It doesn’t matter how nicely you decorate your home if the general ambiance is ruined by unpleasant smells. This is a particularly important issue if you are trying to sell your property or are anxious to make a great for impression for any reason. Even if you don’t suffer from nasty niffs, it is always better to welcome visitors with a pleasing aroma and life is much more pleasant for you if you are surrounded by your favourite scents.

Cooking, pets and various cleaning products could leave your home smelling less than wonderful especially in the winter months when we rarely open our doors and windows. A great fragrance can set a mood, lift your spirits, relax you or simply make you smile and there are a number of easy ways to ensure that your home always smells fresh and beautiful.

Potpourri

You can kill two birds with one very affordable stone by filling a bowl or dish with scented dried twigs and flowers. Potpourri permeates the air gradually with your chosen fragrance whilst acting as a lovely decorative feature for your home. Potpourri comes in a variety of styles including small petals and larger twigs and leaves. There are colour options to suit your decorative scheme and as the fragrance fades over time it can be refreshed by adding scented oil occasionally.

Fragrance Lamps

Fragrance lamps are pretty, ornamental glass bottles which have a stone burner in the mouth. The fragrance is diffused wonderfully by lighting the burner and then blowing out the flame and leaving the retained heat in the stone to do its work via a wick. It is believed that the diffusion process of these lamps speeds up the decomposition of the molecules which cause bad odours but this has yet to be proved. Whatever the truth of this, these lamps will perfume your home beautifully and are very safe as they have no naked flame.

Flowers and Plants

There is no fresher or more natural smell than the scent of flowers and plants. Cut flowers only last a short time and are, as such, an expensive choice but they do look wonderful while they last. There are a variety of herbs which can easily thrive if grown indoors and which will spread earthy scents whilst adding life to your rooms. These plants will, however, require regular care and are best placed away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Aroma Sticks and Reed Diffusers

You can use incense sticks in any room and these are composed of naturally scented materials and fragranced oils. You simply light the sticks and place them in a suitable mount and the aromas are diffused by the burning process. Alternatively use sticks of reed which should be placed in a diffuser containing oils. The oils then wick up the reeds to fill the air with the scent. These systems can last for months and involve no burning. Turn the reeds occasionally for the best effects.

Aroma Diffusers

There are a variety of interesting diffusers available, many of which are attractive decorative features into the bargain. These generally work via a power source by gently heating oils or fragranced liquids. You could also explore the possibilities of wax burners. These also look and smell lovely and the fragrance is generally quite strong. Simply place scented wax melts onto the burner and place a tea light underneath. Using a naked flame does require caution and so burners should not be left unattended.

Scented Candles

Candles always look wonderful and add a lovely feel to any room with their flickering flames and gentle light. Even when extinguished they still look perfect as decorative additions to the home.  If you use scented candles then do be mindful of the safety issues. Candles have naked flames and so should never be left unattended, even for a short time.  Place your candles away from draughts and curtains and keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Always ensure that a candle has been fully extinguished before you walk away. For more information on candle safety watch the following video.

Spices

For a heavenly smell and an instant effect simply add spices like cloves and cinnamon to water and gently simmer on the stove for a gorgeous aroma that will make you feel hungry as well! Other quick fixes include simmering lemon juice or lemon peel and baking citrus peel in the oven. These are the oldest tricks in the book but they really work!