Enhance Your Space with a Grounding Floating Candle Bowl Centerpiece
Here’s how to make a floating candle bowl centerpiece. Start with supplies you already have, then follow my instructions for DIY floating candles.
Are you looking to infuse your living space with a touch of enchantment and tranquility? Look no further than the captivating allure of a floating candle bowl centerpiece.
What is a floating candle? It’s a simple yet mesmerizing decor idea that can transform any space into a haven of serenity and elegance. With just a few materials you already have on hand and my easy method for making floating candles—you can effortlessly create a stunning focal point!
What are the benefits of floating candles? Picture this: a shimmering pool of soft candlelight dancing on the water’s surface, reflecting a warm, comforting glow across your space. It’s a visual spectacle that instantly adds a sense of calm and beauty to any occasion, be it a cozy dinner for two or a gathering with friends. The simplicity of this centerpiece idea is what makes it truly captivating. And you know, I am a fan of simple living!
So, let me guide you through the process of creating a floating candle bowl step by step. We’ll cover everything from preparing the bowl and arranging elements to crafting the floating candles themselves. Let’s get creative and elegantly heighten the ambiance in your space to bring joy to your everyday life.
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How do you get candles to float?
Not just any candle will float. Floating candles are crafted in a shape that allows them to displace more water by weight than their own weight. It’s an elementary buoyancy principle that enables the candle to float evenly when placed in water, creating a captivating display of flickering light.
Related To: 3 Common Candle Making Questions People Ask
What liquid do you use for floating candles?
When it comes to choosing the liquid for your floating candles, you have a few options. And each choice brings its own unique qualities to the display. Here’s a short list of what liquid you can use for floating candles.
Water:
This is the most common and easily accessible option. Water provides a clear and transparent base, allowing the candlelight to shine through beautifully. Some may say to use distilled water, but I’ve always used tap water without any cloudiness.
Colored Water:
Another floating candle idea is to add a touch of vibrancy to your centerpiece by using colored water. Any liquid food coloring you already have can do the job. You can experiment with different hues to create an eye-catching contrast to match your décor, holiday, or party theme.
Scented Water:
And you can enhance the sensory experience by adding drops of essential oils to the water. Lavender essential oil, for example, would help create a calming aroma, or a combination of orange and eucalyptus essential oils would be very refreshing. I find scented water complements the visual appeal of the floating candles.
It also can be a clever way to repel mosquitoes when creating outdoor floating candles, like I did to make this lemon rosemary floating candle centerpiece.
Ultimately, the choice of liquid depends on your desired ambiance and the overall theme you wish to create. Experiment with different options to find the perfect combination to elevate your floating candle bowl centerpiece.
Can I make my own floating candles?
I get asked a lot if you can make floating candles at home. And the good news is – yes, you can. I share a great tutorial for making homemade floating candles in my book Creative Candles Made Simple, but I’m happy to share one here.
To get started, you’ll need a wide bowl that suits your aesthetic preferences—a rustic earthenware bowl, a sleek glass vessel, or even a repurposed vintage find. Once you have your bowl, gather some natural river rocks to add an organic touch. These smooth stones will not only help anchor the candles in place but also create a serene and grounding atmosphere.
From there, all you need to create a floating candle bowl is – the candles themselves. Let me show you how to make floating candles.
Related To: Find Your Next DIY Candle Project
How do you make a floating candle bowl?
By following the simple steps outlined, you can infuse your living space with this floating candle bowl for a grounding, tranquil experience of natural river rocks, glistening water, and glowing candlelight.
You’ll find floating candles are pretty straightforward to make, but if this is your first time making a candle, see our beginner candle making guide for a handful of invaluable tips!
Candles Supplies You’ll Need:
6 3.5-inch cotton wicks (pre-tabbed)
6 glue dots
How to Make Floating Candles:
Before you begin, you may want to line your work area with parchment paper to catch any drips or overpours of wax.
1. To prepare the tart tins for candles, press the metal tab of a candle wick into a glue dot while still on the roll. Carefully pull the wick and glue dot from the roll and place it into the center base of one tart tin. Repeat until you have prepped all six tins.
(Because we want to remove the candle from the tins after curing, I don’t recommend using a glue gun or wick sticker tab to hold the wicks in place.)
2. Now that you’ve prepped the tins, use a digital kitchen scale to measure .70 pounds of soy wax flakes. Pour the wax into a candle-melting pitcher and place it inside a saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water. Use the double boiler method to heat on low heat with a gentle simmer.
3. Stir slowly, yet often, and remove the pitcher from the heat immediately after melting. Then pour the wax into each tart tin. Allow the wax to cool and harden for several hours before popping the floating candles out. Trim their wicks to ¼ inch with a wick trimmer, and then they are ready to use!
PRINT THE TUTORIAL
Floating Candle Bowl Centerpiece
Here’s how to make this floating candle bowl centerpiece idea, step by step. Start with supplies you already have on hand, then follow my instructions for DIY floating candles.
Materials
- 6 tart tins
- 0.60 pounds soy wax flakes
- 6 3.5 inch cotton wicks (pre-tabbed)
- 6 glue dots
Instructions
- To prepare the tart tins for candles, press the metal tab of a candle wick into a glue dot while still on the roll. Carefully pull the wick and glue dot from the roll and place it into the center base of one tart tin. Repeat until you have prepped all six tins.
- Now that you’ve prepped the tins, use a digital kitchen scale to measure .70 pounds of soy wax flakes. Pour the wax into a candle-melting pitcher and place it inside a saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water. Use the double boiler method to heat on low heat with a gentle simmer.
- Stir slowly, yet often, and remove the pitcher from the heat immediately after melting. Then pour the wax into each tart tin. Allow the wax to cool and harden for several hours before popping the floating candles out. Trim their wicks to ¼ inch with a wick trimmer, and then they are ready to use!
Notes
Before you begin, you may want to line your work area with parchment paper to catch any drips or overpours of wax.
Now’s the time to print the instructions I’ve shared and start gathering your materials, to bring this floating candle bowl centerpiece to life. I know your space will be transformed into a haven of calm and serenity —a reflection of the simple, sustainable, and well-loved lifestyle you deserve.
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Save this tutorial for making a floating candle bowl centerpiece to your Floating Candle Ideas Pinterest board, and while you’re there, be sure to follow Life-n-Reflection for more inspiring ideas.
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