Not many people seem to think too much about the way their home smells, but it makes such a big difference. Making your home feel as comforting and welcoming as possible is a habit we can all get into that we’ll thank ourselves for in the long run. It’s been said that scent is actually part of a home’s design, not just an afterthought. Design is meant to incorporate as many of the senses as possible to complete an atmosphere that’s both pleasing to the eye and the senses. After all, smell is the most powerful link to emotions, feelings, and even memories, making it incredibly influential. Recently, however, people have been starting to catch on and use scent as part of their home decor. When you think about it, a scented room has the power to create a specific mood and ambiance. Meaning that whatever scent matches your space best is as important as the furniture you choose.
Benefits of Home Perfumery
We already know how smell has a huge effect on our experiences. Scents are processed in the olfactory cortex of the brain’s limbic system which is close to the area where emotions, memories, and feelings are stored. Simply put, smells trigger emotional reactions. The first time we experience a particular scent, the brain automatically associates it with events, people, and emotions of the time. So, when you enter a scented room, one of two things can happen: if the smell is familiar, old memories will resurface. If the smell is new, new memories will be created.
Effects on the Mood
Many studies have shown that fragrance has a significant effect on a person’s mood. There have been tests done with odorless placebos where subjects were told that even though they smelled nothing, pleasant scents have been administered. While their moods altered positively a little, when subjects were actually able to smell a pleasant scent, the positive effects were much more significant. Now that you know how important scents are at home, the question that remains is this: what scents do you use in each space?
Different Scents for Different Spaces
There are so many ways to scent a room. You have nearly endless possibilities. Whether you want stronger scents, subtle ones, or something in between, you can find what’s right for you and your home. There are factors to consider when choosing fragrance such as pets, children, and ventilation. When choosing the fragrances you want to use, take into consideration how they will harmonize with the surroundings and make sure they complement the mood you have in the design. Just like furniture is carefully chosen to flatter the other pieces, the scent is the same. Think about how various scents will work together in different rooms in your house. For instance, fresh and clean scents are best in the kitchen. Soothing and warm scents are perfect for the bedroom as they create a relaxing ambiance. Florals are beautiful in powder rooms as smaller spaces work best with fresh scents.
How to Incorporate Scent Into Your Home
There are many different ways to add fragrances to your home. From scented candled to diffusers, essential oils, and even sprays, there is no shortage of options. Whichever method you choose, use it in a way that a sense of cleanliness is enhanced. Don’t have it weigh down the feel of a room.