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Ask HN: Ideas for a subtle but pleasant home office aroma?

6 points by monroewalker ↗ HN
I'm considering trying to give my home office a nice aroma and looking for ideas on how to do that. I'm interested to hear both about potential approaches as well as recommendations for scents to try.

So far I'm thinking a reed diffuser with something like pine or eucalyptus scent.

11 comments

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brtkdotse
Do you have hardwood floors? Try scrubbing them with linseed soap, the smell is divine.
h2odragon
Live plants.

Well worth the maintenance load, and likely better for you than any artificial perfuming thing.

monroewalker
I don't disagree, just haven't done the best job historically of taking care of plants
minhmeoke
What is the objective of the aroma? Stimulation or relaxation? A few ideas:

Peppermint, Mentha piperita: mood-elevating, has a positive effect on perception, memory, and other cognitive functions.

Lemon, Citrus limon: very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis: Very stimulating and uplifting, good to help mental stimulation as well as to stimulate the immune system.

Germanium, Pelargonium graveolens: helps to balance hormones in women, good for balancing the skin. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant

logicalmonster
There are humidifiers that diffuse scented oils throughout the air. IMO it's a pretty soothing way of getting different smells into the air, particularly in the winter when heaters tend to dry up the indoor environment.
throwawaybutwhy
A dissenting opinion: VOCs are evil and harmful, in particular for pregnant women and children.
waste_monk
Get a small convection oven and bake bread. Of course, it has its advantages (fresh bread to eat) and disadvantages (you'll probably end up eating a lot of bread).