What scents are best for which room?

Smell is one of the most powerful human senses, and just one scent has the ability to evoke a range of emotions and memories. Because of scent’s powerful ability to shape our emotions, different fragrances are suited to different rooms of your house, and can be used to improve sleep, mood, concentration, and productivity.

Bedroom

When selecting a scent for your bedroom, it is best to choose a calming fragrance that promotes wellbeing and relaxation. Studies have found that a number of scents can help with stress, anxiety and insomnia. 

Lavender

Lavender is widely known for its calming effect. It has been clinically proven to help combat anxiety by slowing down the nervous system and relaxing the body. Inhaling the scent of lavender is known to improve overall sleep quality, and can also help you fall asleep faster.

Camomile

Camomile tea is often consumed for its calming effects, but the scent itself has also been shown to induce feelings of relaxation. It is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety, making it the perfect scent for sleep. 

Vanilla

Vanilla is a common and versatile fragrance, which is often combined with other scents such as cinnamon, rose, or sandalwood. A pure vanilla scent, however, is perfect for your bedroom and has been shown to stabilise heart rate and lower blood pressure. 

Bathroom

Choosing the appropriate fragrance for your bathroom is important, as it should be strong enough to cover up unpleasant odours. Scents can also be used to create a relaxing, spa experience in your bathroom. 


Citrus

Citrus scents are effective at covering up unpleasant odours and are commonly associated with cleanliness due to their use in a variety of cleaning products. This makes the fragrance perfect if you’re expecting guests, as the smell will make your bathroom feel cleaner, giving them peace of mind. 

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a more unusual scent, which can be used to cover up any unpleasant scents while creating a relaxing and comforting experience. It is the perfect scent to have in your bathroom while unwinding in a nice, warm bath. 

Tea tree

Tea tree is another terrific scent that covers up any odours and freshens the air. Tea tree also has antibacterial properties, which can help kill harmful bacteria. The scent of tea tree is not unfamiliar to the bathroom, and is used in many shampoos, soaps and conditioners.

Living Room

As your living room is likely somewhere you spend a lot of time in, it is best to stick to subtle scents. Stronger fragrances may become overpowering if you’re around them for too long, and may even make some people feel unwell. If you often host company in your living room, it is also advisable to stick to familiar scents that are often liked by everyone.

Woody scents

Woody scents are perfect for living rooms, as they are subtle, natural and create a sense of warmth and security. Choose a scent like cedarwood or sandalwood, paired with undertones of vanilla. 

Floral scents

Floral scents that are familiar, such as rose or jasmine, are perfect for your living room. They are soft scents, meaning they are unlikely to become overpowering, and are generally tolerated by most people. 

Kitchen

When selecting a kitchen fragrance, it is important to choose one that will cover up the scent of whatever you’ve been cooking. It is also recommended that you use scents that are associated with food, as floral scents may clash with the rest of your kitchen. 

Citrus

Citrus scents like lemon, lime and orange are the best way to cover up the scent of strong ingredients like onion and garlic. Again, because of its use in cleaning products, citrus is associated with cleanliness. Studies have even shown that using citrus fragrances in your kitchen can encourage you to keep it cleaner. 

Mint

Like citrus, mint is perfect for cleansing the scent of your kitchen workspace. It will cover up the scent of whatever you last cooked, without becoming overpowering or clashing with the kitchen environment.

Spices

Some people may decide to embrace the cooking aroma by using a spiced fragrance in their kitchen. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are terrific choices, especially when paired with vanilla. These scents are particularly popular in the winter months, or over the holiday season, and can evoke positive memories in many people.

Dining Room

Like your kitchen, you don’t want your dining room to smell of anything that may overpower or clash with your food. Nobody wants to sit down to eat dinner, only to be overcome by the smell of roses. Because of this it is, again, advisable to choose a scent that is associated with food, such as citrus, herbs or spices, or opt for no scent at all.

Office

When selecting a scent for your home office, consider ones that are known to enhance memory and concentration. Scents that are known to put people to sleep, such as lavender and camomile, should be avoided, as they may cause fatigue and make it difficult to concentrate.

Peppermint

Peppermint has been shown to enhance cognitive performance and increase alertness, making it perfect for long days in the home office. 

 

Vetiver

A member of the grass family, vetiver has the ability to improve brain function and concentration. A 2016 animal study found that the scent of vetiver increased alertness, while a 2015 study uncovered its ability to decrease anxiety. 

Lemon

The scent of lemon has been shown to stimulate memory, improve mental alertness and increase productivity. A Japanese study found that exposure to the scent of lemon decreased typing errors by 54 percent. If you often feel lethargic or distracted while working, a lemon scented candle in your office may be just the thing you need.