The Insider’s Guide to Scent Designing Your Home
We cover things we're into and think you might be, too. If you purchase through an external link here, goop may earn a commission.
When designing a home, most people focus on furniture, colors, and decor—but there’s one element that can instantly transform a space that’s often overlooked: scent. Especially during the holidays, the right fragrance can turn an ordinary room into a cozy, magical retreat.
Some think of home scents the way others may think about feng shui: they balance the flow of energy in your space. The theory makes sense: a thoughtful arrangement of fragrances can cultivate a sense of serenity and equilibrium. It's no secret, after all, that scents have a profound impact on our emotions. So, as you curate your home, consider the influence scent can have on your and your guests' mood—especially in the lead up to the holidays.
“When scent is considered intentionally, it becomes part of how a space supports wellbeing,” explains Lisa Sternfeld, an interior designer and founder of the Well Life, Lived Well platform. “Studies show that natural aromas can calm the nervous system, sharpen focus, and influence mood and cognition.”
Winter marks a particularly interesting time to think about olfactive harmony, whether you orchestrate it or not. As the air begins to fill itself with the essence of pine, peppermint, and warm cinnamon, it's the perfect moment to reimagine your home's scent profile and curate a seasonal scent palette.
“When scent is considered intentionally, it becomes part of how a space supports wellbeing.” —Lisa Sternfeld, interior designer
Crafting a welcoming holiday ambiance is an art form, where scent plays a starring role. Lev Glazman, a fragrance architect and co-founder of lifestyle brand The Maker, believes the key to achieving this olfactory harmony lies in selecting a unifying scent family and layering complementary fragrances.
During the holiday season, woody notes are his scents of choice. Their rich, earthy, and grounding foundation allows you to layer complementary scents, such as lived-in leather and warm spices, creating a harmonious symphony of aromas. Plus, Glazman says that the warmth and coziness of these woody notes contrast the cold winter winds outside and envelop your home, creating a cocooning atmosphere. Kudzi Chikumbu, author of Let It Burn: Illuminate Your Life with Candles and Fragrance and creator popularly known as Sir Candle Man, agrees: “[It] creates a soft foundation that plays well with everything—pine, peppermint, hot chocolate—without overwhelming the senses.”
Beyond the flickering warmth of candles, room sprays, incense, and other fragrant formats offer endless opportunities to craft an olfactive narrative throughout your home. This is where you get to play—experiment with different formats, mix and match, or stick to a trusted favorite, then experiment with quantity. The true art lies in curating a scent experience that resonates with your unique style and preferences. For some, like Glazman, the thrill lies in creating distinct olfactory experiences from room to room. Others may prefer a more subtle approach, with just a candle or two throughout the home. Regardless of where you lie on the pendulum, Sternfeld notes that every room carries its own rhythm and purpose, and scent can subtly reinforce that.
That said, we've got some formulas to get you started on crafting a holiday scent scheme that'll make your space feel both cozy and festive.
The Entryway
This is your opening scene. For guests, the entry is where first impressions are made and memories begin to unfold. For you and your family, it's also where you want to feel a sense of ease every time you walk through the front door. Chikumbu recommends The Maker’s Spiritus Candle, which allows its notes of palo santo, ginger, frankincense, and vanilla bean to delight. “It literally makes your home feel like a luxury boutique hotel.”
Another excellent welcoming option: Fischersund’s limited-edition Jól Holiday, a blend of birch tar, frankincense, pine, cinnamon, clementine, and vanilla crystals—available in both a candle and incense sticks. Inspired by Icelancic Christmas traditions, it's a real treat for the senses.
The Living Room
As we step into the living room, Sternfeld recommends infusing the space with the comforting essence of soft pine or amber accords, fostering a sense of warmth and connection. It’s likely the room where festive elements, such as Christmas trees and menorahs, come into play, and it’s often a heavily occupied space. She recommends Atmo’s Santal Candle, which marries sandalwood, clove, and treemoss flawlessly, and is both an olfactive complement to a pine tree and universally appeasing to the nose.
The Dining Room
The dining room is a space where aromas naturally journey through, whether for a five-course dinner or a casual family brunch. During mealtimes, Sternfeld recommends subtle gourmands like clove and nutmeg—found in Maison Louie Marie’s No.03 L’Etang Noir Candle—which she notes enhances appetite without overpowering the senses. But if you're hosting a holiday bash, Chikumbu says go all out! Think rich bourbon, luscious stone fruit, and a warm spice blend of cinnamon, clove, and orange.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of organic home fragrance, where aromas mingle and mix as recipes get tested and meals are made. Here, the goal is to complement the culinary action, not clash with it. Stenfeld suggests fresh herbal notes like basil, mint, or green tea to keep the air feeling bright and balanced.
Try Flamingo Estate’s Green Goddess Candle for a pesto-inspired scent that Chikumbu says is the best herbal candle of all time, blending fresh mint and grounding rosemary for an unforgettable blend.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is a sacred space for intimacy and rest, and its scents should enhance those experiences. Sir Candle Man says bedrooms need something grounding, with notes such as cypress, vetiver, moss, and lavender. (The latter “You get that green, piney holiday essence but with a restorative quality,” he explains.
Try Les Fumees’ Salt Candle for a moody, coastal scent with sage, vanilla, myrrh, and vetiver—hand-poured in an off-white ceramic vessel.
The Office
For your workspace, Stenfeld recommends integrating scents that promote clarity and focus, such as rosemary, vetiver, sage, or a touch of citrus, which help sustain calm concentration.
To switch up scent formats, try spritzing Dusa’s Baies Room Spray around your work space. It features pink grapefruit, lemon, jasmine, and red fruit notes that create an uplifting and energetic effect.
The Bathroom
Scent cannot be understated in a bathroom. Glazman says even subtle touches, like an aromatic bar soap, can make a difference—but for a stronger sensory experience, a diffuser's the way to go. We recommend Vitruvi’s Seasonal Pleasures Oil Set, which comes with its Airless Diffuser. Not only are the scents long-lasting and elegant, but the appliance itself is visually delightful as well.
This brings us to our last point: don’t overlook aesthetics. “Your candle should complement your décor, not compete with it,” says Chikumbu. “Especially during the holidays.” A standout: Heretic’s Not a Creature Was Stirring Candle ($125) features a dark grey vessel, three wicks, delicate gold mouse on the top of its lid, and a stunning woodsy-gourmand blend.
Scent designing your home for the holidays should feel like an extension of your decor: festive, comforting, and exciting. And with these insights, hopefully it should be even more effortless.
