What's That Scent?

Freshly baked bread. Wet dog. Warm apple cobbler. Dirty sweat socks. What do these items have in common? All have a pungent aroma, which can create a particular mood or feeling in your home. Obviously, there are some aromas that you want to encourage and some that you want to avoid. Certain scents can create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, or leave you disgruntled and cantankerous. Like the color of your walls, you can use scents to create an atmosphere in your home.



The simplest way to add a pleasing smell to your home is to keep it clean and tidy. It is easy to allow dirt and grime to build up and take control of your environment. When cleaning, use products without a heavy chemical residue, which can leave a heavy smell that will dominate a room. All-natural cleaning products are more readily available now than ever before, so check your local market or superstore.



Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils and plant oils to create well-being, has recently taken off as a way to control your mood and your environment. Aromatherapy classes and teachers are available, and your local store would be happy to give you an initial tutorial on the uses and meanings of essential oils. You can invest as much as you like in commercial aromatherapy products. You can outfit your entire home or just start with a small set.



There are other ways to use scents to create an atmosphere in your home. You can leave a few drops of citrus juice, like lemon, orange and lime, in a bowl with a few drops of water and allow it to evaporate in a room. You can burn some scented candles for a short period to establish the scent of a room. You can use garden plants like lavender and pungent herbs like basil and cilantro to add an earthy tinge to a room.



Aromas can be used to evoke a special mood or feeling. You can use scents to remind a partner about an evening at the seaside or a romantic date that you shared. You can use essential oils to create a unique atmosphere in the room of a child. You can place scented items from a vacation in a room to help you relive the wonderful experience over and over again.



The sense of smell is the most powerful human sense. It evokes memories and works invisibly to create ambiance in your home. The scent of freshly baked rolls, for example, may bring up memories of Grandma's house or what it feels like to walk into your local bakery. By using scents carefully throughout your home, you can create a relaxing and peaceful environment that you will always want to come home to.