I have a small ritual that marks the change of seasons in my home. Little things here and there to welcome the new season and set the mood. I swap textiles, change wall art and I create THE scent.

Scent is the fastest way to shift mood. It’s invisible but emotional, practical but deeply personal. On a warm summer day I want the house to feel airy and alive. I want spring to smell like fresh herbs and fruits (I really don’t like the smell of flowers). In winter I want it to feel like freshly baked cookies, warm and cozy. And autumn (my fave) is always cinnamon overload.

Store bought scents are great, but making my own diffuser lets me adjust the scent to match my mood exactly and specifically. It’s also slower and more intentional. No flames, no overpowering throw. Just a quiet presence that moves with the weather outside.

Here’s how I make my own scent diffusers.

What you’ll need

• A small glass bottle or jar with a narrow neck ( the narrower opening slows evaporation)

• Reed diffuser sticks or bamboo skewers (the former are more porous and carrie the scent better, but skewers will do just fine, you can even use the free extra chopsticks from your chinese food takeout)

• Carrier liquid: this can be either sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, or a diffuser base

• Essential oils of choice (my recipes bellow, but creating your own is so much fun)

• A small funnel or steady hand

How to

Step 1: Prepare the base

Pour about 100 ml of your carrier liquid into the glass bottle. Oils give a softer slower scent. A commercial diffuser base gives stronger throw.

Step 2: Add essential oils

Add between 25 and 35 drops of essential oil in total. Start lower, you can always add more.

Step 3: Gently mix

Swirl the bottle slowly. Don’t shake aggressively, it can cloud the liquid.

Step 4: Insert reeds

Place 5 to 7 reeds into the bottle. Let them soak for an hour, then flip them once.

Step 5: Adjust over time

Flip the reeds every week for a refresh. Add a few extra drops of oil if the scent fades.

Seasonal scent recipes

Each of these blends is designed to feel like a season rather than announce it. Personal taste, really. Strong smells give me a headache, I like mine to be subtle, layered and atmospheric. Add more drops if you like a stronger punch.

Spring: clean air and clarity

Fresh and green, like open windows and sun on stone.

• 12 drops bergamot

• 8 drops lemon

• 6 drops rosemary

• 4 drops juniper berry

This reads crisp and lightly herbal, never soapy. It works beautifully in the morning and in spaces where you want mental clarity.

Summer: warm, light and ease

Bright but grounded, citrus with a soft woody base.

• 14 drops sweet orange

• 8 drops grapefruit (or mango)

• 6 drops cedarwood

• 4 drops petitgrain

Petitgrain comes from citrus leaves and twigs, not flowers, so it adds depth without sweetness. This blend feels sun-warmed and relaxed.

Autumn: dry woods and spice

Earthy, slightly smoky, and comforting.

• 12 drops sandalwood

• 8 drops cardamom

• 6 drops cinnamon

• 4 drops sweet orange (or green apple)

This is the season where spice shines. The citrus keeps it from feeling heavy while the woods anchor it.

Winter: smokey and quiet

Deep, dark, and cocooning.

• 14 drops frankincense

• 8 drops cedarwood

• 6 drops vetiver

• 4 drops vanilla oleoresin

This blend feels intimate and still, perfect for evenings and low light.

Why I prefer homemade diffusers

Scent has become my softest form of decorating, the one you don’t see, you feel. It doesn’t shout or demand attention, it simply settles into the corners of a room and lingers. By making my own diffusers I get to respond to the day, the season, even my energy, with something small and sensory. A few drops, a subtle shift, and suddenly the house feels aligned again. It’s less about filling the space and more about tuning it, letting my home breathe and change as naturally as the world outside.