, and bring back fond memories. Scented candles create great displays and come in a variety of scents and colors to suit personal style and décor or to make you hungry. Candles in jars are also, now, very stylish, making their debut in interior decorating stores, like Pottery Barn. These candles come in styles, such as the hurricane, in classic styles, like the apothecary, and with a modern flair, such as the status and cube jars. Maybe you’re a bit more traditional? Well, there are the old standby mason and jelly jars that will never grow old. These stylish jars filled with your choice of scented wax are available in small to large sizes to accommodate just about any size room, and they will fit into virtually every style of décor.

Candles in designed jars make excellent new home gifts, thank you gifts, or just a gift for no occasion at all. On special occasions, try using candles as a decoration for parties, weddings or small gatherings that will enhance the ambiance, and an elegant flair. Romance isn’t the only thing candles can be used for, but if that occasion arises, flowers and candles make a very special pair, and a ton of jar votive candles would add that special charm to make a romantic evening extra special.

So now that I’ve sparked your thoughts on how candles can be used in your décor, let’s get into the different types of jarred candles there are.

 Different Types of Jar Candles

As I mentioned, scented candle jars now come in so many different styles that there are an abundance of shapes, sizes, colors, fragrance and materials, and holidays are the time you’ll see them make their most grand appearance. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays bring displays of pumpkin, peppermint, gingerbread, cranberries, cinnamon crunch, and apple pie. You can also delve into the more earthy seasonal fragrances, such as blue spruce, pine cones, holly and berries, juniper breeze, and so many more. Don’t forget the bakery candles in jars, making their appearances in chocolate chip cookies, black cherry bomb and birthday cakes. Then there's spring, which brings florals, fresh cut grass, bubble gum, tangy lemon, clean breezes, and strawberries, while summer bursts with melons, sweet peas, blackberries, and sun tan lotion.

Materials

We know that jar candles are no longer just made of one wax. These candles are made from vegetable oil, paraffin, beeswax, palm wax, and many other materials, each option reflecting a very different price tag.

Now, to spare you way too much info in one post, I won’t get into a grand explanation of all of the wax materials, so I’ll talk about the most widely used candles for now. Paraffin wax candles, which are made of petroleum and also the most popular among the wax choices. Paraffin wax is also the least expensive, option for candle making and purchasing. They’re quick to manufacture and easy to make.

Some people prefer gel candles, which are made from mineral oil, and give the ability to create beautiful translucent candles in which objects can be embedded. Gel can be scented or unscented, decorative, non functional candles, or burnable with a fantastic scent throw. You can only get gel candles in jars due to their soft texture, and they make exquisite, stylish, and often more expensive, gifts.

These gorgeous gel candles were made by BabyDontCryS and can be found here.

That brings me to soy candles, the popular choice for a more natural scented candle. Soy candles are long lasting, less sooty and notably have more overall benefits when burning. High scent is among one of those benefits.

Drawbacks

If you’re using your candle strictly for the purpose of decoration and never intend to burn it, you will likely never have to worry about one of the biggest cons of using glass container candles. However, it's always a good idea to use precautions whenever you're burning any type of candle in a glass jar. Here are some things to consider.

• Candles should only be burned in glass that is approved for candle burning. If you want to go outside of the box a bit, the thicker the glass, the better it will usually perform in holding the hot wax. However, a rule of thumb for making bakery style candles or stepping outside of the usual containers is if a glass is microwave safe, it can usually be used for a candle (ceramic dishes, microwaveable glass dishes, etc.). 
• Decorative candles in thinner glass jars should not be burned so that it doesn’t cause a glass explosion. The glass used in making candles should be strong enough to withhold heat, such as canning (Mason) jars.  
• Gel candles tend to create a higher melting point, meaning that the gel may get a bit hotter than your more traditional wax in order to form a pool. The National Center of Biochemistry Technology Information (a department of NIH) does share some information on burns caused by gel in candle making and measures of safety, as well as Lippincott Williams and Wilkins providing an article on the topic. It's a great place to start before buying or making gel candles.
• Never burn a glass container candle that has cracks or nicks, since that is an indication of a weakened jar that will be more prone to shattering or causing your wax to spill out and result in a fire.
• You may want to do your own due diligence and always make sure to check your candle jar very well. 

No More Clunk

On another note, glass jar candles allow you to create a pleasantly scented atmosphere in an inexpensive manner, while keeping your décor chic. No need to worry about the clunky appearance of partially melted pillars when you choose the jar styles. Odd shaped, partially melted pillar candles can leave you with a less than attractive display, but that is completely not the case with stylish jars. It doesn’t matter how much you burn a container candle, their stylish jars will always look great!

 Fragrance & Lasting

Choose fragrances that suit each space in your home. For example, buy spicy fragrances for bedrooms. Floral scents would be perfect for bathrooms, and citrus and bakery scents will suit the kitchen. Get a conception of what scents should be used in different rooms. Change fragrances when the season changes to keep things fresh and exciting. This way, you won’t get bored with one scent. Experiment and try new jar scents, and find scents that create fond memories, such as candies, birthday cakes, and Grandma’s kitchen. Try different fragrances like jasmine, lavender for driving away stress, anxiety or depression. Also try mixing scents or, if you want to try your hand at it, making your own scents (affiliate link) to create variety in your environment. I'm currently compiling a list of useful resources on this topic, and will keep you posted on that.

Jar candles can add a plus point to your home’s beauty and, at the same time, it can also give you a relaxed feeling at home after a busy day. They make the perfect showpiece, environment setter and also an occasional decorative tool. Use them to add glamour by using accessories like shades, sleeves, trays and holders to enhance their look. Have one when you are out for traveling and make your hotel feel like home away from home. These are just a few ideas. The fact is that candles are very versatile, and can be enjoyed for many reasons, during any season, and anywhere.