If guests are coming, the first thing to do after you panic is to air out the house. Nothing is a more pleasant fragrance than fresh air. (Avoid doing this if it is raining hard or snowing, but don’t think about that right now.) The thing about scents is that they need to be subtle in order to do their jobs best. A strong smell may wipe out lesser ones, but the one remaining can be even worse! A big bowl of potpourri on a lower shelf or floor does quiet little wonders. Fragrances like hot air, rises which can be a good thing or if you are in some parts of the country that shall remain nameless, possibly a bad one.
Research indicates that large crowds and small rooms fare well with the scent of green apple. According to the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, this fruit makes space seem more spacious. Conversely, the aroma of charcoal-grilled meat gives people a closed in feeling. (I kid you not. It’s true.) It is also recommended to hang tiny bags of herbs and spices or potpourri in front of heating vents. If you want to get really tricky and fool your guests into thinking you have been baking all day, simmer some pickling spice on a back burner or bake a teaspoon of cinnamon in a low oven.
Never under estimate the power of perfume. Whatever you do to scent your home, however, make sure that you use a light touch. You don’t want your guests to be swept away by strong scents or mistake your home for a perfume counter gone amuck.
Do YOU have any home- scenting ideas? Please share.
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