It might not be the first space you think of when hosting over the holidays, but your powder room – and the way it smells – is just as important as the kitchen or living room in setting a welcoming tone for guests.
While adding a candle or a diffuser is a quick, reliable fix, if you want to try something a little more unique, our fragrance experts have one simple essential oil potpourri trick that's so easy to DIY, yet so effective.
Here, they explain why paying attention to this space is one of the things people with nice-smelling powder rooms always do, and what they recommend for a fresh yet festive fall space.
The One Trick Fragrance Experts Use to Make a Powder Room Smell Luxurious
For some non-toxic, zero-waste ways perfumers scent homes for fall, and more specifically, powder rooms, we spoke to Riccardo Soff, founder of Incensesticks.com, who recommends making potpourri, infused with luxurious essential oils.
'Scents like apple, cinnamon, vanilla, forest, cinnamon, orange, and sandalwood evoke warmth and comfort, while complementing fall décor,' he says. For this, we recommend the HIQILI Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil available at Amazon, or the MAYJAM Pine Needles Essential Oil, available at Walmart.
'Pot pourri not only scents the room naturally, but also doubles as an elegant decor element,' adds Riccardo.
To try it for yourself, he recommends, arrange dried botanicals such as flower petals, leaves, citrus peels, or cinnamon sticks in a decorative bowl.
'Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil blend to infuse the mix with fragrance,' he continues. 'Refresh with a few more drops every few days to keep the aroma vibrant.
'Essential oil-based fragrances gently diffuse and linger without overwhelming the senses. The natural botanicals help release the scent slowly, ensuring your powder room stays fresh and inviting throughout the day.'
Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved at Homes & Gardens, worked in perfume for years. She adds, 'If you add your essential oil to an unscented carrier oil such as organic fractionated coconut oil, available at Amazon, and then add it to your potpourri, you won't have to refresh the scent as often as the carrier oil will help it stick around longer.'
Alternatively, and more simply, you can also use your best essential oil diffuser to make a 'seasonal diffuser elixir,' suggests Savannah Britt, the founder of The Fragrance Affair, using concentrated fragrance oil and warm water.
She explains, 'Fill a stylish ceramic or glass diffuser with warm water and add 8-10 drops of a fall-inspired fragrance oil blend. I recommend one with notes like vanilla, marshmallow, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and a hint of sandalwood for a balanced mix of warmth and depth.'
For this, we recommend using the ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser available at Amazon.
With this non-toxic way to make your home smell nice, the best part is that you can easily refresh the scent every few days, simply by adding a few more drops of essential oil.
'Unlike sprays or candles that fade quickly, diffuser oil slowly releases fragrance over time – ensuring your powder room smells inviting for hours without being overpowering,' adds Savannah. 'The warm water helps to gently diffuse the scent throughout the space, while fall notes like cinnamon and vanilla create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that instantly elevates the guest experience,' when hosting for the holidays.
As Sandra Barvaux, the vice president of Aera, adds, using an essential oil diffuser works so well, as you can 'pair it with a fragrance that reflects the mood of the moment.
'This means I know my guests will feel reassured they're in a well-cared-for space, and enjoy a beautiful scent that lingers just enough to leave a lasting impression. Your powder room will be taken care of – smelling fresh, clean, and welcoming without any extra effort.'
Powder Room Scenting Essentials
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
'This is incredibly easy to use: Just plug it in, insert the fragrance capsule of your choice, and set your preferred intensity,' says Sandra. 'You can even schedule the fragrance release using the Aera app.'
This sweet orange essential oil is non-toxic and made without fillers or additives. It will blend well with other festive fall and holiday scents, such as cinnamon and frankincense.
These are real, natural dried flowers, and come in a variety of colors. They can be used for potpourri, making candles and making beeswax candles, too.
These cinnamon sticks are ideal for making pot pourri, and can also be used for adding warmth and spice to your Christmas cocktail recipes. Cinnamon is toxic for cats, so be mindful of placement.
This budget-friendly diffuser is compact, perfect for popping on any powder room counters or shelves, and features seven color-changing lamps.
This universal fragrance oil can be used in electric warmers, ultrasonic cool mist diffusers, and reed diffusers.
Meet the Experts
For larger spaces, you can make your bathroom smell like a luxury spa with a simple cotton wool ball hack. You can also decorate with dry flowers so easily, and it brings a beautiful and stylish personal touch to any room.
