Thrift stores are positively littered with all sorts of candlesticks. Metal, glass, wood, brass…candelabras, wall sconces, pillar stands, you name it. And while using them to hold candles is fine and dandy, none of us burn tapers and pillars that often. Thankfully, though, there are some fun repurpose ideas for all those candle holders and candlesticks from thrift stores (or even your own cupboards).
Hat Stands
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Hat wearers know that storing hats, particularly fedoras and trilby hats, can be problematic. But hat stands can make a huge difference by helping the hats keep their shape. And with this tutorial, wooden candlesticks are repurposed to create some DIY hat stands– such a great way to reuse them.
Jewelry Tree
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A vintage silver plated candelabra might not be ideal for your home decor style these days, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy one at the thrift store. Look how fabulous they can be when upcycled into a multipurpose jewelry tree. Necklaces, bangles, and earrings are kept neat and tidy with this clever upcycle idea.
Ornament Display on Brass Candlesticks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The best part about collecting brass candlesticks is that they all coordinate perfectly together without needing a matching pair. And look how FABULOUS they are as a unique way to display your favorite vintage Christmas ornaments. Definitely an idea to store away until Christmas rolls around once again.
Love this look with vintage ornaments? Then you may love this post about Shiny Brite ornaments or this post about vintage Christmas decor ideas, too.
Twine Holder
Image credit: Organized Clutter.
Wooden candle sconces are something you’ll find at just about any thrift shop you visit. There are so many varieties of size and shape, but the common denominator is that very few of us decorate with them anymore. So, it’s a good thing that there are some great ways to upcycle them, such as a twine holder like this. Wouldn’t this be handy at a gift shop near the cash register or in the home of someone who owns an Etsy shop?
Coastal Candle Holders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
True, not every pair of candlesticks or candle holders needs to be completely repurposed into something else. Sometimes, they just need a fresh new look thanks to paint and embellishments, like these coastal candle holders. They were pretty unremarkable before, but look straight out of a beach cottage now.
Topiary Tree Stands
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Decorative topiaries are found in many homes, especially as Spring and Summer arrive. And if you make your own topiary trees with moss balls from craft stores, a pair of vintage glass candlesticks is ideal to use as bases for them. But the best part is that nothing is permanent- neither glue nor an adhesive is needed for this project. So you can still use them as candlesticks on your dining table at any point, too.
Candlesticks Make Them “Float”
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
While you may not be able to see the candlesticks in this project, trust me when I tell you they’re there. In fact, they’re the secret to this DIY “floating” ghost craft project for Halloween! Such a fun and festive way to repurpose candlesticks during spooky season- and they’re surprisingly easy to make, too.
Birdbath Base
Image credit: My Repurposed Life.
If you find a single large brass candlestick at the thrift store, then you’re in luck- because this DIY birdbath project is perfect for it. A single candlestick without its mate is ideal for a complete repurpose, and who doesn’t like creating quirky garden projects for their yard?
Spring Displays with Metal Candle Holders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If using metal candleholders like these to hold candles isn’t really your thing, what about using them to display something else instead? Those bases are the perfect size to display faux bird nests during Spring for seasonal decor that is positively darling.
Cake Stands from Candlesticks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Glass candlesticks are quite lovely and surprisingly easy to find (and cheap!) at thrift stores. And if you find a few lovely plates or small platters, then you can repurpose the glass candlesticks as bases for DIY cake stands like these. They really “elevate” your dessert display at parties, if you catch my drift…
Candlesticks as Ribbon Organizers
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A curious collection of wooden candlesticks- or perhaps a wooden candelabra- was the perfect thing to organize some pretty vintage ribbon scraps in my craft room. There’s a secret underneath the ribbon to help keep it in place, but otherwise, the candlesticks keep the ribbon neat and tidy.
Unexpected Towel Rack
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
When wooden candle sconces were at the height of popularity, they were (of course) hung vertically to properly hold the candles. But what about ditching the candles and turning them horizontally? Turns out, they can be refashioned into a most unexpected towel rack like this.
Fireplace Display
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This fireplace screen doubles as a candleholder for pillars, but I had something else in mind during the Fall months. The spikes on the candle holder platforms were perfect for holding these faux heirloom pumpkins in place for a fresh and modern way to decorate my fireplace (and mantel above) for autumn. The only question is now, what else can I display on it during other seasons and holidays?
Chambersticks and Tabletop Trees
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Those old-timey style candlesticks that are associated with the likes of Ebenezer Scrooge are called chambersticks. And if you find any at the thrift store, this upcycle idea couldn’t be cuter at Christmas time. A tabletop tree can be easily adapted so that the chamberstick is its base, which can also double as a candy dish.
Modern Makeover on Outdated Sconces
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
Sometimes, something outdated like those wood candle sconces just needs a modern makeover to breathe new life into it. And metallic copper paint is a great way to refresh the outdated look– with an added dose of freshness thanks to bud vases instead of candles.
Refreshing Ways to Repurpose Candlesticks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Think you’ll look at thrift store candlesticks a little differently now? There are some really fun and clever ways to use them in a non-candle-holding sort of way, and these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Either way, happy crafting to you- let’s put all those old candle holders to good reuse now!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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