Did you know that birch trees are often associated with renewal and rebirth? In many cultures, birch trees symbolize new beginnings and hope. Let’s harness that energy to create beautiful and rustic DIY candle holders for our homes.

A collection of tall, slender candles with warm flames arranged on a wooden outdoor table. They are surrounded by birch logs and greenery, creating a cozy and rustic ambiance in a garden setting.

On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Read my full disclosure policy here.

DIY Budget Friendly Candle Holders

I love the natural beauty of birch logs and wanted to create wooden candle holders for my dining room table. You can add accents like copper or glitter for a more elegant touch. This unique candle holder makes a perfect holiday centerpiece and works beautifully on your dining table or your coffee table.

Now, let’s dive into these DIY candle holder ideas! With the right tools, you’ll find this project is simple and suitable for various skill levels.

Pinterest Challenge

Today is the Pinterest Challenge dedicated to birchwood candle holders. If you are not familiar with this challenge. Several of us bloggers get together and are given an image from our friend Cindy @countyroad407 to inspire us, and we are to recreate our version to share with you all.

If you have come over from @thistlekeylane, welcome. I loved Michelle’s faux birch candle arrangement in a terra cotta pot, and I am sure you did as well.

A decorative wreath border surrounds the text: "PC Pinterest Challenge. One Inspiration Photo, Several Different Styles." Below are illustrated candles and "Hosted by countyroad407.com.

This month, our image comes from Jeanne at Cozy, Stylish & Chic. She has created a simple and beautiful arrangement of birch wood candle holders.

A decorative arrangement of lit tea candles set atop hollowed-out birch logs of varying heights, surrounded by greenery. The logs have a rustic texture, creating a cozy and elegant atmosphere in the room.

Materials You’ll Need to Make DIY Candle Holders

Copper spray paint
Sawdust

Additional Tools You’ll Need

Drill bits
Extension cord
Table saw
Small level

You can pick up most of these supplies at your local hardware stores, or use my links to purchase the supplies needed,

A grove of slender birch trees with white bark is illuminated by sunlight. The trees stand on a mulched area, surrounded by a low hedge at the back and lush green ground cover in the foreground. A brick building wall is partially visible.

Three long birch logs with light bark rest on a wooden surface, their texture adding a rustic and natural look to the composition. Perfect for crafting DIY candle holders that bring warmth and charm to any space.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Birch Log DIY Candle Holders

Step 1: Preparing the logs:

You will use a table saw and cut off the bottom edge of a log approximately 12-15″ long so that the log will lay flat on the table.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Ensure Proper Blade Height: Set the blade height so it’s no more than 1/4 inch above the material you’re cutting. This minimizes exposure to the blade and reduces the risk of kickback while allowing for a clean cut.

A hand pushes a tree branch with a forked section through a table saw, with the saw's yellow safety guard visible. Wood shavings are scattered across the saw's surface.

Three birch logs stacked on a wooden surface against a rustic background.

Step 2: Drilling the holes:

Use a wood spade drill bit (the best tool that matches the diameter of your copper pipe), and drill a hole about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.

Make sure to keep the drill as level as possible for accuracy.

Close-up of a tree trunk showing a circular hole surrounded by rough, peeling bark. The wood surface has various shades of brown, with some areas appearing smoother than others.

A wooden log with several evenly spaced holes drilled into its surface lies on a sawdust-covered floor. The texture of the wood and shavings indicates recent drilling work.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Before working on the final piece, I practiced on a scrap log to ensure I had the correct drill bit size and technique. This helped me feel more confident when drilling into my final log.

Step 3: Attach the Copper pipe pieces:

A wooden log with three branches lies on a surface, each branch has a cylindrical section hollowed out and filled with a copper insert. Wood shavings are scattered around, and a tool is partially visible on the right.

A close-up of a bubble level resting on a copper pipe, which is inserted into a branch. The bubble is centered, indicating a level position. In the background, there is a woven basket and part of a book visible.

A thick piece of birch wood lies on a table, embedded with variously sized copper pipes standing upright, creating a unique arrangement. The surface is surrounded by wood shavings, suggesting a recent woodworking project.

Two copper pipes are embedded vertically into a piece of birch wood. A wicker basket and stacks of books are blurred in the background, adding depth to the rustic setting.

I added a small 2.5″ piece of copper pipe for the long taper candles.

Place a small amount of hot glue into the hole you drilled, add a small amount of sawdust, and then add a little bit more hot glue.

Next, place one end of the pipe into the hole. Place the level on top, adjust the pipe until it is level, and hold it until the glue dries.

Step 4: Add glue and sawdust on the outside edge:

Next step, add a small line of glue around the outside edge of the copper pipe where it meets the wood log and sprinkle it with sawdust.

This will help secure the pipe in place on your log.

A tall white candle and several small tea lights are placed on rustic birch logs, doubling as charming DIY candle holders, surrounded by greenery. The scene is warmly lit, giving a cozy and festive atmosphere.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Always prioritize safety when working with candles—Be especially careful when lighting the candles, as the birchbark can catch fire easily. Lastly, never leave candles unattended. Safety should always come first.

Step 5: Adding the candles:

Wrap a small piece of plastic wrap around the base of the candle. Then, add a few squirts of low-temperature hot glue into the copper pipe. Insert the candle into the pipe, holding it until the glue dries.

Make sure the candle stays straight while the glue sets.

A cozy interior scene featuring two tall white candles in a rustic wooden holder on a table. A decorative lamp with a patterned shade sits beside a stack of books, with a wicker basket and dried foliage in the background.

A decorative centerpiece featuring tall, thin white candles on birch holders surrounded by evergreen branches with small pine cones. It is set on a wooden table with a porch and railing in the background.

A rustic candle arrangement with tall white candles and small tea lights on birch log bases, surrounded by greenery, under hanging plants. The setting conveys a cozy and natural ambiance.

Candles embedded in rustic birch logs are lit on a table, surrounded by greenery and pine cones. The background shows a porch with white railings, creating a cozy outdoor setting.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Birch Log Tea Light DIY Candle Holders

I love this easy DIY project that adds a beautiful, natural look to your table setting. Create a few of these to complement your log candle holders perfectly!

Step 1: Preparing the logs:

Use a table saw to cut small pieces of logs into various heights to create these candle holders. I cut mine to 2″, 3″, 4″, and 7″ tall.

Ensure each piece is cut at different heights and that both ends are flat so the holders sit level on the table.

A piece of birch wood is positioned against the blade of a table saw, ready for cutting. The saw's red circular blade is partially visible. Sawdust and wood shavings are scattered around the area.

Five cut birch logs of varying heights are stacked on a concrete surface. A wood splitter can be seen in the background.

Step 2: Drilling the holes:

Use a wood spade drill bit (the best tool that matches the diameter of your tealight) and drill a hole about 1/2 inch deep.

Make sure to keep the drill as level as possible for accuracy.

Step 3: Add a coat of spray paint:

Four used tealight candles on a wooden surface. Three have no wax left, revealing the metal containers, and the fourth still has some wax remaining.

Several small batteries are arranged on a piece of cardboard, resembling the layout of DIY candle holders. The background is composed of gravel.

Step 4: Adding the candles:

Replace the wax back into the cups and place them inside of the holes you drilled in the logs.

Birch log candle holders with lit candles are arranged on a wooden surface. Evergreen branches and small pinecones add a rustic, natural touch to the scene, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Yield: 5-6 Candle Holders

How to Make DIY Candle Holders out of Birch Logs

Learn how to create beautiful DIY candlestick holders using birchwood logs. This easy step-by-step tutorial will guide you through each step.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Medium

Estimated Cost $10-$20

Materials

Birch logs
Small pieces of copper pipe to fit your candles
Assortment of taper candles
Tea light candles
Copper spray paint
Sawdust

Tools

Best Tools:
Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Drill
Drill bits
Extension cord
Table saw
Small level

Instructions

Preparing the logs: Use a table saw to cut small pieces of logs into various heights to create these candle holders. I cut mine to 2", 3", 5", and 6" tall. Make sure each piece is cut at different heights, and ensure both ends are flat so the holders sit securely on the table.
Drilling the holes: Use a wood spade drill bit (the best tool that matches the diameter of your tealight)and drill a hole about 1/2 inch deep. Make sure to keep the drill as level as possible for accuracy.
Add a coat of spray paint: Tea lights usually come in silver, but I wanted a copper look. A quick coat of spray paint can quickly fix that! Remove the wax from the tea lights and spray paint the silver cups.
Adding the candles: Replace the wax back into the cups and place them inside of the holes you drilled in the logs.

Optional Christmas DIY Ideas

Painting or staining: You could apply a light brown stain to the wood for a warm, natural finish and then enhance it with berries and greenery for a charming touch.

Five lit candles are nestled inside rustic birch log holders, surrounded by evergreen branches and red berries, set against a wooden background, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

Design a beautiful vignette: Create a display on a wood slice by incorporating a few candles, some moss, pinecones, and other natural elements for a cozy, rustic display.

Create a rustic holiday centerpiece with DIY candle holders crafted from birchwood featuring two lit candles. This charming display includes a small snow globe, pine cones, and moss on a wooden base, adorned with a miniature tree and surrounded by festive greenery and gingerbread cookies.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

You can use these DIY candle holders in many different ways, so think outside the box. Here are a few suggestions:

Mantle Display: Stack a few birch candle holders on your living room mantle, pairing them with fresh greenery or garlands for a natural, cozy touch. The combination of the birch and greenery creates a warm, rustic vibe, perfect for any season.
Table Centerpiece: Arrange several birch tea light holders along the center of your dining table. Add pinecones, moss, or seasonal accents like small pumpkins for fall or ornaments and faux snow for winter to create a stunning and simple centerpiece.
Bathroom Decor: Add a few birch candle holders to a tray in your bathroom for a spa-like atmosphere. Surround them with small pebbles, eucalyptus branches, or a dish of bath salts to complete the look.

That’s all from me for now, but there’s plenty more inspiration to explore! Be sure to visit my friend Lora at @lorabloomquist to see how she crafted a beautiful fall arrangement using her birch candle holders.

Lastly you can click on the links below to see all of the other fabulous bloggers birch log candle projects.

I hope you enjoyed this fun project and I have inspired you to get crafty.

Did you make this craft?

We would love to see what you have created, so mention us @wmdesignhouse or tag us using #wmdesignhouse so we can see your creations!

More about me!

Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

Connect with Wendy

14 Comments

Tammy says:

at

Perfect for the holidays!

Jackie says:

at

These are beautiful! Would be such a good centerpiece for a winter wedding. Thanks for sharing!!!

1. Wendy says:
  
  at
  
  Thank you so much. Yes, the would be stunning for a Christmas wedding!
  
Kim Waldorf says:

at

These turned out beautifully! So perfect for the holidays.

Cindy says:

at

It’s simply stunning Wendy, the copper adds such an elegant touch to the rustic branches! Love it! Pinned xx

1. Wendy says:
  
  at
  
  Thank you, Cindy!
  
Cindy@CountyRoad407 says:

at

I would love to make one of these too! I love the addition of the copper tubes. And I think it looks stunning in so many places! Glad you could join us. pinned

Lora Bloomquist says:

at

Great idea to use sections of copper pipe to hold the taper candles, Wendy. And I love how you paired the horizontal and vertical birch branch candles together. So pretty!

Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says:

at

Excellent tutorial Wendy! Using the copper pipe for the candle holders is a brilliant idea! I may try this with an oak log. Thanks so much for the inspiration! Pinning!

1. Kathy says:
  
  at
  
  Looks great, Wendy. Love the natural vibe! 🍁
  
  1. Wendy says:
    
    at
    
    Thanks so much, Kathy!
    
Laura Ingalls Gunn says:

at

Wendy, my son was looking for a similar arrangement for his rehearsal dinner centerpiece. I LOVE the idea of using copper tubing to hold the candles in place. Truly brilliant~ pinning and highlighting in my IG stories.

Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey says:

at

This is a stunning project, Wendy! LOVE the copper tubes you used to hold the tapers…such a pretty touch!

Susan says:

at

These are beautiful Wendy! I love your creativity!

Easy DIY Candle Holders Using Birch Tree Branches

DIY Budget Friendly Candle Holders

Pinterest Challenge