Do you have a limited budget to refresh your living room? A single affordable element can transform everything — and the experts at House Digest explain why.
+ The secret to designing a home that will still look beautiful in 5 years, according to designers
According to House Digest, if your living room looks dull but a full renovation is not possible right now, there is a simple, inexpensive and extremely effective trick to transform the space: lighting a scented candle.
Although many people underestimate the impact of scents in décor, the sense of smell plays a powerful role in interior design and can completely change the atmosphere of a room without you having to move a single piece of furniture.
The experts at House Digest explain that scents activate areas of the brain related to memory, emotion and well-being — which is why certain smells can evoke happy memories or convey an immediate feeling of coziness. “Fragrance can be used to create a very pleasant emotional response in your home,” the publication reinforces.
Scents that transform any living room
To renew the atmosphere of your living room, scented candles are a quick and accessible solution. House Digest recommends choosing welcoming fragrances such as:
- Fresh linen, for a clean and relaxing vibe
- Festive pine, ideal for the end of the year
- Citrus, vanilla or jasmine, for joy and lightness
The right scent can complement your décor style: minimalist homes work well with fresh and simple fragrances, while boho spaces pair beautifully with earthier notes.
The olfactory landscape: a master trick of sensory décor
According to House Digest, combining soft scents throughout the home creates what is called *scent scaping* — or olfactory landscape — a technique used by designers to maintain a feeling of harmony between rooms. The secret is to make gentle transitions: a light floral in the living room can shift into jasmine in the bedroom, for example.
The publication advises avoiding strong and conflicting fragrances, which can be unpleasant for guests.
The good news? It’s cheap
House Digest highlights that there are several three-wick candles for under $20. And if you find sales, it’s worth buying several and spreading them around the entire house, creating a coherent, welcoming and fragrant environment — all without exceeding your budget.
Source: House Digest
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
