With the longer days and the bright sun, summer brings with it a number of scents that capture the essence of the season. From the freshness of citrus to the warm, tropical notes of coconut and pineapple, each fragrance has the power to transport us to sun-soaked beaches and blooming gardens. In this ApartmentGuide article, we explore the diverse and captivating aromas that define summer. So whether you’re renting an apartment in Cambridge, MA, or a home in Cranston, RI, this guide will help you find the perfect aromas to enhance your summer experience.
1. Basil with a base of soil and fir
Basil with a base of soil and fir provides refreshing, herbal notes that evoke a sense of the outdoors. The grounding essence of soil combined with the crisp, woody aroma of fir blend well with basil’s vibrant freshness.
“Our favorite scent for summer is La Mesa. This scented candle blends top notes of basil with a base of soil and fir for a scent that is freshness itself,” shares Blue Corn Candles.
2. Tomato
Tomato’s crisp, slightly tangy fragrance is both refreshing and invigorating, making it an ideal choice for the warm summer months.
Oddette Staple-Brown, owner and creative mind behind Oh D’Luxe Candle Company shares, “Tomato, a fresh and herbaceous scent that has gained popularity, is trending and quickly becoming a staple in many products including hand, body and dish soaps, and home fragrances such as room sprays and candles. I love this scent because it is unique, unconventional and evokes the nostalgia of spending time with my grandmother in her vegetable garden during the summer months.”
3. Sweet grass
Sweet grass imparts a light, fresh, and subtly sweet smell that reminds of of open meadows and sunlit fields.
“Sweet grass is my personal favorite summer scent because it has a fresh nostalgia that takes me back to a simpler time when life seemed to move at a slower pace,” remarks Hannah Pintar of Natty West. “The scent is a harmonious blend of fresh, earthy notes with a hint of sweetness that will trigger your memory of a freshly mowed lawn, or a dewy morning.”
4. Lemon, lime, and orange
Lemon, lime, and orange’s zesty, citrusy aromas are incredibly refreshing and energizing making them the perfect summer scent.
“With the sweltering heat of summer upon us, there’s nothing more refreshing than infusing your home with invigorating scents like lemon, lemongrass, and zesty lime or orange,” remarks Cynthia Gavin, owner of Home Inn Candle Company. “I love these citrusy aromas because not only do they evoke a sense of cleanliness and vitality, but also help to uplift your mood and energize your living space.”
“One of our favorite summer scents is lemongrass and lime. This refreshing blend captures the essence of summer, reminding us of sunny, carefree days, and is perfect for bringing that vibrant feeling into your home all year round,” adds The Urban Scent co-owner Gatty Mercy.
5. Mandarin
Mandarin provides a sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy aroma evokes the warmth and brightness of sunny days.
“My top summer scent would be mandarin which is a fresh citrus you can light in your kitchen, living room, or bathroom while the sunset is beaming through the windows into your home,” notes Trillion Candle. “The fruity orange and grapefruit-like candle is airy enough to portray the perfect summer night, and rich enough to give you the luxury essence.”
6. Coconut
Coconut is the perfect summer scent because its creamy, tropical aroma instantly transports you to sun-soaked beaches and lush, tropical destinations.
“Coconut evokes memories of tropical getaways, with its creamy, sweet aroma reminiscent of sunscreen and refreshing piña coladas by the sea. This scent capture the essence of summer, blending the freshness of the ocean breeze with the dreamy, tropical vibes of a beachside paradise,” shares Amy Betsch of Gold Rush Wax Co.
7. Cinnamon and tamarind
Cinnamon and tamarind blends combine the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon with the tangy, exotic aroma of tamarind.
Aséla Dahana of Cinnamon Vogue, based in Las Vegas, NV, states, “My favorite summer scent is a mix of cinnamon and tamarind. The spicy warmth of cinnamon combined with the tangy sweetness of tamarind evokes memories of summer markets and tropical getaways, creating a unique and refreshing aroma perfect for the season.”
8. Floral scents
Floral scents are perfect for summer because their light, fresh, and fragrant aromas capture the essence of blooming gardens and sunny days, creating a sense of natural beauty and elegance.
“When choosing a summer fragrance you want it to be lighter, fresher, and invigorating compared to other seasons,” recommends Scents for Less by Brande. “My go-to summer perfume covers all those bases, floral gardenia. It has floral, fruity, and green notes which are designed to be less offensive and more captivating.”
9. Sea breeze
Seabreeze, with its crisp, fresh aroma, evokes the invigorating and calming essence of the ocean.
“Our favorite summer scent would have to be sea breeze. This scent evokes memories of family beach vacations, with the revitalizing aroma of salty ocean air, sun-kissed sand, and distant waves crashing on the shore,” remarks Qandle.
10. Lavender
Lavender’s soothing, floral aroma offers a calming and relaxing effect, helping to cool and refresh during the warmer months.
“Nothing captures the luxurious warmth of long summer days quite like lavender,” raves Mary from Love-Scent.com. “This timeless scent relaxes the mind and body alike, transporting you to sunny fields blooming purple as far as the eye can see. After those late summer sunsets, lavender lulls you to sleep, giving you a rested and refreshed start to the following morning.”
11. Pineapple and passionfruit
Pineapple and passionfruit are the perfect summer scents because their sweet, tropical aromas blend to create a vibrant, fruity fragrance that captures the essence of sunny, exotic escapes.
“As San Franciscans, our version of summer is very different from the typical summertime that other areas in California experience. A scent that helps us escape the cold weather of the city by the bay is a combination of pineapple and passionfruit. This sweet, tropical fruit medley can easily transport you to your dream island vacation for a few short hours out of your day,” shares Mahal Scent.
12. Sea foam and key lime
Sea foam and key lime blend the crisp, oceanic freshness of sea foam with the zesty, tangy aroma of key lime.
Penn and Beech adds, “I’m not able to make it to the beach this summer, so I’m channeling vacation mode with a blend of sea foam and key lime, the next best thing to being there.”
13. Summer nights
Choose scents reminiscent of summer nights for a complex fragrance that creates a sense of both warmth and calm, ideal for capturing the essence of summer’s magical evenings.
My Air Freshener says, “Summer nights instantly transports you to those idyllic summer nights of your youth, where chasing fireflies while running carefree across the backyard was your main priority. With its bright, clean fragrance, you can imagine yourself lying on a blanket under the cosmos searching for shooting stars and wishing with all your might that your heart’s desire will come true.”