The Best Scented Candles and Diffusers for Every Room this Autumn

There are many signifiers of a high-quality candle, but it mostly depends on how long they last and how refined the ingredients are. A luxury candle uses natural wax like soy, beeswax or palm, which burns cleaner and longer than paraffin. It will contain professionally blended essential oils or high-grade fragrance oils to create a rich and complex fragrance profile. It should have a good scent throw (this means the strength and distance at which a scent can be detected), both when lit and unlit, and it should burn cleanly and evenly over a long period relative to the size of the candle. Many high-quality candles are also hand-poured for better consistency and presented in glass-blown vessels, demonstrating craftsmanship.  

Reed diffusers disperse aromatic oils into the air using natural reed sticks. The fragrance oil travels up through the absorbent reeds to steadily release the scent, ensuring a continuous aroma without a flame or electricity. To help the fragrance spread faster through the room, you can position your reed diffuser near a source of airflow like a window. Flip the reeds for a scent boost if the fragrance loses its strength. When the reeds eventually dry out or get clogged with dust, it’s time to replace them.   

Candles provide ambience thanks to their flickering light and help create a warm and cosy atmosphere. A candle will often release fragrance more intensely than a diffuser, particularly if it has a strong hot throw (the scent released when burning). The heat helps distribute the aroma quickly, helping fill a space with fragrance in a short time. Diffusers have a constant, maintenance-free fragrance release, offering more longevity. This makes them a safe option for even and continuous scenting.   

Warm, familiar aromas such as vanilla, sweet baked goods, zesty bergamot and delicate florals make welcoming scents as they often evoke nostalgia, instantly making guests feel comfortable. Exotic flowers, woods and spices, including oud, tuberose and amber, are associated with luxury as they are rich and opulent.  

The scents used in hospitality are selected to promote relaxation. These include woody and herbaceous notes such as cedarwood, bergamot, white tea, eucalyptus and jasmine. To make your entire home smell like a hotel or spa, use these scents to create a cohesive scent strategy across your spaces. You can do this by diffusing essential oils with an oil burner or mist diffuser, adding scented candles, diffusers and room sprays to each room, placing fragrant plants on display, and providing ventilation to keep your home smelling fresh.