Most of us spend so much time on what our home looks like, we often forget to address what it smells like. But aromas affect how we feel, and, in some cases, how other people feel about living spaces.
A great aroma in the right area has the power to lift moods, and to create a relaxed and warm ambience. And these natural ways of introducing pleasant smells to your home prove that you don’t need to rely on expensive chemicals.
1. Open your home to fresh air
Whether you have a great garden or you live in the countryside, there could be some wonderful smells right outside your doors and windows. There’s nothing better than a little fresh air, laced with the sweet aroma of flowers, grass and foliage, so don’t be afraid to keep your windows and doors open during the summer months. Mother Nature’s air freshener is hard to beat.
2. Introduce the right flowers
The right flowers in the right room can completely transform your home’s ambience. For instance, placing a little lavender or jasmine at your front door gives visitors a wonderful welcome. In living rooms and dining rooms, the likes of lilies, magnolias and roses deliver a classic combination of aroma and visual brilliance. However, to keep your flowers smelling as fresh as possible, make sure you change the water every day.
3. Fruity fun
Create a sweet, refreshing smell in your home with your favourite citrus fruits. Simply slice up a few lemons, limes or oranges, and place them in bowls near windows throughout your home. The combination of fresh air and tangy fruit should create a zesty explosion of aromas that helps people to relax and unwind.
4. Add a splash of your favourite essential oil
Essential oils are perfect for adding your favourite aromas to your home. However, you don’t need to splash out on an oil burner or a dispenser. Instead, simply fill a bowl with hot water and add a few drops of your favourite oil. Alternatively, fill a few pots with baking soda and add a few drops of essential oil. Place the pots at strategic points in your home for a long-term solution to stale air and unwanted smells.
5. Cook up a storm in the kitchen
Let’s face it: there are few better smells in a home than the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread. In fact, most baked products can add a “homely” ambience that commercial air fresheners simply can’t compete with. Make baking and cooking part of your everyday rituals, and your home will always smell good enough to eat. Ingredients such as chocolate, citrus zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are perfect natural air fresheners.
6. Get growing
To aid your newfound love of aromatic cooking, why not grow your own herbs. Real herb plants deliver exceptional aromas with the minimum of effort. Rosemary, marjoram, lemon balm, mint and basil are ideal — and they can often be grown on a kitchen windowsill. These powerful herbs can fill an entire house with wonderful fragrances, and all you need to do to keep them going is water them.
7. Scented candles
Organic beeswax candles with natural ingredients are perfect for adding relaxing aromas to hallways and living spaces. Fresh citrus aromas are ideal, as they tend to linger the longest. As well as making your home smell wonderful, scented candles are great for adding a little ambient lighting to a room.
Don’t reach for an aerosol air freshener the next time your home needs a fragrant makeover — Mother Nature has everything you could possible need.
