Considering the fact that I'm highly picky and spend good money on my home fragrances, you won't catch me wasting any of my products. Especially my home sprays, since they tend to be some of the stronger perfuming mediums in my collection.
So, take it from me, in order to make your home smell good, it's essential to properly understand how to use your room spray. It's not as simple as a spritz here and a spray there — there's more to making it last longer and actually impact your ambiance.
These five tips to follow will ensure that your home is well-perfumed and ready to make a great impression through scent at any given moment.
1. Don't Just Spray the Air
Marissa Mosseri, co-founder of Set The Mood, tells me that just spraying the air is not actually the best way to go about fragrancing your home. "Soft textures like curtains, rugs, and throw blankets hold onto scent beautifully and offer little surprises of scent throughout the day," she notes.
David Aspinall, co-founder of Chase & Wonder, also finds that room sprays work best when they land on soft furnishings rather than disappearing into the air. "Our sprays, like The Tuscan Sunset, use perfumers’ alcohol, the same base in fine fragrance, which allows the scent to disperse instantly, settle cleanly, and last for longer without residue," he says.
"A light mist over curtains, cushions, or even lampshades helps the scent cling to fabric and release slowly. The caveat here is to avoid delicate materials like silk or untreated wood, but otherwise, let scent become part of your home’s texture."
Notes: Vetivert, Sandalwood, Chamomile
This Deep Relax Sleep Mist from Aromatherapy Associates is among my favorite bedroom fragrances for a restful ambiance.
2. Layer, Don't Clash
"Think of fragrance as you would color or fabric — layering creates richness. If you already have candles or diffusers, then it's best to choose a room spray that complements them," says David.
"When scent-layering at home, I find that any matching or harmonizing fragrance family works beautifully. By mixing in a blend of notes, the aim is to create flow, not competition."
And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can always engage in smellmaxxing through room sprays. This will help you layer scents to create a bespoke fragrance cocktail that speaks to the overall vibe of your home, or the varying ambiance of each room.
Notes: Turkish Rose, Egyptian Jasmine, Chinese Camellia
Believe it or not, this Joséphine Room Spray by TRUDON smells just as beautiful as it looks.
3. Target the Right Zones
"Scenting a space completely changes the mood and atmosphere, depending on the fragrance chosen. It's similar to how you would choose an outfit, makeup, or accessories," says Amanda Morgan, managing director of Diptyque.
"As another way to allow your personality and how you’re feeling at that moment to be reflected. Whether it’s an uplifting or a more calming scent, fragrance is a crucial element of the sensory experience that enhances the overall ambiance through moodscaping."
However, it's just as important to target your room sprays at the right spaces, too. "Start with the rooms that define your day," says David. "A few sprays in hallways and stairways can help scent move naturally through the home, creating a welcoming sense of continuity. In smaller rooms, like a bathroom or study, one or two mists are usually enough."
Family: Floral
This Honeysuckle Home Spray from Loewe is the perfect transitional fragrance to flit from living room to office to entryway and beyond.
4. Mist Post-Reset
You might be wondering if there's a right time to perfume your home with room fragrances. And while it's not quite about waiting for a certain time of day, Marissa tells me that there's definitely a good time to treat your home to a spritz.
"I recommend misting your home with room sprays right after you finish cleaning. Refreshed fabrics and surfaces absorb scent better, so this will help the scent last longer and feel fresher," she notes.
So if you're planning to reset your home for autumn or you're working through your household cleaning schedule, then take this tip to heart and reward yourself and your space with a lovely perfumed atmosphere for a job well done.
Top Notes: Cardamom, Clove Bud, Black Pepper, Cassis, Lavender
I personally use this mesmerizing Otto Home Spray after every Sunday reset, and it has fetched me a fair share of compliments.
5. Less Is More
It's easy to go overboard when you have a room spray in hand and you're spritzing your way through your home. But whether you're trying to make your living room smell nice, or any other key zone in your home, Daniel explains that a few mists every couple of days is all you need.
"The most memorable homes are those where scent feels like part of the atmosphere — quietly enhancing the space rather than dominating it," he says. "A well-placed fragrance should feel effortless, like good lighting: something you notice most when it’s just right."
Marissa also finds that it's important to refresh and not drench. "A couple of sprays in key areas is more than enough," she says. "Overdoing it can also make your nose adjust to the fragrance faster, leading to less of a scentual experience."
More Room Spray Favorites
Notes: Blackcurrant, Bulgarian Roses, Ambergris
A best-selling classic, Baies by Diptyque is a pretty berry-scented room spray that works well in kitchens and dining rooms.
Family: Woody
H&M's home fragrance has been pleasantly surprising me of late, and this Cedar Wood Zen from H&M is a great option.
Family: Gourmand
Anthropologie's fragrance brand Found Notes has created this Autumn Twilight Pumpkin Room Spray to make your home smell like autumn.
The next stop on your journey to becoming a total fragrance aficionado should be our guide on how reed diffusers work. It'll tell you everything you need to know about these subtle formats and how to maximize them for a perfectly scented space.
