Fragrance and Interior Design Pairings
Aesthetics aren't the only aspect to consider when designing a space to match your personal home decor preference. Aroma adds just as much character to a space as does well- chosen throw pillows or area rugs, perhaps more so. Of course, infusing a bright, clean, contemporary space with heavy notes of sandalwood and spice would make any guest's nose crinkle in confusion. No, the scent should match the space. Enrich the unique character of your home by pairing trending interior design concepts with evocative fragrances that mirror the tone your decor already exudes.
Rustic
Rustic spaces can come in many different forms, but they’re often reflective of the nature in the region surrounding them. If your version of rustic is a cabin in the woods, you’ll want deep, earthy, even autumnal scents. If you envision rustic as reminiscent of the country, try a hay or grass scent.
Global
When choosing the scent of a traveler’s space - full of antique treasures, rich fabrics, and unique furniture - layer together warm aromas. You can recreate the inviting fragrance profile of an exotic spice market by combining scents like sandalwood, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger, and/or cocoa.
Contemporary
Minimal design calls for a fuss-free fragrance. Experts caution not to go for anything sweet or overly floral in a sleek space. Instead, stick to light, fresh scents with notes of greenery and citrus.
Graphic
If you’re one of the bold souls who has decorated their space with graphic shapes and geometric prints, you’ll probably appreciate that the best fragrances to pair with this design style are the brightest and fruitiest! Bright, even tart fruits, like grapefruit and guava, enhance the energizing alertness already evoked by a graphic room’s fun, poppy design.
Industrial
You have options when it comes to scenting an industrial space. Cool woods, like cypress or pine, complement this design well, but you can also incorporate the element of surprise by opting for a wow-factor fragrance, such as gardenia or orange blossom. Space is the biggest factor in determining which route to go here. In a small space, big scents can sometimes be cloying and overpowering. However, large industrial spaces can encompass and rock just about any potent scent!
Traditional
The tufts and floral patterns of traditional interior design are pleasantly paired with aromatic floral fragrances like rose, lavender, and lily of the valley. One trick designers use is to mimic the scent of whatever blooms are amongst the decor - fresh, fabric, or otherwise. The effect is an uplifting cohesiveness to the space!
Statistically, you'll spend more of your life at home than anywhere else, even if you only just sleep there! You want to create specific moods, unique to you, in this most sacred of spaces so you can realign with your prioritize most effectively in it; triggering your olfactory senses to achieve that goal is just you using your body's physiological processes in your favor - smart. Pairing your home decor with a complementary fragrance is an excellent way to access certain emotions and create the atmosphere you desire. Plus, you'll be able to recall memories made at home more vividly in the future if you incorporate aroma into them, since scent is directly linked to our memories.
For instance, when asked to think of our favorite scenes from childhood, most of us conjure up events that have accompanying scents, such as fresh cut grass in the summer or, in winter, the cinnamon-scented pine cones that would tempt you so much on the way in to the grocery store that you'd beg your mom to buy some to take home. We experience our surroundings through all of our senses, not just through visual stimuli, so make a conscious choice to pair your decor style with a complementary aroma and scent your moments in just the way you want to remember them!
