The scent of a home in autumn — three diffuser compositions

In autumn the scent of a home does more work than in summer — the windows stay shut for longer, and the interior starts to smell of itself. The three compositions below are a starting point; the proportions can be shifted freely to suit your own nose.

A warm evening

• —3 drops of orange
• —2 drops of cinnamon
• —1 drop of clove

The classic spiced combination that most people associate with a November evening. Cinnamon and clove are very intense — one drop too many can dominate a whole room, so start with less.

After a walk in the forest

• —3 drops of cedarwood
• —2 drops of fir
• —1 drop of rosemary

A cooler, resinous composition, good for a living room during the day and for working at home. Rosemary gives it definition and keeps the whole thing from turning heavy.

A grey morning

• —3 drops of lemon
• —2 drops of grapefruit
• —1 drop of peppermint

A bright, sharp blend for the hours when nothing is happening outside the window. It works in the kitchen in the morning and at a desk.

A few practical notes

• —Six drops is a rough dose for a standard tank — in a smaller room four will do.
• —Compositions with cinnamon and clove are better run with breaks than all evening.
• —If there are children or animals in the house, put the diffuser where they can move away freely, and air the room between sessions.

The best recipe is, in the end, the one that makes you want to come home — these three are only a good beginning.