More than just a scent – experts reveal you can 'enhance well-being' by picking functional fragrances for your home

Many of us pick a scent for our homes as an afterthought, grabbing whatever candle or diffuser smells best from the shelf at the store and calling it a day. But have you considered using functional fragrances?

More than just a scent, functional fragrances are scents that can impact your nervous system, bringing a tangible positive effect on your mood, emotions, and productivity.

We spoke to home fragrance experts to learn more about how functional fragrances work and how to pick them to make your home smell nice while hacking your brain.

What are functional fragrances?

Roshni Dhanjee, fragrance manager at ScentAir explains, ‘A functional fragrance is a scent that has been composed specifically to interact with your brain, and not just for aesthetic purposes. This may be applied to your eau de parfum, but it may even be designed for your fabric conditioner or living room diffuser.’

For example, these could be the best scents for well-being or the best scents for boosting productivity, with the benefits of this method stacking when you find non-toxic ways to make your home smell nice, fragrancing your home without polluting your air.

A great example is the ScentAir Infused Liquidless Reeds, available at Amazon in an array of scents from dark vanilla polemo, to green clover and aloe. Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden tried them and loved them.

She says, 'Five sticks of the Golden Bamboo pumped out a delicate and lovely scent for just shy of four weeks, and didn't need turning. There was no risk of oil spilling either, as the fragrance is infused in the reeds themselves. Every time the smell hits me, I feel a little moment of joy as it's really so enjoyable. A five out of five for me on these.'

Roshni continues, ‘The way your olfactory system works (your sense of smell), is that your olfactive neurons receive certain odorant molecules and send signals to your brain, to help translate that message. With most of your senses, your cognitive system, in the frontal lobe, is likely to do all of the hard work of translating the information before then sending it on to your limbic system.

‘With the sense of smell, though, your limbic system receives the message first. The limbic system (especially the amygdala, sometimes termed the ‘monkey brain’) controls your most primitive responses such as emotions, memory, and physiological responses.

‘Unlike traditional perfumes, which focus on aesthetics, functional fragrances use neuroscientific evidence to evoke targeted psychological and physiological effects, such as reducing stress, enhancing focus, or boosting energy.’

What to consider when picking a functional fragrance

Every home needs a signature scent, but how do you find the best home fragrance that doubles as a functional scent?

The trick, Roshni says, is to pick the best scents for every room of your home, opting for specific blends that complement the room’s function. For example, she suggests, ‘Having a scent for your home office that is different from the rest of your home can help promote that sense of focus and boost your concentration.

'You may like to signal to your brain that work is over by lighting a candle with a comforting, relaxing scent as well. Or, before you do your yoga session, bring in that calming vibe.

‘Home is a sanctuary, and the right fragrance can enhance well-being by helping to shape the mood and atmosphere.’

An easy way to quickly customize the fragrance around your home is to invest in a quality essential oil diffuser, such as the VSEA faux-flame diffuser from Walmart, and a set of natural essential oils, also available in Walmart.

They offer great home fragrance without a naked flame and do not pollute your air as much as traditional candles or plug-in air fresheners.

The best functional fragrances for your home

Your home fragrance can say a lot about you, so, to avoid some common home fragrance mistakes, consider the following aromas to create the right effects:

• Relaxation: There are two scent families you can turn to to make a home more relaxing. Roshni suggests, ‘For relaxation, scents that incorporate lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, or geranium can help reduce stress, support a sense of calm, and even enhance restful sleep.’ The Eversring Lavender and Bergamot candle from Target is made with 100% soy wax to avoid polluting your air.
  Sal Raichbach, chief clinical officer at The Recovery Team, adds, ‘Clean scents, like linen or fresh cotton, are subtle, calming, and create a sense of freshness and purity, making your space feel neat and inviting. I find that these types of fragrances are perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms, where you want to create a peaceful, relaxing environment. They’re not overpowering, so they can help you unwind without being too intense - just a nice, crisp scent that makes your home feel refreshing.’
• Productivity: Adding functional fragrance is a great way to make your home workspace more productive. Roshni recommends, ‘If you need to focus and be productive, turn to aromatic scents. Rosemary has known properties to help enhance memory and clarity of mind, and peppermint and eucalyptus can support that.’ We like the P.F. Candle Co Wild Herb Tonic Candle from Amazon, as it is made with 100% soy wax for a non-toxic burn.
• Energy: Sal says, ‘Citrus scents are refreshing, uplifting, and can help create a more energized atmosphere. Whether it’s lemon, orange, or grapefruit, citrus fragrances can also help boost focus and clarity, which is why they’re great for spaces like home offices or kitchens. They’re light and clean, so they make your home feel bright and welcoming while adding a bit of freshness to the air.’
• Comfort: To make a home more comfortable, Sal adds, ‘Use gourmand scents. These are great for making your home feel warm and cozy. I think of fragrances like vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, or even chocolate. These scents have that comforting, sweet aroma that instantly makes a space feel inviting. They’re perfect for living rooms or kitchens, creating a homely, relaxed atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome and at ease.’

What to shop

Meet the experts

Roshni Dhanjee

Roshni has worked with fragrance for over 14 years, and holds her diploma in cosmetic sciences and biology.

Dr. Sal Raichbach, LCSW, PsyD​

Dr. Sal Raichbach is CCO at The Recovery Team with over 26 years of experience as a licensed clinician. He has a doctorate in psychology from Southern California University, is a nationally licensed clinical social worker, and is a certified hypnotherapist, to name but a few of his qualifications.

If candles are not usually your thing, don't fret – there are several great ways to make your home smell nice when you’re sensitive to fragrance so that you can also reap the benefits of functional fragrances and make your home smell good all the time.