If you're decorating on a budget - and who isn't these days - candles are the perfect inexpensive accessory to add warmth, comfort, and elegance to your home. If you haven't shopped for candles lately, you may be surprised at the variety of types of candles that are available. Here's just a sampling:

Taper Candles

Taper candles are the traditional candles that fit in candlestick holders and add a touch of romance or elegance to the dinner table. They're perfect for weddings, as taper candles come in a wide variety of colors that complement autumn, spring, and summer weddings. Although taper candles come in a variety of lengths, the standard length is 12 inches. When shopping for taper candles, look for those that are fragrance free, smokeless, and dripless. You don't want the scent of the candles to overwhelm your dinner guests' palates, and you certainly don't want wax puddles on your good table linens!

Votive Candles

Votive candles are wonderfully diverse. Once associated only with churches, today votive candles are a wonderful accent to the home. When placed in votive candleholders, you don't have to worry about wax drips and spills. Because of their small size, more is always better. Place a dozen around your bathtub and enjoy the luxurious feeling of a relaxing bath by candlelight. Line them up in varying heights on your fireplace mantle to add a warm glow to your living room. Votive candles come in a wide variety of scents, so you can control the mood of your room. Go for the strong scent of magnolias in the summertime, and the cozy scent of vanilla in the winter.

Globe Candles

The round shape of globe candles can add the perfect touch of elegance to your home decor. They are available in a wide variety of colors to complement your decorating scheme, and are often lightly scented to add a fresh or warm ambiance to your room.

Pillar Candles

As their name implies, pillar candles are chunky columns - candles that are the perfect inexpensive home accessory. Because the come in any number of varying heights, pillar candles are perfect for arranging in sets. Remember to always use three or five candles when creating a pillar candle setting, as the odd number draws the eye's attention and is aesthetically pleasing.

Floating Candles

If you have a pool, consider incorporating floating candles into your party decorations. At night, the light on the water has a dazzling effect - one that will help make your party memorable. Whether you're serving appetizers or dinner outdoors, or whether your dining room overlooks the backyard, floating candles will capture the attention and imagination of your guests.

Tin Candles

If you work involves traveling, you no doubt tire of sterile hotel rooms. Travel candles come in tins with covers, and allow you to take a bit of home with you on the road. Tin candles come in a variety of scents - from avocado and vanilla to green tea and ginger - and in a small size that's easy to tuck into your suitcase or overnight bag.