8 Calming Scents for a More Relaxing Home—and How to Create Them Yourself

Your home should act as a refuge, a welcoming retreat that allows for that muscle-relaxing, ahh-inducing relaxation to pass over you the second you walk through the doors. A place where you can cozy up with your favorite people—or even by yourself—and recharge. Infusing calming scents to make your home feel more relaxing is a little trick that makes all the difference, and it’s as simple as lighting a candle or using a scent diffuser. 

“Scent isn’t just a bonus—it’s an essential layer in creating a relaxing, harmonious space,” says Nancy Swanton, interior designer and CEO of Abundant Home Design. “Research shows that our olfactory system—that’s the fancy term for our sense of smell—has a direct line to the brain’s limbic system, which regulates emotions, memory, and stress.” 

Translation? The right scents can calm frazzled nerves, boost mood, and even make your home feel more welcoming to you and your guests. According to science and experts, these are some of the most calming scents out there. 

Lavender 

This purple herb has long been heralded as one of the most calming scents out there, making it a popular pick for everything from luxurious spas to office break rooms.

“Lavender is the undisputed queen of relaxation. Its delicate floral aroma has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, lower heart rate, and even improve sleep quality,” Swanton notes. “Whether it’s in your bedroom to lull you into sweet dreams or in a cozy reading nook, lavender brings a sense of serenity to any space.” 

Consider adding sachets of dried lavender to linen closets and drawers to perfume your fabrics.

Eucalyptus 

Crisp, bright, and refreshing, eucalyptus is the perfect calming scent for those who want a little bit more of a zing compared to lavender. “Its slightly medicinal aroma clears mental clutter, soothes the respiratory system, and helps you feel revitalized,” Swanton says. “Place fresh eucalyptus stems in your bathroom for a subtle, all-day aroma, or use it in a yoga room to keep your energy calm and focused.” 

Bergamot 

If you want to depart from some of the standard aromatherapy options, consider adding a burst of bergamot to your home, says fragrance expert Darryl Do, founder and CEO of Delbia Do Fragrances. A cheery citrus fruit with a slightly floral twist, Do says it’s one of his favorite scents for a calm home. “Scents that make you happy, more sophisticated scents will up your game from basic aromatherapy options,” he notes. 

You can opt for a concentrated version of the scent as an essential oil or look for notes of bergamot in your next candle purchase.

Amber

For a slightly sweeter spin that carries a deep, resinous quality and hint of muskiness, lean into amber profiles. Synonymous with luxury, this fragrance can be found alone or fused with vanilla, oud, wood, or spices for the perfect fragrance to make your home feel relaxing and inviting. 

White Tea  

Even the mention of tea has a way of calming you. White tea is particularly soothing, especially as a home fragrance, says Heather Lutz, scent expert and product manager for Aromatech. “ White tea possesses a subtle sweetness with hints of delicate blossoms like jasmine or iris,” she explains. “These floral undertones have a naturally soothing and uplifting effect on the senses. They can help to ease feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of tranquility.”

Simply brewing a cup can infuse your home with the subtle, pleasant fragrance.

Matcha

Another calming, tea-inspired scent is matcha, a type of green tea that has a very earthy scent. “Matcha is known for its calming and centering properties, and inhaling a creamy matcha scent can evoke a sense of tranquility and mindfulness, helping to reduce stress and anxiety,” Lutz says. “The subtle sweetness and earthy notes can also uplift your spirits and create a more positive atmosphere in your home.”

Palo Santo 

Woody aromas, like palo santo, are grounding and warm, evoking the calming ambiance of a forest retreat. Do says he likes this option for those who want a more neutral, earthy, or masculine vibe, and that they’re great for nurturing that coveted cozy, tranquil environment. Lutz agrees, adding that “Palo Santo can also enhance focus and mental clarity, making it ideal for creating a productive work or creative space.” 

You can treat palo santo like incense—carefully light a stick and let it smolder in a fireproof dish or waft it around your home for a few minutes before putting it out.

Leather

Another more neutral or masculine scent for a calm home—and one that might fly under the radar—is leather. Full of depth and oozing sophistication, Do notes that this soothing aroma invites an instant sense of comfort and character. It’s especially great for those who want to recreate the feeling of a well-loved library or classic, “old money” study.