AROMATHERAPY: ELEVATE YOUR SPACE

Your

eyes may be your window to the world, but your nose can be a pathway to comfort, relaxation and pleasant memories.

“Shop around for a scented candle that promotes the kind of environment you want to create in your home. There are now more than 10,000 scents to choose from, including unusual odors like bonfires and fresh rain on pavement.”

Put another way, don’t overlook candles, diffusers, incense and other satisfying scent producers and aromatherapy products when decorating or enhancing your living spaces.

“Smell is intimately connected to emotion and memory. This isn’t a social or cultural phenomenon – it’s wired into the structure of our brains,” says Anne-Marie Faiola, founder and CEO of Bramble Dairy Handcraft Provisions in Bellingham, Washington.

“Our olfactory bulbs are directly connected to the amygdala, a structure in the brain that controls emotional regulation, and to the hippocampus, which has a big role in how we learn and process memory. Because of this, we can use smells to enjoy pleasant memories from the past and provoke pleasant feelings.”

Home improvement expert Melissa Hawkins, editor-in-chief of Home Arise, says enjoyable odors can help reduce stress levels, promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, too.

Fortunately, there are many ways that homeowners can introduce enjoyable aromas in their interiors without breaking the bank.

“With the vast array of essential oils, candles and diffusers on the market, customizing one’s home environment with pleasant smells is easy,” says Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent To Own Labs.

Hawkins says incense is a good option for budget-minded homeowners because it’s affordable and doesn’t require any special equipment or setup.

Scented candles remain popular; it’s estimated that seven in 10 U.S. households use candles.

“Candles can serve as the focal point of a room’s interior decor, and the ‘cold throw’ (the scent of the candle while not burning) can also be enjoyed when scented candles are placed near seating areas,” suggests Faiola.

Wood wicks are increasingly popular too, because they cast a softer light and make a soft crackling sound as they burn, but they are dimmer than cotton-wicked candles.

“Alternatively, essential oil diffusers allow you to scent your home without an open flame and can be left unattended. But some essential oils can provoke reactions among people sensitive to them, and some, like eucalyptus, are uncomfortable or even poisonous to pets, so be careful,” adds Faiola.

Take the time to carefully consider your scent options before making any purchases or changes in your home.

“Your goal should be to create a space that is both relaxing and welcoming for all who enter it,” Hawkins says.

– CTW Features

Contact us with comments or questions at hotproperty@latimes.com

Diffusers provide a subtle yet pervasive sense of fragrance throughout a space, making them perfect for larger rooms.

Photo courtesy of Content That Works