‘Scentscaping’ Is Fragrance’s Answer to Separating Work From Home
Jas is the Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
1,528 days–approximately how long I (and I’m sure many of you) have worked from home.
If you work an 8-hour day, that’s almost five thousand hours spent in our study, on our dining table or, if you happen to rent a tiny (but cute) townhouse like me, our bedroom.
Of course, remote work has its perks: sleep-ins, trackies, side quests (laundry, food prep), but as I’ve come to learn, the only boundaries that exist between work and home are the ones you set yourself.
This is precisely why my partner, an excellent napper, refuses to work remotely, unable to resist the allure of our very nap-worthy couch.
I like to think I've got this whole work-from-home schtick down to a fine art.
It may have taken a few furniture rearrangements, late-night Marketplace meetups, and deep-tissue massages to get here, but she (and her A+ work setup) have made it.
One thing that’s really upped my WFH game? Fragrance. Specifically, different scents for different rooms.
And then I stumbled across the idea of ‘Scentscaping’, and realised I was onto something.
When pitching this article to our Senior Editor Sadaf, we realised most of us are probably already doing this, without necessarily knowing we are.
Allow me to explain.
What Is Scentscaping?
‘Scentscaping’ is strategically placing fragrances to create desired moods, atmospheres and sensory experiences within different spaces or rooms.
Like landscaping, except in place of plants are vibe-evoking fragrances.
You may have picked up on this when dining out or shopping in-store. Peter Alexander and their signature ‘A Tahaa Affair’ Glasshouse Fragrance comes to mind.
We’ve previously discussed how different scents can promote certain moods. For example, lavender and chamomile for relaxation, citrus for energy, or rosemary and basil for focus.
So, if we apply this concept at home, scentscaping allows us to differentiate spaces based on their purpose, like a calming bedroom, an energising home office, or a fresh kitchen.
It involves considering fragrance families, room function, and seasonality when determining which scents to layer to add a multi-sensory dimension.
Pretty cool, huh?
So, Which Scents Suit Which Room?
While certain scents can evoke specific feelings, fragrance is a very personal experience, and your scentscape will ultimately be determined by your taste and preferences.
That said, here are some popular fragrance notes for different rooms.
Bedroom:
- Lavender - Promotes relaxation and better sleep.
- Jasmine - Floral scent with calming properties.
- Vanilla - Comforting aroma that can reduce stress.
Study:
- Citrus (grapefruit, lemon, orange) - Energising and uplifting.
- Herbs & Woods (rosemary, eucalyptus, cedarwood) - Grounding and clarifying.
- Floral (lavender, jasmine, geranium) - Relaxing and thought-provoking.
Bathroom:
- Citrus (lemon, grapefruit) - Invigorating and fresh.
- Eucalyptus - Spa-like, minty freshness.
- Tea tree - Natural antibacterial properties.
Our homes aside, we investigate 'Pheremone Perfumes' and whether certain scents can make us feel attracted to someone on our YouTube channel below.
Living Room:
- Sandalwood - Warm, earthy, and inviting.
- Floral (lily, rose) - Elegant ambience.
- Fruity (passionfruit, fig) - Uplifting and lively for entertaining.
Kitchen:
- Cinnamon - Cosy baking aroma.
- Citrus (orange, grapefruit) - Zesty and refreshing.
- Herbs (rosemary, thyme) - Culinary and appetising.
Dining Room:
- Floral (rose, jasmine) - Sophisticated for dining.
- Citrus (bergamot, lemongrass) - Light and refreshing.
- Fruit (pear, honey) - Complements food aromas.
Fragrances to Scentscape With.
Bedroom: Maison Balzac Bonne Nuit Candle.
Fast facts:
- A warm, comforting blend of lavender, chamomile, and clove essential oils.
- Made in Sydney with natural soy wax that’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, and burns cleanly.
- Light Bonne Nuit an hour before bedtime for a relaxing atmosphere and better sleep.
- Lavender is known for its soothing and stress-relieving properties, while chamomile promotes tranquillity and clove adds a cozy, spicy note.
Here are some customer reviews:
“Most lovely smell will last for a good few months.” - Hanna.
“This essential oil will make your room smell fresh and add a zest of life to it. It's quite a citrusy smell so make sure that's your kind of thing before buying.” - Natasha.
Study: Aesop Istros Aromatique Room Spray.
Fast facts:
- A blend of invigorating floral notes combined with the rich, smoky aroma of tobacco.
- It can be spritzed into the air or onto surfaces or linens to instantly refresh and scent any interior space.
- Inspired by the lively and exotic atmosphere of a bustling bazaar, evoking a sense of energy and intrigue.
- Formulated with high-quality botanical ingredients and essential oils, without any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
- A sophisticated and captivating way to create an enlivening and stimulating atmosphere in the home or office.
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
“I am obsessed with this scent. I spray it onto the sheets after I have washed it, and you can always smell it when you enter the room! It's amazing and I have had so many comments on it. It is definitely a fixture in my house now.” - Dana.
“I love this smell for my room and car, I use it every night before sleep, it makes my room fresh and smells very good.”
Bathroom: CIRCA Alchemy WHITE TEA & WILD MINT Candle.
Fast facts:
- A unique blend of white tea, wild mint, and bergamot creates a crisp, herbaceous aroma.
- Made from a natural soy wax blend that’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, and burns cleanly.
- Housed in a stylish ceramic vessel with a minimalist design; a chic addition to any home decor.
- White tea provides a delicate, floral undertone, while wild mint lends an invigorating, cooling freshness.
Here are some customer reviews:
“This candle smells so beautiful. It’s the perfect fresh scent that’s strong without being overpowering. Have had so many compliments.”
“This white tea and wild mint scent is highly addictive, the first time we lit it, we kept saying how lush it smells, and we just want it day and night, and everywhere!”
Living: Lumira Cuban Tobacco Candle.
Fast facts:
- A luxurious and sophisticated candle, perfect for creating a cosy, inviting mood.
- Made in Australia from natural soy wax and housed in an elegant glass vessel with gold lettering.
- Opens with vibrant notes of tangerine, cardamom, and clove bud, providing a zesty and spicy introduction.
- Features rich tobacco blended with warm mahogany wood at the heart, and earthy, sensual base notes that add depth and an enigmatic quality.
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
“This candle is one of my absolute all time favourite scents. It’s grown up, sexy, cozy and delicious! I love the woody oriental scents in my perfumes and this candle is an extension of this. Not sweet at all and definitely not overpowering or cloying. The most beautiful.” - Nina.
“I just adore this. It has a beautiful sophisticated scent. It perfumes quite a large area when lit but is not overpowering. It makes me want to stay home all day to enjoy it. The perfume is not strong when lit so don’t be disappointed when you first open the elegant packaging.” - Catherine.
Kitchen: CIRCA Alchemy GRAPEFRUIT & CEDARWOOD Candle.
Fast facts:
- A luxurious and invigorating scented candle designed to refresh and uplift any space.
- Features a vibrant blend of grapefruit and cedarwood notes, creating a citrusy yet grounded aroma.
- Part of the Alchemy collection by Aussie brand CIRCA, beloved for their high-quality home fragrances.
- The natural soy wax blend is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and burns cleanly without any harsh chemicals.
- Formulated with CIRCA's proprietary technology to help eliminate unwanted odours, making it ideal for bathrooms and living spaces.
Here are some customer reviews:
“This white tea and wild mint scent is highly addictive, the first time we lit it, we kept saying how lush it smells, and we just want it on day and night, and everywhere!”
“This candle smells so good I could eat it. Can't wait to burn it for the first time. The scent is delicate and subtle.”
Dining: Carriere Freres Tomato Scented Taper Candles.
Fast facts:
- The ultimate dinner party centrepiece infused with the tantalising aroma of fresh, ripe tomatoes.
- Scented with the distinctive fragrance of tomatoes, a fleshy berry from the Solanaceae plant family.
- Crafted in France by renowned candlemaker Carriere Freres using 100% vegetable wax derived from European organic rapeseed.
The tapered candles have only just arrived at Adore, but here’s what our customers think of the original tomato candle:
“I have to say it has now become one of my favourite scents ever. The tomato smells more like a plant rather than food. Freshly picked, sun-kissed, with the root/leaves scent.!” - Mandy.
“I brought this for my mum as a gift. She has burned it whilst cooking and it smells amazing. You would never think tomatoes smell so good from a candle. Smells like a freshly picked, sun-ripened, home-grown tomato. A lot more delicate but pleasant in scent.”
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