The Surprising Truth About The Role Smell Plays In Interior Design

If you're looking for ways to make your home's interior design really impactful, you've probably thought about factors like lighting, furniture, and artwork. But perhaps you haven't thought as much about the role that scent plays in your interior design aspirations. It would be a mistake to overlook this sense, however, as it is closely linked to the human experience. 

The sense of smell is able to trigger memories and therefore influence our interactions with an environment. Scent can also signal to our brains certain emotions, with some scents, like lavender or chamomile, creating a calming environment. Others, like cinnamon, can conjure up feelings of warmth and coziness. Then there's the category of gross smells in the home (which can often be fixed with simple hacks). These can truly influence the feel of an interior space in a negative way. Cigarette smoke, full trash cans, and the smell of dirty pets, for example, can make a guest feel that a space isn't fresh or clean. If you want to make the most of your home's interior and put your guests at ease, remembering to take smell into your consideration can pay off big time.

If you're interested in making your interior design more effective, remember to incorporate the right approaches to infusing your home with pleasant smells. The first step is to ensure that you're working with a fresh canvas, so to speak. Focus on freshening up your interior before trying to add smells or you'll run the risk of layering fragrances on top of a musty space. Remember to regularly air out your home and to keep things clean as a first order of business.

Once your home is fresh and clean, you can move on to adding your desired smells. Choosing the right signature scent for the design style of your home can be a fun and thoughtful process; for a bright and optimistic interior, you can embrace citrus and peppermint smells, which will energize a space. If you're going for a refined and sophisticated vibe, however, incorporating sandalwood, vetiver, and bergamot can be a pro move. Just as there are a plethora of options for scents in your home, there are many choices for how you choose to bring those smells indoors, too. You can use an essential oil diffuser to release a steady stream of fragrance in your space, such as the Dynooper Aroma Diffuser with Essential Oils Set, which doubles as a humidifier. Otherwise, you can turn to scented candles (remember to prioritize those that are made with quality ingredients, like the M&SENSE Eucalyptus & Mint Candle, which is crafted with natural wax). Another option for making your home smell amazing is to use incense sticks, which can pack a powerful punch. For a more localized scent that's not as strong, you can also strategically position potpourri around the home. Finally, while good scents are great for your home's interior design, remember to not overdo it — better to go for pleasant but subtle rather than to overpower your guests with too strong of a smell.