Limiting Odors in a Small Apartment: How to Make Your Home Smell Good
There’s no better feeling than walking into a home that smells great. Whether it’s the calming scent of lavender or the fresh scent of laundry, fragrance plays a huge role in how your space feels. And in an apartment setting, where square footage is more compact, odors tend to travel quickly and linger longer. That fish you cooked last night? It may still be hanging out in your throw pillows.
Limiting odors in a small apartment is possible with a few intentional choices, from candles and essential oils to sprays and plug-ins. Here's how to keep your apartment smelling fresh!
The Power of Scent in Apartment Living
Before diving into the best fragrance tools, let’s talk about why scent matters in your space. Scent is closely linked to memory and emotion; it's one of the fastest ways to change how you feel about a space. At Greystar, we go above and beyond to make our properties feel like home, and a great-smelling apartment can ease stress, improve sleep, and boost your mood.
In apartments, where shared walls and smaller rooms are common, managing odors becomes even more important, especially if you're a pet owner or live in a studio where your kitchen and sleeping area share the same space. Here are some ways to keep your apartment smelling fresh:
1. Scented Candles
Few items offer both ambiance and aroma quite like a scented candle. Candles come in a wide variety of scents and styles, from minimal and modern to rustic and seasonal, making them a go-to for renters who want to keep things stylish and simple.
Here are some top-rated brands to try:
Pro tip: During the holidays, stock up on limited-edition candle scents like Pumpkin Pie, Cinnamon Clove, or Evergreen Pine. Scented candles are a subtle way to decorate for the season and set the tone for gatherings!
Remember never to leave lit candles unattended and to check your building's fire safety policies beforehand. For those concerned about open flames, try a candle warmer or wax melts, which use a lightbulb to gently melt the wax.
2. Essential Oils
Looking for a natural alternative to candles or sprays? Essential oils are a great option, especially if you want to avoid artificial ingredients. All you need is a diffuser (either ultrasonic or reed) and a few drops of your favorite oil blend. Within minutes, your space will be filled with calming, energizing, or refreshing notes.
Best-selling essential oil brands include:
Essential oils can be personalized to fit your lifestyle and mood. Try lavender and cedarwood for bedtime, peppermint and lemon to boost energy, or eucalyptus and rosemary when you’re under the weather. Some essential oils, like tea tree and clove, offer natural antimicrobial properties—perfect for flu season or post-cleaning rituals.
3. Fabric Sprays
Soft surfaces like couches, rugs, and curtains can trap lingering odors, especially those belonging to pets. That’s where fabric sprays come in. Designed to neutralize smells and even sanitize, these sprays work wonders on textiles you can’t easily wash. Popular options include:
Focus on high-traffic areas like your couch, bedding, throw pillows, and entryway rugs. A quick spritz each week can make a big difference, especially after cooking strong-smelling meals. Try using a fabric refresher after vacuuming or during your Sunday reset routine for long-lasting freshness!
4. Plug-In Scents
If you want your apartment to smell great with little effort, plug-in air fresheners are a low-maintenance option. Once installed, they gradually release fragrance throughout the day. You can set them and forget them; just replace the refill as needed.
Top brands include:
For best results, place plug-ins in high-traffic areas like the living room, entryway, or bathroom. You can also combine plug-ins with fabric spray or candles in complementary scents for a multi-dimensional fragrance experience.
5. Simmer Pots
A simmer pot is one of the most natural and effective ways to fill your apartment with fresh fragrance while adding beneficial moisture to the air, making it especially valuable during dry winter months.
Simply fill a pot with water and add your favorite combination of aromatic ingredients like cinnamon sticks, orange peels, fresh herbs, vanilla extract, or seasonal spices, then let it gently simmer on low heat. The steam carries the scents throughout your home while acting as a natural humidifier, which can help prevent dry skin and respiratory irritation common in heated indoor spaces.
Unlike candles or plug-in air fresheners, simmer pots use completely natural ingredients and can be customized to match your mood or the season, whether you prefer citrusy summer blends or warm, winter combinations.
6. Plants
Indoor plants serve a dual purpose in keeping your apartment fresh by naturally purifying the air while adding vibrant visual appeal to your living space. Plants like snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies actively filter toxins from the air and release oxygen, creating a cleaner, healthier environment that naturally reduces odors.
Fresh flowers can provide similar benefits, though they require more frequent replacement. You can also try hanging fresh eucalyptus in your shower, where the steam will release its invigorating scent and create a spa-like experience every time you bathe. The key is choosing plants that thrive in your specific lighting conditions and remembering that even a few well-placed plants can make a significant difference in your indoor air quality and overall ambiance.
7. Air Purifiers
While opening windows can help air out your apartment, this approach isn't always practical and can actually introduce unwanted pollen, dust, and outdoor pollutants into your space. An air purifier offers a more controlled solution by continuously filtering your indoor air to remove odors, smoke, allergens, dust, and other airborne particles that contribute to stale or unpleasant smells.
Modern air purifiers with HEPA filters are particularly effective at capturing microscopic particles, making them invaluable for people with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. Beyond odor control, these devices create a consistently clean air environment regardless of weather conditions outside, allowing you to maintain fresh indoor air year-round without worrying about seasonal allergens or outdoor air quality issues.
Don’t Overlook Kitchen and Bathroom Smells
Certain areas of your home are more prone to unpleasant odors. Be proactive with regular maintenance:
- Empty the trash daily, especially if you cook often.
- Use baking soda in the fridge or sink to absorb smells.
- Clean the garbage disposal with citrus peels or vinegar.
- Wipe down bathroom surfaces with disinfectant wipes and light a candle afterward.
Keeping your apartment clean is key; after all, nothing can completely mask a bad smell. Start with cleanliness, then build in layers of scent.
Keep Your Greystar Apartment Smelling Fresh
Your apartment is more than a place to sleep. It’s your retreat, your workspace, your dinner party venue, and your home. And at Greystar, we believe comfort is in the details. A fresh, well-scented apartment isn’t just nice to have—it’s part of what makes home feel like home.
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