Reed diffusers, candles and room sprays—here’s a guide to selecting your home fragrance
Spending so much time at home during the circuit breaker has no doubt turned our attention towards the comforts that we’re lacking in our nest—perhaps a vase of fresh flowers, a new set of linen, or some lighting pieces to brighten up the space. But before you embark on a design overhaul for good fengshui, why not start by giving your home an aromatic makeover?
Fragrances have a unique quality that we associate with feelings, memories, people and even spaces, so you can set up different olfactory experiences in each corner of your home—a cosy, woody scent for your living room, a powdery, rosy bouquet to set yourself up for a pampering spa day in the bathroom, or a soothing, lavender fragrance for a restful sleep in your bedroom. If you're having a bout of cabin fever, you can even opt for fragrances inspired by the sunny shores of Sicily, Italy, or a peaceful retreat in Bali.
Here are some of the most popular types of home fragrances, and a selection of scents to transform your abode.
See also: 12 Of The Best Perfumes That Will Never Go Out Of Style
1. Candles
One of the oldest methods to scent a room, candles are a hot favourite because they enhance the ambience of your space, on top of its long-lasting fragrance. They also come in different shapes and sizes for spaces, no matter how big or small. A flickering flame in a decorative vessel instantly elevates any room, creating a cosy space for rest and relaxation.
The downside to candles, however, is that it takes about an hour to diffuse the fragrance and requires some level of maintenance. Because wax has memory, new candles should be burned for two to three hours to ensure it melts evenly and doesn’t tunnel down. Candle wicks should also be re-centred and trimmed each time to avoid black smoke.