Have you ever been trapped on an elevator with a man who slathered on too much aftershave? Or forced to eat a meal at a restaurant seated near a woman reeking of perfume? Some people douse themselves in fragrance to hide odors, while others (such as heavy smokers) may have less acute olfactory systems that can’t fully register their scent unless it’s abundantly applied. The same is true with home fragrance: There’s actually strength in subtlety.
Subtle forms of home fragrance have become increasingly popular in recent years. The rise in sales of these solid and liquid mixtures of sweet-smelling flowers, fruits, and spices may have several causes: Crime may keep people more homebound these days; improved insulation keeps household odors locked inside; high-technology home theaters may be more satisfying than crowded movie theaters; videogames and computers provide virtual company at home; the fear of obesity might have everyone cooking more fish and broccoli. Whatever the reason, the popularity of home fragrances is undeniable.
Layer Home Fragrance for Best Effect
This popularity has created a demand for a variety in scents, and in the forms of fragrance. Essence oils, fragrance sprays, candles, light bulb rings, drawer liners, soaps, incense, sachets, simmering crystals, and potpourri are just a few of your choices, depending upon your lifestyle and personal preferences. Just as layering your personal fragrance with powder, lotion, and cologne makes a richer, longer lasting smell, the same is true of home fragrances. Try using different forms of the same scent throughout your house for a (literally) home sweet home. Although you might want to mix and match paint colors or decor throughout the house, stick to one fragrance.
You can buy home fragrances just about anywhere: department stores, gift and specialty shops, import stores, pharmacies, retail outlets, craft stores, and even groceries sell home fragrances. Specialty stores may sell supplies for making your own potpourri. Essence oils and potpourri are among the most popular fragrance items. Shoppers’ moods influence their scent choice with lighter fragrances selling better in spring and summer, and warm spicy scents selling better in fall and winter.
Most Popular Scents of Fragrance
Among the hundreds of scented home products – especially the large variety of candles – the most popular fragrances are consistently vanilla, cinnamon, and rose. Seasonal smells are also popular, such as apples, cinnamon, and peaches in the fall and winter, and spring rain during March through May. Other scents, including lavender with its calming effect, enjoy steady year-round sales because of their applications in aromatherapy.
Although you don’t want to overpower visitors to your home, office, or home office with too much scent, you can’t realistically expect one candle to scent the entire house. Generally one candle per room is a more realistic ratio. Be conservative with scent, but don’t be stingy. Some of the stronger oil-based scents can easily fill an eight-by-ten foot room with their aroma. They literally blast fragrance throughout the area, which you can smell on impact. Open bowls of potpourri gently fragrance the immediate vicinity, but oils (and freshly administered room sprays) are far less subtle and should be used only in larger areas.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new forms and scents of home fragrance. Just remember to layer your fragrance and use with moderation. Would you like to be trapped in an elevator with that smell?
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