Ah, the sweet scent of spring is in the air! Open your windows and take a whiff. While we might wish it's the fragrance of fresh blossoms wafting in, the truth is, the most captivating scents often emanate from the homes of the experts — the designers, the editors, the scent aficionados — those who’ve mastered the art of creating a perfectly fragranced space for the season.
When it comes to finding the best home fragrance, MINOT founder Kerry Kip recommends keeping it ‘pretty simple and personalized.’ ‘I think about what I would like to feel and then pick a scent — or scents — to achieve that,’ she explains. She's spot on — ‘Scents have an incredible power to influence our moods and emotions, offering a therapeutic experience that can significantly impact our well-being,’ adds Andrea McGrath, founder of Out of Darkness Candle Co. ‘Whether it's the energizing aroma of citrus to kickstart my day or the soothing scent of lavender to unwind in the evening, I choose scents based on their ability to enhance my mood and create the ambiance I desire.’
With spring on our minds, regardless of the vibe you're aiming for or your personal taste, you're on the brink of discovering your new go-to spring scent. And no, they’re not all florals — this assortment is bursting with surprises. I would have loved to have kept these treasures to myself lest they sell out, but these scents are simply too good to gatekeep. The cat is officially out of the bag — hailing from the best home decor stores, these are the only fragrances you need to consider this spring.
Expert Approved Spring Scents
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Price: $28
Few things dazzle like a fresh pour of prosecco. This home perfume by Antica Farmacista smells as sparkly and vibrant as its name would imply: fresh, dynamic, with the slightest brush of sweetness. I also adore that it looks like a tiny bottle of bubbly — darling decor for your living room.
Price: $65
'I love having candles throughout my house, and I usually light them when I get home at the end of the day,' says multi-hyphenate tastemaker and designer, Jenni Kayne. 'It’s a nice little ritual I look forward to.' Her current mood? Mint. A nuanced blend of lemon, orange, eucalyptus, spearmint, and vanilla, this candle is 'bright and refreshing,' says Jenni, 'and totally perfect for spring where we’re focused on new energy and beginnings.'
Price: $44
'People joke about 'florals for spring,' but you'll never go wrong with floral fragrances if they're associated with personal, fond memories,' says Kerry. 'Springtime always reminds me of the lilac trees blooming at my childhood home, so I personally can't make it through spring without my Wild Meadow candle, which has notes of lilac, honeysuckle, and amyris.' To set the mood, the founder pairs those floral scents with a French al fresco dining playlist — 'makes it feel like I've been transported to a sunny afternoon in Europe,' she muses.
Price: $58
Interior designer Kristine Renee is a fan of Flamingo Estate’s Heirloom Tomato spray for its ‘earthy, spring vibe.’ Think tomato vines and leaves at peak ripeness — an idyllic garden, bottled in a convenient spray. It makes for the perfect kitchen idea, bedroom idea — well suited anywhere you want a whiff of fresh.
Price: $78
The Aquarius that she is, my style editor counterpart at Livingetc, Brigid Kennedy, likes to venture off the beaten path. Rather than opt for the usual springtime scents of fresh greens and florals, she's burning Apotheke's Black Cypress candle instead. 'It's best for the colder months of the year,' the editor admits, but 'with notes of balsam fir, bayberry, and snow, is well worth the investment — especially with its 120-hour burn time.'
Price: $89
I'm a loyal user of this rose scented room mist by Venus et Fleur. It smells like the brand's iconic eternity roses — but to the power of 10. I spritz it a few times in my bathroom and living room in the evening or when I'm preparing to entertain. It instantly elevates any setting with the sweet freshness of freesia and Damascena roses, along with a subtle kick of geranium and spicy cinnamon.
Price: $74
'Bringing the outside in with scents is one of the best ways to get in the spirit for bloom season,' says Kristine. And how does she do it? With none other than Diptyque's most iconic fragrance, Baies. A serendipitous aroma of sweet smelling roses and fresh blackcurrant leaves, it’s an irreplaceable addition to any well-appointed home.
Price: $120
Every spring at my childhood home in sunny Los Angeles, California, honeysuckles bloomed in the front yard. To this day, the sweet scent remains one of my favorites for its pure, almost angelic aroma. It has a delicate quality that few fragrances have been able to capture, but LOEWE Home Scents has done so to perfection. Held in a yellow terracotta vessel, reach for this candle to cloak yourself in a ray of sunshine.
Price: $210
Kristine loves the scent of roses for spring. Their aroma is classic and delicate, almost synonymous with beauty. Though it seems so simple, the floral fragrance proves incredibly difficult to perfect. Although many iterations fall short, one has stood the test of time: Roses by Diptyque. Filling your home with an intoxicating fragrance of red petals and vibrant lychee, it's 'definitely a go to in our household,' enthuses the designer.
Price: $28
'I've always been drawn to the refreshing allure of citrus scents, especially during the springtime when I crave that burst of energy and vitality,' says brand founder Andrea. Aptly named ‘Awaken,’ this energizing candle fills your space with top notes of grapefruit, mandarin, and lemon, the sweetness of orange and peach, and the grounding quality of vanilla.
Price: $135
The name says it all: Bitter Peach. This cult-favorite fragrance by Tom Ford is literal, long-lasting, and just so, so good. Sweet but far from overpowering, this is the scent to define your spring. In fact, I’m such a fan that I’ve purchased a it's travel sized version as well.
Price: $65
Anyone who knows me is well aware of my affinity for Henry Rose (I usually have at least one of these Michelle Pfeiffer created candles burning at all times). It’s tough to play favorites, but Windows Down takes the cake for spring. A blend of citrus, earl grey, and jasmine — it feels like sipping a cup of tea in a beautiful orchard.
Discover 12 more designer approved scents that our editors keep on their home fragrance rotation.
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