In an age where personalisation and kitsch reign supreme, the humble matchbox has undergone a delightful transformation from a utilitarian object to an accessory that adds charm and character to any space.
Matchboxes and even flimsy matchbooks, once seen as disposable, are now cherished items in their own right – distinctive in design, playful in colour and infused with a touch of personality. Whether you're lighting a candle or (if you’ll pardon the pun) sparking a conversation, a bespoke matchbox elevates the experience tenfold.
In particularly chic, cosmopolitan households, you might even spot a ceramic vessel of some kind housing an array of assorted matchbooks collected at restaurants and hotels from across the globe. In homes truly wishing to take it up a notch, you’ll likely also come across a special candle snuffer crafted from some kind of precious metal.
Before the first friction matches were introduced in 1827 by British chemist John Walker, fire-making was a slow, cumbersome process. Early fire-starters involved flint and steel, but the arrival of the match – tiny sticks tipped with chemicals – revolutionised how we sparked flames. Matches soon became not just a household staple but a symbol of convenience and innovation.
By the mid-1800s, matchboxes were created to house these fragile fire-starters. At first, matchboxes were plain and utilitarian, designed purely for function. However, as with many objects in daily life, their aesthetic appeal began to catch the eye of designers. The matchbox evolved, becoming a canvas for decorative flourishes and now often features intricate illustrations, luxurious materials and even personalised engravings.
In today’s world, a decorative matchbox has become a symbol of style and a nod to a slower, more deliberate way of living. Whether placed beside a beautifully scented candle or tucked inside a chic lounge drawer, it speaks to the joy of creating a dedicated candle-lighting ritual.
The flick of a match, with its subtle scent of sulphur and promise of flame, feels like a moment of deliberate indulgence. Personalised matchboxes, whether bearing your initials, a thoughtful quote, or an elegant design, turn this small act of lighting a candle into a personal celebration of both function and beauty.
Convinced? Keep scrolling for a selection of the best luxury matchboxes.
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Not Another Bill Large Brass Matchbox Cover
A chic fusion of form and function, this large brass matchbox cover is designed to add a touch of sophistication to any home. Handcrafted from solid brass with a timeless finish, it’s the perfect complement to your décor, whether it’s stashed on a coffee table or tucked away in a drawer.
As with the majority of products from Not Another Bill, the matchbox cover is also engravable.
Buy now £60.00, Not Another Bill
Matilda Goad and Co. Matchbox Sleeves
Offered in an array of engravable styles, Matilda Goad’s silver and brass matchbox sleeves are the ultimate addition to any coffee table set-up. Choose from an impressive four different fonts to immortalise a particular date, name or moment in time.
Buy now £50.00, Matilda Goad and Co.
AvanaLondon Handmade Printed Matchboxes
Work directly with the design experts over at AvanaLondon to create your very own bespoke printed matchboxes featuring wonderfully unique logos, phrases and images. Choose from a quantity of between 10 and 200 matches, which of the seven matchstick colours you like, and select whether you’d prefer a short or long box before offering the designers a detailed description of exactly what you’re looking for.
Buy now £60.00, Etsy
Diptyque Basile Engraved Matchbox Sleeve
Refining your space is easy with Diptyque’s engraved matchbox sleeve. A luxurious addition to any candle-lit room, this stunning sleeve is engraved with the intricate Basile motif originally designed by one of Diptqyue’s founders, Christiane Gautrot. It combines signature Diptyque sophistication with the functional elegance you never knew your matchsticks needed.
Buy now £56.00, Diptyque
Eleanor Joanna Personalised Hand Painted Book Cover Matchboxes
Featuring three uniquely hand-painted designs, these mini matchboxes make a brilliant gift for the booklover in your life. Simply pick three book covers that you’d like represented, and artist Eleanor Joanna will get to work on personalising your fire-starting creation.
Buy now £13.50, Holly & Co
The Flora Lab Luxury Letterpress Matchboxes
The details make all the difference, and The Flora Lab’s vast array of whimsical Letterpress Matchboxes offer the perfect finishing touch to any space. Each box is delicately letter-pressed with luxurious designs, creating a tactile experience that’s as lovely as it is functional.
Perfect for gifting or for adding a touch of refined elegance to your own home.
Buy now £8.95, The Flora Lab
UndercoverUK Personalised Liberty Print Matchbox
Choose from an array of gorgeous and iconic Liberty print designs and personalise your very own cloth-bound matchbox with the help of UndercoverUK on Etsy. Featuring a subtle ribbon pull feature for ease of use, you can also personalise these matchboxes with either gold or silver printed text.
Buy now £25.00, Etsy
LeverDurand Vintage-Inspired "The Perfect Match" Wedding Matchbox
Whether purchased as a wedding keepsake, a birthday gift, or a Valentine’s surprise, celebrate finding your perfect match with the help of this handcrafted, personalisable matchbox – which is available in six different types of luxurious wood.
Buy now £27.67, Etsy
Jo Laing The Moon Ceramic Topped Matchbox
Chipping Norton-based ceramicist Jo Laing kept a tiny Italian ceramic matchbox that she kept in a memory box for over 20 years before she decided to try and make her own. It’s safe to say that the artist has succeeded in her mission, for these tarot-inspired ceramic matchboxes have taken the design world by storm. Though not currently customisable, the independent artist is open to discussing bespoke creations according to her website.
Buy now £69.95, Holly & Co
