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Create ambience and banish mosquitoes at the same time. Church Candle
Sitting outside on a summer's evening is one of life's little pleasures, so you'll need to have your garden's lighting sorted (along with a fire pit and a heater to keep you cosy) to enjoy lounging late into the night. We expect you'll already have invested in some twinkly fairy lights, a solar lantern or two and some stronger outdoor illumination for your seating area, but you might also want to pick up an outdoor candle to finish off your dreamy alfresco scheme.
Taylor Perlis, fragrance evaluator for Yankee Candle, is a firm believer in using softly flickering candles to create a romantic atmosphere. 'They’re perfect to use as a table centrepiece alongside fresh or dried flowers,' she says. 'Or simply place some on a side table to add an extra element of cosiness when the evening gets cooler and the blankets come out.'
Though similar, there are a couple of differences. Many outdoor candles have thicker wicks to prevent rogue gusts of wind from extinguishing the flame. They're often infused with insect-repellent citronella oil to repel mosquitoes, too.
As with all candles, be sure to light yours for at least four hours the first time you use it, or until it melts from edge to edge. This allows for a clean and even burn, with no wasteful, unappealing tunnelling.
To prevent smoking, trim the wick by 3 to 6mm between uses, and always keep candles on a heat-resistant surface so as not to pose a fire risk or damage your garden furniture.
If your candle comes with a lid, replace it after use to protect the surface from dust and preserve its fragrance.
From light floral scents to revitalising fruity fragrances, here's our pick of the best outdoor candles to burn this summer.
With its arty Van Gogh-inspired design, this outdoor candle is ideal if you want to brighten your outdoor dining setup. With approximately 70 hours of burn time, it means you can enjoy it throughout the summer and beyond.
This modern candle's three wicks crackle as they burn to create a fireside atmosphere. Handmade from vegan-friendly soy wax and housed in a sturdy concrete pot, you can be sure that it won’t tumble over in a strong wind. There are three fragrances (plus an unscented option) and three colours to choose from.
Once it's burnt down, we're planning to reuse the stylish terracotta pot as a small herb planter for our balcony. It can be used indoors too.
You may know Free People as a destination for boho-inspired clothes, but the fashion retailer also offers a lovely range of candles. These striking beauties are housed in minimalist ceramic votives in a choice of four muted colours. Each has a different delicious fragrance, but they’re all infused with insect-repellent citronella.
We’ve had Habitat’s oversized candle for over a year now and it’s still going strong, with plenty of burn left to see us through summer. Lit or not, it looks pretty on our garden table with its ocean-like glaze, and the refreshing lemongrass scent transports us to balmy Mediterranean nights. We do find it easily blows out when there's a breeze outside though, so keep it for calmer days.
At just under £12, this set of four candles is a bargain. They should comfortably last the rest of the summer, with a relatively long burn time of 10 hours a piece. Cleverly, the wax is situated deep within the glass votive, to better protect the flame in blustery weather.
Pop these tealights into your garden lanterns to help bathe your outside area in a soft warming glow. Soy wax is generally better for the environment than man made paraffin options and tends to burn longer, making this a win-win purchase. They’re also available as candles.
We're big fans of Diptyque burns, so imagine how pleased we were to spot the luxury brand's outdoor candle range. The scents mirror their indoor candle counterparts, so you can enjoy the iconic Baies scent while you're dining alfresco. It's expensive, but this five-wick candle is huge and should see you through the summer and beyond. The black pot looks super sophisticated, too.
This outdoor candle has great eco-credentials. The beeswax melt and cotton wicks are sustainably sourced, while the pot is crafted from recycled materials. These cute little pots are available in three sizes: small, medium and large.
How pretty are these candles? They come in a beautiful white and blue patterned tin (with a lid), giving us major Mediterranean vibes. Style with terracotta pots, a fancy mosaic bistro set, and overhead garden lanterns for a proper holiday feel.
Good old Yankee Candle is always a reliable source for burns, so we were excited to see the return of the brand's outdoor candles. Layered with crisp floral notes and a minty undertone of rosemary, this candle evokes that comforting smell on the ground after a rain shower.
Here's another one of our favourite Yankee options. Packed with light floral notes over a lingering musky base, it's powerful yet fresh and we love it. It's definitely one to light to complement a romantic evening under the stars.
Lauren is our Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest homeware trends, sales and launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Red and Harper’s Bazaar.
On a daily basis, Lauren navigates the ins and outs of interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a garden bar or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the most reliable products and best-value deals, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.
Lauren has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and has worked in various editorial roles across Southeast Asia and North America. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness.
When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital.
Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah
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