I don't know about you, but there's nothing like walking into your house, or the house of someone you love, and being greeted by a warm, familiar scent. Home is where the heart is, and also where all of the good candles live.
"I can’t imagine my home without a scent. It’s as essential as music, furniture, or books—it simply has to be there," says Amelie Huynh, CEO of French fragrance house D'Orsay. "At home, I have candles, room sprays, and fragrance diffusers. And when I travel, I always take a small candle with me that reminds me of home. I’m especially drawn to smooth, creamy woods, with just a touch of lavender or vanilla. Those notes feel warm, soft, and familiar—they feel like me."
As Huynh mentioned, there are so many ways to develop your home fragrance landscape. And while there's nothing wrong with lighting any old (perhaps regifted) luxury candle and calling it a day, you'd be surprised how impactful the right scent(s) can be when you put some thought into them.
"The scent of a home hits you as soon as you walk in the door; it's as collaborative to your personal style as your furnishings and artwork. It accentuates the welcome factor to your guests and sets the tone of your home's overall vibe," says interior designer Shannon Allen. "Creating a refined and curated home activates all of our senses, so the way a room smells is as important as the way it looks."
Ahead, discover the best home fragrances to capture your house and heart, plus expert tips on scent selection and curation.
The Best Home Fragrances
- The Best Home Fragrance Candle: LAFCO New York Feu de Bois Candle
- The Best Home Fragrance For Ease of Use: Glasshouse Fragrances Scent Scene Duo
- The Best Home Fragrance Detergent: The Laundress Beauty Sleep Luxury Laundry Detergent
- The Best Home Fragrance Mist: SIDIA Braless Mist
- The Best Home Fragrance for your Bathroom: D.S.&Durga for Violet Grey Meet Me in the Powder Room Candle
A LAFCO candle was the first luxury candle I ever bought myself, and I've made it a tradition to grab one every season since. The scents are gorgeous, and they burn beautifully, but the fact that they're housed in unlabeled glass vessels really makes them perfect to me. I never mind a cute label or logo, but there's something particularly chic about this setup. As for what scent to get? The Champagne (ginger, grapefruit, raspberry) is a classic, and Winter Violet (myrrh, violet, smoked cedar) is so cozy. But Feu de Bois is home.
Key Notes: Sandalwood; Leather; Frankincense
Burn Time: Up to 90 hours
Other Formats: Reed diffuser; Pura insert; Room mist
What I Love: Beautiful vessel; Long burn time; Stellar scent selection; A longtime favorite brand of many chic women I know; Easily fits in with home decor
What I Don't: I've experienced a little tunneling while burning
Review for MC: "Someday, my children are going to be left a collection of empty LAFCO vessels that I used to store makeup brushes, pens, and other treasures. They're going to love them, but maybe be sad I didn't leave them any actual candles to burn. But how could I! They're too good, I need to keep them all for myself." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky is currently burning LAFCO's Spiced Pomander scent for the holidays, but you can bet Feu de Bois will be next.
I love Glasshouse Fragrances—the candles, the oil diffusers, the creative paper infusers, and really everything else the brand have going on. My favorite offering might be the Scent Scene setup, though. This pretty little standing disc houses five liquid-less "Scent Stems" which give off a hefty dose of fragrance without soaking in oil. They're so easy to swap when the stems run dry, which happens about every 30 days (not bad at all considering a replacement pack will only run you about $16).
Key Notes: Multiple options
How Long It Lasts: Replacement stems needed every month or so
Other Formats: N/A
What I Love: Couldn't be easier to use; Beautiful scent selection
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "This beautiful little contraption keeps your home smelling great with absolutely no mess or upkeep. Goodbye, oil-soaked reeds! Goodbye, the fear that my cat might knock over the diffuser!The potency is impressive, and I love the ease of swapping scents. Kyoto in Bloom is a current favorite." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Glasshouse's Scent Scene diffuser is the easiest set it, leave it, and enjoy it method for home fragrance.
From a "feeling awake" perspective, it may not be brilliant of me to be exposed to the scents of lavender and sandalwood constantly. But that's what happens when your bedding detergent is this lovely—other, non-blanket and sheet pieces start sneaking into the wash. Before you know it, you're wearing the scent all day. And whoever said constant coziness was a bad thing? We're always technically getting ready for bed.
Key Notes: Bergamot; Lavender; Freesia; Grapefruit; Jasmine; Rose; Lily of the Valley; Oakmoss
Other Formats: Fabric spray
What I Love: Concentrated, so the bottle lasts a long time; Comforting scent; Feels luxurious to use
What I Don't: More expensive than your average laundry detergent
Review for MC: "It's not like I didn't love going to bed before, but there's something about crawling into fresh sheets perfumed with this detergent that's on another level. Any time I have a guest over, they tell me they slept so well—and what detergent do you use?'" — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
The sticky The Laundress Beauty Sleep bottle on Sophia Vilensky's laundry room shelf is proof of how good it is.
This is technically a body mist, but spray it into the air once, and you'll just keep going. I have the candle version, but love the mist so I can run from room to room and easily perfume my entire house. Composed of smoldering spices and warm, woodsy undertones, Braless is "an ode to personal liberation" and the exact state you should live in while cozying up at home.
Key Notes: Leather; Coconut; Vanilla and Cedar; Peony
How Long It Lasts: Depends on how much you spray!
Other Formats: Candle
What I Love: Fabulous smell that is also totally fair to wear on your skin
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "As mentioned, I first discovered Sidia's Braless as a candle. Then, I decided I wanted the body mist, and then I decided I actually wanted the body mist sprayed all over my house. It feels like a little luxury every time I spritz it." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
SIDIA's Braless fragrance is lovely and perfect for spritzing everywhere.
D.S. & Durga's collaboration with Violet Grey is called "Meet Me in the Powder Room." It'll fit beautifully in your actual powder room, but you can really enjoy it anywhere in the house. "The honor of your presence is requested at the uptown soiree of all uptown soirees at the modernist apartment of your dreams," the brand writes in the product description. David, the co-founder and head perfumer, never steers me wrong with their candles, and this one is no exception. May that uptown soirée never end, and may this scent remain on shelves forever.
Key Notes: Rosewood; Lipstick; Violet Leaf; Almonds; Nappa Leather; Ciggies
Burn Time: 60 hours
Other Formats: None
What I Love: Crafted by two beauty world building powerhouses; Impressive throw, even when not burning
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "I typically really, really love anything both D.S. & Durga and Violet Grey are up to, so this candle was a treat like no other to discover. It makes me feel like I'm at a fancy party every time I step into the bathroom, even if I'm just washing my face in the morning." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Meet me in the powder room, please? If only so we can smell my Meet Me in the Powder Room candle.
A favorite incense of every (good) yoga studio or calm home I've ever been to, Nag Champa (it comes from the champaca flower!) has a rich and woody scent with notes of sandalwood, resin, and spice. A find from India, it's traditionally used in religious and spiritual ceremonies for its calming and meditative qualities. If you're getting into incense, this is an absolute classic that comes at an impressive price point. The box will last you forever.
Key Notes: Sandalwood; Resin; Spice
Burn Time: About 45 minutes
Other Formats: You can find candles that copy the scent, but in my opinion, this is the only way to use it
What I Love: A classic, calming scent; Available everywhere; The box lasts forever
What I Don't: Only burns for about 45 minutes
Customer Review: "Nag Champa has been my go-to incense for years—and honestly, nothing else comes close. The scent is warm, calming, and just feels like home. Every time I light a stick, it instantly takes me back to my childhood. My parents used to burn this in the house, and that familiar aroma brings back so many peaceful memories. The fragrance is rich but not overpowering, with a perfect balance of floral and earthy tones. It lingers in the air long after the stick has burned out, which I love. One stick can make a whole room smell amazing for hours." — Amazon
I've had the classic, smaller wall plug-in Pura device for years, and it has some impressive scent throw. This guy, though? If you're looking to fill a room, it's the way to go. Pura's air fresheners connect to an app that allows you to adjust fragrance intensity, set schedules, and configure timers so your scent is always the way you want it. They also have an amazing fragrance library complete with choices from so many beloved brands—you'll find LAFCO, NEST New York, Brooklyn Candle Company, and even Anthropologie's signature Capri Blue Volcano in the massive lineup.
Key Notes: N/A
How Long It Lasts: Depends on your settings!
Other Formats: N/A
What I Love: Fills a room with fragrance; Customizable; So many fragrances to choose from
What I Don't: One time I accidentally spilled a cartridge on the floor, and still smell the oil to this day; Scents sold separately
Customer Review: "I love my Pura. I have it scheduled for 1st thing in the AM and brighten up my day. Then I have it scheduled back of the day and picks me up. The device is magical and the fragances like the Capri Blue line is second to none. Pura you rock." — Nordstrom
Step into my house, and you'll quickly see that I adore anything and everything Flamingo Estate. The brand's bar soaps, hand soaps, and body washes can be found in my bathroom, I have the olive oil in the kitchen, and founder Richard Christiansen's gorgeous book, The Guide to Becoming Alive, on my coffee table. Naturally, I'm obsessed with the candles, too—especially the ones that you can order with a custom label.
Key Notes: Tomato leaves; Tarragon; Black pepper
Burn Time: 40 hours
Other Formats: Soap brick; Hand soap; Room spray; Surface spray
What I Love: Absolutely beautiful label and packaging; Customizable; Hand-poured; Luxurious
What I Don't: I wish every candle could be custom-labeled, because I'm also obsessed with Coriandoli.
Customer Review: "I purchased this as a gift for an important occasion. The wrapping, outer and inner is outstanding and the personalization is beautiful. And then the candle - if you don't have one you may not realiza that you need one. But in this case the presentation from the outer box on makes it worth the price. Do not hesitate." — Flamingo Estate
Huynh says her company's approach to home fragrance is similar to their personal fragrance philosophy. "We use the same creative approach, the same high-quality ingredients, and build a full olfactory pyramid just as we do with our personal fragrances," she says. "That said, I see home fragrance as more of a background voice rather than the soloist. It should always be pleasant, always present, but never overpowering." D'Orsay's home fragrance portfolio includes candles, room sprays, and a gorgeous new capillary diffuser. You can't go wrong, but because I'm used to spritzing their perfumes, the room sprays feel especially right. This particular fruity, powdery fragrance is "evocative of being on stage."
Key Notes: Ink; Black tea; Rose; Vanilla; Leather; Musk
How Long It Lasts: Depends on how much you spray!
Other Formats: Travel room spray; Candle
What I Love: Beautiful bottles that match the scents within; Nice selection of fragrances; Time-tested brand
What I Don't: I wish there were a matching perfume if I wanted to carry the scent with me everywhere
Like I said, home is where the good candles are at. And your puppy, ideally. That's who this brilliant candle was inspired by. "Around the fall and winter, I like warm and musky notes that feel cozy and enveloping," explains Carlos Huber, a Fragrance Developer and founder of Arquiste. He created this candle in honor of his own pup, Chorizo's actual little paws. "It may sound strange, but dog owners will understand the comfort in that scent, as home is where our pup is. It has notes of orris butter popcorn, corn chips, ambergris, ylang-ylang, and vanilla musk."
Key Notes: Orris butter popcorn; Corn chips; Ambergris; Ylang-ylang; Vanilla musk
Burn Time: 55 to 60 hours
Other Formats: None
What I Love: Comforting and Thoughtful; Extremely strong throw; Burns cleanly
What I Don't: Throw is almost too impressive, I smell it everywhere even when the candle isn't lit
Customer Review: "This is such a unique candle, it cant be described it has to be experienced! It smells just like the notes and also smells almost photorealistic of paws! It is very potent. It has fantastic throw both cold and warm! This might be expensive for a candle but i feel like its worth every penny. A completely unique and fun take on a home scent." — C.O. Bigelow
Home fragrance lovers really can't go wrong with a Diptyque browse. Assuming you know all about how perfect the candles are (I'm a Figuier girl, or Sapin come holiday season—how about you?), I want to talk about a lesser-known but equally loved offering: the wax oval. These small porcelain pieces hold a block of highly scented wax that uses cold diffusion to deliver its fragrance. Stick it in a drawer or on a secret shelf and visit it when you need a whiff of magic. Or, in this case, a whiff of the brand's first boutique in Paris.
Key Notes: Moss; Blackurrant leaves; Floral; Spice; Woods; Balms
How Long It Lasts: Three months, minimum
Other Formats: Candles; Diffusers; Solid Perfumes; Soap
What I Love: There are so many ways to use it; Lasts a long time; Feels nice to hold
What I Don't: Pricey, considering you could get a candle for about the same amount
Customer Review: "I’ve been delaying getting this oval strictly because of the price. Silly mistake. What a wonderful scent. And now, when I open my clothes closet door, I congratulate myself on this choice. Honestly, unlike anything else on the market, and the true scent of real essence, no artificial overpowering waves of chemicals. Must try to believe…you will not be disappointed!" —Nordstrom
Cool-girl brand Vyrao offers a lovely home fragrance line in addition to its charged, crystal-infused perfumes. Verdant is the incense version of their fresh green scent, "for transformation and renewal." These bamboo-centered sticks were crafted "for transformation and illumination" and are especially delightful when worked into your personal routine, whether it be your getting ready scent or what you burn when you wind down.
Key Notes: Italian bergamot; Cyclamen; Frankincense; Juniper; Orange flower; Musk
Burn Time: One hour
Other Formats: Perfume
What I Love: Fun color; Thoughtful design and scent creation; Plant and flower essences are blended by the brand's master perfumer
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "Will never use another incense… changes my room in an instant and can we smell it all day after just using one in the morning. Thank you!" — Vyrao
L'Avant Collective's delicious (and yes, I'm talking about a cleaning spray) Ambre Santal Multipurpose Cleanser won the award for Best Home Cleaning Fragrance in the Marie Claire 2025 Fragrance Awards. "Rarely do you come across a cleaning product that smells so good you’d wear it as a scent if you could, but L'Avant Collective’s Multi Purpose Cleaner is just that good," writes senior beauty writer Danielle Jackson while sharing her love for the product "It’s also a plant-based formula that’s ideal for people who want to tackle messes without using too many chemicals."
Key Notes: Cardamom; Spices; Orris; Cocoa; Lily of the Valley; White Sandalwood; Amber; Vanilla; Cedar; Musk
Other Formats: Soap; Laundry Detergent
What I Love: Cleans as nicely as it smells; Refillable; Plant-based
What I Don't: More expensive than your average cleaning spray, of course
Customer Review: "So I am sucker for great scents, and this one has won me over. LOVE the smell. LOVE the results. Leaves my granite counter shiny and streak free. And shocked at what this does for my stainless steel appliances. Cleans just as well as my stainless steel cleaner without the super slippery floor after! This gets rid of the finger prints, if used with microfiber cloth- leaves stainless steel STREAK FREE . It is more money than standard cleaner…but the smell and results make it well worth the price! arrived well packaged and without leaking. Will be back to buy more!" — Amazon
San Soli is a fragrance and design studio based in Los Angeles that produces its candles in the perfume capital of the world, Grasse, France. Could they be any chicer, really? The brand's candles are developed and manufactured using artisanal methods, with each wick placed by hand and the notes of each scent thought through for ideal harmony. Carmine, the newest scent, launched recently after *two years* of perfecting and is inspired by "balance, contrast, and symmetry."
Key Notes: Pink Peppercorn; Cardamom; Pepper; Patchouli; Vetiver; Cedar; Moss; Musk
Burn Time: 50 hours
Other Formats: Smaller candle
What I Love: Gorgeous, bright red vessel; Smells divine; There's a story behind the production, if guests ask (they will)
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: Not available
What to Look For In a Home Fragrance
- Format
There's no "best" home fragrance format out there—it's about what you like! From diffusers of all kinds to candles, sprays, incense, and even scented cleaning supplies, there's something out there for you. But, candles are a famously good starting point.
"Quality candles are always a great gateway into scent to really understand how top, middle, and base notes interact and evolve. Investing in a high-quality soy candle allows you to get the most balanced expression of scent," explains Bresler.
- Comfort
Tehilla Bennett, founder and principal designer at Teela Bennett Design, says that you should choose scents based on how a room is used. That said, any fragrance utilized at home should probably make you feel, well, at home.
When asked how to find a fragrance that feels like "home," Bresler said he'd first figure out what home means to whoever you're shopping for.
"What memories do they associate with the feeling of home? If it's about comfort and coziness, I would look to scents with a warm, creamy fragrance profile—think amber, sandalwood, etc. If home sparks a sense of energy and joy, they may enjoy a citrus-forward fragrance like our Champagne or White Grapefruit," he explains. "Basically, I would build on their own stories and memories through scent associations."
"I don’t think you can go wrong with woody, amber-y, or balsamic notes like tolu balsam, vanilla, sage, musk, oak, mahogany, tonka bean," adds Huber.
- Mood
When deciding which scent to feature, Bennett says to start by choosing the mood you want to create. Then, choose notes that support it. "Look for high-quality diffusion, consider how the vessel fits your aesthetic, and think holistically," she says. "Fragrance should feel like part of the overall design narrative."
Displaying Home Fragrances
From a design perspective, Bennett says you'll want to layer diffusers with candles for depth, and make sure the vessel complements your design. "I also encourage clients to keep a cohesive scent story throughout the home so each space flows naturally into the next," she explains.
Allen personally uses a mix of oil diffusers in her home and hides them within her accessories. "The container can be a beautiful piece of pottery, a vintage decanter, or a favorite vessel, but it does not need to be the center of attention. I love when friends walk through and ask 'What smells so good?' It is an alluring way to bring another layer of relaxation and luxury to your space," she explains.
Mixing Your Home Fragrance Landscape
Allen strongly believes that mixing a variety of scents throughout the home creates a soothing, calming, and captivating experience. "A well-designed home has layers and textures that stimulate us and our guests; therefore, so should the fragrances," she says, adding that keeping everything on note would be like wearing the same outfit every day.
Just don't stress about it. Your landscape can be as simple as placing two different scents that you enjoy in different rooms. "Every morning I light a candle in my office, and then later in the evening another one in my living room," Huber says. "That way, once I’m done with work, I have a different mood to walk into."
How to Properly Burn a Candle
Huynh has a ritual when lighting her candles. She never uses a lighter—just long matches. ("The gesture feels so much more elegant.") She also follows the golden rule of candle lighting: trim your wick to avoid black smoke. The first time you light a candle, Bresler says you must allow the wax pool to melt fully to the edges to prevent tunneling. For ongoing use, burn in four-hour intervals and, yes, trim the wick to 1/4 inch after each use.
"When it’s time to extinguish it—please, don’t blow it out! It’s not a birthday cake," Huynh adds. "The liquid wax could splatter on your furniture or clothes. Use a candle dipper instead—it’s such a graceful gesture."
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Meet the Experts
Carlos Huber is a fragrance developer and founder of Arquiste. Carlos has developed home fragrances for brands including Vacation Inc, Trudon, and St Regis Hotels & Resorts.
Shannon Allen is a Minnesota-based boutique interior design with a personal connection to her clients and a passion for style, art, and making everything a bit more beautiful.
In 1991, Jon traded a career in law for a flight to Europe. A year into his quest for self-discovery, LAFCO New York debuted as a purveyor of perfume and beauty brands.
Under the guidance of legendary Italian perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi, Jon explored the art of perfumery, artisanship, and formulation observed by traditional European apothecaries. Today, Jon remains fully engaged in the brand—introducing immersive fragrance experiences that reflect LAFCO’s deep-rooted values and independent spirit.
Amélie Huynh is a French entrepreneur and the CEO of D’Orsay, a storied Parisian fragrance house renowned for its rich heritage and artistic sensibility.
Before launching Teela Bennett Design in 2018, Tehilla Bennett spent years working as a NICU nurse—an experience that taught her the importance of care, comfort, and intention in every environment.
Her background in nursing and psychology shaped the way she sees design: through empathy, functionality, and an understanding of how spaces support the rhythm of everyday life.
As a mom and designer, she understands the balance between elegance and livability — between how a home looks and how it feels. Every project she takes on is personal, a chance to create a space that feels calm, refined, and completely yours.
