There’s nothing quite like being welcomed by a fragrance before you even enter a home. “Your home’s aroma is often the first impression guests get, so try to make it a good one,” says HB editor-in-chief Elle Lovelock. For a richness that few other senses can provide, scent-scaping your home creates a mood for you and your guests that can begin on arrival. Elle says there are two approaches: “One is to have a signature scent throughout your home. The other is to create a scent journey from room to room.”
Consider the heady scent of the first jasmine buds to burst us into spring, the smoky smell of a crackling campfire, or the comforting aromas of a roast beef dinner as you enter grandma’s house. Fragrance is the most evocative way of sparking cherished memories and creating new ones – shared meals, summer walks and beloved moments in time that carry special significance.
Set the scene with fragrance
“It’s nice to connect scent to the theme of your gathering,” says Elle. “For example, if you’re serving Italian food, consider lighting a tomato vine candle. If it’s outdoors, you don’t have to go for citronella – candles such as Circa’s ‘Alchemy’ soy outdoor candle in Mandarin and Neroli do double duty to scent the scene and keep mosquitoes at bay, all while looking elegant.
Layering fragrance throughout the home
Creating a journey of fragrance for every room in the home envelops the whole household and sets a scene for any desired activity. From burning a candle on the console at your front entrance, to a fresh floral scent in your powder room, to a moody aroma in a library nook that encourages relaxation and reading. “The key is to choose fragrances that feel connected by the atmosphere they create… lighter and fresher scents for social areas or warmer, more comforting fragrances for relaxing zones,” says marketing director at Circa, Waffa Nakad.
Beyond candles, there are many ways to create an aromatic home. Place a few drops of your favourite essential oil onto furniture pads in your drawers, cupboards and living spaces, to create an everlasting scent throughout your home. “You can stick them everywhere and no one sees them.” says Elle. Pair your favourite candles with hand soap and body products in the same fragrance for a holistic experience.
“My ultimate last-minute fragrance hack is to spray high-end multi-surface cleaner onto benchtops,” says Elle. “They scent a room quicker than a candle, while making things sparkly clean.” Bonus tip: use them to wipe down your front door inside and out for a beautifully fragranced welcome.
Elle’s top tips for scent-sational entertaining
- In the kitchen, choose a scent with odour-neutralising properties, such as citrus or cinnamon
- In bathrooms, consider using a diffuser so that you don’t have to leave a lit candle unattended
- Include a room spray in bathrooms to protect your guests’ modesty
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