14 Easy DIY Homemade Scented Candle Ideas

When I first decided to create my own homemade scented candle, I imagined a cozy vanilla aroma gently filling the room, especially during spring dinners, where I love using these candles as the centerpiece of my table. But my early attempts didn’t quite work out.

I used essential oils, guessed my measurements, and poured everything into cute little jars, only to end up with beautiful-looking candles that had no scent at all once lit. I didn’t realize how tricky it was to get the fragrance to actually stick to the wax or how many variables could affect the final result.

I began learning more by reading forums, joining Facebook groups for candlemaking, and watching YouTube videos from experts like Standley Handcrafted and Black Tie Barn. I became aware that I was doing it incorrectly. I discovered that everything needs to be weighed and that drops don’t count to get the best formula.

I swapped essential oils for high-quality fragrance oils, measured my wax and scent with a kitchen scale, and finally understood the importance of temperature when blending. Now I use soy wax, heat it to 185°F, stir in vanilla fragrance at 170°F, and pour at 140°F into pre-wicked heat-safe jars. I cure them for two weeks, and the scent payoff is exactly what I wanted: warm, creamy, and comforting.

If you’re new to this and feeling overwhelmed, start with a candle-making kit from trusted suppliers like CandleScience or The Flaming Candle. They take the guesswork out and give you all the right components for success. Trust me, once you get the basics down, making your own homemade scented candle becomes more than just a craft; it becomes your signature. And when spring rolls around, nothing feels better than lighting one of your own creations and seeing it glow softly at the center of your dinner table, scenting the air with vanilla and the pride of something made by hand.

You can make your own personalized candles that are just as good as those from the store with just a few supplies and tools. These 14 carefully chosen DIY scented candle ideas come with comprehensive instructions and practical advice to guarantee always lovely outcomes.

1. Lavender Vanilla Soy Candle

Materials:

• Soy wax flakes
• Dried lavender buds
• Lavender essential oil
• Vanilla fragrance oil
• Cotton wick
• Glass jar

Instructions:
Melt soy wax in a double boiler. Add 15–20 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of vanilla oil. Place the wick in the jar, pour wax, and sprinkle dried lavender on top.

Pro Tip: Stir the wax slowly to avoid air bubbles. Use a wick centering tool for precision.

2. Citrus Burst Candle in a Teacup

Materials:

• Beeswax
• Orange and lemon essential oils
• Vintage teacup
• Wooden wick

Instructions:
Melt beeswax and mix in equal parts citrus oils. Pour into a vintage teacup with a secured wooden wick.

Pro Tip: Warm the teacup in the oven before pouring to prevent wax cracking.

3. Coffee Bean Mason Jar Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Paraffin wax
• Coffee fragrance oil
• Whole coffee beans
• Mason jar
• Wick with metal tab

Instructions:
Melt wax, add coffee oil. Pour a layer of beans into the jar. Insert the wick and pour wax slowly to keep the beans in place.

Pro Tip: Add a touch of vanilla oil for a café-style aroma.

4. Eucalyptus and Mint Spa Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Soy wax
• Eucalyptus and peppermint oils
• Green-tinted glass container
• Cotton wick

Instructions:
Melt soy wax, blend in oils (10 drops eucalyptus, 10 drops peppermint). Pour into the glass container with wick.

Pro Tip: Chill the glass for 10 minutes beforehand to help with even cooling.

5. Rose Petal & Geranium Romantic Candle

Materials:

• Coconut wax
• Rose geranium essential oil
• Dried rose petals
• Frosted glass jar

Instructions:
Infuse melted coconut wax with 20 drops of oil. Place the wick in a jar, pour wax, and lightly scatter the petals.

Pro Tip: Avoid petals near the wick to prevent burning or smoke.

6. Cinnamon Stick Holiday Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Soy-paraffin wax blend
• Cinnamon fragrance oil
• Cinnamon sticks
• Clear tumbler glass
• Wood wick

Instructions:
Line tumbler with vertical cinnamon sticks. Pour melted wax with cinnamon oil and insert wick.

Pro Tip: Secure cinnamon sticks with a dab of wax before pouring to keep them in place.

7. Lemon Basil Kitchen Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Beeswax
• Lemon and basil oils
• Tin can
• Cotton wick

Instructions:
Combine melted beeswax with 15 drops of lemon and 10 drops of basil oil. Pour into can, center wick.

Pro Tip: This scent neutralizes odors—perfect for kitchens.

8. Apple Pie Dessert Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Soy wax
• Apple, cinnamon, and vanilla fragrance oils
• Amber jar
• Wick

Instructions:
Blend 10 drops of apple oil, 5 cinnamon, and 5 vanilla in melted wax. Pour into an amber jar for a warm, golden glow.

Pro Tip: Use red dye for a festive look.

9. Fresh Linen Bedroom Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Palm wax
• Linen fragrance oil
• Frosted ceramic jar
• Wick

Instructions:
Melt palm wax and add fragrance. Pour into a ceramic jar with the wick secured.

Pro Tip: Palm wax produces beautiful crystal patterns as it cools.

10. Pine Forest Homemade Scented Candle in a Tin

Materials:

• Soy wax
• Pine, cedarwood, and fir oils
• Metal tin
• Wood wick

Instructions:
Blend oils into wax: 10 drops pine, 5 cedarwood, 5 fir. Pour into a tin with wood wick for a crackling ambiance.

Pro Tip: Great for gifting during holidays.

11. Chamomile Honey Candle

Materials:

• Beeswax
• Chamomile essential oil
• Honey fragrance oil
• Glass jar
• Wick

Instructions:
Melt beeswax and mix in 10 drops chamomile, 5 drops honey. Pour into the jar with the wick secured.

Pro Tip: Infuse wax with dried chamomile flowers for added texture and fragrance depth.

12. Ocean Breeze Candle with Sea Salt Crystals

Materials:

• Gel wax
• Ocean breeze fragrance oil
• Sea salt crystals
• Clear cylindrical glass
• Wick

Instructions:
Layer sea salt at the bottom, then pour gel wax mixed with scent. Add wick.

Pro Tip: Use gel wax for a translucent, water-like finish.

13. Herbal Citrus Candle with Botanicals

Materials:

• Coconut soy wax blend
• Dried lemon slices, rosemary, and thyme
• Lemon and bergamot oils
• Wick
• Wide-mouth glass

Instructions:
Place dried botanicals along the inside of the jar. Pour wax blended with essential oils, insert wick.

Pro Tip: Press botanicals against glass for a decorative edge.

14. Vanilla Clove Rustic Homemade Scented Candle

Materials:

• Paraffin wax
• Vanilla and clove oils
• Burlap-wrapped jar
• Wick

Instructions:
Melt wax; stir in fragrance. Pour into a jar. Once cooled, wrap the outside with burlap and twine for a rustic touch.

Pro Tip: Let it cure for 48 hours before burning it to enhance scent throw.

Safety Tips for Homemade Scented Candle

• Never leave candles unattended when lit.
• Trim the wick to ¼” before each burn to avoid soot.
• Use containers rated for high heat.
• Avoid overloading the fragrance (max 10% of total wax weight).
• Allow candles to cure for at least 24–48 hours for best scent throw.

Conclusion

With these 14 homemade scented candle recipes and expert techniques, we craft high-quality candles that are as beautiful as they are fragrant.