Experts Reveal How To Make Your Home Smell Amazing All The Time

Home fragrances may be invisible, but when it comes to setting the ambiance for a space, nothing can make a bigger impact. After all, there is something very luxurious about entering a house full of curated fragrances. But choosing the right scents and knowing how to combine them takes knowledge and a bit of experimentation.

So how do you choose, layer and mix the perfect scent for each room? I spoke to several fragrance industry experts to learn how to do this.

Candle, spray or diffuser?

There are many different ways to scent a home, of which candles are one of the most popular. They also set a mood and are a great way to decorate. “Candles are perfect for relaxing or inviting friends over for dinner,” said Nicole Eckles, founder and CEO of Glasshouse Fragrances.

However, to get the full effect of a candle, Eckles says it may need to burn for up to two hours.

So if you’re in a hurry, use a room spray first. “In this case, a room spray gives you everything you need — the full impact of your favorite scent in seconds,” says Eckles.

These types of home fragrances can also be layered. “Sometimes when you want your scent to be both instant and lasting for the duration of a dinner party, I recommend diffusing a room scent and then lighting your candle so the scent lingers from the moment your guests walk through the.” kick the door.”

Bee Shapiro, founder of chic, sustainable fragrance brand Ellis Brooklyn, also suggests using room sprays to mask unpleasant smells. “They’re little pick-me-ups that you can layer over the smell that was already in the room — like cooking smells, for example.”

Shapiro also likes to use them as a quick mood booster. “I love how a laundry spray or a calming room spray can set the mood for a certain time of the day — like bedtime, for example.”

Reed diffusers are another vessel for scenting your home. They often come in stylish flacons and continuously deliver a scent. They are ideal for small spaces and homes with children and pets where a lit candle left out could lead to disaster. “I love diffusers for bathrooms or guest rooms where you don’t want to monitor a lit candle. Diffusers provide a consistent scent, which can be a no-fuss, low-maintenance choice,” says Shapiro.

Another popular way to scent your home is with an electric oil diffuser. While there are many different types of diffusers, Alos Aura Diffuser is one of the best options for large spaces like living rooms. It can scent up to 700 square feet for up to 22 hours. Among other things, it features an automatic switch-off and a sleek, modern look. Diffusers use essential oils, which are ideal for those who enjoy single notes like lavender, or want to create their own custom fragrance blend.

Many people also like to scent rooms with plug-in devices. Plug-ins are ideal for continuously scenting a room prone to unpleasant odors, such as kitchen furniture. B. near pet beds, bathrooms or gyms. While many people associate this type of jar with something that smells like drugstore chemicals, there are higher quality plug-ins. Pura is a good example of this. The Bluetooth device allows users to control scent intensity, choose between two different scents and set a schedule via an app. Pura has partnerships with a number of brands including Ellis Brooklyn, Nest New York and recently launched with Studio McGee in October 2022.

fragrance categories

Eckles tells me that most fragrances will fall into one of several categories. A popular category especially around the Christmas season are gourmand fragrances. “[These are] indulgent and edible – think vanilla, caramel, sweet fruity notes.”

On the other hand, floral scents are generally feminine and sweet, like jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, tuberose, ylang ylang, and violet.

Do you love the scent of a magical forest? Woody scents tend to be warm and balanced. “These include cedar, vetiver, sandalwood and amber,” explains the fragrance maker.

Some amber scents resemble woody scents. However, Eckles tells me they tend to be “warm and sensual.” This category includes patchouli, amber, vanilla, moss, exotic woods, spices and flowers.

Fresh scents are exactly what they sound like. Think citrus and grass-based scents.

How to smell every room in the house

Not sure where to start? Cordelia Smith, founder of Formulary 55, believes you can’t go wrong with citrus. “Most choose fresh, clean scents for their home—typically something from the citrus family. Anything that provides a clean smelling experience.”

Another way to choose a home fragrance is to base it on a personal favorite scent. Eckles tells me, “The fragrance categories are the same for personal and room fragrances [at Glasshouse]. Our candles start out as a subtle fragrance and then we process it into a home fragrance suitable for candles and diffusers. Some people love flowers in their home, while others prefer a rich oud. I find that people choose their home fragrances in a very similar way to their personal fragrances. What mood am I in? What emotions do I want to express? For what occasion?”

Preferring to choose a scent that’s attuned to the space, Shapiro opts for “cozier” scents in living rooms and TV rooms, but “more vibrant citrus and accessible florals for kitchens and foyers.” She favors herbal scents like lavender and rosemary in the bedroom for a spa-like experience.

How to layer and mix fragrances

No matter what scent you choose, it needs to harmonize with the others in your home. It is therefore important to strike a balance, explains Eduardo Valadez, Marketing Manager at Diptyque Paris. “I recommend curating the home with different scents that complement, balance and enhance the space. For the bedroom, use a scent with calming notes like lavender and sandalwood. In a lively living room, you might want to pair the space with a bright and bold scent, and for a room that’s richer and warmer, gravitate towards a scent with oriental or woody notes to accentuate the atmosphere.”

There’s only one real rule when it comes to layering fragrances. “Be careful not to layer a light, delicate scent over something heavy, as the scent will be lost,” says Smith.

Shapiro likes to keep things simple by categorizing scents as warm or cool. “There are warm flowers and warm woods and they would go well together. Warm notes are roses with musk, woods and amber. Cool scents tend to be herbaceous or green. Some white flowers are cool too.”

However, the perfumer also warns against mixing herbal and woody notes. “It can be made, but it can also create the scent muddy so it is not foolproof.”

How to choose a fragrance without smelling it first

Then there’s the reality of living in a world where most of us buy almost everything online. Unless you go to a brick-and-mortar store, there’s no way to know exactly how a candle or room spray will smell until it arrives at your doorstep.

While there’s no foolproof way to buy home fragrance online, Smith suggests reading reviews first. “Often other buyers leave great information in the reviews section that can help you find a new fragrance. Next, start in a fragrance category that you know you’ve already worn. For example, if you like woody-smelling home fragrances, don’t try a floral scent without smelling it in person first. Stick to the fragrance families you know attract you.”