Unlock Aroma Therapy at Home for a Refreshing Ambiance

Interior design is not just about arranging furniture or picking out color schemes. It’s about creating a cohesive, enjoyable environment that not only speaks to your aesthetic taste but also has a positive effect on your mood and well-being. 

In my professional experience as an interior designer, one aspect that has consistently shown to transform spaces from merely good to truly great is the thoughtful use of scents. It’s a largely underutilized aspect of design, but today we’ll delve deep into it.

Scents can significantly impact how we perceive a space. The science behind this lies in the fact that the olfactory bulb, the part of our brain responsible for processing smells, is directly connected to the areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory. As such, a subtle fresh scent in your living room or a gentle lavender aroma in your bedroom can significantly uplift your mood and enhance your overall experience in the space.

In my interior design practice, I’ve seen how scents can transform spaces. One of my clients had a lovely, beautifully decorated living room that lacked an inviting feel. Upon introducing a scented sachet with a warm vanilla aroma, the room instantly felt more welcoming and comforting, an effect noted by the client and her guests.

As a professional designer, one of my key roles is to translate these principles into practical steps for homeowners. It’s all about strategically placing scented elements throughout your home to create the ambiance you desire. The humble scented sachet, a packet filled with fragrant materials, is one of the most versatile tools for accomplishing this.

Therefore, I’d like to share with you a detailed list of 20 creative ways to use fresh scent sachets:

1. Drawers: Place sachets in your drawers to not only infuse your clothes with a pleasant aroma, but also to deter pests such as moths that are repelled by certain fragrances like lavender and cedarwood.
2. Closets: Tuck them on closet shelves or hang them with your hanging clothes. This can help keep everything from your long dresses to your pants and jeans smelling fresh. For baby clothes, ensure the sachets are out of reach but close enough to give a gentle fragrance. When packing hanging clothes, consider slipping a sachet into the garment bag for a pleasant surprise when you unpack. Even your skirts hung neatly in the closet can benefit from the gentle, refreshing smell of the sachets. 
3. Shoes: Insert sachets into seldom-worn shoes or gym sneakers to combat unpleasant odors. They absorb moisture and keep your footwear smelling fresh, enhancing your comfort when wearing them.
4. Suitcases: A sachet in your suitcase can keep your clothes smelling fresh during travel. It can also keep your suitcase smelling pleasant even during storage periods between travels.
5. Bathrooms: Sachets can be placed in various spots for a fresher space. Position one on a window ledge, inside a cabinet, or even on shower floating shelves. A sachet could also be tucked behind shower curtains or integrated within a clawfoot tub enclosure. As you clean and make your tiles shine or update your yellow tile bathroom, sachets will ensure the space remains pleasant-smelling. After cleaning your sink and bathtub, a sachet helps maintain that fresh, clean scent.
6. Cars: A sachet under your car seat can substitute for a conventional air freshener, releasing a pleasant aroma each time you and your passengers enter the vehicle.
7. Kitchen Cabinets: Sachets can be a wonderful addition to any kitchen, regardless of size or design. Strategically place one in a cabinet, particularly where you store your garbage bin or under the sink. As you lighten your kitchen with cherry cabinets or install a waterfall countertop, a sachet helps keep the atmosphere fresh. Even if you’re working with a small kitchen without a pantry, or are finding ways to warm up a white kitchen, a sachet can add that pleasant scent. They can also be a nice touch in a mid-century modern kitchen or tucked above kitchen cabinets for a boost of freshness whenever you’re cooking or cleaning your ceramic pans, copper pans, or baking pans.
8. Gym Bags: A sachet in your gym bag can absorb sweat and used gym clothes odors, leaving it smelling fresh for your next workout.
9. Under the Sink: Kitchens and bathrooms are often the most susceptible areas in the home to unwanted odors. Placing a sachet under the sink, for example, can work wonders in maintaining a clean and fresh atmosphere. This works whether you’re battling stubborn coffee stains in the kitchen sink or ensuring your mid-century modern bathroom design remains as fresh as it is stylish. Such a small addition can significantly help in keeping these frequently damp and high-traffic areas smelling clean.
10. Pet Areas: Pet areas are another key place to consider when aiming for a fresher-smelling home. Placing sachets near pet bedding or litter boxes can manage odors effectively. This strategy avoids the need for heavy chemical deodorizers, which could be harmful to your furry friends. Whether you’ve selected a pet-friendly sofa, chosen rugs made from pet-friendly fabrics, or are using a pet-friendly interior design service near you like Havenly, incorporating scent management is vital. Maybe you’ve already optimized your home with pet-friendly indoor plants and the best pet-friendly flooring, or perhaps you use tech gadgets like a dog treat dispensing cameras or an Apple AirTag on your dog for safety. Remember, even your carefully chosen, easy-to-clean leather sofas and pet-friendly artificial grass areas can benefit from the use of sachets. This subtle addition supports a clean, fresh, and evidence-based design for pet-friendly interiors, while also helping to calm your dog with gentle, soothing scents, almost like how music does.
11. Laundry Hampers: Placing a sachet at the bottom of your laundry hamper can counteract the smell of dirty laundry, making laundry chores a more pleasant experience.
12. Office Desk: Keeping a sachet in your office drawer not only personalizes your workspace but also serves as a stress reliever. Choose fragrances like lavender or chamomile for their calming effects.
13. Gift Boxes: Adding a sachet to a gift box makes for a multi-sensory surprise. It shows attention to detail and elevates the gift-giving experience.
14. Under the Sofa Cushions: Sofas can be a central part of your living space, and adding a sachet can ensure that they release a fresh scent each time someone sits down. Whether you have a pet-friendly sofa, a reclining couch, or even a daybed that doubles as a couch, you can enhance the comfort and ambiance of your living space. Maybe you’ve decorated around a burgundy leather sofa or a golden one and want to keep it smelling clean – sachets can help, especially with leather sofas which require more specialized cleaning. Or perhaps you’re considering how to arrange an L-shaped sofa or two sofas and want to ensure a pleasing atmosphere. Even details like arranging a rug under a sectional sofa, matching accent chairs with sofas, or enhancing a beige couch can be complemented by the right scent. If you’re wondering how to wash suede couch covers or get pen off a microfiber couch, remember that keeping your couch clean is important, but sachets can provide that extra touch of freshness.
15. Bookshelves: Old books can sometimes carry a musty smell. Hiding a sachet behind them on the shelf not only makes your library smell inviting but also enhances the reading experience.
16. Drying Clothes: When air-drying clothes indoors, tuck a sachet among them. It will give your clothes a fresh, outdoor scent, making you feel good each time you wear them.
17. Pantry: Small Kitchens and Pantries: In smaller kitchens, especially those without a dedicated pantry, sachets can be a lifesaver. Positioning a sachet in your cabinet or makeshift pantry helps combat strong odors that might otherwise affect your food items. This is especially helpful when organizing a deep pantry where smells can linger. Always remember to opt for food-friendly fragrances like vanilla or mint to keep the ambiance pleasant and your food items smelling neutral.
18. Storage Boxes: Keep your stored items, like winter clothes or holiday decorations, smelling fresh by including a sachet. It will be a pleasant surprise when you open the boxes again.
19. Jewelry Boxes: Jewelry boxes can sometimes develop a musty odor due to infrequent usage. A sachet keeps your jewelry and the box smelling pleasant, making each jewelry selection experience enjoyable.
20. Handbags and Backpacks: Due to frequent usage, bags can develop an unpleasant smell. Place a sachet inside when not in use, so you’re greeted with a fresh scent each time you open your bag. This is particularly useful for bags made of a material like leather that can hold onto odors.

You can place these sachets in various locations throughout your home to keep it smelling fresh. Use them in your car, tuck one inside your shoes to eliminate odors, or even put it inside your luggage to keep your clothes smelling fresh. 

They’re excellent for keeping smaller spaces, like closets or drawers, smelling clean and fresh. However, remember to keep these sachets sealed to maintain the fragrance and never put them directly on wood or any surface that can be damaged by the fragrance oils.

The power of scents extends beyond the home; scents can even impact retail spaces, influencing customer perception and behavior. For instance, a hint of lemon scent in a store has been associated with perceptions of cleanliness and an increased likelihood of purchase.

Whether you’re hiring an online interior designer or seeking advice from designers near you, remember to discuss the importance of scents and how they can add an extra layer of comfort and sophistication to your home. Utilizing fresh scents and understanding their usage is essential to creating a home that not only looks good but feels and smells good too.