Aromatherapy Benefits for Home & Office
September 8, 2026
by Morayma MaKay
Writer / Blogger & Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator.
“Our sense of smell is connected to memory and emotion.”
——-
There’s something about walking into a room and noticing the scent of lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus that can make the space feel more pleasant and inviting…but aromatherapy has a purpose well beyond simply making your home smell nice.
Essential oils have been used for generations, and today many people use them as part of their everyday routines to create a relaxing environment, improve the feel of a workspace, or help set the mood for different parts of the day. While essential oils aren’t a cure-all, there is some evidence that certain scents can influence mood, stress levels, and even promote feelings of relaxation without the added toxins and chemicals of commercially made and sold room fresheners.
Why Does Smell Affect Us So Much?
Our sense of smell is closely connected to parts of the brain involved in memory and emotion. That’s why a particular smell can bring back a memory almost instantly…maybe it’s the smell of your grandmother’s cooking, sunscreen that reminds you of summer vacations, or a particular perfume that takes you right back to a certain time in your life. Scent can trigger nostalgia like nothing else!
That connection is one reason aromatherapy can be so interesting. Different scents can create very different associations and feelings for us. For example, lavender is commonly used when people want a calmer atmosphere, while citrus scents tend to feel bright and refreshing. Peppermint and eucalyptus have a crisp, clean quality that many people enjoy in a home office, bathroom, spa, or workout space. Of course, everyone responds to scents differently, so if lavender makes you think of your great aunt Millie’s linen closet rather than relaxation, it probably isn’t going to become your favorite aromatherapy oil!
A Different Approach to Home Fragrance
One of the main reasons essential oils are growing in popularity as an alternative to conventional air fresheners is because commercial sprays, plug-ins and scented products tend to be highly scented and unnatural. Some people love them, while others find the scents overwhelming or develop headaches or irritation around strongly fragranced products. Essential oils offer another gentler, and healthier option. Using a diffuser allows you to add a small amount of scent to a room without necessarily making the entire house smell like whatever fragrance you’ve chosen. You can also turn the diffuser off when you don’t want the scent.
It’s worth pointing out that essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts, and some people can be sensitive to them as well, but if you prefer to avoid heavily fragranced commercial products which often contain endocrine disruptors or carcinogens, using a small amount of an essential oil may be a nice alternative.
Choose Your Scent Based on What You Want
One of the easiest ways to get started with aromatherapy is to think about how you want a room to feel. For an evening when you’re trying to relax, you might reach for lavender, chamomile or cedarwood. If you’re working from home and want the room to feel fresh and awake, citrus blends, lemongrass, or peppermint may do the trick. Eucalyptus can give a bathroom that clean, high-end spa-like quality, while florals and herbals like rose and vetiver can make a kitchen or living area smell fresh without being overly sweet.
You can also experiment with combinations. Lavender and orange make a nice evening blend, while lemon and peppermint create a much brighter scent to help perk up your day. You don’t need a dozen different oils sitting on your counter, either…just start with two or three scents you genuinely enjoy and see what works for you!
There is also something to be said for simply making your surroundings more pleasant. We spend a lot of time in our homes and offices, and small changes to the environment can affect how comfortable we feel there. A pleasant scent isn’t going to solve a stressful day, but it can certainly make your home office feel a little nicer while you’re answering emails!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Because essential oils are concentrated, a little goes a long way. Follow the directions for your diffuser and the specific oil you’re using rather than assuming that more is better. It’s also important to be careful if you have pets, young children or anyone in the household who is sensitive to fragrances or has respiratory issues. Some essential oils can be harmful to pets, so always check whether an oil is appropriate before diffusing it around them.
The Takeaway: So, if your home or office are in a little need of a refreshing (or relaxing) change…instead of pulling out that old room spray you can choose a scented oil you enjoy. Use a small amount when you want it, and change it depending on your mood or what you’re doing, allowing you to turn the space you spend a lot of time in into a pleasant little haven (without the added chemicals)!
