Fragrance pros share the 6 best scents for fall to make your entryway cozy and inviting – and the last one caught us seriously off guard

Cooler weather is fast approaching and nothing says a cozy welcome to guests like a lush scent for fall wafting through your entryway.

As the first place you or your loved ones smell when entering your home, it's a key area you can utilize in creating fabulous and cozy first impression.

Our fragrance and home pros reveal which scents they use to create a come-inside-and-sink-into-the-sofa vibe, including surprising matcha, and are perfect for making your home smell nice during this season.

The best entryway scents for fall

1. Woodfire

It's a classic for a reason, ushering in fall with lovely homey scents. This is especially comforting if you don't have a fireplace or log burner. Fake fall ambiance with a woodfire-scented candle or reed diffuser, a tactic people with nice smelling entryways always do.

Tony Hoang, home improvement and interior design expert, and owner of What A Room, recommends the Illume Woodfire candle available at Amazon for this.

'It's an amazing scent,' he says. 'Cedar smoke and birch come together in this blend. It makes one feel like sitting by a crackling fire or staying somewhere in the mountains where everything smells smokey during fall. It is perfect for those who love being outside all day but want something cozy.'

For a super affordable option, I love the IKEA ENSTAKA scented candle, and burn it all fall long. It's an earthy, smoky scent, which evokes a warming fire.

2. Cinammon

Another popular fall and winter scent, cinnamon fills your home with a delicious autumnal aroma without being overpowering or overly sweet.

'Cinnamon and clove evoke fall coziness without the sugary aroma,' says Jonas Zook Jr, owner of Sweden Valley Cabins. 'For Pennsylvania’s climate, these scents create an autumnal vibe still suiting the chill and make guests feel cozy.'

You can opt for a cinnamon scented candle, such as Amazon's Choice Yankee Candle Sparkling Cinnamon available at Amazon, or Zook recommends using an essential oil reed diffuser, perfect to make a house smell nice without candles. 'A few drops of cinnamon and clove oil in the diffuser base provide a subtle, spicy scent,' he says. 'The cinnamon gives warmth while the clove adds kick. Refresh the reeds every few weeks to maintain the fragrance.'

This fragrance layering is a great way to personalize the scent of your space, too, as you can customize the oils used to create something unique to your home.

'The beauty of scented plug-ins or reed diffusers is that you can swap them out or move them around your home as you see fit, and your entryway will already be filled with the aroma when you open your front door,' adds fragrance expert Darryl Do, senior perfumer at New York based Delbia Do Fragrances.

3. Rain

The smell of rain hitting the ground or soil is known as 'petrichor', and it evokes a calming memory of the rainy season. What better way to enjoy it than tucked away warm and dry inside? Rain-inspired home fragrances are perfect for making entryways a welcoming escape from the wet and cold of outdoors in autumn.

Mark Crames, chief perfumer and CEO at Demeter Fragrance says petrichor scent is earthy, pleasant, and autumnal in tone.

'Petrichor is one of those scents that instantly transports you to a place of comfort and nostalgia.' says Crames. 'It’s the smell of the earth after the first rain of the season, a unique blend of soil, plant life, and moisture. For fall, it’s a grounding fragrance that adds a layer of warmth and familiarity to your home’s entryway, making it the perfect backdrop for the season’s festivities.'

He also recommends their candle in Thunderstorm, available at Demeter Fragrance.

'As the crisp air of fall ushers in a new season, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home’s ambiance with scents that capture the essence of autumn,' Mark says. 'There’s nothing quite like the invigorating scent of a thunderstorm rolling through on a cool fall evening.

'Our Thunderstorm fragrance captures that electric energy, blending the crisp, clean air with the subtle, earthy undertones of rain-soaked soil. It’s a scent that brings the outside in, perfect for an entryway that welcomes guests with a breath of fresh, fall air.'

It's also a great bedroom scent for sleep, as it's calming, fresh and not overwhelming or clawing, perfect when paired with a bedroom soundscape.

To protect your candle and enhance the smell, you can pop it in a candle cloche (a glass candle dome), such as the KMwares 3pcs Glass Bell Shape Dome available at Amazon, when not in use. It's one of the ways to make your candles last longer.

4. Pumpkin spice

Another classic fall scent is pumpkin spice, inspired by the warm, sweet scent of pumpkin pie and seasonal hot drinks.

'NEST Fragrances Pumpkin Chai Reed Diffuser available at Nest is what you need if you want pumpkin spice,' says Hoang. 'This diffuser adds masala chai, creating a more prosperous, spicier aroma than other reeds.

It fills rooms without overpowering them with classic pumpkin scents and will keep your place smelling fresh for weeks while still maintaining things festive, albeit more exotic.'

And, if you really want to create a Halloween feel, we love these chic ideas for decorating with pumpkins, or pop your best candle into this gorgeous Pumpkin Metal Candle Holder available at Anthropologie.

5. Forest

Evocative of a wintry day spent walking in a forest kissed by fall, fresh woody scents are a great addition to any seasonal entryway setup.

'For a more unique take on fall entryway scents, try using fragrances that are not as commonly known but still express the season's essence,' recommends Hoang. 'An excellent option that usually fly's under the radar is Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt, available at Amazon. 'This smell takes you to an autumn forest with sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver, giving off a soft, woodsy warmth rich in luxury yet mild intensity. It works best for someone who wants their home to have an upscale and refined atmosphere during fall.'

Avoid candle burning mistakes by trimming your wick before each use.

6. Matcha

For something a bit different, we love Mark Fuqua's recommendation of a matcha-scented candle. Mark is the founder of EMME NYC, a natural, non-toxic home fragrance brand celebrating authentic Asian scents and flavors.

'I've always found when discussing with our customers about where to place specific scents in specific locations through their home that the entryway needs to be a bold scent that sets the tone for the rest of the home,' he says.

'Seasonally, this is easy. Fall smells are usually characterized by warm undertones and strong base notes that tend to be bold. With the cultural theme of the season being based on cozy vibes and family meals, gourmand scents also surge in popularity.

'For many homes, one consideration is the potential draft and scent dilution that comes with an active doorway that can put a damper on any scent not strong enough to hold its own. A scent that has a strong enough 'throw' to get noticed is always a must, but it is especially important in a transitional space like an entryway.

'We always recommend our Matcha Candle Jar available at Emme. It fits the bill of being deep, earthy, and bold while being balanced with a trace of honey to give you a touch of warmth and cozy gourmand notes like a hot matcha latte on a cold day.

'It's the perfect way to set the tone for fall gatherings while being unique and avoiding cliches like pumpkin spice. It also transitions well into lighter floral smells, which we usually recommend for living spaces or areas you spend a lot of time,' and it will look good in an entryway too.

FAQs

What is a welcoming fall scent for an entryway?

When choosing a welcoming scent for your home in fall, lean towards familiar warming scents, such as vanilla, which is the most popular scent in the world according to a Science Alert survey, or gourmand scents (smells based on things you can eat).

Think fall baking such as cinnamon, ginger, star anise and into nature with forest, rain, weather-related or activity related smells such as smokey fires, woodland walks, and warming vetiver.

You can also try making a candle for a homemade, unique touch to your entryway.

What is the most calming scent?

To create a calming atmosphere, lavender is often considered the most soothing due to it's relaxing properties and light scent. And if you're not sure whether to opt for a candle or reed diffuser, you can read about reed diffusers vs scented candles here.

Our ultimate candle care guide is the perfect accompaniment to choosing fall scents for your entryway.