Few home accents add ambiance to a room as instantly as candles. A single taper at dinner can make even Thai takeout feel romantic. One lit in the loo can turn your run-of-the-mill bath into a spa retreat. And no holiday setup is complete without a candle shaped like Frosty the Snowman.
America’s adoration of these tiny flickering flames is so strong, in fact, that the candle industry was recently valued at $3.54 billion—projected to grow to $6.64 billion by 2027.
However, one has to ask: Have we gone too far?
Much like there are crazy plant people and people who have way too many specialized kitchen gadgets, certain people may have too much wax for their own good.
Not sure whether your home decor is heading toward crazy candle territory? Here are six signs you could very well be on your way or are there already. If you recognize yourself in these scenes below, it’s high time to scale back and snuff a few out.
1. You’ve lit so many candles, it looks like a shrine
Can you feel the heat from your candle display, even from across the room?
Truth: You’re not supposed to replace your radiators with tapers this winter. Too many is a danger, of course, as they could ignite nearby drapes or a tablecloth. And an overabundance can end up ruining the vibe you’re after, whether romantic or elegant.
“I’ve seen beautiful tables, hallways, and even front porches with candelabras and have wondered what the heck is going on—because so many is really not practical in most settings,” notes Lindsay Roselle, a podcaster and design coach who warns to not forget the dicey combo of kids, pets, and candles.
“There’s no way a ton of votives would survive in my house,” she adds. “I used to buy a lot more of them when I was single and lived alone.”
2. You’ve got candles so cute, you never light them
Your dog’s face shouldn’t be re-created from wax. And don’t get us started on big ol’ booty candles and those shaped like every fruit in the bowl. We get it—there’s the cute factor that’s playing with your feelings; but try to resist.
“The candle obsession is mainly due to the fact that there’s always one more that’s irresistible, and gift stores are full of them,” says Pamela O’Brien, interior decorator at Pamela Hope Designs.
3. Your candles look more like a dripping mess
Are you constantly Googling how to remove candle wax from holders, wood floors, and table linens? Burning 47 different flames at the same time can create a molten, messy river on furniture and counters. Do yourself a favor, and reduce the look by 90%.
4. You make your own candles—and can’t stop
When your love of candles has turned you into a person who makes them at home all day and night, you might want to rethink your hobbies.
Sure, it can be a sweet project and you can certainly give them as presents during the year. Still, know that this process takes time to master (centering the wick, adding the right amount of fragrance, and avoiding skin burns as you pour the wax).
The safer way might be to take a class run by an experienced candle maker.
5. The scent of candles has overwhelmed your home
If guests wrinkle their noses in your living room, the overwhelming scent of candles is possibly the culprit. Ones to watch out for: pumpkin spice, white zinfandel, anything related to “home cooking” (nope, you can’t get chicken noodle soup in candle form), bacon, and beer.
We can get behind a pine fragrance during the holidays, or even vanilla and lavender when you’re soaking in the bathtub. Beyond that, Roselle says, “there are very few scented candles on the market that aren’t totally overpowering.”
But even the pros can get sucked into an alluring fragrance.
“I’ve become obsessed with a scent that I experienced at a hotel and bought four of the candles—and then hunted down the manufacturer for more,” O’Brien admits.
6. You have so many candles, you’ve run out of places to store them
You know you have too many candles when you realize you can’t find places to store them. Too much of anything quickly becomes clutter, and more scented candles will likely appear under the tree or as hostess gifts from guests this holiday season.
Your best bet? Do a fast survey now—before more candles enter your home. Toss any that are mostly burned down, recycle glass containers, and repurpose the better-looking ones with new wax, flowers, or other decorative flourishes.
O’Brien knows first-hand how candle stashes can explode, having found bunches stowed away in cabinets and drawers where she’s worked. As for her own recent purchases?
“We’re using the ones I just ordered from the maker as holiday gifts this year,” she says.
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