How to Find the Perfect Home Fragrance

Home fragrance is a quick and easy way to change the feel of a room – as well as lift your mood. Find the right scent for you and your space with our expert tips

Content editor

Dulcie Emerson

Scented candle and room diffuser on a stool in a bathroom

Choose a fragrance family

Fragrance families have certain notes or scents in common.

Fresh Bright, clean and uplifting scents, often contain notes of neroli, sea salt and jasmine.

Citrus Refreshing and zesty with sparkling top notes including lemon, bergamot mandarin and grapefruit.

Amber Distinct scents with full-bodied, rich and warming tones such as vanilla, leather, pepper, tonka bean and woods.

Floral Blossoming aromas that complement each other such as jasmine, mimosa, rose, freesia and peony.

Herbal Botanical scents have relaxing qualities and may use notes of lavender, sweet orange, geranium and cedarwood.

Gourmand Mouth-watering ‘edible’ scents, with hints of vanilla, caramel, coffee, chocolate and honey.

Fruity Sweet berry bases or more tropical scents, often with notes of pomegranate, apple, fig or rhubarb.

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Assorted scented candles on a dinner table

Select the right scent for each room

Living room: Match scents to the occasion, or time of year, and avoid anything overpowering. Experiment with Fresh Linen to create a calm ambience, or for something a little more aromatic, try Wild Rhubarb.

Kitchen: Citrus or spiced scents work well as they won’t clash with the smells of cooking. Blackberry Rambles (pomegranate, apples and sweet pears) is good enough to eat or try a neroli, lime and basil candle by Fragrance Society.

Bathroom: Fresh, clean scents with an outdoorsy feel are perfect for the bathroom. We recommend our fresh smelling Seashells room spray.

Bedroom: Bedrooms call for calming scents, such as lavender or sage, to help you relax. Consider the Warmth or Sleep ranges from Apothecary. This Slow Morning diffuser from the Scentiments range will add a subtly sweet fragrance to your room.

Home office: For your home office, choose scents that aid concentration. A neroli, lime and basil candle from our Library of Scent range is great for mornings, or try Signatures's Meadow Floral diffuser with focus-boosting jasmine.

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Coffee table with assorted essential oils on a tray and a Neom electronic diffuser

The best reed diffusers for a long-lasting scent

Both diffuser reeds and electronic diffusers are great for creating a long-lasting scent, just make sure you're mantaining them properly.

If you're using a reed diffuser, we recommend opting for five to seven reeds. In larger rooms, or for a stronger scent, add more diffuser reeds. Flip reeds weekly to refresh the fragrance and replace if using refills. Don't forget to check out our wood diffusers, alongside our glass styles.

If you've chosen an electronic diffusers, we suggest cleaning it regularly to ensure you're getting the most out of your scent. Essential oils can easily clog them up, so after each use, wipe with a cloth to remove any excess oil or water. Clean by adding a teaspoon of white vinegar and running it outside for a short time. When the diffuser is in use, fragrance levels can be increased by adding more oil drops to the water base.

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The best perfumed candles for creating a cosy atmosphere

To create a cosy atmosphere, you'll want to look for scents that are warming and soothing rather than invigorating – we suggest keeping citrus scents for rooms like the kitchen. We're loving &Sleep's candle which is infused with lavender and geranium, so guaranteed to help you wind down and relax.

Make sure to check out the burn time when picking a candle to ensure you'll selecting one you can really make the most of. Plus, always ensure you read all warnings and advice before use as these can change depending on the candle. When using the first time, ensure you burn for a few hours to allow the scent to develop and release. Extinguish candles with a snuffer and trim the wick to 10mm before the next use to ensure a safe, clean burn.

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The best room sprays & air fresheners for an instant refresh

Room sprays and air fresheners are perfect for instantly sprucing up a space. They provide an instant burst of scent and are great for refreshing a room before guests arrive. Look to the M&S X Kelly Hoppen No. 1 Fragrance spray to infuse your home with an instant uplift. It's formulated with bright lemon and and bergamot top notes, warming clove, lavender and violet, then rich base notes of sandalwood and cedarwood. Use it to fill your home with a sense of calm.

Explore the Apothecary range for affordable, yet effective room sprays. Our Calm scent has just been reformulated with a stronger, long-lasting scent. Expect soothing notes of lavender and sweet orange that will transport you to warmer climes. Try spritzing it on your pillows every evening.

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Our favourite home fragrances