Fireplace Candelabra: Repurpose Them for Outdoor Lighting

Repurpose Your Fireplace Candelabra
for Outdoor Summer Lighting
© PennVentures LLC

Decorators have repurposed fireplace candelabra, intended for fireplaces, and made them into outdoor lighting for the summer. Look on picnic tables, decks, porches and sidewalks for these unexpected candle holders for summer’s candles.

Fireplace candelabra were originally designed to hold candles in your fireplace when you want the glow of flickering flames but not the heat or hassle of wood or gas fires. But fireplace candelabra, more sturdily constructed than most candelabra, can be right at home in an outdoor setting, too.

The sturdy construction of fireplace candelabra makes them less delicate than traditional candelabra. Their solidness is just what is needed to look appropriate and function well in the less formal entertainment settings of outdoors.

Another appeal of fireplace candelabra for outdoor use is that they come in a variety of metals. Most are a traditional black iron, and those have the advantage of "disappearing" in the dusk of evening so their candles seem to float in the darkness.

Some have a finish inspired by nature in bronze and brown tones.
Some fireplace candelabra have a silvery birch finish.

Narrow fireplace candelabra, designed for small or zero clearance fireplaces, are ideal on deck railings, down the middle of picnic tables, or along the edges of sidewalks. Deeper fireplace candelabra work well in the middle a round table, at the back of an outdoor serving table, or in any open air setting where you want the glow of multiple candles.

Worried about the wind blowing out your candles? Some fireplace candelabra are designed without candle pins in the candle cups. These will accommodate wind-protected container candles such as votive candles in glass cups.

Some try adding Citronella candles to fireplace candelabra you've taken outdoors to chase away pesky mosquitoes while giving your al fresco entertaining the special glow that only candlelight can offer. But Citronella candles, we regret to say, are not as good at insect control as mosquito traps or mosquito vacs.

So be creative with fireplace candelabra; let them meet your needs for outdoor candlelight this summer, too.