Interior design is a discipline as fascinating as it is complex. It goes far beyond aesthetics: every element, from furniture to fabrics, from lighting to the combination of different materials, can influence our perception of space and the way we experience it. One element usually given little consideration is the sense of smell. We furnish with mostly colors and textures in mind – thus sight and touch – but not smells, thus the nose. Recently, however, there is greater attention to this aspect, and you can tell by the growing success of fragrances specifically designed for the home. There are all kinds: simple and complex, inexpensive or “signed” by famous designers and perfume creators. How to choose them? You can start with the colors. So let’s see how to match furniture colors with scented fragrances.
What are the best room diffusers?
The market for room fragrance diffusers is, as already mentioned, very large. Beyond the scented essences, the first choice to be made concerns the diffusion mode. Here are the main ones, with their pros and cons.
- Misting sprays: these are simply bottles that contain liquid fragrances ready to be sprayed into the air. They have the advantage of spreading the fragrance quickly, but this tends to dissipate and disappear after a short time. It is not recommended if you want to keep the scent for a long time so that it can be considered as a real decoration item.
- Stick diffusers: these are ampoules containing fragrances in liquid form, in which wooden sticks are dipped and protrude from the ampoule. Aesthetically, they are perfect ornaments. They have the advantage of releasing the fragrance slowly but steadily, although not very intensely. Their durability is remarkable.
- Electric and ultrasonic diffusers: give off a fine scented mist. They can work through heat or (as for the ultrasonic ones) by means of mechanical vibration. As a pro there is the fact that they spread the scent continuously and evenly. Some devices also allow the intensity to be adjusted and have several options, such as LED lights and programmable timers. On the downside, they require electricity and are generally more expensive than other formats.
- Scented candles: these are a great classic. Thanks to the flame, in addition to scenting, they also set the mood (on the other hand, the risks of having a burning flame, which therefore should always be controlled, should be taken into account). Their shelf life is limited.
- Scented pouches: another evergreen. Filled with herbs or woods and spheres impregnated with essences, they are best suited for micro-environments such as drawers, closets, and bags.
Paint stores
and paint shops
nearest to you
A few tips before moving on to matchings
Unless you have totally monochromatic interiors (e.g., total white), there are several colors in a room, generally divided into primary colors (usually reserved for walls, floors, and major furnishings), secondary colors, and accent colors. Which of them should fragrances be paired with? There is no fixed rule: you can rely on the primary color, but there is nothing to prevent you from seeking an olfactory-visual match with the accent color instead. It is advisable to consider the general “mood” of the room, the atmosphere, which can be warm and inviting, lively, relaxing, vibrant… In addition, the functionality of the room should also be taken into account: there are color-scent combinations more suitable for a bathroom, others more for a living room, or a bedroom.
What fragrances to match with neutral colors
Colors: warm shades of white, beige, warm grays, cream, taupe, khaki, écru. Fragrances: delicate and cozy, such as vanilla, cotton, lavender. Environments: living room, bedrooms, relaxing corners.
Fragrances to match earthy colors
Colors: terracotta, ochre, brown, orange, mustard yellow. Fragrances: sandalwood, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, citrus, herbs. Environments: living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom.
Combinations with green and blue tones
Colors: sage green, teal green, aviation blue, cornflower blue. Fragrances: fresh and invigorating such as mint, eucalyptus, herbs. Environments: kitchen, bathroom, laundry room.
Fragrances to match pastel colors
Colors: pink, wisteria, pastel green, warm whites. In general much of the color palette of Rio Verde’s Vintage Prestige line, consisting of high-coverage, odorless (!) paints that can also be used without sanding. Fragrances: soothing, delicate and relaxing such as chamomile, vanilla, rose. Environments: bedrooms, relaxing corners.
What fragrances with dark colors?
Colors: bordeaux, dark brown, cobalt blue, petrol green, black. Fragrances: exotic and intense such as sandalwood, amber, patchouli. Environments: living room, study.
