Skip to Content

Paper Spring Decor: Faux Wood Candlesticks

Share the fun!

Decorate your home on a budget with these chunky DIY candlesticks made out of paper!

I love refreshing my decor every season. So with the start of spring comes new decor ideas. And what better way to add new decor than with inexpensive decor made from paper!

Chunky wood candlesticks are a wonderful way to add texture and warmth to any space. So why not make some? Unfortunately they require some specialized tools (like a lathe).

So I decided to try to make the out of my other favorite medium: Paper! They look like chunky wood candlesticks and add lots of style to any space.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Two fab wood candlesticks with white candles on them.

Easy Paper Decorations

Paper decorations are a great way to add a little extra to your space without adding to your budget. I love mixing them with my current decor to add more style where needed.

These DIY candlesticks are great to add warmth to lots of spaces! I put them in my dining room hutch, but they would also be great for styling bookcases, adding to a mantel, as part of a centerpiece, or on a console table.

Two white chippy paint candlesticks in a hutch next to plants.

But the best part of making paper decor is that it is very inexpensive!

Each chunky faux wood candlestick only uses 3 pieces of cardstock. You do need a printer to print the chippy white paint texture on them. Or you can send them to a printer to have printed.

Close up of the faux wood farmhouse candlesticks made from paper.

But if you do not have access to a printer, don’t fret! You can still make some candlesticks.

You can use your electronic cutting machine to cut out textured cardstock. Or cut out solid cardstock and give your new candlesticks some texture with paint like I did on this hexagon paper mirror.

Two chunky candlesticks with chippy white paint texture in a bookcase.

And to glue the 3D paper candlesticks together, you don’t need anything fancy. I love using my hot glue gun. The glue dries quickly and holds permanently. You just have to be quick or the glue dries too fast.

You can also use a glue stick, but it will not dry as quickly so you will need to spend some time holding each joint together while it dries. If you move on too quickly, the joints will come apart.

How to Make Paper Candlesticks that Look Like Wood

Supplies:

  • Candlestick template
    • I am sharing the cut files & PDF for these paper candlesticks in my subscriber library until 4/6/2020, then they will move to the shop. Click here to subscribe to my newsletter and gain access to all the freebies. If you already have your password, click here to download them.
  • Cardstock
  • Glue
    • I love using hot glue for my paper crafts since it dries fast and holds paper securely.
  • Dried beans, rice or small pebbles
  • Flameless candles
  • Optional: Electronic cutting machine
    • I love using my Silhouette Cameo to quickly cut out paper decor projects, but you can also use scissors and an x-acto knife.

Print and cut out the templates. You need 2 side pieces and 1 top/support piece. Cut out along the solid lines and crease along the dotted lines.

If using an electronic cutter, use the Print & Cut feature. The texture on the candlesticks is extended beyond the cut line so if the registration doesn’t line up perfectly you will not have any white areas.

You can make different sized candlesticks by scaling all the pieces together larger or smaller. Just make sure the “Lock Aspect Ratio” option is selected.

All the pieces for the paper candlesticks project printed and cut out.

Flip the side pieces over and crease to create the shape of the candlesticks. Fold the tabs toward the inside.

One side template piece cut out and folded along the dotted lines.

Glue each of the side pieces together along their tabs to close up the openings.

Then glue the two side pieces together. Start at the top and finish at the bottom where you have more room to glue the tabs together.

You will have to put your hand inside the candlestick to close up the tabs. You can also use a pencil or popsicle stick to help you press them inside the candlestick.

Glueing the two side pieces together to make the paper candlesticks.

To close up the bottom of the paper candlestick, fold the tabs together at the bottom. Use glue to secure them.

Closing up the bottom of the DIY candlestick by glueing the flaps together.

Fold together the support piece to make a triangle shape.

Folding together the inside support for the paper candlesticks.

Insert it into the candlestick. Then fill the base of the candlestick with dried beans, rice or small pebbles. This will give the candlesticks weight so they do not tip over.

Almost finished faux wood candlestick with center support and beans around it.

Glue the top piece to close up the candlestick. Make sure to add glue and secure each flap one at a time to help you secure it properly without the hot glue drying too fast.

Finishing off the candlestick by securing the top piece with glue.

And now you can display your new DIY candlesticks. Make sure to only use flameless candles. Remember, even though they look like wood, they are still made from paper!

Dining room hutch with faux wood candlesticks with flameless candles on top displayed inside it.
Two fab wood candlesticks with white candles on them.

Paper Spring Decor: Faux Wood Candlesticks

Yield: 2 Candle Sticks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $1-$5

Materials

  • Candlestick template
  • Cardstock
  • Glue
  • Dried beans, rice or small pebbles
  • Flameless candles

Tools

  • Electronic cutting machine (optional)
  • x-acto knife and scissors

Instructions

  1. Print and cut out the templates.
  2. You need 2 side pieces and 1 top support piece.
  3. Cut out along the solid lines and crease along the dotted lines.
  4. If using an electronic cutter, use the Print & Cut feature.
  5. Flip the side pieces over and crease to create the shape of the candlesticks.
  6. Fold the tabs toward the inside.
  7. Glue each of the side pieces together along their tabs.
  8. Glue the two side pieces together.
  9. To close up the bottom of the paper candlestick, fold the tabs together.
  10. Use glue to secure them.
  11. Fold together the support piece to make a triangle shape.
  12. Insert it into the candlestick.
  13. Fill the base of the candlestick with dried beans, rice or small pebbles.
  14. Glue the top piece to close up the candlestick.

Picture of the faux wood candlesticks made from paper with text overlay.

Share the fun!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Linda

Wednesday 2nd of June 2021

THIS IS AMAZINGLY CLEVER!!! had to shout it out....I love this incredible craft...I love candle holders like this...I must have a couple dozen...but, I'm going to try this just for the fun of it !! Thank you !!

Kati

Friday 4th of June 2021

Thanks so much Linda! I hope you love your new candlesticks (you can never have too many ;) ).

Betsy

Friday 12th of February 2021

Your projects are so "wood" looking! Where do I find a printable wood texture paper pattern?

Betsy

Thursday 18th of February 2021

Aren't you smart! Good job. Wish you'd share the paper pattern!

Kati

Thursday 18th of February 2021

I create all my own wood textures by taking high quality photos of real wood I have.

Tracy King

Thursday 9th of April 2020

These are so amazing! Great job and great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

Kati

Monday 20th of April 2020

I am so glad you are enjoying them Tracy!

Debbie

Saturday 4th of April 2020

These were so fun to make and they look great. Thanks for the template. I added little sari silk bows to mine and used fish weights inside to give them more stability.

Kati

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

That is great to hear Debbie! Fish weights are a smart filler ;)

Lorna DeLoach

Sunday 29th of March 2020

Where do I find the filler piece that gives support?

Debbie

Saturday 4th of April 2020

It is on the second page that has the top piece. It's the square with lines. Just cut fold and insert.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Instructions