Most of us don’t put too much thought into the scents we pick for our homes beyond whether or not we like them when we smell them in store.
However, master perfumers claim the scent you gravitate towards can speak volumes about what you want your home to do for you and how you want to come across to guests, friends, and family.
Here, top perfumers and psychologists reveal what your choice of home fragrance says about you, and the perfect notes for a curated signature scent, whether that's with one of the best candles, or a portable diffuser.
What your home fragrance says about you
Veronica West, founder and psychologist at My Thriving Mind explains, ‘Our sense of smell is deeply tied to the brain's emotional processing center, the limbic system, which is why scents can evoke powerful memories and emotions. The home fragrances we choose often reflect our subconscious desires, personality traits, and emotional needs.
'With that in mind, here's what popular scent categories might say from a psychological perspective.’
1. Floral scents
If the best home fragrance for you evokes long days spent in the garden and the best fragrant flowers, Monselete Bowden, coaching for well-being and lifestyle at Monselete, says, ‘These people stand out from the crowd. Typically they are well-liked, energetic, caring, seductive, confident, desirable, strive for perfection, artistic, love beauty, love perfumes, and anything that makes them feel good. At times they might appear superficial but they are very sensitive and soft-hearted, their intuition can pick up subtle mood changes in others and they will usually try to uplift their spirits when needed.’
With so many drastically different floral fragrances available, it can be tricky to pick the best scent for every room of your home.
Luckily, Monselete shares some of the most popular to help you curate a home scent that really speaks to you:
- Jasmine: Embodies the essence of renewal, reflecting the transformative power of change and the quiet strength found in consistency. Its enchanting aroma stirs passion and reconnects you to your sensual side, while its soft, powdery notes dissolve self-doubt, replacing it with a positivity that overcomes pessimism. As "Marcel Lavabre" has mentioned, it is one of aromatherapy's finest aphrodisiacs [making it one of the most romantic scents for a home]. Jasmine’s sensual and seductive allure enriches the spirit, offering both transformation and irresistible charm. Consider using a jasmine linen spray, from Amazon, to help set the mood in the bedroom.
- Neroli: With its complex and sophisticated essence, this scent inspires you to become your best self and think beyond the ordinary. It encourages you to broaden your horizons and embrace new perspectives, especially when you're ready to approach life differently and cultivate conscious awareness.
- Linden Blossom: Available as an essential oil, at Amazon, is consoling, patient, soothes the soul, opens the heart, and calms the nervous system so you can feel love. It also enhances personal awareness, security, and balance.
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Lavender: This is often regarded as the perfect balance between our masculine and feminine traits, embodying harmony, healing, compassion, and nurturing. A steadfast companion for life's rainy days, it encourages you to pause and reflect on what you truly need to care for yourself.
Beyond its fragrant allure, lavender possesses a remarkable ability to purify emotions and the atmosphere, bringing a sense of equilibrium and love. Adding lavender essential oil, from Amazon, to an oil diffuser before you sleep can also help you to sleep better.
This essential oil diffuser comes with a remote control and a built-in timer so it will automatically switch off when you fall asleep, saving your oils overnight.
2. Gourmand scents
Gourmand scents are anything that reminds you of food, be it warming vanilla or something a little more exotic, like the Loewe tomato candle we tested a few years back. According to psychologist Veronica West, they are perfect for those of us who want our homes to be a source of comfort and are one of the best home scents for wellbeing.
She explains, ‘Selecting comforting, sweet fragrances like chocolate or vanilla indicates a desire to create a warm, secure environment. Warmth, connection, and nostalgia are generally valued by those who enjoy these fragrances. These fragrances, which are frequently connected to recollections of home or memorable family times, can evoke feelings of emotional stability and belonging.’
Better yet, Veronica adds, ‘Gourmet fragrances are an excellent option for stress treatment because they can lower anxiety and promote emotions of contentment.’
Pair these warming scents with some organizing for health and well-being in mind, and your home is sure to be the perfect rejuvenating oasis.
I love this vanilla-scented soy candle. The ghost pepper adds a little extra warmth that makes my home feel extra cozy through winter.
LOEWE Home Scents' spray opens with woody notes deepened by a base of Brown Sugar, creating that distinctive, heady aroma of Roasted Hazelnuts
This long-lasting candle delivers 110 to 150 hours of burn time and is made from high-quality candle wax for an even burn.
3. Fruity scents
If you were a big fan of the dopamine decor trend, or tend to gravitate towards tidying challenges like the dopamine decluttering method, then the chances are you might like fresh, fruity fragrances for your home.
Kerry Kip, home fragrance expert and founder of MINOT Candle says, ‘People who go for fruity scents are bubbly and outgoing – they're full of energy and positivity. For an energizing scent, pair bright, fruity notes like lemon or lime with subtly sweet floral notes, like freesia or jasmine.’
Veronica West, psychologist, continues, ‘Fruity scents frequently create feelings of liveliness and freshness, boosting spirits and elevating moods. Bright, citrus scents like grapefruit and orange [such as the P.F. Candle Co. Sweet Grapefruit candle from Amazon] are known to reduce fatigue and improve focus, making them ideal for busy or creative minds.’
4. Earthy scents
Grounded, earthy fragrances like herbs or sandalwoods do more than make bathrooms smell like luxury spas. Veronica West explains, ‘People who appreciate stability and foundation are drawn to earthy fragrances. They choose settings that encourage peace and reflection and frequently look for a way to connect with nature. These fragrances help to create a space for mindfulness or relaxation by giving one a sensation of anchoring.’
Fragrance expert Kerry Kip agrees, adding, ‘People who gravitate toward earthy scents are trendy and chic. They seek a connection to nature while embracing modern style. Look for notes like sandalwood or green florals — our Cliffwalk Candle (sandalwood, patchouli, and jasmine) and Terrene Candle (agave, green floral, chrysanthemum, and aloe) scents are the perfect balance of earthy and sophisticated.’
Veronica adds, ‘Notes like cedar wood or patchouli are excellent for establishing a calm atmosphere at home because they can lessen anxiety and promote inner serenity.’
Inspired by a weekend in the mountains, sun gleaming through the canopy, this candle has damp, earthy, fresh notes.
This candle has a rich, earthy fragrance evocative of Portobello Mushrooms and unfolds with woody notes through to heady Patchouli.
With aromatic, camphorous, and earthy notes, this herby candle is a blend of lemon balm, crushed thyme, orange rind, and fir.
5. Fresh scents
Veronica West explains, ‘Those who enjoy clean fragrances frequently value simplicity, order, and clarity. These people may enjoy their living areas and thrive on structure. Aromas that inspire freshness and cleanliness, like sea air or fresh linen, might help clear the mind of clutter.
‘People who want to revitalize their houses and brains will find that clean scents are perfect because they frequently encourage a sense of focus and rebirth’
You don’t have to experiment with making laundry smell better and keeping laundry smelling nice beyond laundry day to reap the benefits of fresh scents, however. There are plenty of formulated fragrances to make every day smell like laundry day, without all the effort.
Rated 4.3 stars, this hand-poured soy wax candle makes everyday laundry day, but without all the hard work.
Bring the essence of summer indoors with the refreshing blend of sea salt, zesty citrus, warm amber, and soft musk. This beach-inspired candle captures the soothing vibe of ocean waves and sunny shores, creating the perfect coastal escape at home.
Sun-dried cotton is combined with green notes, white flowers, and a hint of lemon in these easy to use instant room fresheners.
FAQs
Why is home fragrance important?
Psychologist Veronica West says, ‘From a psychological perspective, scents can improve mood, reduce stress, and even improve cognitive function. We can subtly convey who we are, how we feel, or the atmosphere we want to create in our surroundings through the scents we choose. You may promote well-being and enhance your mental health by purposefully incorporating fragrances into your house. After all, a scent is an emotional experience in a bottle, not just a whiff!’
So, whether you mix up a homemade room spray, or experiment with fragrance layering, think carefully about the scents you choose and the effect you want it to have on your and your space.
