It’s the little things that make a house a home. And that comes down to even the smallest details: Like scent. And while it’s easy to just pick a smell that you like right off the bat, using the tenants of aromatherapy to shape your home’s vibe will benefit your well being as well.
According to the Mayo Clinic the benefits of aromatherapy include relief from anxiety and improved sleep to name a few.
Keep reading for a few ways on how you can use aromatherapy to shape your home’s atmosphere.
What Do Different Scents Do?
— For Better Sleep: If you want to invoke a dreamy environment, lavender, frankincense, and chamomile are all good bets to help you drift off more easily
— To Increase Energy: Looking to make your inner-city apartment feel more energetic? peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary, ginger, and grapefruit scents are all believed to invigorate.
— To Create a Calming Atmosphere: Trying to create a post-work haven? Geranium, bergamot, and jasmine are all said to aid in soothing.
Different Ways to Create Scent
Now that you have a good idea of which scents to use in your home, it’s time to consider how you want to use them. Scented candles are an easy favourite, but there are also a number of other options to consider as alternates or additions.
— Scented Candles: This is your best bet if you’re trying to build an entire atmosphere, reason being that the ambient light will give your living space a luxurious glow. Try something like Glasshouse’s Night Before Christmas candle which combines lavender with blackcurrant, plum, for a festive vibe.
— Home Fragrance: Just like perfume, home fragrances are sprays that will let a scent linger in your living space. If you’re too indecisive to choose one candle scent, keep with unscented candles and switch out which home fragrance you use depending on the desired effect. For example, you could use Le Labo’s Laurier 62 to create a calm space with its rosemary scent; or something like Diptyque’s Gingembre Room Spray, which contains ginger, to bring a bit of energy into the home.
— Essential Oil Diffusers: Also great for those who like to change things up often, essential oil diffusers allow you to change out oils and easily dissipate them into a room. There are a number of designs, from modern options like this concrete one from Addition Studios or this one at MUJI to classical-looking ones like this ceramic option from Perfect Potion.
— Reed Diffusers: Made of wooden reeds which soak up a scented oil, these are good options for people who want a long lasting smell. Because reed diffusers don’t need to be lit to give off their scent, they are better at creating a consistent smell in your living place. Additionally, if you worry about candles for reasons like pets and small children, reed diffusers will let you rest easy without worrying about an open flame.