Creating Cosy Autumn Nights: Candle & Wax Melt Ideas for the Season

There's a particular kind of evening that only happens in autumn — the nights start drawing in earlier, the air outside turns crisp, and suddenly all you want is a warm room, a blanket, and something good-smelling on the go. Here's how we like to set the mood at Red Belly as the season turns.

Pick scents that suit the season

Summer calls for light, fresh fragrances, but autumn is when the warmer, richer scents really come into their own. A few of our favourites for this time of year: Dark Honey & Tobacco for something deep and a little smoky, Himalayan Cedar & Jasmine if you want woody with a soft edge, and anything from our pumpkin range if you're after that classic, comforting autumn spice. If you prefer something fresher underneath the warmth, Rock Salt & Driftwood keeps things grounded rather than sickly-sweet.

Layer candles and wax melts through the house

You don't have to pick just one scent for the whole house. A lot of our customers keep a candle going in the living room for the evening and use a wax melt burner in the hallway or kitchen for something lighter during the day — it means you're never overwhelmed by one fragrance, and you can switch things around depending on your mood. Wax melts are especially handy for this since you can change scent cube by cube without committing a whole candle to it.

Set the scene for the season ahead

Whether you're getting ready for Halloween or just want the house to feel cosier as the clocks change, a few small touches go a long way: a burner going with something spiced while you're carving pumpkins, or a candle lit on the table for a Sunday dinner as the evenings get darker. Take a look through our Autumn & Halloween collection for scents and burners picked to suit the season.

Gifting for autumn

Autumn is also when people start thinking ahead to gifts — birthdays, Halloween get-togethers, or just a thank-you for someone who's had a long few months. A candle or a gift box in one of the season's warmer scents is an easy, thoughtful choice, and something that gets used and enjoyed rather than left in a drawer.

A few tips for getting the most from your scents this season

• Trim candle wicks to about 5mm before each burn — it keeps the flame steady and the scent throw consistent.
• Let a new candle burn long enough on its first light for the wax to melt evenly across the top (roughly an hour per inch of diameter) — it helps prevent tunnelling later on.
• Keep wax melts and candles away from draughts, which can carry scent away before it has a chance to fill the room.

However you like to spend your evenings this autumn, we hope there's a scent in here to match. Have a browse through our full range, or start with the Autumn & Halloween collection for something seasonal.