What is Scentscaping?

There is a new term and practice gaining popularity in the interior design world, birthed out of the pandemic ... Scentscaping.

Think of it as styling your home or office, but with your senses.

It is the art of using scents, either pure essential oil or fine fragrance to evoke emotions, feelings, and energy in a specific space. It is also reflected in the delivery of the scents in your home, and whether candles, reed diffusers, vapourisers, incense, room sprays and the like are better suited to different spaces and the people who inhabit them.⁠

Add to this the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy, from the use of essential oils. When inhaled, the essential oil scent molecules travel from the olfactory nerves (your nose), directly to the brain and impact the amygdala, which is the emotional centre of the brain. Essential oils need to be used under safety guidelines of levels to be used, and the condition of the user. Washpool uses safe essential oil blends in their Aromatherapy Candle and Room Spray ranges, however these should be used in moderation and may be a contraindication for anyone with high blood pressure or during pregnancy.

Whilst fine fragrance doesn't have the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, it does encourage change of mood or evokes memories from other times and places you have been. Everyone is affected by fragrance throughout their day, whether that's walking through the fragrance section at your chemist or shopping centre, smelling the sea air when you visit the beach and getting that hint of sea salt and mixed with sun screen, or memories of fresh clothes on the line. Fragrance is a complex and measured combination of the science of synthetic fragrance and nature, and is designed to trigger emotions (and to mask unpleasant odours). The effects will be different for everyone and your selection of scent, is based on how it makes you feel in the moment - does it uplift you, does it make you feel calm and grounded, does it make you feel like it's a summers day, or you're in your garden. There is so much to explore and be considered when you select your fragrance, and whether fine fragrance or aromatherapy is for you.

Unfortunately there are individuals who are overwhelmed by the complexities of natural and fine fragrance, and just the slightest aroma can bring on allergies, headaches and irritation. Luckily there are solutions for this in the form of unscented and beeswax candles that provide an earthy aroma, and the mood is created by the burning candle.

⁠Next time when you're considering scentscaping your spaces, think of how you want to feel when you're in that zone. ⁠

Here's a couple of thought starters -⁠

The Zone - Cooking or preparing in the kitchen

The Feels - you want to bring your mind into the moment, you want to feel uplifted and positive, you want to feel creative

The Tonic - consider fresh citrus essential oils (lime, sweet orange, lemon) in an essential oil vapouriser or candle to lift the spirits and balance out any cooking odours⁠

Try - Spring and Wellbeing Essential oil blends, Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Peppermint & Bergamot Aromatherapy Candle, Perfect Potion Happy & Calm Essential Oil Blend

⁠The Zone - Sitting down to eat at dinner

The Feels - you want to feel in the moment, happy, positive, calm

The Tonic - consider using a subtle and grounding essential oil candle, or even a scent free candle to create a mood, and not overtake your food⁠

Try - Sweet Orange, Clove, Cinnamon & Black Pepper Aromatherapy Candle, Beeswax unscented candle

The Zone - ⁠Your living areas

The Feels - happy, confident, balanced, positive

The Tonic - leave a reed diffuser in the room so you've got continual scenting to lift the room - it will feel like your happy place⁠

Try - Jasmine, Vanilla, Mandarin & Honeysuckle Reed Diffuser or Cedarwood, Coconut, Sandalwood Cocoa Butter Reed Diffuser 

The Zone - ⁠You're watching TV or streaming a series at night

The Feels - chilled, calm and cosy, rested

The Tonic - consider lighting a candle with some grounding essential oils, to keep the mood calm and balanced⁠

Try - Sweet Orange, Lavender, Chamomile & Sandalwood Aromatherapy Candle or Cedarwood, Bergamot, Vetiver & Clary Sage Aromatherapy Candle

The Zone - ⁠Getting ready to go out

The Feels - contented, uplifted, confident, relaxed

The Tonic - light a special perfumed candle so you make a ritual of your time to prepare and get into the mood⁠

Try - Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Peppermint & Bergamot Aromatherapy Candle or Peach Nectar, Buttermilk, Sweet Almond & Caramel Aromatic Candle

The Zone - The bathroom

The Feels - fresh, uplifted, energetic

The Tonic - have a handy room spray to spritz the area⁠, or leave a zesty reed diffuser in the corner for weekly turns of the reeds

Try - Lemongrass, Lime, Lemon Myrtle Room Spray or Lime Zest, Lemongrass, Jasmine & Rosewood Tea Reed Diffuser

The Zone - In the bedroom

The Feels - relaxed, calm, cosy, contented

The Tonic - use a calming and relaxing essential oil candle or vapouriser before going to bed, so that you're rested for a quality night sleep⁠

Try - Perfect Potion Chakra Balancing Blend Essential Oil, or Washpool's Relax Essential Oil Blend or Sleep Easy Essential Oil Blend, with Perfect Potion Light Wooden Aromatherapy Diffuser

The Zone - In the Office

The Feels - focussed, clear concentration, positive, mindful

The Tonic - add some focus essential oils to your vapouriser to help you concentrate.⁠

Try - Perfect Potion Clear & Focus Essential Oil Blend Trio or Washpool's Calm Essential Oil Blend

⁠There's no wrong or right way to do it, as it's purely personal. So have some fun next time you're considering scenting your spaces.⁠