Guide to scents: What to look for to make autumn more pleasant?

With the first signs of autumn, we often crave warming, spice-filled drinks and the comfort of curling up under a blanket at home. It’s only natural that during this cooler season we also seek scents that affect our emotions in a special way—embracing, uplifting, relaxing, and giving us a sense of warmth.

Which notes and accords should you choose to create a cozy mood?

Let’s start with gourmand fragrances. Their name comes from the French word for “glutton” or “food lover,” which perfectly captures the character of this category. These are appetizing, sweet, creamy aromas, often reminiscent of desserts and small culinary pleasures. Vanilla, tonka bean, chocolate, caramel, honey, or spiced apple pie are true comfort food in the world of scents. Interestingly, gourmand compositions activate the same reward centers as food, so it’s no surprise they lift the mood and stir nostalgic memories.

Speaking of apple pie, spices deserve a spotlight of their own. Cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and pepper warm the senses and lift the spirit, instantly evoking the idea of autumn pumpkin spice.

Another fragrance family that fosters comfort is woody notes. Just picture the warmth of a sauna where the wood absorbs essential oils, releasing aromas that envelop body and mind. Creamy and soft sandalwood, dry and soothing cedar, or cashmeran—smooth like a cashmere blanket—create accords full of peace and coziness.

Equally important are powdery notes, which can be described as skin-close and intimate. Iris, violet, rice, or matcha form soft, embracing compositions that give a sense of calm and closeness.

Warmth and depth can also be found in tobacco and leather scents. They combine smoky and balsamic nuances, bringing to mind the crackling of firewood in the fireplace. A similar effect is created by resinous accords: benzoin, labdanum, tolu, myrrh, or opoponax. Their sweet, resinous softness makes them perfect for building a relaxing, cocoon-like atmosphere.

It’s worth keeping these accords in mind when choosing home fragrances. With them, you can create an atmosphere that wraps you in warmth and makes you feel truly comfortable. The right compositions can transform an ordinary evening into a little ritual, and a gloomy day into a moment of comfort and pleasure. Scent is not just a background element—it often becomes a companion to your mood, fostering a sense of safety and harmony, and sometimes even triggering beautiful memories. That’s why autumn is the perfect time to consciously reach for aromas that embrace and warm, turning everyday life into a delightful sensory experience.

Do scents smell different in autumn?

Autumn is a season when scents in heated indoor spaces may change character. Higher temperatures make the top notes—the most volatile ones—perceived more intensely, almost in a sudden wave. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of their longevity: volatile molecules dissipate faster in the air, especially when it’s dry and lacking humidity.

If you notice that during the heating season your home fragrance seems less perceptible, there are a few solutions. Increase the intensity of diffusion, invest in a humidifier, or… patiently count down the days until spring, when conditions become more favourable.