scenting your home - which fragrance works in which room?
our homes are where we should feel the safest and most comfortable. we used to spend, on average, a third of our lifetimes in our homes but since the covid-19 pandemic many of us have spent even more time at home as we convert our spaces into temporary - or, for some, permanent - places of work. as we alter how our homes fit into our lives it's important to maintain a comfortable and serene environment that feels inviting and relaxing, and a simple way to encourage this is to have a fragrance in your rooms that match the feel and function of each space. of course, i'm talking candles! but which fragrance works best in which space? we've compiled a quick guide below on how to match our candles to the rooms in your house. naturally you're welcome to put our candles wherever you like - it's your house!
i te roto i te rūma moe | in the bedroom
this is the environment in which you want to create a serene sanctuary that promotes a relaxing and soothing space, and botanical scents are perfect for the bedside for their calming aromas. you can also go for a scent that's a little sexy but is still subtle, and floral-based aromas that are grounded with a hint of musk are excellent for a sensual and romantic fragrance in the bedroom. regardless, this is an intimate space so be sure to choose your favourite scent to develop your own personal refuge.
our recommendation: aitutaki, hapani
i te roto i te rūma noho | in the living room
perhaps the most dynamic space in your home the living room serves equally as a recreation space and an entertaining space, and the candle you choose to put here can serve as a base to complement or enhance the activities within. creamy, sensual and floral fragrances are a universal way to warm up your space for everyday use, but if it's party time something more lively and cheerful - such as something fruity - can complement the social flavours of the room and get the conversations going.
our recommendation: waikato, tairana, te taitokerau, hapani
i te roto i te rūma kai | in the dining room
mealtime spaces can already be dense with a mix of different aromas, from fresh food to the smell of cooking wafting in from the kitchen. your nose and mouth are connected through the same airway and share the same types of receptor organs in your body, with some reports suggesting 75-95% of what we taste actually comes from our sense of smell. choosing the right scent here can compliment the meal you are enjoying, so floral scents should be avoided these aromas can interfere with the food you serve whilst herbaceous and citrus-based scents complement existing food-based aromas.
our recommendation: whakatū, te taitokerau
i te roto i te kīhini | in the kitchen
as with the dining room the kitchen is home to an abundance of food aromas, so in here you want a candle that is familiar to the kitchen and the scents abounding within. fresh herbs and light food scents are great, and citrus scents can work to help eliminate kitchen odours. again, you want to avoid floral fragrances in the kitchen as these can be overpowering for your guests and can take away from the food being served.
our recommendation: te taitokerau
i te roto i te rūma kaukau | in the bathroom
using the right fragrance in this space can help transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa destination. look for fragrances that invoke a clean and crisp feeling, but remember the size of the space you're working with: some bathrooms can be quite small and in those instances you should keep the fragrance light and minimal without overwhelming the space. fresh scents such as oceanic fragrances give a clean and crisp feeling, whilst fruity and citrus scents can be uplifting, and light floral scents can encourage a day-spa feeling within your own home.
our recommendation: piha, hauraki, tairana, hapani, aitutaki
i te roto i te tari kāinga | in the home office
a work space should be productive and functional, and with many of us working from home more often or even permanently the home office has taken on a new significance. citrus fragrances are well known for being uplifting, and these zesty scents are perfect for the home office to keep you awake and alert whilst maintaining focus.
our recommendation: te taitokerau