Have you ever stepped inside someone's home or a hotel and wondered how they make it smell so good? Whether you'd prefer to go fresh and natural or beautifully fragranced, we're going to explain how you can keep your house smelling amazing all the time.
- Tips to make your house smell good:
- How to make your house smell like...
display fragrant houseplants, herbs, and fresh flowers
As well as looking beautiful, houseplants, herbs, and cut flowers can be used to naturally fragrance your home. There's even some evidence to suggest that certain live plants can help to purify the air (Healthline).
best-smelling houseplants
From left to right: Geraniums, orchids, gardenias, jasmine, citrus plants
Please note that most houseplants only release fragrance when in bloom, so you may need to consider flowering seasons when making a decision. It's also worth checking the care instructions before making a purchase.
Don't forget to make the most of your plants by displaying them in attractive ceramic planters.
best-smelling herbs
From left to right: Rosemary, lemon balm, mint, basil, lavender
As well as introducing life and fragrance into your home, many live aromatic herbs can be used to add fresh flavor to food or drinks. They also tend to be inexpensive and easy to care for.
Herb plants look particularly lovely on a kitchen windowsill. For added interest, try growing yours in ceramic cups or mugs.
best-smelling flowers
From left to right: Roses, lilies, peonies, hyacinths, freesias
Cut flowers of course don't last as long as houseplants or live herbs, but they are great for temporarily adding color and fresh scent to your home (bear in mind that the season may limit what is available). Try presenting your bouquet in a beautiful ceramic pitcher or vase and use the petals to make potpourri afterwards.
use scented candles and diffusers
Reed diffusers are ideal for keeping your house smelling nice because they release fragrance gradually and continually. The reeds absorb the scented oil, which then evaporates into the air. You can ensure a stronger scent by using more reeds or turning the reeds more regularly.
Scented candles are great for adding a burst of fragrance to your home. When burned, the scent from the wax is released into the air.
You can choose from five beautiful home fragrances when shopping at Denby:
- Ginger and White Lily: Floral and spicy scent with lily and jasmine entwined with ginger and clove. The result is a fruity fragrance that works in any room.
- Tobacco, Leather, and Cognac: Woody cologne evoking fires, vintage leather, and fine cognac. The ideal fragrance for a lounge.
- Jasmine and Patchouli: Jasmine and rich patchouli with notes of blackcurrant and vanilla. A woody and floral scent.
- Ylang-Ylang and Amber: Oriental floral accords of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and iris. A refreshing floral scent that brings vibrancy to any room.
- Freesia and Jasmine: Floral notes of freesia and jasmine combined with fruity accords of peach and pineapple. A serene and calming fragrance.
get rid of any unpleasant smells
It is far better to tackle unpleasant odors at the source than try to mask them, so getting rid of any unwanted aromas is important if you want to make your house smell good. This largely comes down to maintaining a thorough and regular cleaning regime.
You may not be aware of bad smells in the home due to a phenomenon called nose blindness, whereby the body gets used to a particular odor and so can no longer detect it. If you're wondering what your house smells like to guests, you could ask a straight-talking friend. However, the best approach is to identify potential sources of unpleasant odors and treat them accordingly.
Pets, especially dogs, are one of the most common causes of unwanted smells in the house. A thorough and regular cleaning regime including all of their things, such as enclosures, food bowls, litter trays, beds, blankets, and toys, is the best way to keep odors at bay. If you have a dog, get advice from a groomer about how they should be brushed and bathed.
Mold and mildew can cause a musty smell in the home. If you spot any patches, it's a good idea to remove them with a specialist cleaning product and then take measures to stop them coming back. Mold and mildew are caused by high humidity, so you can prevent them by improving ventilation.
Trash cans should be lidded (so they trap odors inside) and small (so that they have to be changed more regularly). It's also a good idea to wash them out every month or so, or whenever there's a spillage. You could also try sprinkling a little baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) at the bottom of your trash can before lining with a bag, as this will help to absorb any odors.
Dirty laundry is best stored in a lidded hamper and tackled as soon as there's enough for a load. If possible, leave damp items of clothing to dry outdoors before adding them to the wash pile, otherwise they can develop a strong smell. Remember to clean the laundry hamper itself now and again, as this can absorb odors from the clothes.
Dirty dishes should be washed or at least rinsed as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to cover leftovers and get them in the fridge as soon as they're cool enough (this is best practice for food hygiene reasons, too). When cooking, try to keep surrounding doors closed and use an extractor fan or window to let any unwanted smells escape.
Bedding should be changed every week or so and can be washed in fragranced laundry detergent and fabric softener to make your bedroom smell nicer. You should also wash your pillows and duvet a couple of times a year according to the care labels. To remove odors from your mattress, sprinkle on baking soda and leave for a few hours before vacuuming. Another good tip is to leave your duvet folded back during the day in order to air out the sheets.
Kitchen appliances can easily become smelly because they deal with food and water. If you don't already, make sure to include your fridge, freezer, toaster, dishwasher, oven, and washing machine in your cleaning routine, as well as giving them a deep-clean a few times a year. Also, leave your washing machine and dishwasher doors open after each cycle to allow them to dry properly.
Carpets come into contact with all sorts and can even absorb odors from the air. As well as vacuuming regularly and keeping messy paws, feet, and shoes away, consider using a carpet cleaner around once per year. You can also freshen up carpet by sprinkling over baking soda or baby powder, leaving it to absorb odors for a few hours, and then vacuuming.
Soft furnishings like throw pillows and drapes can absorb odors from the air, but they are easily ignored in a cleaning routine. Around once per year, consider giving these a wash according to the care label. Steam cleaning can also help to eliminate odors in fabrics. You can also try using specialist odor eliminator sprays.
Bathrooms should be cleaned at least weekly. Make sure to wash towels and bathmats as part of your routine. It's also a good idea to flush your drains every three months or so to stop odors from developing. You can do this by pouring equal parts baking soda and white vinegar down the drain, leaving for around half an hour, then rinsing with hot water (same goes for kitchen sinks).
Shoes are a common source of unwanted smells so, if you can, keep them in a storage unit away from your main living spaces. You can also buy specialist shoe deodorizers or use dryer sheets, baking soda, or baby powder to keep insoles smelling fresh.
ventilate your home
Proper ventilation removes air pollutants like smoke that can cause unpleasant odors, as well as excess moisture, which can lead to damp. It can also help to keep your house smelling fresh.
- Open your windows: When you're cooking, showering/bathing, or naturally drying clothes, it's a good idea to open the window and shut the door to allow the odors/moisture to escape. Depending on the air quality outside, opening your windows can also help you to naturally achieve that fresh smell that's so wonderful in a home.
- Use extractor fans: The extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom help to remove air pollutants and moisture. Try to keep them on for at least 15 minutes after cooking or showering so that they can pick up any lingering particles.
- Keep internal doors open: Throughout the day, it's a good idea to keep your internal doors open so that air can circulate around the house.
- Keep trickle vents open: Some windows and doors are fitted with trickle vents. Keeping these open will help to improve ventilation and ensure that you don't get stale air in your home.
make potpourri
Potpourri can release floral fragrances for weeks and looks beautiful presented in a ceramic bowl. You can also add potpourri to fabric sachets to add fragrance to drawers, cupboards, and more.
Making your own potpourri is a great way to recycle flowers that have wilted. Simply dry your petals or flower heads in the oven (approximately two hours at 210°F should do it) along with a few drops of essential oil. You can also add ingredients like citrus peel, berries, seeds, herbs, and spices. Once cool, mix with a few more drops of essential oil and a fixative, such as powdered orris root, which you can easily buy online.
bake or brew something delicious
A secondary benefit of baking or brewing something delicious is that the smell can be enjoyed around your home. Some people make their own bread because it makes their house smell like a bakery, while others prefer the scents like coffee, cinnamon, lemon, rosemary, and vanilla.
Generally, the longer the baking or brewing time, the longer you can enjoy the aromas in your home. As well as browsing our bakeware and cookware, you might like to take a look at some of our great-smelling recipes.
use essential oils
Essential oils are extracted from plants and highly fragranced. They can even be combined to create complex aroma profiles. Here are some examples:
| Citrusy | Floral | Herbal | Woody |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon | Rose | Lavender | Cedarwood |
| Grapefruit | Ylang-ylang | Basil | Sandalwood |
| Orange | Geranium | Sage | Cinnamon |
| Bergamot | Jasmine | Peppermint | Clove |
There are various ways you can use essential oils to make your home smell nicer naturally and safely, and doing so may even have aromatherapeutic benefits on your mental and physical wellbeing (Healthline). A little goes a long way, so simply add a few drops to...
- ...cotton balls and place in a decorative ceramic pitcher, making sure to leave uncovered. This can then be displaying in any room, acting as an air freshener.
- ...an oil burner or aromatherapy diffuser/vaporizer.
- ...water in a spray bottle. This can then be used as an air freshener/room spray. Make sure to shake well before use.
- ...baking soda and leave to soak for 24 hours. You can then use this scented powder to deodorize shoes, carpets, bins, and more.
- ...a clean facecloth or similar and use as a dryer sheet. These scented sheets are also great for tucking into drawers, cushion covers, and shoes.
- ...a pot of water and bring to a gentle simmer on the stove. The aroma will naturally spread through the air, although you may need to be careful of condensation developing.
- ...a cotton ball and dab onto lightbulbs. The heat from the bulb will help to disperse the fragrance through the room.
- ...dried pinecones and leave to dry for 24 hours before displaying.
how to make your house smell like...
You can buy home fragrance products like candles, diffusers, air fresheners, room sprays, and incense sticks to make your house smell like these popular scents. Some use a wide variety of ingredients and techniques to achieve complex fragrance profiles.
However, there are some other techniques you can use to make your house smell like a hotel, spa, bakery or whatever else you fancy. You can then find your signature scent or experiment with different fragrances. Many people like to switch things up by room or season.
laundry
The easiest way to make your home smell like laundry is to regularly wash clothing, towels, bedding, and soft furnishings in fragranced detergent and fabric softener. Make sure to follow the advice on care labels and products to ensure the best results.
Many people find that drying outdoors is best for giving fabrics that 'fresh air' scent, but you could also try using scented dryer sheets in your clothes dryer. You can even put scented ironing water in your iron. When using multiple products, just try to choose matching or complementary scents so that they don't clash.
You can also make your house smell like laundry by using dryer sheets around the home, such as in clothing drawers or in-between sofa cushions. Remember that you can make your own scented sheets by adding a few drops of essential oils to a clean washcloth or similar.
vanilla
To make your house smell like vanilla without baking, add one teaspoon of vanilla extract (not essence or flavoring) to a small ceramic bowl then place in a 280°F oven for around 30 minutes or until evaporated. If you can, leave the oven door open and fan on afterwards to help the aroma circulate.
Another option is to place a few drops of vanilla extract onto cotton balls and leave them in an unlidded jar or ceramic pitcher. As well as looking lovely on display, this will act as a natural air freshener.
cinnamon
Cinnamon has a warming aroma that can evoke the feeling of fall and magic of Christmas. Making your house smell like cinnamon can be as simple as hanging bundles of cinnamon sticks around the home — even better if you can put them near a heat source, such as a radiator or fireplace.
Another option is to simmer cinnamon sticks in water in an uncovered cooking pot or slow cooker.
coffee
Brewing fresh coffee is a great way to enjoy that coffee-shop smell at home. Rather than buying ground or instant coffee, grind coffee beans by hand and enjoy all the aromas released in the process. You can then make pour-over coffee, or use another brewing method, to create a great-smelling cup or batch. For more ways to enhance your experience, take a look at our mugs, and other drinkware.
You can also make your house smell like coffee by roasting the beans yourself. Simply add a layer of fresh green coffee beans to a baking tray and place in a 430°F oven for around 10 minutes or until the desired color is achieved.
lavender
Lavender, with its highly fragranced flowers and aromatic foliage, can be grown indoors if you have access to a sunny spot. You can also use lavender essential oil in various ways.
Another option is to display bunches of dried lavender in your house — our ceramic pitchers make stunning vases. Dried lavender can also be blitzed in a food processer and used in fabric fragrance sachets.
rosemary
Rosemary can be used in similar ways to lavender. Try growing it in a container, hanging dried bundles on the wall, adding dried needles to fragrance sachets, or using its essential oil.
citrus
If you love the fresh scent of citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and grapefruit, you can use essential oils around the home. You can also use peel or dried slices to add a zingy fragrance to make potpourri or hanging decorations.
Lemon is an effective cleaning agent thanks to its acidity, so consider swapping your usual products for a homemade alternative packed with this great-smelling ingredient. You can find recipes and tutorials for almost every cleaning task online.
eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is an aromatic plant that can be grown indoors, but you might find it easier and more effective to use the essential oil for home fragrance. The scent is relaxing and so often associated with spas.
fall
"When it gets cooler and drier, specific scents tend to stand out more — we're able to kind of pull out the scent of leaves, the scent of bark, the scent of grass in more distinct ways," neuroscientist Rachel Herz told CBC News.
You can recreate the smell of a forest in fall in your house with woody, earthy scents like sandalwood, cinnamon, and cedarwood. Try adding a few drops of these essential oils to dried pinecones and displaying in a ceramic bowl along with cinnamon sticks, dried star anise, and dried orange slices.
christmas
Nothing smells like Christmas quite like a spruce, fir, or pine tree does. Displaying a real tree, wreath, or garland is therefore one of the best ways to make your house naturally smell like Christmas.
If that's not possible, you can always use sprigs or fir/pine needle essential oil around your home. Try mixing with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and berries to create Christmas decorations that look and smell amazing.
You may also wish to decorate your house with clove-studded oranges. "Pomanders" like these have been used since medieval times as perfumes and home fragrances.
Brewing mulled cider or wine is a great way to fill your house with the smell of seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. If you're up for baking, consider great-smelling festive recipes like gingerbread, mince pies, or Christmas pudding.
You may also be interested in learning how to have an eco-friendly Christmas and browsing our Christmas gift ideas.
a bakery
The smell of freshly baked bread is hard to mimic so, if you want your house to smell like a bakery, consider making your own.
Recipes that use yeast are best, according to Modern Cuisine, because the ingredient produces "chemicals that break down during baking into delicious-smelling aromatics". There are plenty available online, allowing you to make everything from simple no-knead loaves to artisan rye breads.
You can find the cookware you need to bake bread here at Denby.
a spa
When you walk into a spa, you're immediately greeted with calming scents that let you know you're in for a day of pampering and relaxation.
To make your house smell like a spa, look to fragrances like eucalyptus, lavender, cedarwood, orange, sage, peppermint, and ylang-ylang — ingredients commonly used in beauty products. Try blending essential oils in different combinations to find your favorite scent.
Running a beautifully scented bath and enjoying a pampering session can also help to spread that gorgeous spa smell around your home.
a hotel
Luxury hotels often use fresh flowers, candles, diffusers, and room sprays to ensure their lobby provides a warm welcome and to give rooms a five-star feel. You can do the same in your house.
Different venues of course use different scents, but some of the most common are floral and fruity fragrances like jasmine, bergamot, lemon, and vanilla.
Next time you visit a hotel that smells amazing, try asking the concierge what product they're using, and you might be able to replicate it at home.
a beach
From the salty sea to the musty sand and sweet smell of sun cream, the beach has a distinct scent that can conjure happy memories of summer holidays. You can make your house smell like the beach by using fragrances like coconut, sandalwood, vanilla, and citrus.
Beautiful scents can naturally elevate your mood and wellbeing. Now that you know how to make your house smell amazing (and keep it smelling amazing all the time), you can enjoy your favorite fragrances every day and impress any guests who come round to visit.
At Denby, we offer candles in ceramic pots, scented tin candles, and reed diffusers in five stunning designs and fragrances. We have lots of matching and complementary tableware available. Just take a look at our inspiration to find out how you can mix and match your homewares.