Elevate your space and complement your home with these unforgettable candles, diffusers, incense and more.
From the wonderfully subtle to the undeniably luscious, there’s something irresistible about the right home fragrance. Our sense of smell is our strongest scent—just a subtle fragrance note can trigger a whole cacophony of long-lost memories and emotions.
The right fragrance can evoke a feeling of nostalgia, or add a feeling of freshness to a room. It can act as a backdrop for entertaining, or serve as a reminder to take some time out for self-care. This is why a home fragrance is so important: it can help to influence how you feel, and how others can feel when they step foot in your home. When it comes to home fragrances, there are many different types of fragrances to explore: candles, reed or electric diffusers, and incense.
Candle vs. Diffuser vs. Incense: Which Is The Best?
Before choosing a scent, first, decide what kind of experience you want with your home fragrance. Are you looking for a lingering scent or a burst of fragrance every now and again? Each form of fragrance has different staying power, and strength. Owing to their complex scents and soft flickering light, candles are often used for creating a relaxing experience for a short period of time.
A diffuser, reed or electric, is a more subtle experience. With a reed diffuser, the porous reed sticks absorb the fragrance oil and allow it to dissipate slowly in the air. An electric diffuser, on the other hand, uses power to break down fragrances and turn them into mist. Incense releases a burst of strong fragrance for a brief period of time, filling the space quickly and dissipating just as fast. Whether you’re looking for an everyday home fragrance to add ambience, or a special occasion scent for when you need it, here are our top picks for the best fragrance for your home.
Oh, The Ambience: The Best Candles
TRUDON: Abd El Kader Classic Candle
When it comes to exceptional home fragrances, Trudon sets the gold standard. A true classic, the Abd El Kader Classic Candle is an icon of timeless elegance, designed to enrich any space with an exquisite scent. Handcrafted in the Trudon workshop in Normandy, France, each candle is a testament to Trudon’s centuries-old expertise.
Inspired by the winds of freedom sweeping across the Mascara coast, this candle gently fills the space with notes of fresh mint, blackcurrant bud, ginger, and jasmine. A warm, grounding base of vanilla, tea, and tobacco evokes the rich, storied landscapes of the Ouled Nail tribe.
CARRIÈRE FRÈRES: Tomato Candle
Say bonjour and enchanté to Carrière Frères‘ famous Tomato Candle. Crafted in the famed Cire Trudon’s factory, Carrière Frères candles are a tribute to the rich historic avenues of fragrances and food. The Tomato Candle pays homage to the fresh, fragrant oil of the tomato plant, which fascinated explorers and botanists throughout the 18th century. Committed to employing traditional manufacturing techniques to make every fragrance, Carrière Frères’ fragrances will be a welcome delight throughout your home.
FORNASETTI: Frutto Proibito Bugia Della Notte
Is it a piece of art or a candle? Fornasetti says: why not both? The highly coveted Frutto Proibito Candle is a masterpiece of design and fragrance. Handcrafted with eco-friendly ingredients, this candle ensures a clean, non-polluting burn. The Frutto Proibito fragrance captivates with Mediterranean citrus top notes, leading into a heart of jasmine and tuberose, and settling into the warm embrace of sweet rosewood. Each candle is a unique creation, reflecting Fornasetti’s dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability.
LUMIRA: Arabian Oud
Surrender to the charm and delight of Lumira‘s Arabian Oud, a blend of deep rose, oud accord, and sandalwood. This mysterious fragrance fills any space with a sense of sophistication and tranquillity making it the perfect addition to any bubble bath or when you just need a little ‘me time’. Hand-poured with a natural soy wax blend, this candle offers up to 80 hours of burn time. We suggest housing this candle in a Lumira Glass Dome when not in use to ensure scent longevity in a pretty impressive way.
CIRCA: Alchemy Mandarin Neroli Outdoor Candle
Ensure your next alfresco dinner party is insect-free thanks to Circa‘s ground-breaking Alchemy Mandarin Neroli Outdoor Candle. This impressive 1kg candle features notes of mandarin, neroli and orange blossom, all carefully chosen to help repel insects with a pleasant scent. Designed in collaboration with Avenue Lane, this candle comes in a distinctive pinecone ceramic vessel, an ode to the pinecone, or pigna as it is known in Italy, representing good fortune, health and prosperity.
PRADA: Infusion d’Iris Candle
Introduce a little high-fashion luxury into your space with the highly-prized Prada Infusion d’Iris Candle, a luxurious blend of floral and woody notes that embodies the sophisticated spirit of Prada. This exquisite candle features the delicate essence of iris, complemented by fresh top notes of neroli and mandarin, and a warm base of benzoin accord. Housed in an iconic Prada green opaline glass holder, we suggest pairing this iris-scented candle with a matching Les Infusions Iris Eau de Parfum for maximum elegance.
The Best Oil Diffusers For Your Home
DR. VRANJES FIRENZE: Rosso Nobile Diffuser
Be whisked away to Tuscany without even leaving the house with the Dr. Vranjes Firenze Rosso Nobile Diffuser. Inspired by the depth and elegance of fine Italian red wine, this luxurious fragrance blends sweet notes of ripe berries and grapes with the floral softness of violet and magnolia, finished with the rich, woody essence of birch tannins. Housed in a sophisticated glass bottle, this rich scent is ideal for living areas throughout the home.
JO MALONE LONDON: Peony Blush Suede Scent Surround Diffuser
Designed with understated elegance, the Peony Blush Suede Diffuser is Jo Malone London at its finest. A delicate balance of voluptuous peonies, juicy red apple, and opulent jasmine, rose, and gillyflower creates a fragrance that is both flirtatious and luxurious. The soft warmth of blush suede lingers, adding a sensual and inviting depth to any space. For optimal fragrance release (eg. a long-lasting fragrance you can actually smell), Jo Malone London suggests using all 10 reeds at the same time.
ECOYA: French Pear Reed Diffuser
Straight from the shores of New Zealand, this pear-fectly balanced home fragrance by ECOYA brings a touch of sophistication to any space. Juicy tree-ripened Queensland pears take the lead with the French Pear Reed Diffuser, warmed with vanilla and clove, creating a rich and inviting scent that lingers beautifully. Housed in a sleek glass jar with a silver collar, this diffuser provides continuous, long-lasting fragrance for up to six months. Designed for small to medium spaces, we suggest keeping this in the bathroom, laundry or even your wardrobe for a fresh scent every day.
ENDOTA SPA: Essential Oil Diffuser
Looking to step up your oil diffuser game? Take it up a notch with the Essential Oil Diffuser from Endota Spa, designed for a more even, efficient, and long-lasting scent experience. Unlike traditional reed diffusers, this ultrasonic electric diffuser releases a fine, cool mist of your favourite oils.
With a sleek white ceramic design, a customisable timer and an automatic shut-off, this oil diffuser is the perfect way to indulge in aromatherapy at home.
TRUDON: La Promeneuse Coffret Fragrance Diffuser
What happens when a decorative lantern meets a luxury scent? You get the La Promeneuse Coffret Fragrance Diffuser. More than just a diffuser, La Promeneuse is like a work of art that fills your home with fragrance in an effortless way. Designed for easy scent swapping, this diffuser comes with four scented ‘cameos’ (Abd El Kader, Ernesto, Cyrnos, and Joséphine) and four tea lights.
Simply place a scented cameo in the ceramic dish, light a small tea- light beneath it, and let the warmth gently melt the wax, releasing its scent into the air.
More Home Fragrance Extras You’ll Love
AESOP: Bronze Incense Holder
For those who can’t get enough of traditional incense, Aesop‘s Bronze Incense Holder is a sculptural piece with a twist. Designed by Vogel Studio, this asymmetrical bronze incense holder combines functionality with artistry. Its unique design securely holds a single incense stick, while the concave dish gracefully collects ash, ensuring a clean experience with every use. Over time, the bronze of this incense holder develops a natural patina, adding a bit of character to this already exquisite piece.
GLASSHOUSE FRAGRANCES: Candle Care Kit
For the candle collector and scent aficionado, this Candle Care Kit may be the best thing since sliced bread. Created by Glasshouse Fragrances, this set includes a wick trimmer and snuffer, both crafted from stainless steel with gold plating, housed in a sleek black velvet case. The perfect gift for that difficult-to-buy-for someone, or as a gift to yourself, this candle care kit ensures your home fragrances last longer with use.
TRUDON: King Queens Matches
Add a regal touch to your candle-lighting ritual with Trudon‘s Kings Queens Matches. Each box features elegant designs inspired by historical monarchs, making them both functional and decorative. The long matches ensure a safe and convenient way to light your candles, enhancing your overall home fragrance experience.
ECOYA: Wild Sage Citrus Fragranced Dryer Ball Set
Another way to add a subtle home fragrance to your space? The scent of freshly laundered linen. With the Ecoya Wild Sage Citrus Fragranced Dryer Ball Set, your laundry is infused with an uplifting blend of fresh sage and zesty citrus, leaving your sheets and towels delicately perfumed long after they’ve been folded away. Made from 100% New Zealand wool, these reusable dryer balls naturally soften fabrics and reduce drying time, while the included fragrance discs ensure your linens always smell as good as they feel.
Looking for more gift ideas? Why not wrap up a scent they can take with them wherever they go: The 6 Best Perfumes To Wrap Up.