Creating Elegant Concrete Candle Holders

Concrete candle holders blend industrial chic with Scandinavian minimalism, creating sophisticated home decor pieces that elevate any space. When accented with touches of gold leaf, they become truly elegant objects that catch and reflect candlelight beautifully.

In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of creating two styles of concrete candle holders: a cylindrical tealight holder and a taper candle holder. Both designs can be customized with gold leaf accents for a touch of luxury.

Materials You'll Need

For the Concrete Base:

• Quick-setting concrete mix (fine-grain recommended)
• Water
• Mixing container and mixing tool
• Mold release agent (cooking spray works well)
• Protective gloves and dust mask
• Sandpaper (multiple grits: 120, 220, and 400)
• Concrete sealer

For the Tealight Holder:

• Small plastic or silicone cylinder mold (approximately 7-8cm diameter)
• A smaller cylinder container for creating the tealight cavity (a standard tealight is about 4cm diameter)
• Weights to hold the inner container in place

For the Taper Candle Holder:

• Plastic or silicone cylinder mold (around 5-6cm diameter)
• Taper candle (to create the hole in the wet concrete)
• Alternative: metal candle holder insert (available at craft stores)

For Gold Leaf Accenting:

• Gold leaf sheets
• Gold leaf adhesive (size)
• Soft brush for applying gold leaf
• Clear sealer for protecting gold leaf
• Optional: gold gilding paint as an alternative to gold leaf

Creating the Tealight Holder

Step 1: Prepare Your Mold

1. Thoroughly clean and dry your outer cylinder mold.
2. Apply a generous coating of mold release agent to the inside of the outer mold and the outside of the smaller cylinder that will create the tealight cavity.
3. Place the outer mold on a flat, stable surface.

Step 2: Mix the Concrete

1. Wearing your protective gear, mix the concrete according to the package instructions.
2. Aim for a smooth, pourable consistency—similar to thick pancake batter.
3. Remove any lumps by pressing the mixture against the sides of your container while stirring.

Step 3: Pour and Form the Tealight Holder

1. Pour the concrete mixture into the outer mold, filling it about halfway.
2. Gently tap the sides of the mold to release air bubbles.
3. Center the smaller cylinder in the concrete, pressing down until it sits at your desired depth (leave at least 1cm of concrete at the bottom).
4. Add weight to the inner cylinder to prevent it from floating.
5. Pour more concrete around the inner cylinder until the mold is filled to your desired height.
6. Tap again to remove any remaining air bubbles.

Step 4: Let It Cure

1. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24-48 hours in a cool, dry place.
2. Cover with a damp cloth if the environment is very dry to prevent cracking.

Step 5: Demolding

1. Once fully cured, remove the weights and carefully extract the inner cylinder.
2. Gently flex the outer mold to loosen the concrete, then remove the candle holder.
3. If you encounter resistance, try lightly tapping the bottom of the mold or using compressed air to help release it.

Creating the Taper Candle Holder

Step 1: Prepare Your Mold

1. Prepare your cylinder mold with release agent as described above.

Step 2: Mix and Pour Concrete

1. Mix your concrete as described for the tealight holder.
2. Pour the concrete into the mold, filling it completely.
3. Tap to remove air bubbles.

Step 3: Create the Taper Candle Hole

You have two options:

Option A: Using a Candle as a Mold

1. Wait until the concrete begins to set but is still workable (about 1-2 hours).
2. Coat a taper candle with release agent.
3. Insert the tapered end of the candle into the center of the concrete to your desired depth.
4. Hold it perfectly straight until it can stand on its own, or support it with a structure.
5. Allow the concrete to cure fully before gently twisting and removing the candle.

Option B: Using a Metal Insert

1. Pour the concrete about 80% full.
2. Place a metal candle holder insert into the center of the wet concrete.
3. Fill around it with more concrete if needed.
4. The metal insert becomes a permanent part of your candle holder.

Step 4: Cure and Demold

1. Allow to cure and demold as with the tealight holder.

Finishing Both Styles of Candle Holders

Step 1: Sanding

1. Start with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any major imperfections.
2. Move to 220-grit for a smoother finish.
3. Finally, use 400-grit for a polished surface.
4. Wipe away dust between sandings with a slightly damp cloth.

Step 2: Adding Gold Leaf Accents

There are several ways to incorporate gold accents into your concrete candle holders:

Partial Dipping Effect

1. Apply gold leaf adhesive to the bottom third of your candle holder.
2. Let the adhesive become tacky (follow manufacturer's instructions, usually 15-30 minutes).
3. Carefully apply gold leaf sheets to the adhesive area, pressing gently with a soft brush.
4. Remove excess gold leaf by brushing gently.
5. Once dry, seal the gold leaf with a clear protective sealer.

Geometric Pattern

1. Use painter's tape to create a geometric pattern (diagonal line, triangles, etc.).
2. Apply gold leaf adhesive to the exposed areas.
3. Apply gold leaf as described above.
4. Carefully remove the tape before the adhesive fully dries.
5. Seal the gold leaf once completely dry.

Organic Gold Streaking

1. Apply adhesive in irregular streaks or drips down the sides of your candle holder.
2. Apply gold leaf to create an organic, flowing pattern.
3. Seal as usual once dry.

Step 3: Sealing

1. Once your gold leaf is protected, apply concrete sealer to the entire piece.
2. Apply 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick coat.
3. Allow each coat to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Variations to Try

Shape Variations

• Cube candle holders: Use square or rectangular molds for a more geometric look.
• Asymmetrical designs: Tilt the inner cylinder or candle hole for a modern, off-center effect.
• Multi-tiered holders: Create stackable pieces in different heights for a sculptural arrangement.

Color Variations

• Charcoal concrete: Add black pigment to your concrete for a darker, more dramatic base.
• Marbled concrete: Swirl multiple colors of tinted concrete for a marble-like effect.
• Colored accents: Try copper or silver leaf instead of gold for different metallic effects.

Texture Variations

• Rough-finished concrete: Skip the fine sanding for a more industrial, raw look.
• Embedded materials: Add small stones or glass pieces to the bottom of your mold before pouring concrete.
• Imprinted textures: Press fabric, leaves, or other textured items into the wet concrete surface.

Candle Safety Tips

Safety is paramount when creating and using candle holders:

• Ensure your tealight cavity or taper hole is the appropriate size for your candle type.
• Make the walls of your candle holder thick enough (at least 1.5cm) to withstand heat.
• Always place your concrete candle holder on a heat-resistant surface.
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Keep candle holders away from flammable materials.
• If making candle holders for gift-giving, include safety instructions.

Caring for Your Concrete Candle Holders

With proper care, your concrete candle holders will last for years:

• Clean with a damp cloth to remove dust or wax drips.
• Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals that might damage the sealer or gold leaf.
• If wax drips onto the concrete, allow it to harden completely, then gently scrape it off with a plastic tool (not metal, which could scratch).
• Reapply sealer annually if candle holders are used frequently.

Conclusion

Concrete candle holders with gold leaf accents are the perfect blend of raw industrial materials and refined luxury. They make excellent gifts and add a sophisticated Nordic touch to any home decor scheme.

The contrast between the cool, matte concrete and the warm glow of candlelight creates a cozy, hygge atmosphere—particularly important during those long Swedish winter evenings. The addition of metallic accents catches and reflects that warm light, enhancing the ambiance.

Once you've mastered these basic techniques, you can experiment with more complex forms, different metallic finishes, and creative concrete mixtures. Each candle holder you create will be a unique piece of functional art.

If you'd like to learn more advanced techniques for working with concrete and metallic accents, consider joining our candle holder workshop at Apposodier in Stockholm.

We'd love to see your concrete candle holder creations! Share photos of your projects with us on social media using #ApposodierCandles.