The ambience is key to any room whether you’re relaxing, hanging out with friends or having the night in with your other half.
Scented candles have the wonderful ability to transform any space, creating an atmosphere for any occasion. If you’re looking to create a zen oasis in the bedroom or a cosy den in your living room, the right scented candles can help you on your way.
In this guide we’ll explore the different room types you can buy scented candles for, which fragrances are best and how to style these items.
Read on to find out the best scented candle options for your space and how you can have your home smelling wonderful.
Living room
The living room or lounge is where we spend time relaxing in the evenings after work, a glass of bubbly in hand and full chill-out vibes activated. When choosing a candle for this space, you could go for relaxing scents to help you unwind after a long day at work.
Best scents
The classic vanilla works beautifully in any living room as a soothing and calming scent. Lavender is just as relaxing while adding floral notes to your space. For a more masculine feel, try cedar candles that bring the outdoors in. If it’s the colder months, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful spiced scent like cinnamon and nutmeg.
How to style it
For the living room, decorative jar candles and votive candles work well in the space. If your space is open-plan, look for candles that have a longer burning time so you can enjoy the scent for longer.
Opt for scented tea lights to create an ambience for a special occasion, like your weekly date night. Larger scented candles of varying heights create a lovely focal point in the room. Place them in a decorative tray or a sophisticated end table to keep the space cohesive.
Bathroom
The bathroom is a relaxing and rejuvenating space where we spend our time primping and pampering. The perfect scented candle for this space is one that invites a calming atmosphere for when you’re getting some serious ‘me time’ in.
Best scents
For a refreshing scent that creates spa-like vibes, eucalyptus is a wonderful choice for a bathroom. Cucumber and aloe are two more scents that would create an at-home spa experience straight from a five-star resort.
Floral scents work well in a bathroom setting. Burn rose, jasmine or peony-scented candles while relaxing in the tub for the perfect chilled-out bliss.
For a more neutral and refreshing fragrance, opt for sea breeze or linens to invoke memories of holidays by the sea.
How to style it
Opt for candles with shorter burning times, as bathrooms are often smaller so the scent could become overpowering if burned for too long. Tea lights work perfectly in the bathroom, especially if you want a moody ambience.
For a modern look, try pairing different candle styles together like votives and pillar candles. This adds depth to the room and throws off enough light for a calming bathtime.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a practical space where daily cooking activity makes it a busy place. Not to mention, the kitchen often doubles as a social space when guests are around to visit. This means the scented candle in a kitchen has to both refresh the space and create a pleasant atmosphere for anyone visiting.
Best scents
With various smells from cooking, a refreshing and invigorating scent is often best. Try a candle with citrus notes like lemon, lime and clementine to create a pleasant atmosphere after cooking.
A woodier, yet refreshing scent profile would be rosemary or basil. Our mandarin, mint and basil candle is the best of both worlds.
Scented candles that smell like baking in the kitchen are another option. Coffee, cinnamon and chocolate can invite warmth and cosiness into the space.
How to style it
Kitchens are often busy places, so multiple smaller candles aren’t recommended. A larger bell candle placed on a windowsill or fireplace mantle is a great decorative piece that doesn’t take up much space.
Adding decorative holders stops wax from dripping onto surfaces where food is prepared and adds a luxe touch to any kitchen.
Bedroom
When it’s time for sleeping, you want to choose a candle scent that’s relaxing and calming for the mind. Long-burning candles work well in the bedroom - perfect if you’re ready to cosy up with a book in bed for the evening.
There are many different types of candles for the bedroom that burn quickly, diffuse their scent throughout the night or melt scented waxes. These are practical choices that add a touch of luxury to your bedroom.
Best scents
Just like sleepy teas, there’s such a thing as scented candles designed for snoozing. These use fragrances like chamomile, lavender and bergamot to invoke sleepiness.
Musky scents like sandalwood and patchouli create a warm and inviting scent profile for the bedroom that will make your space feel even comfier.
Fruity smells like pomegranate, peach and strawberry can reinvigorate the room if you’re getting ready for a big night out.
How to style it
Small candles designed for the bedside table keep the scent close by and save you from getting out of bed when it’s time to blow it out. Larger candles look great on dressers or low wardrobes.
If you’re worried about burning a candle at night, consider a candle warmer that releases the scent without burning the candle. For the ultimate in chic, our gold candle holders would look gorgeous as part of any bedroom decor.
Wrapping up
Choosing the right scented candle to invoke the desired emotions in each room can be a daunting task. Our comprehensive guide has everything laid out so you can spend less time deciding and more time enjoying relaxing in your wonderfully fragranced home.
Our range of candle accessories and diffusers is the perfect place to start your scented candle journey. Rowen Homes is here to help your space feel and smell amazing.
