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Scentscaping 101

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Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Concierge International MA #9535680 RI#REB0019277

What is Scentscaping?  Scentscaping is the art of using fragrance to create specific ambiance or mood in space.

 

Scents can affect your mood, energy, and even real estate value! 

People decide how they feel about a space in the first 10 seconds, and it's almost impossible to break that feeling. 

A person's sense of smell is strongly linked to memory, emotion, and appetite.  That is why you'll have Real Estate Agents sometimes suggest baking cookies or bread just before an open house or a showing.  Those yummy smells ignite a warm and inviting space. 

Other ways to infuse pleasant scents:

  • Opt for fresh and clean scents (citrus, vanilla and linen)
  • Use natural fragrances (citrus peels or herbs simmering on the stove or scented soap in a dish or essential oil diffuser

The scent should barely be noticeable signaling cleanliness vs. masking something.

A scent should whisper, not shout!   

Some common mistakes of scentscaping are 1) being heavy-handed with a single scent and/or 2) mixing too many bold scents together.  It stops feeling inviting and starts feeling artificial, with the scent being overpowering. 

Be careful, too many candles lit may indicate a scent is being hidden.  First impressions are everything.  Heavy perfumes or strong floral scents can be off-putting and distracting.  

Way to get rid of unwanted odors:

  • Deep cleaning (washing all fabrics including carpets, rugs, curtains, throws, bedding)
  • Ventilate - open windows daily to air out the home and improve circulation
  • Control Pet Odors - remove pet beds and litter boxes before showings.  Sprinkle baking soda on carpets to absorb odors
  • Remove Sources - Take out the trash regularly and address any signs of moisture that can cause musty smells

 

This may contain: a dog sitting in a blue chair with the words if it smells it doesn't sell

Posted by

 


Kelly McGovern, Broker/Owner

Realty Concierge International
Mobile: (508) 331-7158
eFax: (877) 491-3766
Email: Info@KellyMcGovern.Realtor
Website: http://www.RealtyConcierge.Realtor
9535680

Comments(10)

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Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kelly, I love candles and also burning oil.  The very reason I cook all my fish on the grill outside.  That is one nasty smell on the interior.

Oct 16, 2025 09:02 AM
Kelly McGovern

Joan Cox good call!!  That smell lingers!

Oct 16, 2025 11:14 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Kelly great to see you in BananaTUDES!  Scents is an important topic. The last time I ran into a disgusting 'scenty' home was about 5 years ago.  OMG is smelled of stinky candles and we couldn't wait to get out of there.  

 

Featured in BananaTude!

 

Oct 16, 2025 10:27 AM
Kelly McGovern

Thanks, Anna "Banana" Kruchten .  Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! suggested just yesterday to join the group.  I hadn't added or removed the groups I am associated with in over a decade.  I just never thought about it!  Glad to be here :) 

Oct 16, 2025 11:16 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Was going to feature the ‘turn it on’ post. This is a really good one as well, Anna! Well done Kelly.

Oct 16, 2025 01:21 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Glad you're here Kelly!  You've going to have a blast with everyone!  On weekends we like to share our favorite recipes in the group.  Join us!

Oct 17, 2025 12:23 PM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

great information. Thanks for sharing it. Have a good week! Bill 

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

#AZVHV / Arizona Veterans Helping Veterans

 

Oct 16, 2025 10:28 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Kelly McGovern ,

I'm a firm believer that scents can affect your mood, energy and even in real estate! The scent should barely be noticeable signaling cleanliness vs. masking something and my stager always uses a very light scent that you can barely tell is there.

Oct 16, 2025 11:53 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

My favorite line in your blog is: The scent should barely be noticeable signaling cleanliness vs. masking something.

When the offending odor is super strong I bring in my ozone generator. If that doesn't do it one may have to replace floor coverings as well as paint.

Oct 16, 2025 11:59 AM
Kelly McGovern

Bob "RealMan" Timm, I had to do that once when the owners were big-time smokers who claimed they 'only smoke outside'.  

Oct 16, 2025 12:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Good post, Kelly- Scented candles everywhere can be offensive to some, especially those with allergies. And, they may cause the buyer to wonder what you're covering up. 

Oct 16, 2025 06:10 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kelly - moderation can make sense as real estate marketing attempts to enhance the appeal of your home when it is for sale. 

Oct 17, 2025 04:44 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I completely agree that scents should whisper and not shout, and they should also be natural, not from chemicals, haha.

Oct 17, 2025 06:13 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

This was such a fresh and thoughtful take, Kelly McGovern. You’ve turned scent into a secret superpower for staging, and I love how you made it feel both practical and poetic. Thanks for sharing these smart, sensory-savvy tips!

Oct 17, 2025 12:14 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

The title brought me in from another post of yours.  Good advice to all sellers, as well as home owners in general.  I have, for years, boiled lemon rines with a splash of white vinegar.  Once boiling move it to a room and let the steam do its work.  As you say, it cleans the air with fresh clean after scent.  No masking.  m

Oct 26, 2025 01:04 AM