It's tough to come by mod fragrance formats, especially since the classic scenting ways never fail to work wonders. So when I got a whiff of the incense bowl aesthetic, it's safe to say my interest was piqued. And what really sold this concept is the fact that it's totally DIY-friendly.
I pride myself on knowing how to make a home smell good and while I'd love to take the credit, it's usually all thanks to store-bought room sprays and charming candles. But this incense bowl gives me the chance to curate a fragrance that fits my home to a t.
Aside from being fairly inexpensive, easy to make, and totally chic, it also happens to be Kourtney Kardashian Barker-approved. Word is she has a couple of her own incense bowls at work around her home, so we figured we'd get in on the trend and learn for ourselves. And here's how you can too.
What You'll Need
As with any DIY, the first step is to get your tools and ingredients together. As for making your own incense bowl, here's everything you need.
• Incense brick — Typically made from natural ingredients, incense bricks are small, smokeless cubes that make home scenting safe and organic. Since they tend to be the star of the show, it's important to choose the best incense at your avail for a truly authentic scenting experience. These Natural Incense Smudge Bricks from Amazon boast an amber oudh scent that's bound to make your home smell like a spa.
• Incense sand — This is a smooth, dry sand that is generally used to protect the brick and balance the heat emitted in an incense bowl. I found this Asayu Japan Grey Incense Ash from Amazon, and it's the perfect color to camouflage any residual ash.
• Incense bowl — Essentially, this is what a jar is to a candle. Your incense bowl will house your creation and allow you to shift it from space to space with ease. If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at the incense bowls I have my heart set on.
Price: £18
Color: Beige
If you love the concept of an incense bowl but aren't quite sold on the look of open incense sand, this Minimalist Travertine Stone Incense Holder from Amazon is perfect for you. Simply pop the lid on when in use or out of use and you're good to go.
Price: £23
Color: Orange
I am obsessed with this Fazeek Orange Wave Incense Holder Set from Ssense. It has so much character and can turn something simple like an incense bowl into a statement scenting moment. Plus, it's also available in gray and pink colorways, depending on the aesthetic you're going for.
Price: £40
Color: Brown
You can never go wrong with a classic look and this Wabi Sabi Style Incense Mud Bowl from Etsy proves just that. Although made for incense sticks, this versatile piece can work just as well in the form of an incense bowl. The minimalist form and aged finish offer effortless charm.
How to Make an Incense Bowl
It's easier than you think!
Thankfully, making an incense bowl is extremely straightforward. No rocket science here which makes it one of those DIYs that is actually user-friendly.
Start by cleaning your incense bowl and letting it dry thoroughly. Then pour your chosen incense sand into the bowl and fill to a third of the way. Lastly, pop a couple of incense bricks on top and light them whenever you want a refreshing spruce by way of scent.
The next time you have guests over, keep your cabinet of room sprays and candles shut. Instead, let your gorgeous new incense bowl make your living room smell amazing while setting the ambiance.
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Using Incense Bricks?
Besides being brilliant home scenting agents, Dr. Deborah Lee, a sleep expert at Bed Factory Direct, tells us that they can also have a great effect on sleep quality. "This is because they influence relaxation, stress reduction, and general air quality," she says. You can purchase scents such as lavender or chamomile which are beneficial towards sleep quality and can help calm the nervous system, making them a great thing to incorporate into your bedroom.
"Common causes of bad sleep include overthinking and anxiety, which incense bowls can help with as they can help create a meditative atmosphere. As a sleep expert, incense bowls are one of the best ways to make your bedroom smell nice. It's something that I definitely recommend incorporating with the right scents to help create a mellow atmosphere and help relax any sense of nerves or anxiety that you’re suffering with as you’re trying to fall asleep.'"
If you have a wellness room in your home, I believe that this incense bowl would make the perfect finishing touch. And if you're a small space dweller, try and house this aromatic incense bowl in any space you tend to unwind in.
Be it a meditation corner, a journaling nook, or even a bedroom. Light your incense bowl and watch as your home scentually transforms.
-
Color Crush! 'Sakura Blush' Is the Sweet Shade That Challenges the Idea That Pink Is 'Too Childish'Our May Color Crush, Sakura Blush, is the perfect balance of depth and delicacy, and can completely transform your interior design — here's how
-
This Designer Is Fighting the Stigma Around Medical Therapy, Aging, and Intimacy Through Immersive Interiors That "Pull You Out of the Everyday"When conceived purposefully, "a space can totally change people's mindset and feelings about something they previously found intimidating," says wellness design expert Madelynn Ringo
-
5 Outdated Carpet Colors Interior Designers Won't Be Using in 2025 — And What They Will Be InsteadLeave these old-fashioned colors where they belong, and update your space with these modern shades that are completely on-trend
-
I'm Obsessed With This Potted 'Mini Meadow' Idea for Filling a Small Container Garden With Beautiful FlowersYou don't need sprawling lawns to give your garden a meadow-style feel — all you really need is a container garden and some choice plants
-
Plants in Test Tube Candelabras? There's a Stylish New Way to Show Off Your Propagation SkillsIf you're tired of leaving your plant cuttings on your window sill, you'll love this fresh idea for a plant propagation candelabra.
-
Which Spring Home Scent Matches Your Star Sign? This Is What Your Home Should Smell Like Right Now, According to the ZodiacChoosing a home scent that matches your personality is the best way to create a space that feels perfectly your own. So find your zodiac and the scent to match.
-
I've Discovered This Floristry 'Recipe' That's the Trade Secret to Elevating Your Grocery Store Flowers at HomeCommonly used to create the perfect color palette in interior design, this rule also works in floristry. Here's how to use it for your spring arrangements.
-
These Are the Dos and Don'ts of Bamboo Plant Placement — Follow This to Avoid Bad Feng ShuiBy following the experts' guidance on where to place this houseplant you can usher luck, wealth, and prosperity into your home
-
Is It Okay to Have a Mirror Facing a Door in Feng Shui? The Verdict Is In and It Just Might Surprise YouDecorating your home with mirrors calls for intention if you're dressing your space in accordance with Feng Shui. Here's what you should know.
-
4 Things to Unpack as Soon as You Move House — For a Comfortable and Organized Fresh StartIf you have a major move in the works and you're looking to prepare in advance, this is the starter kit you need to properly set up your new home.
