All About Scented Candles: Creating Ambiance and Relaxation at Home

When designing a room, we often focus on how it looks, including colors, furniture, layout, and lighting. But another strong element that can change how a room feels is the scent. 

A good scent can improve the atmosphere of a room in quiet but important ways. Aromatherapy home fragrances transform your room into a sensory sanctuary. Besides smelling good, it also makes your home look nicer and feel peaceful or exciting.

Why Scent is a Powerful Tool in Interior Design

Smell is closely linked to our emotions and memories. A scent, like fresh laundry, vanilla, or cinnamon, can quickly bring back a memory or change your mood. This means scent adds to the feeling of a room, just like its appearance. 

Home fragrances like scented candles also add charm to your home. Their color and design either blend in or stand out among your decor. Unlike furniture or paint, a candle’s effect is quick and easy to change, making it great for setting the mood daily or for special occasions.

When lit, they provide a cozy, warm glow. Plus, the scent reflects your personality, as fragrance is personal. Placing candles thoughtfully makes your home unique, welcoming guests, helping you unwind after a long day, and signaling daily routines like bedtime or waking up.

Types of Scented Candle Wax

Not all scented candles are made the same. The type of wax affects everything from scent throw to burn time and even how cleanly a candle burns. Here are the most common options:

1. Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a popular choice for candles. It's known for its strong smell and bright colors, making it great for filling a room with scent. Since it's made from oil, it creates more smoke than natural waxes. This type of candle is good for those who want strong scents at a lower cost.

2. Soy Wax

Soy wax comes from soybeans, so it's a natural and good-for-the-earth choice. It burns more cleanly and lasts longer than other waxes, making it great for daily use. Also, because it's renewable and breaks down naturally, it's better for the environment.

While its scent might not be as strong as paraffin wax, it's the best scented candle option for those who want safer, greener products in their homes.

3. Beeswax and Blends

Beeswax is a natural type of wax that burns for a longer time and has a soft, honey smell. It's often mixed with other waxes to make a well-balanced candle. A unique thing about beeswax is that it can help clean the air by releasing special particles.

Beeswax candles usually cost more and have a weaker scent than other candles. They are great for homeowners who like a natural look and want cleaner air in their house.

Choosing the best wax for scented candles depends on your priority: eco-friendliness, strong fragrance, or long burn time. The right wax helps you achieve your desired outcome.

Understanding Home Fragrances and Scents

Candle scents are made up of different layers, much like a song. As a candle burns, you'll notice the top, middle, and base scents appear one after another, creating a well-rounded and pleasant smell. These scents also belong to different categories, each designed to create a specific ambiance or suit a particular mood in your home.

Different smells can change the mood of a room:

• Floral scents like rose or jasmine are romantic and calming.

• Woody scents such as sandalwood or cedarwood make a room feel warm and cozy.

• Oriental scents like amber or vanilla add a luxurious touch.

• Citrus scents, such as lemon or orange, are energizing.

• Fresh scents like linen or sea breeze make a room feel clean.

• Herbal scents, like a mint or lavender scented candle, help you relax or focus.
  
  

Choosing Candles for Different Spaces & Moods

Different rooms in your home have different purposes, and picking the right candle scent can help make each room feel even better.

• Bedroom

For your bedroom, choose scents that help you relax and sleep, such as lavender, which calms anxiety and improves sleep. Sandalwood is also the best scented candle for the bedroom because it smells warm and peaceful. Use these with soft lights and simple candle holders.

• Living room

Create a friendly and cozy feeling in your living room with warm and comforting scents like vanilla, amber, or cinnamon. You could also try tobacco or leather scents for a stronger, more masculine touch. Place these candles in the middle of tables, on coffee tables, or near bookshelves.

• Bathroom

Keep your bathroom smelling clean and fresh with scents like eucalyptus, cucumber, or sea salt, reminiscent of a spa. Put these in stylish, waterproof holders near the sink or tub.

• Home office or Workspace

For your workspace or study area, pick scents that help you focus and feel energized. Lemon, grapefruit, or peppermint can make you more alert and mentally sharp. Place these near your desk or at the entrance to refresh your senses.

Matching scents to your space helps support the natural feeling of each room, making both the look and use of the room better.

How to Use Candles Safely & Aesthetically

Candles are lovely, but you need to be careful with them. Here are some tips on how to enjoy them safely and nicely.

Candle Safety Tips

1. Wick Maintenance: Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch. This helps minimize smoke and ensures an even burn.

2. Burn Duration: Limit the burn time to 2 to 4 hours to prevent the candle from burning down the middle or getting too hot.

3. Placement Considerations: Always position candles away from flammable materials, open windows, and the reach of children or pets to avoid accidents.

4. Extinguishing Candles: Use a snuffer to put out your candles instead of blowing them out, as this reduces smoke production.

Styling Tips

1. Elegant Display: Place candles on decorative trays or mirrored mats to reflect light and protect your surfaces.

2. Varied Heights and Sizes: Create visual interest by using candles of different heights and sizes in your arrangements.

3. Protection and Presentation: Consider using glass covers for your candles to showcase their beauty while keeping them clean.

4. Color Coordination: Choose candle colors that complement your room's decor, or opt for neutral tones that blend seamlessly with any style.

Scented Candles for Your Home

Scented candles can change how your home smells, looks, and feels. Knowing about different wax types and picking the right smell for each room can make a big difference. Candles offer more than just a nice smell; they make your space feel fancy, cozy, and unique.

Light a candle, create the right feeling, and let your home show off your style, one scent at a time.

Want to make your home smell and look better? Check out OUR HOME stores near you, or visit ourhome.ph to see our great collection of scented candles in the Philippines and more home furniture and decor.