Meet these new LED candles – fuelled by creativity instead of fire
29.11.2022
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Pia Seidel
LED candle designs that are full of atmosphere pose serious competition to the real deal. Even more so given they’re increasingly made of real wax.
Real candles are great, there’s no question. They smell, flicker and burn organically. You can’t replace that.
But there is one annoying aspect to them. Namely, you can’t leave them out unattended. With that, they’re out of the question in many public places such as hospitals or nursing homes – even around Christmas time. Of course, they also pose a fire hazard in your home. That’s why LED candles are a great addition to rooms like the bathroom, where you don’t spend all your time but still want that candlelight atmosphere. Here are nine of my fire-free faves that I think do a particularly good job, especially if you know how to stage them.
1. With magnets
Some LED lights have an advantage over real wax candles: they’re equipped with a magnet, allowing you to hang them up on vases or your fridge. The imagination knows no bounds!
Source: Pia Seidel
The «Amalia» tea light produces a very attractive light and comes in grey and silver.
2. Behind glass
As LED candles don’t have a real flame, you can go ahead and jumble them up. You can throw them in a vase along with whatever knickknacks you have.
Source: Pia Seidel
Star Trading’s «T-Light» is perfect for trying something new instead of just placing it in a little lantern. The timer function ensures that you don’t have to worry about turning it on and off.
3. With a matching lantern
Particularly successful fake candles are those that come in a suitable vessel, distracting from the fact that they’re not made of wax. In fact, from a distance, you can hardly tell the difference. A good example of this is the «Pillar Flame Marble» LED. It cleverly disguises its inability to burn down, all while looking very decorative thanks to its marble pattern.
4. Impressively imperfect
Real wax candles with flickering LEDs are bound to win over anyone who’s not enthusiastic about the burnt-down appearance of the real deal. They have the typical wax smell and keep their shape.
Source: Pia Seidel
Balthasar’s «Rustico» LED candle is one of those that keeps its intact appearance, despite being made of real wax.
5. Dunked in colour
LED candles also come in many colours. The bit of colour is enough to make them look more authentic. Add a black wick, and it makes all the difference.
Source: Pia Seidel
This pink model by Pauleen called «Cosy» is mostly made of real wax and is shaped in a way that gives off the impression it’s been lit before.
6. With indestructible bubbles
Even unusual shapes have since become available as LEDs. They imitate the glow around the wick and are often also made of wax.
For example, there’s a bubble candle that’s currently quite popular – of which the brand Star Trading has now made an LED version called «Dot». Although its base is made of wax and it looks suspiciously similar to the original, it has a timer function instead of a flame.
7. Grouped up
Being huddled up in a group will make any candle alternative look better than on its own. Especially with their flames all flickering together.
Source: Pia Seidel
The «Smilla» candles by Sirius are made from real wax. Their decorative grooves distract from their fake flames – as does the fact that they come grouped, which makes their fire look dynamic.
8. Decorated with flowers
Flowers make LED candles look less artificial, be it as an arrangement, Advent wreath or as a decorative element as part of the candle itself.
Source: Pia Seidel
For example, the LED candle by Pauleen called «Shiny Blossom» is adorned by several flower stems that form one with the real wax.
9. Up in the air
The higher and farther away the candle hangs, the more difficult it is to tell a real one from a fake. That’s what makes design pieces such as the «Flamme Ring» by Star Trading so great. They’re equipped with a decorative ring for hanging and with a timer function, allowing them to become the eye-catcher in the room with just one click.
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
