There’s nothing quite like coming home after a long day to a space filled with soothing scents and beautiful ambience. An easy way to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere is by incorporating wine and scented candles into your home decor. Not only do they lend an elegant, sophisticated touch, but they engage multiple senses to help you fully relax and unwind.
When selecting wines for home use, look for varietals you enjoy drinking that also have depth of aroma. Full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Shiraz release notes of black cherry, vanilla and spice as they aerate in the glass. For whites, opt for Chardonnay or Viognier which offer fragrant fruit and floral tones. Dessert wines like Port or late harvest Riesling have concentrated bouquets and pair nicely with endings to special home-cooked meals.
To allow the wine’s aroma to permeate a space, pour yourself a glass and let it sit open on a counter or table for a while. You’ll be amazed at how the fruity, oak-influenced scent subtly fills the air. For a more instant effect, decant your favorite Cabernet or Chianti into a wide-bottomed decanter. This allows the wine to oxidize rapidly and release its aromatic compounds. Strategically place the decanter in a high-traffic area like a dining table or kitchen island so you’ll be met with lovely wine notes as you walk by.
When it comes to scented candles, there are endless options to choose from. Classic fragrances like vanilla, pumpkin spice and fruity notes like peach or mandarin orange promote a warm, welcoming vibe. For a romantic atmosphere, try candles scented with rose, jasmine or bergamot. Citrusy candles containing lemon, grapefruit or verbena aromas feel clean, uplifting and help stimulate creativity.
You can also find candles with wine-inspired scents like Cabernet, Champagne, Merlot or Tuscan Vineyard. These pay homage to the aromatic red and white varietals, capturing their fruity, earthy essence to infuse into your living space. Place a wine-scented candle in your kitchen or dining room to complement the real wines you’ll be enjoying with meals.
Strategically place scented candles around your home to allow their fragrances to intermingle throughout the space. Try grouping candles with complementary aromas in your entryway, on the coffee table, next to your bathtub or on bedroom nightstands. Mix and match different scents in adjoining rooms so you’ll experience lovely sensory transitions as you move through your home.
To fully set the mood, keep wick trimming and positioning in mind as you burn your candles. Trim wicks to 1⁄4” before lighting to avoid excess smoking and uneven burning. Make sure candles are placed on stable, heat resistant surfaces and out of drafts to allow for proper wax pooling and an even scent throw. Pillar candles and lanterns can be clustered together on shelves or mantels for a gorgeous ambient glow.
You can also use candles and wine to create a relaxing, rejuvenating home spa environment. Draw a warm bath scented with eucalyptus or lavender candles and enjoy a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio as you unwind. For the ultimate aromatherapy experience, light a soy or vegetable-based candle then blow it out once melted – this will release even more luxurious fragrance into the air.
Infuse linens, curtains, throws and clothing with beautiful scents by storing them in a closet or dresser drawer with a scented candle inside. Allow the drawer to remain closed for a couple days so the fabrics fully absorb the lovely aromas. You’ll be surrounded in soothing fragrance as you don your cozy robe or wrap up in a fruity-scented blanket.
The ambience you create with candles and wine won’t just please your own senses – it makes guests feel warmly received the moment they arrive at your home. Keep a decanter of aromatic Malbec breathing on the entry table, ready to pour a glass for visitors. Have a beautiful display of candles flickering on the patio or front porch to greet guests with calming nature-inspired scents.
At the end of a long work week, there’s nothing more relaxing than walking into your own private aromatherapy oasis. Take advantage of wine’s irresistible bouquets and candles’ mood-enhancing scents to make your home a sanctuary filled with comfort, tranquility and style. With the right balance of candles and wine, you can easily transform any living space into one that nurtures your mind, body and spirit.