Seasonal home scenting is the key to creating a calm and cosy autumn vibe.
There’s something magical about autumn, don’t you think? The evenings draw in, the lights come on, and home becomes the place we want to retreat to. Creating a cosy, calm vibe at this time of year isn’t just about cushions, blankets and twinkly lights – it’s also about scent.
Scent has the power to transform a room instantly. It can ground you, calm you, energise you, or create a memory that lingers long after the candle has burned out. Scent is one of the simplest, most effective ways to embrace the season.
As this is my 40th blog post (a little milestone for me), I couldn’t think of a better time to share one of my favourite seasonal rituals – autumn home scenting.
“Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.”
Helen Keller
Why scent matters in the home
Have you ever walked into a beautiful store, a luxury hotel, or even a friend’s home and immediately noticed how lovely it smells? Before you’ve seen the décor or sat down, your senses have already told you: this space feels nice, this space feels welcoming.
That’s the power of fragrance – it creates a moment, a feeling, and a memory.
Your home can do the same. When you come through the front door and get a whisper of your favourite scent, it gives you that deep sense of I’m home. The right fragrance doesn’t just make a room smell nice – it changes how you feel in it.
And here’s the best part: when you choose scents you truly love, and you repeat them year after year, they begin to evoke memories of times gone by and at this time of year, autumns past… evenings curled up with a blanket, family dinners, or that first lighting of a candle on a chilly September evening.
My journey into seasonal home scenting
My love of home scenting began back in 1998, when we bought our first home. It had belonged to an elderly couple and hadn’t been decorated in decades – old-fashioned and tired, including what I nicknamed the Brussels sprout carpet! I think that paints the perfect picture!
Along with the dated décor came stale, musty smells, and even a damp cupboard in the bedroom. As we gradually decorated, treated the mould, and replaced the carpets, the house started to feel fresher and newer. I was 24, thrilled to have my own place, and eager to make it welcoming – especially when friends came over.
However, I was a little paranoid about how it smelled at first, and that was the start of my love for home fragrance. Reed diffusers, candles, and even incense became part of the atmosphere, and people often commented on how lovely it was. Ever since, scent has been a huge part of my seasonal styling process, and the best thing is, it’s such an easy and simple way to transform your home.
Scent as a seasonal ritual
The Danish concept of hygge encourages us to embrace the seasons, and fragrance is a wonderful way to do it. As the cooler months arrive, warmer and spicier scents help us feel cocooned and comforted. Essential oils like lavender and chamomile can calm the nervous system and reduce stress, while earthy notes like cedarwood and sandalwood feel grounding.
Ritualising your scenting makes it even more special. A few examples:
- Lighting a scented candle whilst enjoying a warm bubble bath.
- Using an aromatherapy diffuser while you work, practise yoga or journal.
Small, mindful actions like these anchor your day and add layers of enjoyment to ordinary routines.
Subtle scents & first impressions
Scent is often the first thing people notice when they enter your home. That’s why I believe it’s worth keeping it simple and intentional. One or two carefully chosen fragrances per season is more than enough – you don’t want lots of competing scents clashing with one another.
I’ve learned over the years that with reed diffusers, you usually get what you pay for. I’ve tried plenty – both inexpensive and higher-end – and been so disappointed when I couldn’t actually smell them! Experiment with different brands and in different spaces in your home. Invest in the best quality you can afford, and you’ll notice the difference – longer-lasting fragrance, better diffusion, and less waste. Higher-quality ingredients = a higher-quality experience.
Practical tips:
- Placement matters: a hallway console is perfect because you smell it the moment you step through the door.
- Look after your scents: keep the lids for diffuser bottles so when you are not using them, you can store them away between seasons. Pop the reeds in a bag so the oils don’t spoil other items.
- Switch it up: our noses become used to scents over time (we become ‘nose blind’), so changing fragrance each season keeps it fresh and noticeable.
- Don’t underestimate natural options: eucalyptus stems, rosemary sprigs, or dried orange slices in a bowl. Potpourri can be a nice bowl filler.
My favourite autumn scents & products
When it comes to home fragrance, I tend to stick with my tried-and-tested favourites that I bring out year after year, occasionally adding one or two new finds to keep things fresh. My go-to choices are usually reed diffusers and candles – simple, effective, and easy to use. I’ve experimented with plug-in aromatherapy diffusers in the past, but personally, I find them a bit fiddly. The water element can be messy, and over time, they’re prone to becoming slimy and difficult to clean.
Here are a few of the brands and ranges I enjoy and recommend – a mix of long-time favourites and newer discoveries – across a range of budgets:
- Affordable – M&S: Warmth (Apothecary Range)
A cosy blend of cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and sandalwood. It’s subtle and warm and at a price point that makes it perfect for everyday use. - Mid-range – The White Company: Autumn
A true classic. This fragrance captures the essence of autumn without being overpowering. It’s my go-to every year. A combination of pear, quince and apricot with warming musk and amber. Gorgeous. - Mid-range (Artisan) – Summergate Candle Company: White Musk & Amber or Mandarin & Sandalwood
A beautiful Scottish brand close to my heart. The refillable diffuser and candle pots are sustainable, stylish, and long-lasting. The amber scent is soft, warm and cocooning, while the mandarin and sandalwood has a fresher, earthy twist. - High End – Jo Malone: English Pear & Freesia
This isn’t your typical spicy autumn candle, but its earthiness makes it perfect for the season. - Scottish Luxury – Essence of Harris: Dusk or Cashmere Woods
Another stunning Scottish brand. The Dusk scent, with rhubarb and apple, is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year – I love it. They also have a new one called Cashmere Woods, which is the ultimate cosy scent for autumn and is on my list to try!
Each of these fragrances creates a different mood. Some are grounding and earthy, some are fruity and fresh, and others are indulgent and warm. It’s about choosing the one that feels right for your scent preferences and your home.
Seasonal Scent Switches
You don’t have to stop at candles and diffusers when it comes to home scenting. If you’d like to embrace scent more fully, try out some of your everyday household products in seasonal versions:
- Fabric softener
- Washing-up liquid
- Multi-surface sprays
- Hand soap/lotion
I’m not suggesting that you go out and buy things you don’t need, especially cleaning and laundry products. They are too big to store in multiples. That would not be good advice from a professional organiser who teaches people to declutter, now would it? What I mean is, if something runs out, look for a seasonal version for a nice swap.
For more on how to keep your laundry room organised, read my blog HERE.
Even your perfume can change with the seasons. You don’t need to buy something new, but you might enjoy swapping out your light, fresh summer fragrance for something warmer and woodier as the weather cools.
Fact: Perfume lasts longer when stored upright in a dark place, so you can safely store your out-of-season fragrances in a cupboard or drawer until the time is right. My Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, which is my favourite hot weather fragrance, is safely in hibernation now, and my Jo Malone Dark Amber & Gingerlily is out. It brings me a lot of pleasure to do this. It feels like I’ve bought something new when I haven’t!
Scenting dos & don’ts
Do:
- Place diffusers in hallways, entryways, bathrooms, and living rooms so you’re greeted with fragrance as you enter (and bathrooms are perfect as small spaces where scent really lingers and helps neutralise less pleasant odours).
- Use calming scents, such as lavender, in bedrooms to promote better sleep. Here are a few more tips on how to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary.
- Refresh scents seasonally to avoid going ‘nose blind’.
- Invest in high-quality candles and diffusers – they last longer and have a stronger scent. And this doesn’t always mean expensive. You can find great products at affordable prices.
- Consider the look as well as the scent – richer, warmer colours or vessels that complement your décor style can enhance your seasonal styling.
Don’t:
- Use diffusers or scented candles on the dining table – they can interfere with your senses. Food should always take centre stage.
- Overload your home with too many competing fragrances. One or two is enough.
- Place reed diffusers near radiators or direct sunlight on a window ledge (they’ll burn through the oil too quickly).
- Forget you can store diffusers out of season, with their lids on and the reeds in a bag when not in use.
Seasonal home scenting is a simple way to elevate your home and your mood. It’s not about filling every room with fragrance – it’s about choosing the right ones, using them with intention, and enjoying how they make you feel.
This autumn, why not try one signature scent to carry you through the season? Let it become part of your home, your memories, and your sense of calm.
“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”
Jim Bishop
Light a candle, breathe it in, and let your home feel like the calm, cosy retreat you deserve.
I’d love to hear if you have a favourite brand or autumn home fragrance you enjoy. Connect with me on Instagram @organisewithjen and let me know!