Light it up! The rise of the candle trend, according to interior experts

With spring in full swing, interior design fans are decorating their homes with their favourite spring accessories. One of the biggest trends to hit the shelves is shaped candles, which have been a huge hit on Instagram and across social media.

According to research by online furniture retailer, Furniture And Choice, searches for ‘shaped candles’1 have seen an average increase of a staggering 191% over the last 12 months. Brits are also becoming more keen to make candles themselves, with Google searches for ‘DIY candle ideas’1 rising by a third (33%) over the last year.

Some of the most popular shaped candles include the ‘bubble’ and the ‘femme’, taking the shape of the female form. Google searches for both terms have been massive, with a 905% rise for bubble candles2 and a 300% average rise for femme candles.

As well as increased interest on Google for shaped candles, they’ve also become increasingly popular amongst Instagram users, with many accounts now dedicated to small businesses making and selling homemade candles.

With a staggering 945,000 Instagram posts using the #candlesofinstagram hashtag and a huge 2.2 million posts using #soycandles, it’s clear to see the candle trend has really taken off this year.

Analysing Instagram hashtag data, Furniture And Choice has pulled a list of the top five most popular shaped candles.

1. Pillar – 47.6k posts

The traditional pillar candle is one of the most popular candle shapes to adorn people’s homes in 2021. With a modern update including textured and wavy shapes, and multiple colour combinations, the pillar candle is set to be a mainstay of home décor for some time.

2. Bubble – 45.6k posts

One of the newest shapes in recent months is the bubble candle. With nearly 47,000 images tagged on Instagram using the hashtag ‘bubblecandle’, the adorable, yet stylish shape is becoming a firm favourite in our homes.

3. Torso – 21.2k posts

The torso candle is fast becoming one of the most popular sculpture candles. Its playful shape makes for a standout décor piece so eye-catching that you will never want to light it.

4. Shell – 11.6k posts

With a nod to the sea and warmer climates, the shell candle is featured in more than 11,000 posts on Instagram. Often coming in spring pastel shades and nudes, it’s the perfect accessory to add to your living room or bathroom to introduce the nautical trend.

5. Female body candle – 3.6k posts

Fast emerging as a favourite design is the female body shape candle. With a variety of inclusive body shapes available, including a pregnant lady, the candle of the female form is perfect for showcasing women empowerment whilst also adding style to your home interior.

Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk), said: “Shaped and sculptured candles are quickly becoming a firm favourite in homes across the country.

“They’re the perfect home accessory that can be used as a décor piece around your home or as a functioning candle to add warmth and cosiness to your living space. Our personal favourites are the female body and the bubble candle, which both really transform any space with a touch of stylish minimalism!”

For more of the latest interior trends, visit: https://www.furniturechoice.co.uk/inspiration/from-gallery-walls-to-corduroy---8-interior-trends-youll-want-to-try-in-2021_a10000182

Published: 05 May 2021