8 Easy Ways To Enjoy Scent At Home

Scented candles? Of course! But here are several other ways you can enjoy scent at home

By Lora O’Brien

We all have scents that we remember. For me, the aroma of coffee will forever remind me of my favourite cafe, while lavender reminds me of my grandparent’s house. Certain smells are often at the forefront of many memories, and there’s a reason for this. The part of the brain which processes our emotions also processes scents. This is why we, as humans, associate emotions and memories with certain scents: memory and emotion are delicately entwined.

Scent is such a huge part of life, it can affect our emotional state profoundly. For example, the scent of citrus often energises us, while peppermint and eucalyptus clears the mind. Gingerbread and vanilla offer feelings of comfort and warmth, while lavender and chamomile calm us down.

Our houses are the perfect place to use scent consciously to bring about various states of mind.

Why We Need to Be Mindful About Scent at Home

Scent can be deeply pleasurable, but it’s also something we physically inhale — often for hours at a time. That means how we enjoy fragrance at home matters just as much as whether we enjoy it at all.

Many conventional home fragrance products rely on synthetic fragrance blends, which can contain dozens (or even hundreds) of undisclosed chemical compounds. Some of these have been linked in studies to respiratory irritation, headaches, or sensitivity reactions, particularly in children, pets, and people with asthma or chemical sensitivities.

That doesn’t mean we should avoid scent altogether. It simply means choosing simpler, better-understood fragrance sources and using them with intention. Natural essential oils, fresh botanicals, and food-based aromas tend to be easier for the body to tolerate — especially when used in moderation and in well-ventilated spaces.

As with most things in sustainable living, enjoying scent at home isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, quality, and balance.

Enjoying Scent Safely at Home: Do’s and Don’ts

✅ DO:

Ventilate your space when using candles, incense, diffusers, or oils
Choose fragrance sources with transparent ingredients, such as essential oils or naturally scented botanicals
Use scent sparingly. A subtle aroma is usually more pleasant (and safer) than an overpowering one
Be mindful of pets and children, who can be more sensitive to airborne compounds
Test new scents gradually, especially if you or anyone in your household has allergies or asthma

❌ DON’T:

Rely heavily on synthetic air fresheners or plug-ins that mask odours rather than address them
Burn candles continuously for hours in closed rooms
Apply undiluted essential oils directly to skin without guidance
Assume “fragrance-free” always means chemical-free — labels can be misleading
Ignore physical reactions such as headaches, nausea, or irritation

Being intentional with scent means listening to your body and treating fragrance as an enhancement — not a constant background presence. Here are 8 ways to enjoy scent at home any time.

1. Treat Yourself To A Bouquet

They’re pretty, they’re natural, and they smell amazing. So why not treat yourself to a gorgeous bouquet of seasonal flowers? This is one of the easiest – and most gorgeous – ways to enjoy scent at home.

Try: Apparently the most fragrant flowers include: lilies, roses, gardenias, tuberose and lilacs.

2. Use An Aromatherapy Oil

Perhaps the most common method of using essential oils is to apply them directly to the skin through a massage, bath, or skincare product. But did you know you can also dab them onto light bulbs to impregnate your home with scent? The heat from the bulb will spread the perfume of the oil around a room for hours!

Try: We love the natural aromas of Arithmos Superfine Body Oils. Rub a few drops onto your palms, inhale deeply, then massage it into your skin.

3. Do Some Slow Cooking

Baking is probably the most delicious of all the many ways to enjoy scent at home. But do you really want to do that every day? Probably not! So a wonderful alternative is to simmer something natural on the stove. It’s cheap, it’s easy, and it’s even eco-friendly, too!

Try: For a warming scent, simmer some raw ginger in a shallow pot of water over a low heat. For a more zingy aroma, throw some orange, lime or lemon peels into a pot and simmer. Prefer spicy scents? Stud an orange with cloves instead!

4. Mist Your Pillows With Scent

As night falls, prepare yourself for a restorative sleep by misting your pillowcases and linens with a soothing pillow mist! You’ll naturally promote wellbeing and reduce anxiety levels, leaving you refreshed and revitalised upon waking.

Pillow scents work to calm us down by using scents that are known for promoting restfulness and relaxation. These can include: lavender, chamomile and sandalwood, for example. These fragrances help you to transform the way you sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and sleep deeper.

Try: OSEA’s Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist boasts a blend of chamomile, juniper berry, lavender, lemon tea tree and Moroccan rosemary. These oils soak away signs of stress to relax the mind and body, creating a calming atmosphere to transform bedtime into a soothing moment of zen.

5. Soak In A Scented Tub

Why does it seem that everything in life can be solved by a warming bath? Well, there is a scientific reason for this: when we bathe, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, which is the part of our body responsible for relaxation.

Settle and soothe your nervous system by getting into a nice, hot bath, no matter what the weather. But make it even fancier with the addition of a luxuriously scented bath milk. This will really give your home that spa vibe! Just sit back, relax and wait while the stresses of life simply melt away. This is definitely one of my favourite ways to enjoy scent at home!

Try: Unwind with Lola’s Apothecary Queen of Roses Bath Milk. Their luxurious bath milk is a modern British interpretation of Cleopatra’s legendary bathing ritual. Indulge in a creamy, rose-scented bath strewn with rose petals and emerge with baby soft skin. Apparently, Emma Watson is a huge fan of the stuff!

6. Inhale A Cup of Tea

This might be one of the more unconventional ways to enjoy scent at home, but it’s also one of the most delicious! Make your tea time a beautiful ritual. Boil pure, filtered water, use your favourite tea cup, and while your tea is infusing, breathe in its sent deeply. You’ll appreciate that first sip all the more, and surprise yourself for not having realised what a pleasure the scent of tea is before!

Try: Stash’s Breakfast In Paris is a delightful twist on Earl Grey. It adds a hint of lavender and vanilla to make a tea that you’ll wish was also a perfume!

7. Roll It On

Everyday life can be challenging, and I think it’s fair to say we all have moments where we need to take a moment to find our inner calm. A roll on scent is the perfect way to help take you from stressed and overwhelmed to delightfully calm and centred.

Simply pop your favourite scent into your bag and pull it out when the moment calls for some relaxation.

Try: Unwind with Nemat Sandalwood Oil Roll-On. It features a warm, woody and rich fragrance that’s sensual and relaxing. But the best part? It comes from sustainably harvested oil from the heart of the Sandalwood tree. This is a sacred tree whose wood and oil have been used for generations in religious ceremonies across the world.

8. Use A Diffuser

Got a dog stinking up the house? Or maybe it’s cigarette smoke? Or just city pollution? No worries! A diffuser is one of the more subtle yet effective ways to enjoy scent at home. But as with candles, ensure yours is flooded with natural essential oils instead of potentially toxic synthetic fragrances. Pure essential oils are also known to regulate moods and reduce anxiety, and so choosing the right scent will allow you to unwind, destress, and create a serene environment.

Try: The beautiful Le Jardin Retrouvé Osmanthe Liu Yuan Scented Stem Diffuser. It is composed of a reusable Limoges porcelain jar, decorated with a handmade apricot-coloured enamel; a porous porcelain fragrance stem; a perforated lid made of Jura beech; and a 125 ml refill made of recycled and recyclable aluminium. Place it near your favourite reading nook or seating area to ensure you get a whiff as often as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Enjoying Scent at Home

Is it safe to scent your home every day?

For most people, lightly scenting the home using natural methods — such as fresh flowers, simmer pots, or essential oils used sparingly — is generally well tolerated. Problems tend to arise with constant exposure to strong synthetic fragrances in poorly ventilated spaces.

Are essential oils safer than synthetic fragrances?

Essential oils are derived from plants and contain fewer undisclosed compounds than synthetic fragrance blends. However, they are still highly concentrated and should be used thoughtfully, diluted when appropriate, and kept away from pets and children unless confirmed safe.

Can home fragrances affect indoor air quality?

Yes. Anything that releases particles or vapours into the air — including candles, incense, and diffusers — can influence indoor air quality. Choosing cleaner-burning candles, ventilating rooms, and avoiding synthetic fragrance sprays helps minimise impact.

Are scented candles bad for you?

Not all candles are the same. Candles made from soy, beeswax, or coconut wax with cotton or wooden wicks tend to burn cleaner than paraffin candles scented with synthetic fragrance oils. Burning time and room ventilation also make a difference.

What’s the gentlest way to add scent to a home?

Some of the mildest options include fresh flowers, dried herbs, baking or simmering spices, and lightly scented textiles like pillow mists made with gentle formulations. These create a sensory atmosphere without overwhelming the space.

Final Thoughts

Scent is one of the most powerful — and personal — ways we experience home. It can comfort us, ground us, energise us, and bring back memories in an instant. When used consciously, fragrance becomes more than decoration; it becomes part of how we care for ourselves and the people we live with.

The key is intention. By choosing natural sources, using fragrance gently, and paying attention to how our bodies respond, we can enjoy scent as a pleasure rather than a problem. A beautifully scented home doesn’t need to be overpowering — often, the most inviting spaces are those that simply smell clean, warm, and alive.

After all, home should feel good to all the senses!

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Lora O'Brien

After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience. See more about Lora here.