You probably do it almost without thinking — you pick up a can to spray scent in a room, or you light a candle. Although your conscious mind may not be fully aware of what you’re doing, your subconscious knows exactly what’s going on. That’s because scents not only freshen the air, they alter mood, and they can do it a lot faster than other kinds of outside stimuli related to any of the other senses, according to Ellen Whitehurst, an aromatherapist who is licensed and certified by the National Coalition of Certified Aromatherapists.

Ellen writes a monthly column for Redbook magazine, and is the author of Make This Your Lucky Day (Ballantine Books, 2007). She explains the power of scent this way:

“The rapid response (to scent) can be related to something as simple as having what I call a ‘scents memory’ where the smell of something can make someone react or recall a particular or specific memory. And, those memories can be either good, like the smell of bacon frying on a Sunday morning or of fresh pine at holiday time, or bad. Certain scents related to memories can even create or cause emotional distress, like the smell of burnt rubber can trigger a memory attributed to a car accident, or certain aromas associated with incense can activate memories of a funeral. Then there are scents or smells that don’t recall an actual memory, but do relate or interact with the olfactory system or sense of smell that is one of the five senses that rest within our brains. Without getting too technical, there are almost as many smells or scents that can create a response with our physiological or chemical make up as there are stars in the skies.”

You can use scents to create an aura within your living space that elicits a sense of peace and lifts spirits, energy, as well as mood.  Ellen says that scents from the “tree” family will provide a pleasant smell while also evoking a feeling of cleansing within the space. Fruity scents such as orange or grapefruit raise the spirits and stabilize emotions.

She added that sleeping spaces require their own blend of scents that create a place of tranquility and serenity. Calming scents such as chamomile and lavender are now widely recognized for their ability to produce such an effect. Kitchens, the room where aromas are most often, should stay scent free since they tend to provide enough smells on their own. However, if you do want to add a scent to the kitchen, try using fennel. The smell of fennel can actually create a physical response from the brain that will help anyone inhaling it to eat less. And, just as the color red is said to stimulate the appetite, so too can any of the mint family. Peppermint is actually a great scent for any space where focus and concentration needs to remain in high gear.

Tree scents are great for bathrooms, according to Ellen, because of their association with a ‘clean’ feeling. She added that when it comes to living and dining rooms, rose, lily, jasmine, and gardenia are perfect: “Just like seeing a big bunch of fresh cut flowers can make a heart sing, the scents associated with them will do exactly the same sort of thing. In fact, in some Eastern and Oriental traditions, the scent of violet is considered a ‘happy’ smell and is used in incense form in main living and working spaces to increase the opportunity for anyone smelling it to get happy too!”

The best way to introduce scent into a room is by using all natural, 100 percent pure essential oils and diffusing them into the air. Diffusing can be accomplished either with an apparatus called a diffuser, or by simply adding a bowl of boiling water to a room and then dropping a few drops of the particular oil into it. The steam will help the scent to permeate the air. You can also fill an atomizer with spring or distilled water, add the appropriate oil, and spray it. Burning incense is also a preferred method of using scent as décor.  Scented candles or light bulb burners are other ways to introduce certain smells into a room.

The essential oil family can do much more than simply deodorize a room. Smells can invoke and evoke memories and emotions. They can provide a calm and de-stress a space and the people in it. They can raise and lift moods and improve reactions and responses. When you’re thinking about what elements are part of the décor of any space, smell should be considered an integral component.