Last Updated on 17 February 2022 by Alisea Mae
Now that the Autumn equinox has been and gone, it is time to say goodbye to summer and welcome the changing season. The nights are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping and the weather may soon turn bad. This is the ideal time to start thinking about home décor and adding a cosier feel to the home. One of the best ways to do so is through autumnal scents that soothe the soul. Think fruit, spice and all things harvest – gingerbread, pumpkin, cider and pine cones.
The following ideas are all-natural solutions that you can either buy locally or create yourself. We will start with the basics of scented products, such as oils and candles. From there, we will look at creating autumn smells in the kitchen. Then there are the other craft projects that can make the home even cosier.
1) Buy some natural scented candles
Scented candles are must-have items to create a cosy atmosphere at home over the autumn. There are many companies that create scents specifically for the season – from pumpkin spice lattes to gingerbread and all kinds of fruits. Try and go for a natural, organic product. This means no heavy metals in the wick and no dangerous chemicals.
2) Burn some essential oils
Essential oils are also fun as a way of adding some intense heat and scent to a room at the end of a long, damp day. Again, the scents are broad, so take some time to research the best option. One of the great things about essential oils is that you can also add them to a warm bath. This is a great way of bringing that autumn feel into yet another room.
3) Find some autumnal reed diffusers
The problem with candles and oils is that you need to be home to set them up and light them. They aren’t there to welcome you home. Reed diffusers are different, and there are some great natural options out there. They aren’t all fresh scents and springtime breezes, so see what you can find. Alternatively, there are ways to create your own with the right materials.
4) Bake some autumnal treats
Many of us will enjoy the chance to get back into the kitchen a little more once autumn comes around. This is the season for hearty soups from autumn produce, sweet jams and preserves and lots of baked goods. It is a great excuse to brush up on your gingerbread making skills. Perhaps you fancy trying pumpkin pie or apple and cinnamon? The scents from the ingredients will permeate the house and this time you get to taste them too.
5) Create some homemade pumpkin spice lattes
Those in need of a quick fix to warm themselves up may prefer to make some hot chocolate or a good coffee. Pumpkin spice lattes are here to stay, and there is no reason to go to a coffee house when you can make one at home. Play with the recipe and let the aromas fill the kitchen. Once you perfect this modern-day classic, you can try different combinations.
6) Set up a simmer pot
Simmer pots are another popular way to add some autumn fragrance to the kitchen. Simply put a large pot on the hob, put some water on to simmer and add a concoction of spices and fruits. The gently simmering pot releases the fragrance across the day, with minimal effort. You can play with the mixes each time to find the ideal scent.
7) Mulled wine and cider
Some people may wonder why you would want to boil up all that water and those great ingredients and let it sit there. It may be more fun to take all those spices, cloves and other ingredients and add them to some wine or cider. This gives the fragrance more punch and results in a tasty drink. Mulled wine isn’t exclusive to the holiday season after all.
8) Create some natural potpourri
This is a great way to add a decorative element to the bedroom or lounge. The dried elements look great, and remind us of the forest floor and changing season. They can also have a great scent. There are store-bought options, but many won’t be 100% natural. It is safer, and more fun, to make your own with dried fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves and other delights. Dried pine cones are a great addition. Just make sure that everything is properly dry to avoid mould.
9) Decorate with wreaths
Again, not all decorations are purely limited to the holidays. Festive wreaths can capture the essence of the season and give off a great scent. Many people use a rosemary wreath to add a fresh, herbal scent. However, you really can add anything you want with some creativity. Tie in those cinnamon sticks with twine. Use elements from your own garden. You can make new wreaths to reflect the changing season.
10) Create your own natural oil burners
Here we almost go full circle with our guide back to those essential oils. Oil burners are nice enough, but you can create a fun project by making your own. All you need is an orange and some olive oil. Scoop out the orange flesh, but keep a wick of pith intact. Then fill the fruit with olive oil and light the wick. The oil will burn and take on the scent of the orange.
Keep experimenting and get creative to fill your home with wonderful autumnal scents.
This is just a starting point with some ideas that you can easily bring into your home this autumn. Once you start to play around with the basic, natural components, you can begin to experiment with your own ideas. Test out different fruits in the drying rack to see how they look and smell in your potpourri. Add different spices and ingredients to the simmer pot and oil burners. This is a great excuse to get creative. Even if a batch of drinks goes wrong, or the cake fails to rise, you are sure to fill the home with interesting autumn smells.
Leave a Reply