Give rooms a bespoke signature fragrance by pairing complementary fragrances. Not sure where to begin? You can find our best tips in the guide below!
Scent pairing allows you to customise a scent. In essence, you would choose your main fragrance (this can be a new favourite or a fragrance you have been using for years) and complement this with one or several scents to enhance certain notes in your main fragrance or to soften others. For example, if you like a woody base fragrance in your home but would like to freshen this up for summer, it would be a great idea to lighten this with the addition of a floral scent. Or, if you love your woody base fragrance but feel it is missing something, add another woody scent for more complexity.
The benefit of this is a completely bespoke scent experience in your home that is tailored to your preference. There is no better way to boost the ambience in your space and truly make it your own!
It may seem difficult to get scent-pairing just right, especially if you have no previous experience with fragrance. If you would like to learn how to match fragrances like a pro, here are some (almost) foolproof suggestions:
Pair with the same fragrance family
If you are on the cautious side, play it safe with this scent-pairing technique. First, establish which fragrance family your base fragrance belongs to. Don’t worry if you are unsure, you can find this information easily on our fragrance compendium. Most fragrances that are in the same fragrance family work well together as each adds their own personality to the mix without clashing. Pairing within the same fragrance family is also great if you have a preferred scent type but want to enhance the notes you already love. Here are some examples of wonderful fragrance pairs:
Portobello Oud & Amber
This may be our perfect match! Woody but not overpowering, Portobello Oud’s deeper notes are balanced by Amber’s spice, light woods and floral heart. A warming and cosy combination that is great for sitting rooms and studies.
Rosemary and Eucalyptus & Chesil Beach
Looking to freshen up your space? This dynamic duo shares an invigorating eucalyptus note and each brings a variety of lively herbaceous notes into the mix. Their freshness makes them perfect for bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens.
Fig & Blackcurrant Leaves
If you want your home to feel like an endless Mediterranean vacation, combine Fig & Blackcurrant Leaves. Both boast delicious fruity notes of cassis and a floral heart. A wonderful scent for hallways and dining areas.
Pair by fragrance family
Ready to take your scent-pairing game up a notch? Add a fragrance from a different fragrance family. Which fragrance families work together varies depending on personal preferences but there are some general guidelines. Fresh or green scents work incredibly well with citrus, floral and fruity fragrances are a match made in heaven and a heavy floral can work wonders for a spicy wood fragrance. Some of our favourite combinations are:
Seashore & Green Tea and Citrus
Water and green scents pair beautifully with citrus fragrances. They share their cool and refreshing undertones and are a great choice for bathrooms or utility areas.
White Tea & Green Fig
Although neither of these are your typical floral/fruity fragrance, these fragrance families do work really well together. We particularly love the combination of White Tea and Green Fig because both scents have a very soft and warm feel to them. Green Fig’s coconut heart and tonka bean base are an exotic addition to White Tea’s soft floral notes.
Portobello Oud & Orangery
Woods and heavy florals add a beautiful complexity and depth to one another and combining the two is a great way to tailor your home’s signature scent to the seasons by either making a woody base summery or a floral base more suited for winter. Portobello Oud’s exotic wood notes and Orangery’s heavy florals create a wonderfully atmospheric and truly unique scent when paired.
PRO TIP
When using the scent-pairing methods above, it can also be helpful to pay attention to matching notes, as this can create a delightful harmony between the scents. We have mentioned Fig & Blackcurrant Leaves being a great pair due to their cassis note and Rosemary and Eucalyptus & Chesil Beach sharing a eucalyptus top note, as well as being in the same fragrance family.
As a final word, please do remember that any examples and tips we have shared are guidelines only. Not only is scent extremely personal, it is also very fun to get creative with it, so do some experimenting and find your own perfect pair.