The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Incense: Finding the Right Scent for Your Home
We get asked every day, “what are you burning? It smells so good in here”. But then someone else might walk in and they wrinkle their nose, some even go as far to gag and can’t come in at all.
Scent is such a personal thing, what I might like, might in fact turn you green. I have always loved lavender, so much so that I dream of owning a lavender farm, yet, one of my best friends absolutely hates the smell, in fact it gives her a headache. Choosing a scent can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many fragrances to choose from, where do you start?
In this guide we’ll walk you through some of the most popular incense scents and help you find one that suits your home, mood and ritual.
Scent is a powerful trigger. It can remind us of happy memories, sad memories, places we've been and people we've loved. Sometimes all it takes is a single breath and we're instantly transported somewhere else.
My Nana passed away 37 years ago, yet to this day I still wear Oil of Olay (or Oil of Ulan as it was called back then). Every morning when I put it on, I feel comforted. For a moment, it's as if my Nana is with me for the day.
I'm sure you've experienced it too. Someone walks past wearing a particular perfume and suddenly you're stopped in your tracks. A fragrance catches you off guard and you're instantly taken back to a specific moment in time, a person, a place or a feeling you'd almost forgotten.
That's one of the reasons incense smells different to everyone. We all bring our own memories, experiences and preferences to a scent. What feels calming and comforting to one person might remind another of something completely different.
Of course, we all have our favourites, and there is nothing worse than discovering your spouse doesn't share your absolute favourite scent and has officially banned it from the living room. Before you know it, you're hiding in the bedroom, happily creating a smoky haze before frantically opening all the windows in an attempt to send the scent out into the night before they come to bed.
Sound familiar?
So, if you've ever wondered why your friend swears by Nag Champa while you can't stand it, or why White Sage feels refreshing to one person and overpowering to another, the answer often has less to do with the incense itself and more to do with the memories, emotions and associations we attach to scent.
Rather than bore you with a chemistry lesson about scents let me break the scents down into feelings.
Looking for a Fresh Start?
White Sage – clean, herbal fragrance with slightly earthy notes. It’s crisp and refreshing without being overly sweet.
Whether you've had a stressful day, a busy week or simply want to refresh a room, White Sage remains our most popular incense for good reason.
Looking for Calm?
Sandalwood – warm, creamy and woody, with a soft, smooth fragrance that’s not overpowering
It's often the scent people reach for when they want to slow down, relax and create a peaceful atmosphere at home. If you're new to incense, Sandalwood is one of the easiest scents to fall in love with.
Looking for Reflection?
Frankincense – rich, resinous aroma with subtle citrus and woody undertones. It's a deeper scent that feels timeless and contemplative.
Used for centuries in spiritual and ceremonial practices, Frankincense is often chosen for meditation, journaling or simply creating a quiet moment of reflection.
Looking for Warmth?
Arabian Oudh – rich, woody and slightly sweet, with a luxurious fragrance that feels both exotic and comforting.
It has a depth that lingers beautifully in a room and is particularly loved during the cooler months. If you're looking to create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, Arabian Oudh is a wonderful choice.
Looking for Comfort?
Rose – soft, floral and beautifully familiar. It's delicate without being overpowering and carries a natural sweetness that many people find comforting.
For some, Rose evokes memories of gardens and loved ones. For others, it's simply a scent that brings a sense of gentleness and calm into their day.
Just as Oil of Olay reminds me of my Nana, Rose often evokes memories of people, places and moments we hold close.
Looking for Something More Subtle?
Japanese incense is quite different from many traditional Indian-style incense sticks. The fragrances tend to be more refined, delicate and understated, producing less smoke and creating a gentler presence in a room.
Many people who find some incense overwhelming are pleasantly surprised by Japanese incense. Rather than filling a room with fragrance, it often creates a softer atmosphere that unfolds slowly over time.
Three of our most popular Japanese fragrances are:
Moss Garden – A fresh, green fragrance that feels peaceful and grounding, like a quiet walk through nature after rain.
Autumn Leaves – Warm and slightly spicy with a comforting, nostalgic feel that suits cooler evenings beautifully.
Golden Pavilion – Elegant and balanced, with subtle woody notes that create a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.
If you're looking for a more understated incense experience, Japanese incense is well worth exploring.
Our Current Incense of the Month
Each month we like to shine a spotlight on a particular collection, giving our customers the opportunity to explore something new.
This month's feature is our Green Tree White Sage Collection, which combines the fresh cleansing qualities of White Sage with complementary fragrances to create something a little different.
The collection includes:
- White Sage & Eucalyptus
- White Sage & Lavender
- White Sage & Dragon's Blood
Each blend offers its own personality. White Sage & Eucalyptus feels crisp and refreshing, White Sage & Lavender brings a softer, more relaxing note, while White Sage & Dragon's Blood adds warmth and depth to the cleansing qualities of sage.
If you already enjoy White Sage, these blends are a wonderful way to experience a familiar favourite from a new perspective.
Whether you're drawn to the cleansing freshness of White Sage, the comforting warmth of Sandalwood, the timeless depth of Frankincense or the gentle elegance of Japanese incense, finding the right fragrance is a personal journey.
The best incense isn't necessarily the most popular one. It's the one that makes you pause, take a breath and feel something.
After all, scent is more than fragrance. It's memory, emotion, comfort and ritual wrapped into a single moment.
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