What if we want to complement the beauty and homeliness of our living space with a distinctive summer fragrance that’s not going to make us wince when we make that final purchase? Because sometimes, an effective affordable solution will do just nicely thanks!
Even if you were to only have one of these in your life, you’ll benefit from its sensational summery sentiments! From the familiar characteristic smell of cut grass, to creamy tropical paradise. So, without further ado, here’s an ever expanding curated list of beautiful home fragrance options, less than £22, perfect, for the sunny, outdoorsy season.
1
96 North tropical coconut
Brand: 96 North
Price: £21.95
Size: 403g
Scent: toasted coconut, hint of rum and banana leaf
Burn time: 50 hours
Wax: Soy
Oil type: Premium fragrance and essential oil blend
‘Oh my God, smells like heaven’ is one person’s take on this. Holiday in a jar is an understatement. You light this and you may as well be in the Bahamas. In fact, it’ll be hard to resist the urge to slip into your swim wear and bask in the English sun no matter how many clouds it’s hidden behind!
96 North’s three wick formulation makes the most of their balanced, strong fragrance release. So, expect that typical tropical coconut scent but released slowly, with a natural flair. Not too sweet, with notes of rum, there’s a depth to it. Having said that, it doesn’t need to be lit for very long to appreciate its creamy carefree vibes. Being a bigger size, it easily permeates a larger space. Perfect for a summer get together or an afternoon in the paddling pool, or both!
2
Cut Grass
Brand: Aroma Energy
Price: £3.95
Number of oils: 1
Size: 10mL
Scent: Citrus, neroli and coconut
Oil type: Premium fragrance
If there’s just one signature fragrance you need, to open your doors to summer, it has to be the familiar, long awaited scent of fresh cut grass! If you’re one of many who basks in its recognisable, earthy fragrance that belt’s out ‘SUMMER’S FINALLY HERE!!’, then this little bottle may as well plop straight out of a lawnmower. What better way to evoke this in your home, than with a few diluted drops in your oil burner or your diffuser? Perfect to scent your entire home with, starting from your kitchen. Added bonus, as opposed to the real thing, no mess, no noise and no sneezing.
But what is it made of? Research suggests it’s a blend of green accord (accord meaning the harmonising of different raw ingredients) cut stems, with notes of citrus oil and earthy vetiver, to give it that distinct outdoorsy, soil smell. Your space will instantly feel fresh, green and summary.
3
Clyde candles botanical wax melts
Brand: Clyde candles
Price: £7.25
Scent: Lavender noir, seaside, white rose and lily, frankincense and myrhh, pear and sweet rose, cassis and sweet fig, sandalwood, peppermint, pine and cedarwood and moss and tonka.
Shape: Varied
Number of melts: 10
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Premium essential/fragrance blend
Burn time per melt: 8 hrs
The reason why these wax melts by Clyde Candles made the cut is not only because they are beautifully crafted, but you get a selection of varied scent notes to suit the ambience you wish. White rose and Lily for a daytime spring feel, or seaside, for a nostalgic holiday sentiment reminding you of the cool freshness of open waters.
These botanical candles rival many other great brands on the market, but due to good value for money and ease of purchase on Amazon, they’re getting my vote. As I’ve been banging on lately in my Instagram posts, make sure you use a dedicated tall wax melt burner to maximise the scents of these little beauties. Do not use an oil burner as the stale fragrance release after a while will be a waste of a melt – been there, done that!
4
Hassett Green Just Grapefruit
Brand: Hassett Green
Price: £9.95
Size: 100mL
Scent: Grapefruit
Oil type: Fragrance oils
How about a fuss free, strong, affordable and uplifting scent to place in your bathroom or kitchen for an instant hit to the senses? This is fruity but not too sweet, just like grapefruit,it’s distinct, juicy and fresh.
Spring/summer is the perfect time for grapefruit. Whether eaten (with just a heaped spoonful of sugar on top in my case) or permeating your home with its powerfully citrus aroma, it epitomises sunny vibes.
5
Valentte Neroli and Lemon
Brand: Valentte
Price: £18.60
Size: 150g Candle 30ml mist spray
Scent: White Neroli flower and lemon
Burn Time: 40 hours
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oils
If sunshine could have a fragrance, it would be something like this. Imagine your space transformed into a floral, citrus haven, a beautiful marriage of juicy tart lemon, with the sweet, smooth notes of White neroli. You can’t help feeling uplifted and smiley.
Valentte as a brand is spectacular in all its four Fs; fragrance release, formulation, feel and flair. You’ll be wrapped in its gorgeous blend within minutes and as the wick burns, you notice the superior formulation, with the oil sitting half an inch above the wax.
What’s more, this particular blend comes with a spray mist! Treat yourself or a loved one to excellent value and quality. The spray is strong and long lasting on fabrics such as curtains or rugs. Spring time essential!
6
Nikura Floral meadows oil set
Brand: Nikura
Price: £12.99
Number of oils: 5
Type of oil: Superior quality fragrance oils.
Blends: Honeysuckle, Fresh linen, Jasmine, Nag Champa, Rose Geranium
Bottle size: 10ml
How about enjoying a range of spring summer scents you can use time and time again in your diffuser or oil burner, catapulting yourself to summertime glory, just like that?
With the three distinct floral scents of honeysuckle, rose geranium and Jasmine, you can mix and match according to your mood. And no matter what’s said and done, what if you actually really like the smell of the age old ‘fresh linen’ and want to introduce this clean scent into a stuffy, damp space? Well, even a progressive brand like Nikura, still appreciate the sentiment behind ‘fresh linen’, so go ahead and knock yourself out!
Done with florals? What else is summery and reminiscent of long sultry days and feelings of relaxation? Nag Champa – a blend of sandalwood and Champak gives your space a lingering woody, slightly sweet ambience with undertones of magnolia. Great to use in in the evenings as you settle in to unwind.
Nikura blends are made of fragrance and essential oils. I’ve tried their creations several times and whereas some other brands can smell a little diluted or artificial, Nikura’s oils are superior quality and smell divine.
7
Lily-Flame Bluebell Forest
Brand: Lilly-Flame
Price: £11.66
Scent notes: Bluebells, lilac, jasmine, rose, wood
Size: 200g
Wax type: Mineral
Oil type: Perfume grade oil
Burn time: 30-35 hrs
I had just finished cooking dinner and entered my living area to put my feet up for a bit, only to be met with the wonderfully intoxicating scent of bluebell and Lily. And what a delight that was!
The Bluebell forest by Lily-Flame epitomises a myriad of bluebells – uncanny, undeniable and very natural smelling. If you appreciate the scent of flowers, you’ll love this. Strong, beautiful and excellent value for money.
8
Octo Italian Garden
Brand: Octo
Price: £20.69
Scent notes: Rosemary, Sage, Orange
Size: 250ml
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oil
Burn time: 40 hrs
Love the smell of savoury, fresh herbs wafting from your kitchen? Now imagine relaxing in an Italian garden surrounded by lush greenery.
I wanted to see if this scented candle by small brand Octo rivalled some of its more expensive counterparts for that beautiful mediterranean vibe. And I was impressed.
For the price, I found it very captivating, aromatic and warm with the distinct homely scent of rosemary balanced well with equally wholesome sage. And the orange adds a familiar sweet note. I would’ve preferred a woody undertone to add depth but this simple but effective blend worked great.
Fragrance release is around 7 out of 10, so if you prefer a gentle infusion of a natural outdoorsy fragrance enveloping your room, this will do nicely.
Formulation is spot on and the wax pooled sublimely,
I had this lit on the hottest day of the year so far in the kitchen and it did feel very summery and relaxing. Also great to have lit over a lunch time gathering.