How to Find the Perfect Home Fragrance

Fragrance families have certain notes or scents in common.

Fresh Bright, clean and uplifting scents, often contain notes of neroli, sea salt and jasmine.

Citrus Refreshing and zesty with sparkling top notes including lemon, bergamot mandarin and grapefruit.

Amber Distinct scents with full-bodied, rich and warming tones such as vanilla, leather, pepper, tonka bean and woods.

Floral Blossoming aromas that complement each other such as jasmine, mimosa, rose, freesia and peony.

Herbal Botanical scents have relaxing qualities and may use notes of lavender, sweet orange, geranium and cedarwood.

Gourmand Mouth-watering ‘edible’ scents, with hints of vanilla, caramel, coffee, chocolate and honey.

Fruity Sweet berry bases or more tropical scents, often with notes of pomegranate, apple, fig or rhubarb.

Bedroom: Bedrooms call for calming scents, such as lavender or sage, to help you relax. Consider the Warmth or Sleep ranges from our best-selling Apothecary range, which has just been reformulated to give an improved, stronger fragrance for a longer-lasting scent.

Living room: Match scents to the occasion, or time of year, and avoid anything overpowering. Experiment with this diffuser with notes of fresh heather and warm musk to create a soothing ambience.

Kitchen: Citrus or spiced scents work well as they won’t clash with the smells of cooking. Our Haze candle with notes of mandarin, frankincense, and saffron, smells good enough to eat, or try Kelly Hoppen's latest candle with lime, basil and mint.

Bathroom: Fresh, clean scents with an outdoorsy feel are perfect for the bathroom. We recommend our fresh-smelling Coastal Breeze diffuser, blended with warm notes of bergamot, sea salt and vetiver.

Home office: For your home office, choose scents that aid concentration. Try our Woodland Glow diffuser with focus-boosting top notes.

Both diffuser reeds and electronic diffusers are great for creating a long-lasting scent, just make sure you're mantaining them properly.

If you're using a reed diffuser, we recommend opting for five to seven reeds. In larger rooms, or for a stronger scent, add more diffuser reeds. Flip reeds weekly to refresh the fragrance and replace if using refills. Don't forget to check out our wood diffusers, alongside our glass styles.

If you've chosen an electronic diffuser, we suggest cleaning it regularly to ensure you're getting the most out of your scent. Essential oils can easily clog them up, so after each use, wipe with a cloth to remove any excess oil or water. Clean by adding a teaspoon of white vinegar and running it outside for a short time. When the diffuser is in use, fragrance levels can be increased by adding more oil drops to the water base.

To create a cosy atmosphere, you'll want to look for scents that are warming and soothing rather than invigorating – we suggest keeping citrus scents for rooms like the kitchen. We're loving &Sleep's candle which is infused with lavender and geranium, so guaranteed to help you wind down and relax.

Make sure to check out the burn time when picking a candle to ensure you'll selecting one you can really make the most of. Plus, always ensure you read all warnings and advice before use as these can change depending on the candle. When using the first time, ensure you burn for a few hours to allow the scent to develop and release. Extinguish candles with a snuffer and trim the wick to 10mm before the next use to ensure a safe, clean burn.

Room sprays and air fresheners are perfect for instantly sprucing up a space. They provide an instant burst of scent and are great for refreshing a room before guests arrive. Look to the M&S X Kelly Hoppen No. 1 Fragrance spray to infuse your home with an instant uplift. It's formulated with bright lemon and and bergamot top notes, warming clove, lavender and violet, then rich base notes of sandalwood and cedarwood. Use it to fill your home with a sense of calm.

Explore the Apothecary range for affordable, yet effective room sprays. Our Calm scent has just been reformulated with a stronger, long-lasting scent. Expect soothing notes of lavender and sweet orange that will transport you to warmer climes. Try spritzing it on your pillows every evening.