The Scent of Home: Can a Candle Change the Way We Feel?

I've never really been one to light fragranced candles at home. It's not that I don't like the idea of them. I've always loved their decorative appeal, from their colours and shapes to the way they complement a room. However, strong scents have often left my eyes watering. Heavily fragranced candles, incense sticks and reed diffusers were things I tended to avoid, even though I loved the atmosphere they could create.

So, when I was gifted a selection of candles from Tribe of Peace, a London-based brand founded by Emma Nur, I was curious to see how I'd get on. Would these be any different? I decided to give them a try. To my surprise, I could enjoy burning them at home without the sensitivities and eye-watering reaction I'd experienced the past.

It also got me thinking about scent, memory and the little things that make our homes feel like our own.

How does scent connect us with memory and emotion?

Have you ever caught a smell and been transported straight back to a particular time or place? It might be the scent of sun cream that reminds you of a childhood holiday, freshly baked bread that takes you back to a family kitchen, or coffee brewing on a slow Sunday morning.

Smell has a close relationship with memory and emotion. Sometimes, a fragrance brings back a moment before we've even worked out what it reminds us of. Other times, it's simply a smell we enjoy, with no particular memory attached.

Of course, we don't all respond to scents in the same way. A rich, woody fragrance might feel comforting to one person but too heavy for another. Citrus notes might feel fresh and lively, while floral aromas may be more appealing to someone else. Our preferences are shaped by experience, and sensitivities can influence them just as much.

That seems worth remembering when choosing fragrance for the home. The question isn't only whether something smells lovely in the shop, but whether you actually enjoy living with it.

How candles create a cosy atmosphere at home

Wellbeing doesn't always require a big lifestyle change. Sometimes, it's the little touches that make a house feel more like home.

Lighting a candle can change the atmosphere of a room. The soft glow adds warmth as daylight fades and the evening draws in. A candle on the coffee table can make an everyday moment feel a little more special. Add a favourite book or some music, and you have a lovely way to spend a quiet evening at home. I can also see the appeal of lighting one beside a warm bath, letting the room grow quieter as the day winds down.

The story behind Tribe of Peace

Tribe of Peace began with a suggestion from Emma Nur's daughter, who was 12 at the time. The original idea was simply to make candles for fun. Emma enjoyed the process and found it therapeutic, so what began as a shared activity grew into something more.

With a background in holistic therapy, Emma was already familiar with using essential oils in her treatments and at home. She also had clear ideas about the ingredients she wanted to work with.

“I care what I put on my skin, what I burn in my home; so naturally I wanted to create a clean brand,” she says.

Tribe of Peace candles are made using pure essential oils and a vegan wax blend of coconut and rapeseed. She explains that the formulations are free from paraffin, soy, palm, beeswax and synthetic additives.

Emma's approach reflects her personal preferences, although natural ingredients aren't automatically irritation-free. Essential oils can cause sensitivities too. In my case, the experience was encouraging, but it doesn't establish why these candles felt different.

Sacred Womb: a personal story

The names of the four candles, Sacred Womb, Mind Massage, Calm and Grounding, caught my attention. I was curious about the thinking behind them. Sacred Womb, in particular, has a story that goes beyond fragrance.

Emma created it with women's wellbeing in mind, drawing on her own experience of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition that can cause significant emotional and physical symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle.

“I know how challenging it can be to navigate the emotional lows that can accompany the menstrual cycle, and I wanted to create a candle that felt like a gentle act of self-care for women during those times,” she explained.

The fragrance brings together grapefruit and sweet orange with rose geranium and clary sage. Emma describes the citrus notes as bright and uplifting, balanced by softer floral and earthy aromas.

Her thinking also developed through exploring Shamanic Womb Massage and undertaking an online Shamanic Womb apprenticeship. These experiences shaped her view of the womb as a symbol of creation, intuition and feminine connection.

“The name Sacred Womb grew from this belief that our relationship with ourselves deserves listening, tenderness and respect,” she said.

The candle's story is personal to Emma. While everyone will have their own relationship with its name and fragrance, I found it interesting to hear how much thought had gone into its meaning.

Mind Massage: a fresh take on fragrance

Mind Massage has a different feel. Emma wanted to create a blend that would “give the mind a little massage of its own”, using neroli, mandarin and lemon.

She chose the oils for their traditional associations: neroli with relaxation, mandarin with an uplifting aroma, and lemon with clarity and focus. These associations explain her thinking behind the blend, rather than guarantee any therapeutic effect.

Mind Massage was my favourite of the four. It had a fresh, clean scent, with delicate floral notes and a gentle citrus brightness. It wasn't overpowering, which made it particularly appealing to me, and I loved the name, too. It felt light and refreshing, without the heavy, overly perfumed or artificial smells I tend to avoid.

My mum, meanwhile, preferred Calm, which combines lavender and cinnamon. Its floral notes and warm, spicy edge gave it a different character. We each gravitated towards a different candle, which felt like a good reminder that scent is very much a matter of personal taste.

What should you consider when choosing a candle for your home?

Trying these candles has made me think more carefully about what I bring into my home. The coconut and rapeseed wax and essential oils appealed to me, I can't say whether these ingredients explain why I was able to burn the candles without my usual eye-watering reaction. Fragrance sensitivity is personal, and our responses can depend on a range of factors, including the scent itself and its intensity.

If you're choosing a candle, a few practical considerations are worth keeping in mind:

• Ingredients: Check the wax and fragrance information, particularly if you have known sensitivities.

• Fragrance strength: A subtle scent may suit you better than a strong one.

• Ventilation: Keep the room well ventilated while burning a candle.

• Your own response: Natural ingredients can still cause irritation. Pay attention to how you feel when trying something new.

• Burning instructions: Follow the manufacturer's guidance, including the recommended burning time.

• Safety: Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains and other flammable materials. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• If a candle causes discomfort, extinguish it, ventilate the room and avoid using it again. There's no need to persevere with a fragrance that doesn't agree with you.

Ultimately, no single candle will suit everyone. It's about finding what you enjoy, being mindful of your sensitivities and making choices that feel right for your home.

Finding pleasure in the everyday

I've started to see candles a little differently. They're not just decorative pieces to match the room, but another way to add character to a space and make an evening at home feel more inviting.

A familiar fragrance can bring back a memory, remind us of someone special or evoke a place we haven't thought about in years. It's remarkable how a simple smell can bring those feelings back.

For me, this experience has been a reminder to appreciate candles for more than their appearance. The right scent can become part of what makes a home feel personal and familiar.

It's a small thing, perhaps. But sometimes, small things are worth making room for, not because they promise to change our lives, but simply because we enjoy them.