Scent Away

Scent is a powerful emotional trigger – but most of us don't think of smell when designing our interiors. Do you remember the particular scent of your grandmother's house? (My Grammy's powder blue bathroom somehow smelled of lipstick, while her kitchen smelled like...I don't know, heaven?) How about your summer camp? (Mine was all cedar and pine and a muddy lake.) Your wedding day? (I wore a special perfume for it, but I really mostly remember the scent of hairspray and raindrops! But in a GOOD way). We know we want our own homes to smell like happiness, but how do you pinpoint which fragrance should truly represent your space?

A great room creates a mood, and scent can have a huge impact on how we feel in a space.

We want some rooms to be calm and relaxing, others to be warm and lively. So how do you figure out how to match a scent to your interior? Here are a few tips to inspire your nose.

This mood board is for an uplifting, charming, flirty room inspired by fragrances of red honeysuckle nectar, strawberries and summertime. 

This mood board for a bedroom that mixes calming, relaxing lavender with lively, energetic peach blossom.

When creating a room from scratch, you are looking for some inspiration about the type of space you want to create. Because scent is so connected with memory, it's actually a great place to start. 

If you already have the room decorated, you are completing the experience with scent, so the same rules apply. 

Remember When...

Think of some of your favorite smells, and why they stick with you. Do they remind you of a certain place and time? A specific event? Or do you simply have a favorite smell that you want to use to create new memories? Jot down a quick list of each one that comes to mind, even if they are varied and different.

How Does it Feel?

You'll want this new room to flow with the aesthetic of the rest of the house.

Now, create a short list of adjectives that describe your home - bright and energetic? warm and comfy? romantic and flowery? These word groupings may be different for each space, so walk through your home and create a quick list (don't think too much about it!) to describe your immediate reaction to what you see, feel, and smell.

The Nose Knows

Compare the two lists and see what works together - some scents may overlap, or you may find that several different scents work throughout various rooms. The best thing about scent is it's easy to experiment with - try out a few and see how you, your family, and your friends react. You can even try new scents with each season to help create different moods throughout the year.

Break it Down

Pine, Thyme and Sweet Marjoram - stimulate conversation; this is why these scents are recommended for living rooms. 

Cinnamon, Bergamot and Citrus - promote warmth and creates a pleasant atmosphere. This is why realtors are known to bake cookies prior to an open house. Cinnamon is better for winter, while fresher bergamot or mandarin are better for summer.

Lemon - great odor neutralizer. Besides being a potent disinfectant, the scent of a lemon can be energizing. Simply scrubbing your sink and counters with a lemon cut in half can completely change your perception of a room. Bathrooms can also benefit from the citrus scents of lemon, lime or orange. 

Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood - relaxing. Chamomile and Sandalwood are known to induce sleep. Lavender is pretty in a bowl as a decorative element, but chamomile is best accessed through boiling and sandalwood is great as an incense.

On the Scent

Incense - There exist an infinite varieties of incense derived from flowers, plants and woods. They come in shapes such as compacted cones, stems and spiral rods. Using incense in your home can be very spiritual and can relieve stress of those who live in the home. Incenses are best used in a corner of the room, so that the smoke doesn't affect those with sensitivities. Their effects can last up to 24 hours, so use sparingly.

Candles - A great way to add ambiance and great fragrances. The flickering of candlelight is relaxing and romantic.

Oils - You can get decorative oil burners to add to the room, or use a hidden oil air freshener than fills the room with scent 24 hours a day.

Potpourri - Another way to integrate scent with decor, put it in a bowl on an end table or as a decorative centerpiece.

Whichever method conforms to your lifestyle and decor, choose scents that enhance the feeling of cleanliness rather than just masking a stale environment. 

Even if it takes you a little time to find the perfect scents for your room, that's ok! At least it will be an enjoyable journey.

What scents do you like and why? Please comment and suggest.