One of the easiest ways to turn your house into a home? Scenting your sanctuary. It goes without saying that the smell of your humble abode is just as (if not more) important than the way it looks and feels.
Selecting your favourite home fragrances is like picking out perfume, it’s all down to personal preference. From floral and fresh notes to amber and woody, you can stick to the same family in every room or mix and match the aromas depending on their mood and furnishings. Read our ultimate home fragrance guide and lift the spirits of both you and your guests.
WHY IS SCENT SO IMPORTANT
As one of the most underestimated senses, smell actually plays an essential role in our wellbeing, mood and even cognitive function – impressive, we know. Fragrances provide far more than a pleasant odour; they also evoke feelings through the memories associated with each note. Why? Well, the brain uses scents to tie various reminiscences together – whether that be linking the smell of cinnamon with the festive holidays, or the fresh scent of peony with you grandparent’s garden.HOW TO SCENT YOUR HOME
The best way to scent your home is with (you guessed it) a home fragrance. From scented candles to linen sprays, these aromas spread around the room, filling them with a signature scent both you and your guests will be thankful for. But with so many options, how do you know which one works for you and your space? Read on to discover the different types of home fragrances and how they work…
STOCK UP ON SCENTED CANDLES: Trust us, you can never have too many scented candles – we would even go as far to say that you should stock them up, so you’re ready to replenish them once they run out. But, when it comes to picking the perfect one, it’s all down to a matter of taste. Think of it like picking your signature scent (but for your home). Opt for notes that fit with the seasons and mood of your house. A case in point? Warm and spicy scents work well in the winter months while fresh florals are ideal for spring and summer.
How to use the home fragrance: For best results, minimise the risk of smoking by trimming wick after each use and make sure you burn the candle for a good hour the first time you light it. This keeps it burning evenly and boosts the scent throughout the room.
SHOP ALL CANDLES >>> SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE WITH A SPRAY: A spritz of a room spray goes a long way. Instantly freshening up your home, they neutralise unpleasant odours while leaving a lavish, long-lasting aroma. Plus, from boosting a calming mood in your bedroom to masking the smell of what’s being rustled up in your kitchen, the flame-free alternative is the ideal quick fix for when there’s a spontaneous knock at the door…
How to use the home fragrance: Simply spray two to three pumps throughout the immediate space and then refresh as needed. Typically, the aromas will last for several hours.
SHOP ALL ROOM SPRAYS >>> DIAL UP THE DIFFUSER: It can be argued that a reed diffuser is the safest way to scent your home (not to mention the easiest too). Bypassing the worry of flickering flames and wondering if you blew it out before leaving the house, diffusers distribute fragrances by constantly releasing their trace and filling your home with your signature scent. What’s more, their vessels act as a great addition to your overall décor too.
How to use the home fragrance:Start by filling the diffuser’s vase and bottle with the essential oil, then insert the sticks, allowing them to absorb the essence. However, to get the most out of the home fragrance, dip the reeds into the oil and then turn them around the first time you use it. Keep rotating the reeds every few days for maximum fragrance effect.
SHOP ALL DIFFUSERS >>> IMMERSE IN INCENSE: Deriving from the Latin word for “burn”, incense dates back over 6,000 years. As one of the oldest forms of home fragrances, they’re crafted from various plants and give off a smoky aroma that masks the space around you. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, they are most commonly found in cones or stick silhouettes. Renowned for creating a calming surrounding and shifting your space’s energy, they’re the ideal addition to cosy nights in or a Sunday self care regime.
How to use the home fragrance:For cones, allow the tip to burn for 15 seconds before blowing it out and letting the odour travel. Then, for incense sticks, light the end and place it in its holder to keep it away from surfaces. To release the soothing scent, gently blow out the flame so that it produces ash-like embers.
THE BEST HOME FRAGANCES TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE SMELL GREAT
Transport your senses to your favourite coastal retreat, courtesy of Maison Margiela's Replica Beach Vibes Candle. Fusing the sweet and spicy top notes of bergamot and pink pepper with refreshing coconut milk and ylang ylang heart notes, the sultry scent transforms your space into a seaside retreat – minus the sand.
Key notes: Bergamot, ylang ylang and coconut milk
SHOP ALL MAISON MARGIELA >>> A creative collaboration with renowned fine art photographer, the NEST New York x Gray Malin Sicilian Tangerine Diffuser is reminiscent of blissful days spent by the beach. Inspired the idyllic Italian island it’s named after, it blends the zesty notes of tangerine with the exotic essences of mango and passionfruit. Perfect for creating a warm, welcoming environment, it’s a treat that both you and your guest can indulge in.
Key notes: Tangerine, passionfruit, bergamot and mango
SHOP ALL NEST NEW YORK >>>MALIN + GOETZ’s Dark Rum Candle pays homage to the old-world scent first used by sailors traveling through the Caribbean; it’s a refreshing reinvention of the traditional dark and spicy aroma. Lasting up 60 hours, the distinctive cocktail combines the sweetness of plum and bergamot with the allure of leather, rum and creamy milk. It’s almost – we said almost – good enough to drink. Cheers to that...
Key notes: Bergamot, plum, anise, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli and amber
SHOP ALL MALIN + GOETZ >>>Designed to bring back some of life’s most memorable moments, Jo Loves' White Rose and Lemon Leaves A Fragrance Diffuser centres around love. Filling your home with the fresh aroma of white rose oil and lemon peel, its uplifting notes have you feeling calm, comforted, and reminiscing your favourite getaways.
Key notes: White rose oil, lemon peel, rose absolute, cedarwood
SHOP ALL JO LOVES >>> A darker evolution of the brand’s bestselling offering, Boy Smells’ Cashmere Kush Candle blurs the line between smoky and smooth while providing a sense of comfort to your humble abode. Evoking mellowness, it melds the green, grassy aroma of hemp with the powdery musk of cashmere. The result? A fragrance you can sit down, relax and unwind with. Now, that’s what we call pure bliss...
Key notes: Cannabis flower, cashmere wood, white amber, vetiver, tulip, musk
SHOP ALL BOY SMELLS >>> Now you have everything you need to know about the best home fragrances to make your house smell good, it’s time to scent your space and enjoy the sensory escape.
SHOP ALL HOME FRAGRANCES >>> 
