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How using home fragrance can enhance every part of your space this winter

Alice McGhee, Soho Home’s Home Fragrance Manager, shares her expertise on the scents to use in different areas – from the entrance hall to the bedroom
Nov 05, 2021 Ideas
Four stone diffuser pots and a lit candle are on a dark table next to a bowl of figs and limes. Green curtains in the background allow dappled sunlight to filter through.

By Megan Murray

'Your home is an extension of you,' says Alice McGhee, Soho Home's Home Fragrance Manager. 'It's a sanctuary away from the hustle of everyday life; a place to relax and shut off.'

'Home fragrance can help in creating that environment. It can translate a mood, complement colour palettes, and even enhance how you functionally use a space.'

Indeed, the right scent brings a home to life - but one size does not fit all. Different areas call for a bespoke fragrance approach; warming notes in a living room on a blustery day or a relaxing, floral scent in a bedroom.

'Scent is a personal thing. Everyone's interpretation is different, but I would advise trying richer fragrances in entertaining spaces, while keeping the bedroom light,' McGhee explains.

Read on for her guide on which scents complement areas for welcoming guests, socialising around the dinner table, and taking time for yourself.

An ornate bowl of oranges sits on a wooden table beside a modern diffuser with incense sticks and a textured white vase; a plate with orange slices rests nearby.
Lit candles in glass holders and a bowl are placed on a brick mantel next to a leafy garland, with a fireplace glowing in the background.
Three lit candles in marbled holders sit on a dark wooden table, next to a glass, a beige lamp, and a plate with half a grapefruit and thyme sprigs.

Entrance hall

'A slightly heavier fragrance works well for a walk-through space, as it makes an impact without becoming overpowering. If there's an unusual home fragrance that you're excited to try, put it by your front door on a console table to test it.

'I think smoky fragrances are great for this. To welcome guests, especially for a dinner party, I would choose Leather & Oud as it has aromatic base notes of sandalwood and patchouli that set an evening tone.'

Two lit candles and a brass container holding matchsticks rest on a black marble table with an oriental rug visible in the background.
Two golden candles are burning on a reflective surface next to crystal glassware, including a decanter and a whiskey glass, in a dimly lit wooden-paneled room.

Living space

'This is where most people relax with family and friends, so at this time of year it's nice to choose a warming fragrance with cosy connotations like Clove & Cinnamon.

'It's everything you would expect from a festive fragrance - for me, it's the smell of the holidays. If you're having people over, this will get everyone in the spirit, especially if you use scented candles to create an ambient glow.'

A lit "SOHO HOUSE CLOVE & CINNAMON" candle and diffusers rest on a tray atop two stacked books, surrounded by a brown scarf and fur throw on a woven leather seat.
A lit marble candle bowl rests on two books, "Moroccan Interiors" and "AD at 100," beside two lit tall candles and a glass, set atop a black coffee table near a cream-colored sofa and Christmas tree.

Kitchen

'A kitchen scent should harmonise with food smells, not jar against them - Sicilian Thyme is complementary while cooking.

'Or opt for a fresh, citrus scent. Pomelo has top notes of mandarin with a heart of grapefruit and jasmine, which is bright and cleansing.'

Candles labeled "Sicilian Thyme" burn beside a soap dish with a hand reaching for soap, on a wooden surface next to a brass faucet and reed diffuser, suggesting a cozy bathroom setting.

Dining room

'In an entertaining space, a notable fragrance enhances a sense of occasion. Patchouli is my go-to for a dining room because the spicy, woody elements evoke a dinner party vibe.

'In candle form, this will really set the mood. The Patchouli blend is quite singular, too, which gives it depth and drama.'

Candles and a diffuser labeled "SOHO HOUSE PATCHOULI" sit on a textured stone shelf beside wooden and linen decor, softly illuminated by candle flames casting warm light.
A round dining table set with candles and glassware is surrounded by four cushioned wooden chairs on a patterned rug, under a spherical pendant light in a stylish, modern dining area.

Bedroom

'A place for calm and comfort, the ideal bedroom scent would be light, fruity, and floral. It should be just perceptible, but fade into the background.

'Rose Water is an obvious choice for a bedroom. With notes of lemon, geranium and guaiac wood, it's clean and modern, steering away from the traditionalism that can be associated with this flower. Yes, there's a prettiness to it, but the citrus elements give it an edge.'

Lit candles rest on books atop a marble-topped wooden table beside a wrapped gift, against the backdrop of a textured painting.
A marble fireplace with a roaring fire is adorned with greenery, situated in an elegantly decorated bedroom with framed art, a wicker basket, and a modern chandelier overhead.

Bathroom

'The bathroom can be difficult because while citrus scents lend themselves well to this space, they can be reminiscent of cleaning products. That's why I like to choose a blend that offers a variation on this theme.

'Bergamot & Mandarin Zest is one of our bestselling home fragrances. While it works anywhere in the home, for me, it's perfect for the bathroom.

'Top notes of lime and mandarin tick the citrus box, but not in an obvious way.'

Candles labeled "Soho House Bergamot & Mandarin Zest" alongside a diffuser and incense holder sit on a decorative tray on a marble table, with a fruit bowl containing lemons and limes in the background.