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Best Everyday Home Scents & Perfumes I Actually Use (Not Overpowering)

21 items

Lauren Mettler

These are the best home scents, subtle perfumes, and everyday fragrance picks I use in real life — perfect for daily wear, hosting guests, or gifting without overpowering anyone’s nose.

This list contains affiliate links — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Sections

Go-To Body Perfumes

Daily Home Scents (Also Great for Hosting)

Budget Friendly ($30 or Less)

Go-To Body Perfumes

The perfumes and personal scents I'll love forever

This has been my everyday deodorant for over a decade, through price hikes and all, it's that good. Goes on smoothly, smells elegant but not stuffy, even when I start to sweat, and it's just plain reliable.

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant

This scrub is everything to me - scalp refresh and body scrub all in one. The scent is amazing, the way the oils and lather of the scrub leave my scalp and skin feeling moisturized but not slick or oily is pure magic. I use about once a week and it l...

Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub - OUAI | Sephora

This works magically with your chemistry, is truly different but amazing on everyone I know who's tried it. I get stopped every time I use it and asked what I'm wearing.

I keep a roll on in my clutch and one in the diaper bag for those moments when I'm feeling a need for a little warmth and luxurious scent. The sweatier I am, the better it smells, making it an automatic go to for my first year postpartum.

MAYA No.1 10ML

A splurge scent that I'll never tire of. This is fresh, light, with fresh pear and white flowers at the center of the scent. I love my travel size to take with me on the go and always have with me when I travel. A quick spritz lasts all day.

Coeur Battant - Perfumes - Collections

A splurge, but worth every penny. I especially love this floral forward scent in the summer. Plus, the bottle is art.

BOND NO. 9 ASTOR PLACE

Another splurge. For me, this is the perfect balance of calm and fresh. A favorite in the spring or anytime I want to capture that feeling right after it stops raining and everything smells fresh and the air is calm.

From Bond No. 9: “A melange of sparkling florals and citruses, balanced by a woody-musky detente. Notes: Grapefruit, Black Currant, Lily of the Valley, Hedione, Cedarwood, and Musk”

BOND NO. 9 THE SCENT OF PEACE

Daily Home Scents (Also Great for Hosting)

The scents I love for my home, year round

Guests, toddlers, and even my husband all love the way this hand soap feels with a bit of grit without being abrasive and leave your hands lightly scented.

Dean Street OUAI Hand Wash

The name is accurate - these stone candle holders are gorgeous on their own and when the candles are lit in them, they let light through beautifully.

Personally, I'm all about Oud Bois which smells like soft vanilla at first, then turns rich and warm with oud and leather—it’s deep, masculine, and a little nostalgic.

That said, try out the sampler and find the best fit for your space.

These make an amazing housewarming gift.

Luxuriate Candles

Beautiful jar with a light and lovely rose scent. This is a go to for any gift basket for a friend, especially someone recovering from an illness, going through a hard time, or with a new baby on the way.

Rose Otto - Large Jar Candle

Beautiful as an elevated gift or in spaces you love in your home.

Roses | Diptyque Paris

Beautiful candle in any season and gorgeous, elevated + effective room spray. Can't go wrong!

Baies / Berries | Scented Candle

As a die-hard loyalist to The Laundress, even through their tough times, this fabric spray works hard in our house. From crease release to freshening up furniture and curtains, we love the light but lingering scent.

The Laundress Fabric Spray

A beautiful, understated and easy to use diffuser that I love in any room.

Vitruvi Diffuser

This programmable diffuser makes having a regular cadence of scent easy as 1-2-3. I love to have a subscription for my go to scents, usually Laundress scents, and keep ours running during waking hours every day.

Smart Diffusers for Home - Aera

I love to gift the votives of the Holiday scent for any hostess gifts during the holiday season, keep a small candle in a bathroom, and the three wick goes all winter long in our living room. It's a winner all around and so joyful!

Holiday Boutique | NEST New York

Budget Friendly ($30 or Less)

Great scents, for you or your friends, that won't break the bank.

A beautiful gift or bathroom candle for when you have guests. I keep a few of these on hand for last minute hostess gifts.

Rose Otto - Classic Candle

I used this when I was pregnant and loved the light, elegant rose scent. Glides on and the scent always puts a smile on my face. I love catching a whiff of this working throughout the day.

DEODORANT STICK: Third Rose

A go-to for a home reset after company or cleaning up. The bergamot is uplifting, promotes positivity, and is calming.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Geranium has been my go to for my diffuser from day 1, over 10 years now. It's calming, refreshing, a little spicy, and unique enough that it feels special.

Plant Therapy Egyptian Geranium Essential Oil 5mL

I've loved these every time I've tried them, particularly the Bergamot & Hinoki, but truly, you can't go wrong with Salt + Stone products.

Aluminum Free Deodorant

As a very athletic family, this gets used on the daily along with the athletic detergent. The scent is bright, fresh, and fights odors well.

Activewear Fabric Spray