Changing home fragrance with the seasons

Despite the evolutionary changes that have occurred since our early cavemen origins, we still cyclically live our lives.

As human beings, our lives revolve around the seasons – and whether we realise it or not, these changes affect every part of our lives. Things operate and fluctuate in a cyclical nature, reflecting the annual changes in the natural world.

Fashion and culture shift with the seasons – one month we stock up on heavy coats and Christmas gifts, and in another we buy swimwear and book holidays.

The seasons do not just affect our wardrobe choices and activities. We even alter our diets to fit in with what our bodies crave, and the fresh produce is seasonally available. Subtle habits, like our music choices and the content we consume, also fluctuate as the seasons change.

Creating your nest

We naturally gravitate toward different things when the nights are long, dark and cold, and when the mornings are fresh, bright and balmy. Our bodies and senses crave different things at different times of the year, in line with evolution.

Our home is our nest. How we create our little sanctuaries should reflect the things we need in each season. The fragrances that fill our home spaces should make us feel uplifted, positive and in tune with our natural cycles throughout the year.

Stepping outside the box

Choosing seasonal fragrances can be tricky without falling into cliches. Despite all the clever seasonal marketing on display, you might not want gingerbread latte and cinnamon scents to fill your home all autumn and winter.

There is a nuanced way to create a beautiful, personal fragrance calendar for your home that will amplify your daily activities and help you ease into each season.

Instead of opting for one singular fragrance, create depth with layering. Invest in a variety of fragrance products – think diffusers, candles and room sprays. Each different product adds a unique layer to our home fragrance journey. You can place them strategically throughout your home to take you on an intentional journey as you walk through.

How to choose the right seasonal scents for you

When it comes to choosing home fragrances for different seasons, listen to your intuition. Think about what you truly gravitate towards, rather than what advertising, marketing and social media are telling you to buy each season.

Some people come alive in winter rather than hibernating away, while others feel more relaxed than rejuvenated in springtime. You operate on your own cycle, so choose fragrances that reflect how you feel and be in tune with what elevates your mood.

Here are some ideas from each unique fragrance family for each season:

Spring: Lemongrass, Rosemary, Grapefruit, Sage, Basil, Lavender
Summer: Ylang Ylang, Mandarin, Jasmine, Rose, Peony, Orange Blossom
Autumn: Nutmeg, Orange, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Patchouli, Musk, Sandalwood
Winter: Amber, Oakmoss, Fir, Mint, Sandalwood, Cedar

A note on blending: Think like an artist and create your palette by blending the above scents according to how you feel. You could weave in a crisp wintery Nordic edge to your spring scents, or start incorporating autumn’s spicy depth into the sizzling summer months. 

If you are feeling inspired to change your home’s scents with the seasons, the fragrance wheel can be a great place to start. By familiarising yourself with the way scents compliment each other across the wheel, you can put together a unique fragrance combination that is deeply personal to you.

You can read our Journal piece about using the fragrance wheel here.