Of all the senses, smell has the power to effect an emotional response in us immediately, and homely scents are particularly evocative. A home-cooked meal, cookies baking in the oven, freshly washed linens on the bed, a roaring hearth fire- smells that remind us of home have the power to trigger a rush of nostalgia, flooding us with feelings of relaxation and warmth. The world of luxury scents has not overlooked the sense of reassurance and belonging imparted by these smells, and many of the finest perfumes make use of such homely notes. By simply wearing one of these fragrances, you are able to take the comfort of home with you everywhere you go. 

Why Do Smells Affect Us So Strongly?

The olfactory sense is our most ancient sense, one we share with the simplest life forms like amoebas who can neither see nor hear. Its function is so primal that it bypasses more complex parts of the brain that developed later, such as the thalamus. Signals from the olfactory bulb are instead sent almost instantaneously to the primary olfactory cortex located just one synapse away- a portion of the brain’s limbic system, which is also involved in the creation of memories, the processing of emotions, and the functioning of our survival instincts. 

The immediacy with which smells can attach to memories and feelings without our deliberate awareness has been exploited by marketers looking to draw customers into stores and has been the focus of much research for neuroscientists and philosophers of consciousness. A fragrance deeply entwined with happy memories in our psyche is one of the quickest ways to trigger a feel-good rush of endorphins. So why not make use of this core function of the human experience and wrap ourselves in the cosy metaphorical warmth of home?

Why Are Cooking Smells So Comforting? - Invitingly Toasty Scents of Home Baking

Considered by many the heart of the home, kitchen smells of freshly made bread, cakes, or biscuits baking in the oven are some of the most comforting and appealing we can hope to enjoy. A slice of still-warm bread, butter dripping, or just-baked cookies with melted chocolate chips still oozing- these syrupy, malty, and nutty kitchen aromas can transport us right back to childhood, and all the associated feelings of safety and care. Recreate such a sense of nurturing reassurance with sweet-smelling aftershaves and fragrances built around sugary and spicy notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Prada Candy Sugar Pop Eau de Parfum Women's Perfume is a candy-sweet yet sensual blend of fruity top notes over a musky caramel-vanilla base. Its top peach and apple tones against that syrupy back-drop call to mind a light and buttery Danish pastry, slowly turning golden in a baker’s oven. The effect is immediately captivating and profoundly appealing, further compounded by the smooth, sugary notes underpinning this fragrance. If you’re looking for a sweet and homely gourmand perfume, Candy Sugar Pop is sure to tick a lot of boxes.

Moschino Toy 2 Bubblegum Eau de Toilette is another scent that deftly evokes the comfort and warmth found in a family kitchen steamy with the smells of home baking. Top notes of candied fruits and a citrus tang are bright and mouth-watering, and given a gently sophisticated and feminine balance by a heart of bubblegum, blueberries, and Bulgarian rose. The musky, sensuous ambrofix and cedarwood base tempers the sweetness beautifully, delivering an undeniably grown-up, almost animalistic allure.

Clean Laundry and Fresh Linens

The light, bright scents of freshly laundered bed linens and clean clothing fresh off the line have a wonderful way of promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Evoking feelings of being lovingly tucked into bed and cared for in a childhood home, fresh fragrances inspired by the cosy embrace of fine fabrics, still snug with fabric conditioner softness, are ideal for promoting a sense of serenity and well-ordered simplicity. Look for airy notes of white flowers, cotton, and aldehydes for that uplifting crisp feel to a scent, with base notes of white musk and iris or violet for a warm powderiness that provides a snuggly embrace.

Maison Margiela Lazy Sunday Morn Eau de Toilette Unisex Perfume brings all the comfort of a duvet day in fragrance form. Fresh and dreamy lily-of-the-valley and pear top notes waft delicately over a heart of white musk and iris, enveloping the wearer in soft, warm, clean-laundry tones. The next best thing to lazy hazy Sunday mornings spent luxuriating in gently fragranced bed linens with the sunlight glinting through the blinds, to be enjoyed whenever and wherever you are.

CLEAN Classic Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum Unisex Perfume is another scent that wraps you up in the cosy embrace of clean linens fresh from the dryer. Pure, refreshing tones of citrus and verbena give a burst of freshness, before developing into a soothing heart of cotton flower and sea notes. The warming base of musk and amber underpins these light and airy notes, providing a sense of comfort and reassurance as the fragrance itself seems to hold you close. 

Smokey Woods and Open Fires

The warm and earthy smells of a log fire burning in the hearth can transport many of us straight back to winter evenings spent in the family living room. Evoking memories of returning from chilly outdoor autumnal adventures, thawing out around the fireplace over a warm mug of cocoa. Fragrances that make use of woody notes like cedar and birch, or smokey, earthy tones of leather and oud, can powerfully conjure nostalgic feelings of comfort and familial togetherness.

Byredo Black Saffron Eau de Parfum is an enigmatic scent, built around smokey, slightly sweet, smouldering notes that call to mind the crackling of an open fire on a dark, chilly night. Spicy saffron and juniper top notes are entwined with smokey leather and rich black violet, giving a deep fragrance steeped in an earthy sweetness that is sure to turn heads.

Givenchy Gentleman Boisee Eau de Parfum seeks to evoke the heady nuances of the finest single malt whiskeys. It layers spicy top notes of black pepper and coriander with just a hint of noble iris florals, giving an aromatic opening that develops into its earthy, warming core. The full-bodied base of burning wood tones and cacao pods gives a smouldering glow that is capable of melting hearts.

Scents and smells have an unparalleled ability to whisk us off to far-flung exotic destinations or cherished moments in time, By wearing perfumes inspired by the cosy, comforting smells of home, we can take those feelings of warmth and familiarity wherever we go. No matter where your happy place is, check out Perfume Direct to find a fragrance that can transport you there in an instant- joy is just a spritz away!