Our ability to perceive smells, to differentiate and classify them is a valuable gift of nature, thanks to which we experience many pleasurable sensations. For example, odorless food may well be tasty, but if it smells good, the meal becomes many times more appetizing and delicious. Apart from your appetite, aromas and fragrances can also affect your energy level, temperament, mood, emotional and mental state.
Let’s research how to scent a room with essential oils.
Aromas don’t just make you feel good. Choosing the right fragrances can help create a special atmosphere in a living space. That’s why so much importance is attached to the way your home smells. After all, how it smells is how you and your guests perceive it.
Properties and benefits of essential oils for the human body
The properties of natural aromatic oils depend on the type of plant, the part used, the growing conditions, and the way they are produced. However, their quality, composition, and aroma will ultimately vary. Most essential oils have similar properties but each of them also has its own exceptional qualities:
An antibacterial property is inherent in most types of essential oils. These aromatic compounds can affect different types of bacteria and fungi. Antibacterial oils include thyme, clove, oregano, anise, basil, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, juniper, lemongrass, etc.
The anti-inflammatory property is also characteristic of many types of essential oils. Thanks to it, they are able to rapidly regenerate skin injuries and reduce vascular permeability. The prominent representatives of this category are chamomile, yarrow, bergamot, ylang-ylang, lavender, juniper, tea tree, and others.
The antiseptic property is something many types of oils have as well. It helps to effectively fight bacterial and viral infections. These are marjoram, tea tree, niaouli, anise, orange, bergamot, clove, lavender, juniper, peppermint, petitgrain, patchouli, eucalyptus.
Analgesic properties help to eliminate various problems associated with headaches, insomnia, or nervous exhaustion. Peppermint, lavender, blue spruce, immortelle, jasmine, balsamic fir, and other oils have such properties.
Expectorant properties help to facilitate the secretion of sputum, having a reflex effect on the mucous membrane of the bronchi. These include oils of eucalyptus, anise, turpentine.
Antioxidant properties help to slow signs of aging, improve blood circulation and lymph flow, stimulate cellular respiration. These include oils of dahlia, yarrow, low juniper, and silver fir.
The fragrance oils containing unique phytohormones, which by their structure are similar to those of humans, slow down the aging process. Among them, there are sandalwood, jasmine, rose, myrrh, patchouli, neroli, and others.
The fragrance oils that have fat-burning properties contribute to weight loss. The effect of these will be noticeable if applied locally, arranging a massage session, bathing, or wrapping problem areas. These include lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, bergamot, tea tree, nutmeg, and others.
Insomnia regulating oils have warming, soothing properties. These include oils of melissa, frankincense, rose, mint, cypress, bergamot, sage, sandalwood, and juniper.
Oils and oil combinations can also help get rid of insects. They have a very specific aroma that gnats or mosquitoes don’t like. The best types for eliminating annoying pests are lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, mint, vanilla, clove, and geranium.
Common ways to scent a room with essential oils
There are many various ways to fragrance your living space with aromatic oils. Here are the most common ways how to scent a room with essential oils.
1. Aroma lamps
Classic aroma lamps consist of 2 parts: the lower part is designed to hold a small candle; the upper part is a bowl for water and oil. They normally add 2 drops of fragrance oil per 5 square meters (53 square feet) of space. Catalytic lamps look like a vessel filled with oil. They place a wick in it with a catalytic burner (platinum-plated + ceramic), then lit the burner. After 2 minutes, they put the flame out and cover the lamp with a protective lid. As a result, your room smells nice, all unpleasant odors are removed and airborne bacteria is no more.
You can place an aroma lamp in any room but preferably in an area out of the reach of children. Don’t place it on flammable surfaces (tablecloth or plastic). Ventilate the room well before use and then light the lamp, closing all doors and windows so that the fragrance doesn’t escape.
2. Natural wax candles: beeswax, soy, coconut, etc.
Ideal for use in the bedroom or while taking a bath. Just turn off the lights and enjoy whenever you feel like it. This is how you can create a romantic and even intimate mood or meditate.
There are lots of advantages to this method:
- It’s 100% natural
- It’s hypoallergenic
- It’s safe for children
- It offers a full-bodied scent
- It’s long-lasting
3. Fragrance sachets
A scented cushion designed to fragrance your room or bed linens. Scented sachets can be placed anywhere: in the kitchen, children’s room, closet, or bathroom. For example, a pleasant mixture of lavender rose petals and yarrow will suit the bedroom, and sachets with chamomile and lavender can be placed in the nursery. A sachet placed in a closet will make sure your things always smell good. To support the immune system during colds, use mint, melissa, or rosemary. Besides, these cute little things can be nice decor pieces for your home fragrance.
4. Room sprays
Great fragrance spays in the form of aerosol bottles. You can buy them at stores or just mix water and oils in a spray can: let it be a little home ritual, a little meditative practice. You can spray water with a few drops of lavender all over your home to disinfect the air or use them as an air freshener in your bathroom. Room sprays are also suitable for fabric. You can spray it on your bedding, upholstery, or clothing. The fragrance is more intense in the air but lasts longer on fabric as well.
It is easy to do spays by yourself. Use this DIY room spray to make your space feel clean, fresh, and revitalized.
5. Scented wax cubes
Wax cubes for an aroma lamp. A good alternative to scented candles without an open flame. Simply put them in a bowl, and when the wax begins to melt, the room will quickly fill with fragrance.
6. Reed diffusers
These consist of three parts: a bottle, a set of reeds, and an aromatic composition. You don’t have to burn anything or watch over it, so it’s completely safe. Just adjust the intensity of the scent: if you want it stronger, put all the reeds in the bottle. If you like a more subtle fragrance, remove a few. If all the sticks are present and the scent seems weak, turn the sticks over. This kind of essential oil diffuser lasts about three months but it all depends on the volume.
7. Electric/ultrasonic aroma diffusers
These are small devices designed to atomize essential oils. They also regulate the level of humidity in the room. You can determine the intensity of the scent in the room yourself: from 5 drops of oil (for a light scent) up to 20 drops per tank. If you want your bedroom to be as relaxing as possible or if you have trouble sleeping, put one near the bed. It can also be used in the bathroom or living room.
The aroma diffuser is the perfect way to release a mist of distilled water and natural fragrance without overwhelming your senses. It does this by using just enough for you so that it’s not heavy-handed or overly pungent.
Types of fragrances to use in different rooms
There are scents to use in every room of your house for relaxing, health-boosting, anti-bacterial, and other amazing effects. Here are the ways to scent various rooms.
Kitchen
- Citrus oils are great for the kitchen: orange, grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, or lemongrass. They lift your spirits and neutralize unpleasant odors with great efficiency.
- You can prepare a mixture of 5 drops of clove and 4 drops of limette (Mediterranean sweet lemon) oil.
- Do you want to fill your kitchen with the aroma of coffee? Add 4-6 drops of citrus oil to ground coffee.
- You can soak your towels and napkins in the oiled water. Apart from the pleasant aroma, the oil also eliminates bacteria and unpleasant odors.
- 2 to 3 drops of rosemary in your dishwashing detergent will smell amazing.
Bedroom
A soothing fragrance is called for. Choose rose, fir, lavender, and violet, as they are best suited for a healthy sleep.
Bedroom tips:
- If you want to have a great night, get familiar with the scent of love: ambergris. It boosts your mood and increases your attraction to your partner. This popular aphrodisiac is formed during the digestion process of sperm whales and is a dense substance with a pungent resinous odor. You can use scents based on it.
- Vanilla is a simple fragrance that most people like. The smell of vanilla adds energy, harmonizes the home environment, and creates an atmosphere of trust. It gives a sense of joy, improves memory, promotes concentration, and revives thirst for life.
- Brew a sleeping potion: mix 200 ml (6.7 oz.) of water with 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto your bedding before you go to sleep.
Hallway
To make sure you feel good as soon as you enter your home, use the aromas of coffee, cedar, lemon, pine, tea tree, bergamot, orange, or lavender.
A few tips:
- For hallways, there are scents that will neutralize unpleasant odors coming from outside: citrus and pine.
- There are remedies for closets, too: lavender, for example. It repels moths. But lately, they mostly opt for floral and fresh scents like cotton, or violet.
Living room
In this space, you can use any fragrance you want. And no one can choose it better than the homeowner. Find the scent that speaks to you personally. Choose fruity or floral scents. Experiment with sandalwood, mint, mandarin, or honey. Many people like figs for their sweet, exotic scent.
Bathroom
The bathroom is not only a relaxing place but also an important element in keeping the house clean and fresh. This is a place where you don’t just get clean; you can really relax here forgetting about your long busy day. Floral scents such as delicate rose or soothing lavender are ideal for this. Create an atmosphere of relaxation with candles, petals, and beautiful music, and the fragrance will unobtrusively envelop you and provide pleasant emotions.
This is also a place where we often use air fresheners: it’s the place of the odors that can only be eliminated by a strong fragrance. Store-bought fresheners contain harmful ingredients that enter our body through the lungs, so it’s best to avoid them. Fill the diffuser with fresh fruit, citrus scents and take it to your bathroom. You can also use a room spray. Apply a few drops of oil inside a roll of toilet paper.
Office
Here’s how you can use fragrances in your home office:
- For more intense scenting, use lemon, jasmine, mint, or rosemary.
- To get rid of irritation and fatigue, use chamomile, ylang-ylang, marjoram, rose, or palmarosa. Add 35 drops of the essential oil you like to 150 ml (5 oz.) of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it well. Use the mixture as a body spray.
- The aromas of mandarin, navel, coriander, rose or bergamot can enhance creativity.
- Self-confidence and optimism will be boosted with grapefruit oil.
How to choose the best fragrance for your home?
If you are new to aromatherapy, the easiest way is to choose an essential oil based on your preferences. You can divide the fragrances into “summer” and “winter” ones. The lighter and fresher ones are suitable for the warmer seasons. For example, try lemon, peppermint, or tea tree. Not only are they refreshing, but they also help to produce endorphin – the happy hormone – so you’re in a good mood. And in winter, opt for scents with warm notes. For example, vanilla, ginger, or pine oil would be perfect.
Apart from scenting the room, essential oils have many other valuable properties. Citrus aromas, as well as pine, eucalyptus, geranium, and tea tree have an antiseptic effect and increase immunity. That is why we suggest using them in the autumn and winter season. Lemon essential oil is suitable for preventing colds and also helps cope with headaches, so it is useful to use at any time.
Conclusion
When choosing a fragrance for your home, remember that everyone is unique and has unique tastes. Find your favorite scents to inspire, energize, soothe, and bring happiness. Don’t be afraid to experiment: mix different fragrances, create your own compositions.
