6 Ways to Scent a Home — & Make Your House Smell Amazing

a. Essential Oils

Pure essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that provide a potent and natural way to perfume your home. According to our designer Brynna Evans, “The best oils for a welcoming home include eucalyptus for relaxation, cedarwood for masculine spaces and grapefruit for bathrooms and getting-ready zones.” The great thing about oils? They can be used in diffusers, which disperse the oils into the air, or added to household products for an aromatic touch.

b. Fresh Flowers and Herbs

Nothing brightens a room quite like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Not only do they look beautiful for interior design, their natural perfume can gently scent an entire room. Evans, our designer, quips that “fragrant herbs like French lavender, rosemary, and mint can be used to create lovely, subtle signature scents. I love floral scents for spaces that need a little extra grounding, like the bedroom!”

c. Citrus Fruits

The refreshing aroma of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange make a home smell revitalized. You can simmer peels in water on the stove, use them in DIY cleaning solutions, or simply leave slices out for a burst of citrus fragrance. Evans’ recommendations for citrus? “Simmered grapefruit slices are a go-to for a quick and powerful wake-me-up!”

a. Different Scents and Their Effects

Each scent has its own mood-enhancing properties — lavender can induce relaxation, while citrus can help uplift spirits. Our designer Pamela Oleson says “the trend for patchouli, sandalwood musk and vetiver scented candles, a mix of earthy tones, vanilla and woods, is the bedroom, as the associated properties can calm the nervous system.” Choose scents based on the atmosphere you wish to create!

b. Safety Precautions

Always place candles on a heat-resistant surface and keep them away from drafts, children, pets, and anything flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Another safety tip comes from Oleson, who recommends “a wick trimmer — a cute one, that will have you excited to use it! — to make it easy to remember to keep the wicks short and safer for breathing.” (Long wicks emit more smoke in the air.)

a. How They Work

Reed scent diffusers use rattan sticks, which absorb the fragrance oil and disperse it into the air. They are perfect for continuous background scenting in home offices and bathrooms. Oleson tells us that one new trend she’s seeing in the world of home scents is bergamot: “if you’re planning on using it in any room, let it be the living room. It’s the perfect blend of energizing and calming!”

b. Choosing the Right Scent

Consider the size of the space and desired intensity when selecting scents for your diffusers. Milder scents are best for smaller rooms, while larger spaces can handle more robust aromas. One helpful tip to know comes from Evans, who shares that “white florals are popular in the scent industry, but I like to be wary of using them as they are heavier than most and commonly triggering for many with sensitivity issues! These include jasmine, tuberose and gardenia.”

a. Types of Air Fresheners

Options range from spritzes to gels to plug-ins. Each type has its own advantages, depending on your need for control over intensity and longevity of scent. Evans offers up her own take on the subject. “In the spirit of staying away from potentially harmful chemicals, I try to avoid fresheners when I can. If a client needs one in a pinch or if there is a specific scent that that can’t be found anywhere else, there’s one last resort I like to take: mixing essential oils mixed with water in a spray bottle!”

b. Pros and Cons

While air fresheners are convenient, some contain chemicals that may not be suitable for all households. It's important to seek out natural or non-toxic varieties when possible. With more and more companies growing savvy to benefits of cleaner ingredients, Evans says, “we’re seeing a trend towards better, safer options becoming more and more available. I’m predicting that within the next several years, we’ll see an even wider assortment of clean engineering, in even more creative packaging and diffusing designs.”

a. Homemade Potpourri

Dry your favorite flowers and spices and combine them in a bowl for a custom potpourri blend that looks as good for home decor as it smells. Scenting your home this way, Oleson says, is versatile for every room. “Find large bowls for large coffee tables or dining centerpieces, filled up to the brim with fragranced potpourri, for an overflowing and bountiful look.” Smaller rooms require scaling: “I personally love the look of mason jars containing potpourri, especially for small bathrooms for a simple, functional decorative touch.”

b. Simmer Pots

An age-old method, simmer pots involve heating water with sweet-smelling ingredients like apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla in a pot, releasing their scent with steam. This method makes the whole house smell good! Oleson takes the notion one step further. “A real estate trick many designers also like to incorporate into a finished home: place a small dish of vanilla in an oven set to 300°F for an hour.”