Love a Vanilla-Scented Home? You're Not Alone

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Bathroom, Living Room

Would you believe that vanilla is the most-preferred home scent? We reached out to a panel of "experts" to find out why.

According to Mintel Research News, 44% of air freshener users say they choose vanilla-scented air fresheners most of the time, making it the most popular fragrance choice for the home. But why? We hit up the usual -- and some unusual -- suspects to get the scoop.

"I find it so ironic that the word vanilla is often used to describe something bland and boring," says Jacqui Snow, creator and foodie behind The Recipe Diva. "The scent of vanilla is so powerful in its ability to immediately evoke feelings of warmth and comfort -- it's proven to have a calming effect. While honest and simple, it's definitely not boring."

And Caitlin Creer of Caitlin Creer Interiors in Salt Lake City, Utah, agrees. "Vanilla makes me think of the holidays and baking cookies as a child," says Creer, who typically leans toward grapefruit or pine, but opts for vanilla when the holidays roll around. "Everyone loves to come home to the smell of vanilla. It definitely completes the ambiance of a warm home with a roaring fire."

Self-proclaimed vanilla purists can't convince everyone to jump on the sweet-smelling bandwagon. "You can't deny the popularity of vanilla," say Gretchen Hollingsworth, the owner of Paddywax Candle Company. "It definitely appeals to a wide audience, but we don't offer it because it's already available from so many other candle companies. We're kind of known for our imaginative blends, so we're constantly challenging ourselves to come up with unexpected ideas, and vanilla is already a home-scent staple."

And personally, Hollingsworth isn't even a fan. "I'm probably one of the few people who's not that into vanilla," she says. "It's too sweet and I prefer crisp, greener fragrances. To me, it's just, well, vanilla."

As for this writer, I'm a devoted member of the Church of Vanilla, and I'd gladly cover every inch of my home with vanilla frosting if it wasn't so darn sticky! Like Snow, who admits that she avoids burning vanilla candles when she's hungry for fear she might actually start lapping up the burning wax, I can't resist the sweet icing-inspired goodness of a vanilla candle or air freshener. My cousin Charlie Flynn, 11, understands where I'm coming from.

"If I could eat one thing forever it would be a big bowl of sugar," Charlie admits. "Hot fudge, whip cream, rainbow sprinkles -- all on top of vanilla ice cream. It's my favorite food. It's pretty much the most awesome thing ever."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Yep, with vanilla on top. We're living in one sweet world.

Not sold on sweet? Check out the Top 5 Serene Bedroom Scents or learn how to create your own personal scent blend.

 

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