We often think magic lives only in grand gestures, lavish decorations, expensive details, or once in a lifetime experiences. But I believe the most memorable kind of magic is often born out of the simplest materials and the intention we bring to them.

That’s exactly why I adore this project. These floating candles have become one of my favorite DIYs, not just because they’re easy to make, but because of the reaction they spark every single time. There’s something undeniably enchanting about walking into a dim room and seeing candles suspended midair, as if by some invisible force. The glow is soft, the effect whimsical, and suddenly an ordinary evening feels extraordinary.

Why This DIY Speaks to Me

For me, crafting has always been about more than the finished product. It’s about the story behind it—the quiet ritual of gathering materials, the joy of making something with your own two hands, and the satisfaction of watching it come to life.

I remember the first time I made these. It was one of those evenings when I felt the need for a little lift—a small spark of delight. I dug into the recycling bin for a few cardboard rolls, pulled out my glue gun, and set to work. It wasn’t complicated, and it certainly wasn’t “perfect.” But when I turned off the lights and saw those candles hovering in the air, I actually laughed out loud. The effect was that good.

And isn’t that the beauty of creativity? To take something humble and overlooked, a cardboard roll destined for the trash, and transform it into something that feels like art.

How to Make DIY Floating Candles

You’ll be amazed at how simple this is. You only need:

• Cardboard rolls (from paper towels or toilet paper)
• A hot glue gun (for “wax drips”)
• White spray paint
• Electric tealights
• Clear fishing line or floss

Step 1: Create the wax drips. Use the glue gun to add drips around the rim of each roll. Don’t overthink it, the unevenness is what makes them look realistic.

Step 2: Paint. Once the glue is dry, spray paint the entire roll in white. Immediately, they begin to look like candles instead of cardboard tubes.

Step 3: Add the flame. Place a tealight inside each roll and secure it with a dab of glue.

Step 4: Suspend. Thread fishing line or floss through the top, tie it off, and hang the candles wherever you want a little enchantment.

When the lights go down, the effect is pure magic, they hover gracefully, glowing like something out of a storybook.

Bringing Whimsy Into Everyday Life

I think part of the reason these floating candles feel so special is that they transform the energy of a space without requiring much at all. You don’t need to wait for Halloween to try them, though they’re perfect for that. Imagine them:

• Hovering above a cozy autumn dinner table, casting soft light over warm dishes and good conversation.
• Decorating a reading nook, adding a touch of fantasy to your quiet evenings with a book.
• Floating above a party entrance, creating that instant “wow” moment when guests arrive.
• Even in a bedroom corner, where their gentle glow can turn the ordinary into something dreamlike.

They remind me that joy doesn’t always have to be elaborate. Sometimes it’s in the smallest details that we feel the greatest delight.

Why I Keep Coming Back to This Project

Every time I make or hang these candles, I notice something: the reactions. Children widen their eyes, convinced they’re real magic. Adults pause, smile, and often ask, “How did you do that?”

It’s in those moments that I’m reminded why I love creating and sharing these little projects. Because it’s never just about the craft itself, it’s about the connection it sparks. When people gather in a space that feels considered, warm, and just a little unexpected, they feel cared for. They feel seen.

And that’s what I think great design is really about.

Let’s Make This Together

I’d love to know, if you were to hang these floating candles in your home, where would you put them? Above the dining table, in your living room, or maybe outdoors for a magical evening under the stars?

Share your ideas with me in the comments. And if you’d like my step by step photo guide to walk you through this project, just comment “BOO” and I’ll send it your way.

For more creative, seasonal projects and inspiration for gatherings, join me on Instagram at @ascapeliving. I share ideas that blend creativity, warmth, and that little spark of delight we all need in our homes.

Because life is full of ordinary days, but with just a little imagination, we can make them feel extraordinary.

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