Why Smell Is Essential To Design, According To HGTV's Sandra Rinomato

When designing a home, scents are often perceived as less important than visible choices like paint colors, furniture, and decorations. However, according to Property Virgins host Sandra Rinomato, scent is extremely important to creating the space you desire. She says, "You cannot underestimate the impact of scent on your home environment. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your home feeling and smelling fresh," per HuffPost.

However, maintaining a pleasing fragrance in our house can be challenging, and Rinomato knows this. She points out that "in today's busy world, it can be difficult to keep your home exactly how you dreamt it would be; whether it's the wet dog, the kids' sports equipment, or the smell of yesterday's dinner. It can be tough to keep the atmosphere in your home feeling — and smelling — like your private oasis." Less-than-ideal scents could be worsening our quality of life and creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for guests. Therefore, it's important to utilize freshly scented items, which will help create the environment we desire.

Rinomato says that one of her favorite ways to introduce both fragrance and a relaxing ambiance is through lighting candles. According to HuffPost, "Candles are a big part of the décor in my home and they immediately put me at ease. They've been a part of my home for years," she says. Candles provide a homey atmosphere that benefits both residents and guests. Moreover, they can be added to just about any room including the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

It's also important to keep your home as clean as possible. While candles can bring in a fresh scent, if the rest of your space is unclean they'll only mask odors instead of replacing them. She emphasizes the importance of cleaning when staging a home to sell, but it's also important while you're living in your house, as dirt and grime often come with unwanted odors. According to Sheknows, Rinomato reminds homeowners to frequently wipe down their lower kitchen cabinets, as "grease can collect there, and this will make your home seem not taken care of." Cleaning well will give your home a freshness that can then be enhanced with scented candles.