Having trouble falling asleep at night? Or focusing while working from home? Well, allow us to introduce you to the wonders of scent-scaping.
There's no denying that fragrances and perfumes seem to have a special effect on our brains by positively impacting our mood. And at home, surrounding yourself with certain scents can draw the lines between the areas where you work and relax so as to set you in the right mood. Enter: scent-scaping, the new fragrance wellness trend that will revolutionise your WFH routine.
The best part is that if you already own more than one candle or and electric diffuser, all you need to do is diversify your scent collection to pick something that fits the vibe of each room in your home. But we get it, sticking to your favourite scent is quite tempting, but trust us, introducing new notes and exploring different combinations can make the biggest difference.
It's perfectly understandable if you're still unsure with what scent-scaping is and how it works.To help you get started on your fragrance-zoning journey, we've taken the time to consult with a few knowledgable experts, who shared their top tips on how to effectively use fragrances to zone your home, increase your productivity and unwind.
To make your life that much easier, we've also put together a full edit of all the best home fragrances to get you started on your journey. You'll find everything from candles, diffusers and essential oils, so there's definitely something for everyone. Enjoy.
Skip to: Our top picks | What is scent-scaping? | What are the benefits of scent-scaping? | How can I best scent-scape my home?
Best fragrances for scent-scaping at a glance:
- For calm and relaxation: Floral Street Lady Emma Candle, WAS £38 NOW £30.40, Space NK
- For better sleep: NEOM Real Luxury Pod Starter Pack, WAS £117 NOW £97, NEOM Organics
- For energising your workspace: Jo Malone Orange Blossom Diffuser, £68, Jo Malone London
- For reducing stress: Aromatherapy Associates Essential Oil Blends Collection, £60, Space NK
Meet the experts:
- Vicken Arslanian, re-founder at Commodity
- Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street Fragrances
What is scent-scaping?
“Scent-scaping is the art of using scent to curate a distinct olfactory environment,” explains Vicken Arslanian, re-founder at Commodity. “This is done by dividing up the home into different areas and creating a unique scent profile for each space."
According to Vicken, the wellness trend of scent-scaping originally emerged on social media during the pandemic, back when we were stuck inside our homes with no clear boundaries between our personal and work lives. However, with hybrid working now becoming more and more popular, it's clear to see that scent-scaping still has a role to play.
“Homes now realise so many functions, offices, family pods and entertainment spaces, and it can be challenging to separate areas of your life,” shares Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street Fragrances. “Aromas can help you switch between, work, leisure, or family time and enhance how you feel every day.”
.jpg)
What are the benefits of scent-scaping?
“Scent can have a positive impact on your wellbeing by reflecting how you want to feel at a particular time,” shares Michelle. “Different fragrances can help to balance or energise your mind, reduce stress, or introduce moments of self-care.” This means that just by establishing zones within your home using home fragrances, you can enhance your mood and positively impact the ambiance of each room.
“Scent-scaping definitely has mental health benefits,” she adds. “Our sense of smell is strongly linked to the parts of our brain responsible for memory and emotion. Thus, scents have the power to make us feel comforted, energized, etc.” Now, what does this mean? Well, we can use our sense of smell to our advantage and increase our comfort levels when we want to relax, work out, focus, and more. Simples.
How can I best scent-scape my home?
The best part about the viral wellness trend is that there's no wrong way to do it. “You can use anything that helps evoke a certain feeling, such as candles, fragrances, diffusers, room sprays, and fresh flowers,” says Vicken.
However, some experts recommend using particular scents in specific areas of the house to better suit the mood associated with each room. “I’d suggest vanilla or amber for relaxation,” says Vicken, highlighting that both notes can be best used in a living room, particularly when greeting guests. “For an energy boost, I’d suggest citrus scents like lemon or bergamot. Use these in a home office at the start of the day or in an exercise area for an added pick-me-up," he adds.
After more new-in fragrance content? Shop floral fragrances, zesty perfumes, oud perfumes, vanilla perfumes, men's aftershaves and colognes and perfume gift sets aplenty. We also have skincare-related buying guides, including the best shower gels and body washes, best hand creams and the best moisturisers and body lotions.
For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Check out all the best ways you can use fragrances to scent-scape your home…
Why we love it: Having some guests over? Say no more. This floral candle can help create a more welcoming and relaxing environment within your home, thanks to notes of Bulgarian rose oil, green apple and leaf accord. Plus, it has a burn time of up to 40 hours, meaning it'll last you a good while.
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
Why we love it: Set the mood alight using this fresh and exotic reed diffuser from Floral Street. With notes of saffron, eucalyptus, carrot, cumin, Tuscan orris and espresso beans, this vegan and cruelty-free mood-enhancing fragrance is perfect for evenings in.
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
Why we love it: This candle rocks the exact same scent as Glossier's famous You perfume. It's extra comforting and has a hint of familiarity, thanks to a scent derived from pink pepper, fresh iris, and woody ambrette and ambrox. 10/10 would recommend.
Why we love it: Newly launched, Alexander McQueen's three-piece collection embodies the complex history of the design house famed for its juxtaposing use of darkness and light, with each candle having been created by a different perfumer. Savage Bloom, our personal favourite, marries delicate tuberose and the earthy intensity of oud to create a moody, evocative scent which is mirrored by the sexy black lacquered glass and soft curves of the vessel.
Why we love it: If you're having trouble falling asleep, then this is the thing for you. This NEOM diffuser uses the power of scent to help you drift off to sleep quicker than ever before. Plus, you can use any essential oil you like, including NEOM's own destressing fragrances, which are perfect for helping you get a full night's sleep.
Why we love it: While vanilla is a great scent for any time of the day, this invigorating fragrance is particularly great if you're looking to create energising atmosphere in your living room. It's uplifting and vibrant, thanks to notes of vanilla, plum and crisp amber.
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
Why we love it: After a long day at work, we all deserve to come home to a calm environment. These essential oils use scent to get you in the right frame of mind to wind down, no matter how stressful your workday was. Pair it with a good diffuser, such as the aforementioned NEOM starter pack.
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
Why we love it: If you're lucky enough to have a separate space dedicated for remote or hybrid working, then this is the diffuser for you. It features sparkling floral notes and just a hint of orange blossom – perfect for turning your living space into a place of productivity.
Why we love it: Need something to get you started on your scent-scaping journey? We've got you covered. This ESPA wellness collection features four mini candles for every mood: soothing, restorative, energising and positivity. The best part is that you can place them all in different rooms too.
Why we love it: Trust us – this set of fragrance sticks smells just as good as it looks. Guaranteed to go with your interior design, this product features fruity and citrusy notes of patchouli and mandarin.
Why we love it: Nothing gets you in the mood to read like a candle that's made to remind you of the nostalgic smell of a library. With notes of cedarwood, vetiver, pepper, benzoin and vanilla, this candle smells of antique woods, cherished books and paper pages. *chef's kiss*
Make sure to bookmark these Space NK discount codes.
Why we love it: Lacking some florals during those rainy days indoors? This premium, rose fragrance from Diptyque has an invigorating scent that fills the air with flowers and positive vibes. Plus, just look at the candle container it comes in – it looks sooo delicate that every interior stylist would be proud.
.jpg)
