How to Make Your Home Smell Good Naturally
There is nothing better than walking into your home after a long day and being greeted by beautiful scents. It truly elevates every home.
Never underestimate the importance of making your home smell wonderful.
This could be why, if you’re trying to sell your house, your real estate agent says to bake cookies (or cheat by putting some vanilla extract in your warmed-up oven). The scent of citrus makes you feel more alert and excited. Baked bread is the perfect way to be greeted when you walk in the door. Even freshly brewed coffee makes waking up so much easier.
Scents inspire us, so making sure your home smells nice is essential for an elegant home.
Today, we will explore how you can transform your house into a beautiful home, from understanding the psychology of scents to practical techniques for achieving a lasting, pleasant aroma.
Weather & Seasonality: When Scenting Strategy Changes
As our wardrobe changes with the seasons, so should our approach to home fragrance. A cozy, woody aroma is perfect for winter, while a light, floral scent is preferable during spring. By understanding the seasonal nuances, you can tailor your home’s scent to create harmony with the weather and the corresponding moods.
Essential Oils and Diffusers
Essential oils and diffusers form the backbone of any home scent strategy. Versatile and potent, essential oils can be diffused to create an atmospheric scent or added to homemade cleaning sprays to impart a refreshing aroma. There’s a near-endless variety of scents, ensuring you’ll always find something to match your mood or the season.
Top Essential Oils for a Delightfully Scented Home
When it comes to essential oils, I consider myself a mini connoisseur because I have been interested in them for a long time. I have almost 100 bottles of different scents and use them on a daily basis. Essential oils have improved my skin, the fragrance in my home and elevates my mood all the time!
- Lavender: One of my favourites, especially in the evening, is lavender because it really does add a calming effect. When my dog was having seizures, I would add lavender essential oil into a spray bottle and spritz it on her bed or wherever she was laying and I would see her calm down. I believe that lavender is one of those must-haves when it comes to essential oils.
- Lemon or Lime: I was reading that lime can actually help people who are feeling down, and it does have such a zesty scent that I can see how it works. Using lime or lemon in the shower in the mornings have helped me many times when I didn’t get enough sleep but needed an extra energy boost. The only caveat is don’t use this on your skin that will be exposed to the sun – it can cause burns.
- Peppermint: Known for a pain reliever (think about all the arthritis rub or muscle ache rubs – they always smell strongly of peppermint) but also helps when you are feeling a little tired and need to concentrate. I love peppermint so much, however, I would rather my home not smell like someone was chewing gum! I would use this sparingly when I am writing and can’t seem to focus.
- Eucalyptus: Another beautiful scent. I really do enjoy using this one too sparingly. My family isn’t crazy for this one, but I know a lot of women who use this in their diffuser often.
- Rosemary: Rosemary has a rich and spicy scent. I use this one in my beauty routine daily. It is used on my face and on my hair. I truly believe that it has kept the grey hair at bay! I don’t mind my home smelling like rosemary either, but there are so many more scents that I love in my home!
DIY Delights – Potpourri and Simmer Pots for an All-Natural Lift
I love doing this more in the cooler months because the idea of having something hot on my stove in the dead of summer makes me too hot!
It is so easy, whether you’re making a potpourri sachet or a simmer pot, that you’ll wonder why you never did it before.
Whenever I think of potpourri, I always imagine it’s Christmastime and the scents of cinnamon come to mind. My mom used to buy these premade bags of heavily scented cinnamon and place them around the home. It’s really hard for me not to think of Christmas when I smell cinnamon now.
If I have extra flowers, I like to dry them out and put them in old pantyhose.
What to Boil to Make Your House Smell Good? Here’s A Simple Recipe for a Simmer Pot
A simmer pot is just a pot of ingredients that you bring to a boil in water and then turn it down to simmer. The very act of simmering will infuse the kitchen (and eventually your home) with the scents you’re using.
It’s simple, easy to use, however with the way gas and electrical bills are going lately – this might not be the most economical.
If you’re interested in trying but don’t want to keep your stove on, I have also tried the crockpot method with some success.
This citrus simmer pot recipe marries the uplifting notes of citrus with the subtle warmth of herbs, offering a fresh and clean scent perfect for any day of the year.
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 4 cups of water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Citrus: Begin by thinly slicing your lemon and orange. The thin slices help release the essential oils and maximize the fragrance output.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized pot, combine your sliced lemon and orange with the fresh rosemary sprigs and the tablespoon of vanilla extract. Then, cover with the 4 cups of water.
- Simmer: Place the pot on your stove and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat. Keep an eye on the water level to ensure it doesn’t evaporate completely, adding more as necessary.
- Enjoy the Aroma: As the mixture simmers, it will release a beautifully refreshing and invigorating scent throughout your home. Allow the pot to simmer for several hours, filling your space with this natural, uplifting aroma.
How to Make Your Room Smell Good without Air Freshener
The best defense against a smelly home is to keep it clean, especially around garbage areas, the fridge, the pantry, closets, or anywhere objects are collected and stored.
I find that by keeping your home free of clutter, dirty dishes and laundry is the most effective way to guarantee a nice scent.
Prevention is key.
You don’t want to be masking odours, but rather eliminating them in the first place.
Quick Wins for Keeping Your Home Smelling Fresh
- Empty Trash Bins Daily: Don’t wait for bins to overflow. Daily disposal prevents the build-up of decomposing waste smells.
- Wipe Down Kitchen Surfaces After Every Use: Crumbs and spills are a breeding ground for bacteria and odors. A quick wipe-down can make a big difference.
- Weekly Fridge Cleanouts: Old leftovers and expired products can quickly turn your fridge into a source of foul odors.
- Clean Pet Areas Regularly: Pet beds, litter boxes, and feeding areas should be cleaned frequently to avoid pet-related smells.
- Freshen Up Your Drains: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drains once a week to keep them clear and odor-free. I even use bleach from time to time as well.
- Laundry Basket Management: Don’t allow damp towels or sweaty clothes to sit in laundry baskets for too long. Aim to wash these items promptly.
- Regular Dusting and Vacuuming: Dust and pet dander can contribute to a musty smell if addressed only occasionally.
- Regular Cleaning of the Toilet Bowls:
- Open Windows for Natural Ventilation: Whenever the weather allows, open windows to circulate fresh air and dispel cooking smells and stale air.
- Tackle the Bathroom: Frequent cleaning of the toilet, sink, and shower area can prevent the buildup of mold and mildew, which are familiar sources of bad smells.
- Coat Closets (especially if shoes are being stored in there): Shoes that are worn often can harbor a lot of unwanted scents, and if they are in a closed little room
How to Make Your House Smell Good without Candles?
Flower Arrangements to Improve the Scent
My Nana always loved flowers. She was always easy to buy for! I inherited the love of fresh flowers too.
I won’t lie, in my home I have many fake flower arrangements. I love them too, but there is something special about real flowers.
In the warmer months it is easier for me to find the flowers at a cheaper price or even cut some off a plant. This year I’m starting a flower cutting garden – so we will see how that turns out!
However, I always remember my nana’s house smelling so wonderful of flowers. Today, I try to do the same thing!
- Choose Fragrant Varieties: Opt for flowers known for their intense scents, such as roses, lilacs, jasmine, gardenias, or hyacinths. These varieties have more impactful aromas that can fill a room.
- Strategic Placement: Place floral arrangements in areas where you and your guests spend the most time to fully enjoy their fragrance, such as the living room, dining area, or bedside tables.
- Freshness is Key: Regularly change the water in the vase and trim the stems to ensure your flowers stay fresh longer and continue to emit their natural scent.
- Complement with Herbs: Incorporate aromatic herbs like lavender, rosemary, or mint with your floral arrangements. These not only add a unique fragrance but also enhance the overall aesthetic of your bouquet.
- Seasonal Selections: Tailor your flower choices to the season for the freshest and most abundant picks. Seasonal flowers are more likely to have a stronger fragrance as they bloom in their natural cycle.
How to Make Your House Smell Good Fast?
Candles are one of the quickest and most versatile ways to make your home smell good within minutes of lighting them. They are really nice because you can move them to where you need them the most.
The Top 10 Most Popular Candle Scents
Candles not only look wonderful because of the glow it gives off, but it can really enhance the scent! Some of my favorites include:
- Lavender – Renowned for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender is a go-to for creating a tranquil environment.
- Vanilla – A classic and sweet scent that evokes warmth and comfort, making it a universally beloved fragrance.
- Sandalwood – With its rich, woody aroma, sandalwood candles bring a sophisticated and grounding touch to any space.
- Jasmine – This intensely floral scent is both exotic and soothing, perfect for setting a romantic or relaxing mood.
- Cinnamon – Ideal for the colder months, cinnamon’s spicy and warm notes create a cozy atmosphere.
- Lemongrass – Known for its refreshing and clean scent, lemongrass candles can energize a room and uplift spirits.
- Rose – Capturing the essence of a blooming garden, rose-scented candles add a touch of elegance and sweetness.
- Eucalyptus – Often used for its therapeutic properties, eucalyptus-scented candles can refresh the mind and clear the air.
- Pine – Evocative of holiday seasons and crisp winter forests, pine scents bring a fresh, natural aroma indoors.
- Ocean Breeze – Ocean breeze candles offer a clean, refreshing scent for those seeking to recreate the serene feeling of being by the sea.
How to Make your Room Smell Good 24/7
The following methods, while used either together or alone can help to keep your home smelling good all day everyday.
- Essential Oil Diffusers: These devices use ultrasonic technology to disperse a fine mist of water and essential oils into the air, offering a customizable scent experience that can also provide therapeutic benefits. From calming lavender to invigorating citrus, the possibilities are endless.
- Reed Diffusers: This decorative diffuser gradually releases fragrance oils into the air through evaporation. If you are looking for continuous, low-maintenance scent distribution without aerosols, this one is for you! Reed diffusers are available in hundreds of scents to match any preference or mood. You can mix scents to make a signature one just for your home.
- Plug-in Air Fresheners: Plug-in air fresheners offer a consistent aroma that can be easily controlled. Many models now come with adjustable intensity settings and various fragrance cartridges, allowing you to tailor the scent level to your liking. This is my least favorite because it is usually made with chemicals and sometimes produces an artificial scent. However, this might be the easiest and most effective option.
- Scented Wax Warmers: By gently heating scented wax melts or cubes, wax warmers release fragrance without an open flame, making them a safer alternative to candles. These are available in various scents and styles to complement your home decor.
- Aromatherapy Humidifiers: Combining the benefits of essential oil diffusers with the functionality of a humidifier, these devices can improve your home’s air quality while dispersing your chosen essential oil blend. This can be particularly beneficial during dry months or for those with respiratory concerns.
- Fragrance Spheres: These small but mighty products contain beads infused with essential oils that release fragrance as they dry out. Perfect for smaller spaces like closets, bathrooms, or cars, they are a discreet way to keep your surroundings smelling great.
- Fabric Softener: Placing fabric softener sheets throughout the home can also help. Also washing anything you can in the home and using fabric softener can help to disperse the scent without being too powerful.
The Scent of Success – Making Lasting Impressions and Emotional Connections
The Emotional Impact of Home Fragrance
The emotional impact of home fragrance cannot be overstated. Scent has the powerful ability to evoke memories and emotions, creating a deep connection to moments both past and present.
As I mentioned earlier, the aroma of freshly baked cookies can evoke a warm, comforting feeling, transporting one back to childhood kitchens filled with love and laughter.
Engaging the olfactory senses, home fragrances play an essential role in setting the mood and atmosphere of our living spaces, influencing our feelings and behaviors.
A chosen scent can transform a house into a home, making it feel inviting and cozy or clean and energizing, depending on the desired effect. By establishing an emotional connection through scent, we enrich our daily experiences, creating a sanctuary that supports our well-being and reflects our style and identity.
As the caretakers of the home (and especially if you have children), you can make these memories for your family!
Secrets of People Who Always Have a Beautiful Fragrance in Their Home
As much as we want to believe that there is some big secret to making a home smell good all the time, it isn’t difficult. My Italian mother-in-law would always open the windows of the home every morning.
She believed that the best way to a clean-smelling home wasn’t through oils or chemicals but from fresh air. She always had something delicious baking in her oven or cooking on the stove. I believe that was her secret!
My Nana’s secret to making her home smell amazing was through her fabric softener. Her bedroom, linen closet, and the blankets in her living room always had a pleasant scent because the fabric softener was powerful and pleasant.
Daily and Weekly Scent Refreshing Checklist – Keep Your Home Smelling Good for a Long Time
- Daily Scent Maintenance Tasks
- Open windows for at least 10 minutes to allow fresh air to circulate stale air.
- Use essential oil diffusers in high-traffic areas to maintain a pleasant aroma throughout the day.
- Wipe down surfaces with vinegar and essential oil mix to keep areas clean and smelling fresh.
- Weekly Scent Enhancement Activities
- Replace or refresh potpourri bowls with new spices, dried fruits, or essential oils.
- Light scented candles for a couple of hours in the evening to introduce a new scent or enhance the existing aroma.
- Deep clean fabric materials, such as curtains, sofa covers, and blankets that might harbor odors.
- Use a baking soda mix for carpets and upholstered furniture before vacuuming to absorb lingering smells.
- Incorporate fresh flowers into your decor, changing them out weekly to ensure a natural and appealing fragrance.
20 Ways How to Make Your House Smell Good
- Use an electric diffuser with your favorite essential oil blends.
- Arrange freshly cut flowers in a vase.
- Simmer water with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and cloves on the stove.
- Bake vanilla extract or cinnamon on low heat in the oven to spread a sweet aroma.
- Place scented candles in common areas.
- Use reed diffusers with oil in bathrooms.
- Hang eucalyptus branches in the shower.
- Use beeswax candles; they purify the air as they burn.
- Place bowls of coffee beans around the living room.
- Sprinkle your carpets with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil, then vacuum.
- Keep open containers of activated charcoal in musty areas to absorb odors.
- Place sachets of dried lavender in drawers and closets.
- Use linen sprays on bedding and curtains.
- Keep indoor plants that naturally purify the air.
- Use a mix of water, vinegar, and essential oils in a spray bottle for a natural air freshener.
- Put lemon peels down the garbage disposal to get rid of unpleasant scents.
- Open windows regularly to let fresh air circulate.
- Place potpourri bowls in various rooms.
- Burn incense sticks according to personal preference.
- Place a few drops of essential oils on cotton balls and tuck them into corners.