5 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Summer

June 15, 2023

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Summer

 

Social media can have a powerful sway. As we gaze at posts and images, they can evoke warmth and comfort. Worry-free days and carefree nights. But one thing screens cannot convey are the smells that remind our senses of beautiful places and spaces. That’s the power of scent. The whiff of sunscreen, the hint of jasmine in the air … can all take us back to beautiful days of past and present.

 

Unlike our other senses, our sense of smell can bypass the thalamus and move straight to the olfactory bulb in our brains, the part of the brain that processes scents. The olfactory bulb is tied in to the limbic system, which stores the amygdala and hippocampus. That’s key, because that’s the region of the brain that deals with memory and emotion. Which explains why a familiar scent can trigger a slew of memories.

 

If you’ve just moved in or are planning to move soon, days of packing and unpacking might make it a little tough to get the full feeling of summer. However, try unlocking the power of scent. And how do we make our home smell like a beautiful summer day? There are several easy ways to achieve that effect.

 

1. Fresh flowers.

For an easy “DIY” option, bring home a bouquet from the local florist or your favorite bodega or grocer, or choose a few stems from your yard.

 

2. Summer simmers.

Create a stove-top simmer or a low-temp potpourri to fill your home with incredible smells. A few to try include fresh lemons, dried lavender, and vanilla extract or a “Dreamsicle” made from vanilla extract paired with orange slices. Simply fill your pot with water, add ingredients of your choice, then simmer on low for the day. Find more creative concoctions, here.

 

3. Mason Jar air freshener.

This has to be one of the easiest options out there! Merely put about ½ cup of baking soda in a small jar and add 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil, then poke a few holes in the lid to let it breathe. Just shake and add 4-5 more oil drops as needed. You could place a pretty piece of fabric or ribbon on top — these jars even make great gifts!

 

4. Grow a kitchen herb garden.

Creating an herb garden in your kitchen is both a fun and productive hobby, and a pretty inexpensive way to douse your kitchen with a fresh, summer smell.

 

A few ideas for great-smelling herbs in your kitchen include:

• Basil
• Cilantro
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Sage
• Parsley
• Thyme

 

5. Hand soaps.

Scented hand soaps serve multiple purposes. Cleaning and sanitizing, of course, but also helping us to feel calm and relaxed with a positive memory from the smell. Bar soaps, foaming soaps, and shower scrubs all do the trick! A few to try are citrus-lavender, lemongrass, or anything with lemon.

 

Of course, using summer-y scented candles or diffusers can also help put you into a positive mood and even conjure up sweet memories.

 

What else would you add? We’d love to hear your suggestions!

 

At Beltmann, if you’re ready to list your home and move into your next place, then we’re here to help you prepare for any upcoming moving and/or storage needs. Whether that’s merely across town or on a full interstate relocation, just contact us for a free contactless quote, and we’d be happy to help walk you through the professional mover process.

 

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