What Candles Make Your House Smell Good?

ByChloe Bennett

Candles can transform the ambiance of your home in an instant with just the strike of a match. Different candle scents evoke diverse moods and emotions, allowing you to customize your environment. When selecting home scents, consider the vibe you want to cultivate. Citrusy and fruity candles promote feelings of energy and freshness, while florals convey femininity and romance. Warm spices emit coziness and comfort, and woody scents bring nature indoors. You can also opt for mouth-watering gourmand flavors of vanilla, sugar and baked goods. Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find candles to make your house smell inviting.

Fruity & Citrus

One of the most popular candle scent categories is fruity and citrus. These bright, vibrant scents are perfect for instantly energizing any room. The tangy and fresh profile of citrus fruits is uplifting and creates a sunny atmosphere. The sweetness of fruits like strawberry, peach and pineapple provide juicy notes that smell like summer. Some of the most popular fruity and citrus scents for candles include:

  • Lemon – A refreshing, zesty scent that evokes feelings of cleanliness.
  • Grapefruit – Tart and tangy, with an underlying sweetness.
  • Orange – Sweet and juicy, reminiscent of a bright Florida citrus grove.
  • Tangerine – A sweeter, more candy-like version of orange.
  • Blood Orange – Similar to a regular orange but deeper and more intense.
  • Meyer Lemon – A floral lemon scent with slightly less acidity.
  • Strawberry – Sweet and jammy, reminiscent of fresh strawberry pie.
  • Pineapple – Tropical and sweet, evoking summer vibes.
  • Peach – Juicy and lush like a ripe peach in season.

Any of these bright, cheerful scents are perfect for energizing a sleepy mood or just providing an instant burst of sunshine. The tangy citrus and sweet, juicy fruit notes create an uplifting atmosphere that’s hard to resist.

a row of different scented candles with citrus and fruit labels

Floral

Floral scents, like lavender, jasmine, and rose are known for their soothing and relaxing properties. The sweet, delicate fragrance of flowers evokes thoughts of a blossoming garden full of spring blooms. These fragrances are perfect for winding down in the evening and promoting a sense of calm and tranquility in your home.

Lavender is one of the most popular floral scents. True to the real flower, lavender candles often have an herbaceous, fresh, sweet aroma. The calming properties of lavender have made it a long time favorite. Lighting a lavender candle in your bedroom is a great way to create a relaxing vibe before bedtime.

Jasmine is another floral scent known for its sweet, exotic aroma. Jasmine candles contain high levels of benzyl acetate which has been shown in studies to have sedative effects. The rich floral notes of jasmine make it perfect for meditating or simply relaxing after a stressful day.

Rose is a classic floral scent that ranges from fresh and dewy to rich and spicy. Roses symbolize love and beauty. Rose-scented candles can set a romantic mood with their heady, elegant fragrance. A rose candle in your living room or entryway will greet guests with a touch of luxury and grace.

Warm & Spicy

Warm and spicy scented candles evoke feelings of comfort and coziness. Some of the most popular warm and spicy scents include:

Cinnamon – Cinnamon scented candles smell just like fresh cinnamon sticks or baked goods like cinnamon buns. The aroma is warm, sweet, and spicy. Cinnamon candles pair nicely with other cozy scents like vanilla.

Vanilla – Vanilla candle scents are rich, sweet, and creamy. They smell just like fresh vanilla beans or baked goods like vanilla cupcakes. Vanilla goes well with other warm scents like cinnamon.

Nutmeg – Nutmeg scented candles have a sweet, spicy aroma perfect for fall and winter. Nutmeg candles smell like fresh nutmeg spice and pair well with cinnamon and clove.

Overall, warm and spicy scented candles promote a cozy, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Their sweet yet spicy aromas are reminiscent of baked goods and spices, making any room feel like home.

Woody & Earthy

If you want your home to smell natural and grounding, go for woody and earthy scents like cedar, pine, and sandalwood. The aromas of trees, moss, and soil create a comforting ambiance perfect for relaxation. Cedarwood has a sweet, woodsy fragrance that calms the nerves. Pine scented candles evoke refreshing walks in evergreen forests with notes of sap and needles. Sandalwood lends a sophisticated, exotic aroma with hints of incense and camphor wood. Light one of these candles when you want to feel rooted and soothed. The natural fragrances will remind you of being in the great outdoors.

Gourmand

If you have a sweet tooth, gourmand scents are the perfect way to make your house smell like a freshly baked dessert. These candles evoke scents of sugary baked goods, rich chocolate, creamy vanilla, and other decadent treats.

Gourmand fragrances are indulgent, nostalgic, and transport you back to childhood. Popular gourmand notes in candles include:

  • Sugar cookie
  • Cake batter
  • Frosted cupcake
  • Warm cinnamon rolls
  • Chocolate chip cookies
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Crème brûlée

Lighting a gourmand candle will fill your home with the inviting aromas of a bakery, stimulating your appetite and creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for relaxing. They make great gifts too for foodies, bakers, and anyone with a sweet tooth looking to add a touch of indulgence to their home.

Seasonal

Certain scents can help enhance the overall feeling of a particular season or holiday. During the fall and winter, scented candles that evoke cozy autumn and Christmas themes like pumpkin spice, pine, cedar, and peppermint are popular. These earthy, slightly spicy fragrances reflect the colder weather and traditional flavors used in holiday foods and drinks. Come spring and summer, lighter and brighter citrus, floral, and fruity scents help welcome the warmer weather and longer days. Think lemon, lavender, jasmine, and berries. Scented candles can make your home smell like your favorite time of year.

Choosing Scents

When selecting candle scents for your home, it’s important to consider the room, time of day, and activities that will take place there. For example:

  • For bedrooms, choose lighter scents like lavender or chamomile that promote relaxation and sleep.
  • For bathrooms, go for fresh scents like lemon, mint, or eucalyptus.
  • For kitchens, select food-inspired scents like vanilla, cinnamon, or apple pie.
  • For living rooms, pick medium strength scents that won’t overpower guests but will make the space smell inviting.
  • For evening use, opt for warm, cozy scents like baked goods or amber.
  • For daytime use, stick to bright, uplifting scents like citrus fruits or herbs.

Tailoring your candle selection to your lifestyle and home will help create an ambiance that’s pleasing but not overpowering.

Pairing Scents

When selecting multiple candles, it helps to layer complementary scents that enhance one another. Here are some tips for effective pairings:

Combine a bright citrus like grapefruit or lemon with a soft floral like lavender or rose. The citrus uplifts while the floral rounds it out.

Pair gourmand scents like vanilla, almond and baked goods with woodsy aromas like cedar, pine or sandalwood. The sweet notes are grounded by the earthiness.

For seasonal multi-scents, blend autumnal pumpkin and pecan with spicy ginger or clove. In spring, partner fresh cut grass with clean cotton or watery notes.

If using spicy or strong scents like eucalyptus, offset with a milder aroma like jasmine or chamomile. The gentler fragrance prevents overpowering.

Scented candles come in endless varieties, so have fun testing different combinations! With the right pairings, you can create a signature scent that makes your house smell like home.

Safety

When burning candles, safety should always be a top priority. Here are some tips for safely enjoying candles in your home:

Make sure the wick is trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. Long or untrimmed wicks can produce tall, uncontrolled flames. Trim the wick every few hours as the candle burns down.

Place candles on a stable, heat resistant surface away from drapes, furniture or anything flammable. Allow adequate spacing between burning candles.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles before going to sleep or leaving a room.

Don’t burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. The glass and wax can get dangerously hot the longer it burns.

Keep candles up high and out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental fires or injuries.

Consider using candle holders that fully encase the flame to prevent accidentally tipping or drafts from blowing the flame against something flammable.

Always keep a close eye on burning candles and extinguish them if they start smoking, flickering brightly, burning unevenly, or the wax starts pooling off the side. This indicates the candle shouldn’t be burned any longer.

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