Candles are very popular in the autumn months due to the cosiness that they evoke. As the weather starts to get colder and the nights get darker, we tend to become drawn to the flame of a candle, similar to that of a fireplace. Since candles let off heat, we tend to be less drawn to them during the warmer months and more likely to make use of them during the autumn and winter months.
Scented candles create a wonderful soothing effect on the human mind and body. The act of smelling scented candles can help to stimulate the limbic system. This is a part of the human brain associated with memories and emotions. Scented candles can also promote the release of certain hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. This, in turn, can help to regulate our moods. Candles are also great for helping us feel warmer, cosier, and more relaxed.
With this in mind, interior design and home expert Sylvia James at HomeHow.co.uk has created this list of the best candle scents for an autumn vibe. Take a look at the list below and find out which scents you should use in your home now.
Which Candle Scents Work Best at This Time of the Year?
Sage candles
Sage candles can provide a wonderfully warm and woody scent, which is perfect for creating a cosy ambience. Sage is thought to uplift the senses and can even help you get out of a bad mood. It is also thought to be cerebrally stimulating and can help to balance both the mind and the emotional body.
It is herb-like, woody, and slightly minty, which is aromatically purifying and grounding. Medicinally, sage is used to ease joint and muscular pain and can also address spasms and bacterial infections as well as eliminate toxins. So, not only is this a lovely scent, but it also has a range of health benefits.
Pomegranate candles
Pomegranate candles provide a beautiful, fruity and floral scent which really fills up the home with sweetness. When combined with certain other scents, such as sandalwood or patchouli, it can mimic the smell of walking through a beautiful, opulent garden filled with flowers. With this in mind, pomegranate is a brilliant autumn scent.
Fruity scents work very well in pretty much any room of the home and tend to be very potent, allowing you to fill your entire home with a beautiful fruity aroma.
Fig candles
Fig candles give off the essence of hazy summer days. This makes them the perfect candle scent to carry you through the cooler autumn months as the weather starts to drop. This is the perfect choice for people who aren’t such a big fan of autumn and prefer to daydream about the summertime during this time of the year.
Fig is a very sweet scent which often works well when combined with more musky scents. This scent is also known to be quite pungent, so it’s great for quickly and easily filling your home with a warm and inviting aroma.
Cinnamon candles
Nothing quite smells like autumn-like cinnamon candles do. For some, it reminds them that Christmas is just around the corner. For others, it’s a trademark scent that separates the summer months from the autumn months. Cinnamon provides a strong, spicy smell that can make us feel instantly cosy.
Again, this tends to be a strong scent that can fill your home with warmth. In aromatherapy, cinnamon is used to help reduce symptoms of tiredness, faintness, and depression. It is also thought to help with immunity, which is perfect at this time of the year when viruses are at their peak.
Ginger candles
Ginger is a very rich scent that exudes both warmth and happiness. This makes it perfect for the autumn months, when the days begin to get shorter and the weather starts to get colder. Ginger is also thought to be a scent of love and can work as a natural aphrodisiac due to its warming and stimulating properties.
With this in mind, ginger would make a great scent for creating an autumn vibe in the bedroom. Ginger is very warming, so it’s perfect for helping you feel warmer, even on the coldest of nights.
Lavender candles
Lavender provides fresh, earthy notes. It’s a classic scent for helping people feel relaxed and promotes a good night’s sleep. Again, this would make the perfect scent for the bedroom, as it can help you to fall asleep quicker. Just make sure you blow the candles out before you go to sleep.
Lavender is also a great scent for when you’re relaxing in the bath, so consider placing a couple of lavender candles in the bathroom. Lavender is also known to reduce anxiety and stress while also helping you to feel calm.
Amber candles
Amber is a special scent that’s quite difficult to describe. Sometimes, it smells sweet, and other times it can smell smoky. It can also sometimes smell powdery, and other times it can smell woody. However, it is always a great scent. This scent has been used in aromatherapy for years and years as it helps to promote a calm mind – great for relaxing on autumn nights.
Amber also has several other benefits, including lowering stress and anxiety, reducing inflammation, improving cognition, and relieving muscle aches and pains. So it’s a great scent if you’re looking for something with additional health benefits.
Bonfire candles
Although bonfires aren’t strictly an autumn scent, we tend to associate this scent with the autumn/winter months due to the 5th of November and the prevalence of outdoor fires during this time.
This scent is very warming and comforting. As it smells like a burning fire, it can help provide more warmth than most other candle scents.
Clove candles
Clove gives off a spicy, warm scent that can go well with many other autumn scents. It is a classic scent that is instantly recognisable, giving off that festive type of ambience that we all crave during the autumn months.
Clove also has some health benefits. It is thought to help relieve pains, ease digestive problems, and help with respiratory issues. It can also help to stimulate the brain, making you more attentive.
Cardamom candles
Cardamom smells very spicy, sweet, and aromatic. It can resemble the same kind of scent as when you’re baking a warm apple pie. This gorgeous, unique blend of sweet and spicy notes provides a very warm and cosy feeling.
This is a distinct, strong scent that can help fill your home with an autumnal aroma. Cardamom is also thought to help improve concentration and is considered a very calming scent for the mind and emotions. In addition, it is also thought to soothe nervous tension.
Rosemary candles
Rosemary is a very intense scent that is kind of woody and herby. The scent itself has many wellbeing properties and can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. This is perfect for when you want to wind down during the autumn months.
With this in mind, this scent would make a great addition to any bedroom or bathroom. Burn a rosemary candle when you want to relax on a cold autumn night.
Bergamot candles
Bergamot is a very aromatic scent. It can help to uplift the senses and relax the mind. This has been dubbed the most popular autumn scent due to its relaxing and strong, fragrant scent. It’s one of my personal favourite scents.
Bergamot can make your home feel welcoming and inviting, so it’s the perfect scent to set the mood if you’re planning on entertaining. It also works well in all rooms of the home, so it’s great for filling your home with a gorgeous, relaxing aroma.
Gingerbread candles
Gingerbread is a popular treat during the autumn and winter months. It’s also something that many people associate uniquely with Christmas time. With this in mind, gingerbread is a very popular scent during autumn, as it can act as a reminder that Christmas is on the way.
This is a scent that will be popular with the whole family. Gingerbread candles also tend to be very potent, providing a strong Christmassy scent throughout your home.
Chai candles
Chai smells a lot like a warm hug. It has notes of spice and vanilla that work together to create a gorgeous autumn scent. If you’re a fan of chai lattes or chai tea, a chai candle is a beautiful option for an autumn candle scent.
Chai is naturally rich in antioxidants and provides a lot of calming and healing properties. The scent is a perfect combination of sweet and spice, which is perfect in combination with autumn.
Vanilla candles
Vanilla is a very sweet scent that can bring up fond memories of the fun summer days when you were eating vanilla ice cream. If you are someone who lives for the summer, vanilla could be the perfect scent for you, as you’ll likely enjoy reminiscing about summer with this scent during the autumn months.
Vanilla can help to relax the mind and reduce tension in the body. It is thought to help reduce the heart rate blood pressure, and improve overall wellbeing in those enjoying the scent.
The Best Autumnal Candle Scents For Each Room in Your Home
Entrance Hall
You want people to feel comfortable and at ease when entering your home. With this in mind, you’ll want to choose a scent that is not too ambitious. Sage is a perfect option for this as it is very welcoming and inviting.
Living Room
Floral and warming scents tend to work best in the living room. Cinnamon, gingerbread, and pomegranate are great options for this room. These scents are all quite potent and will provide a beautiful, bold autumn scent to the room.
Bedroom
Relaxation and romance are the types of ambience recommended for the bedroom. To create this, you’ll want to choose scents such as lavender, bergamot and amber. Ginger is also thought to be a scent of love and can work as a natural aphrodisiac due to its warming and stimulating properties, so this is a great choice for the bedroom.
Bathroom
Fresh scents are best for the bathroom. Some great examples of scents for the bathroom include lavender, bergamot, and fig. Lavender is perfect if you want to create a relaxing vibe while you’re taking a long soak in the bathtub.
Dining Room
Pomegranate is a perfect option for the dining room as it provides a sweet and fruity smell that can help to make people want to come and sit and enjoy a meal in the room. Other scents that work well in this space include gingerbread, chai, cinnamon, and ginger.
Kitchen
Yummy scents work well in the kitchen. With this in mind, scents such as cardamom and gingerbread work well in this room. Lemon is also a great scent for the kitchen, as it is fresh and smells very clean. However, this tends to be more of a summer scent, so it might not be suitable for those trying to achieve an autumn vibe.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different candle scents that are great at this time of year. Warming scents work best as the weather starts to get cooler. No matter which of these scents you choose, it’s sure to fill your home with a beautiful autumn aroma that you and your guests will just love.
