The Scent of a Space: Why Fragrance Belongs in Interior Design

Debra Schmidt

Sep 30

2 min read

A room is experienced through more than what we see

We spend so much time considering colour, texture, lighting, materials and furniture when designing a space, yet fragrance can be just as important to the way that space feels.

A carefully chosen scent can add warmth, calm, freshness or familiarity. It can become part of the atmosphere of a room and, over time, part of the memory attached to it.

At Waterblessed, we believe fragrance should be considered as part of the overall experience of a space not simply added at the end.

Creating a signature scent

No two spaces are the same.

A coastal guesthouse may call for something fresh and light. A Winelands retreat may suit something warmer and more grounded. A boutique interior store may want a fragrance that complements its materials, colours and overall brand identity.

Our current fragrance collection includes:

Blom • White River • Wild Coast • Clarens • Earth Mother • Klein Karoo • Jacobsbaai • Lemongrass & Ginger

Rather than offering every fragrance for every application, we curate the selection around the space, the intended mood and the people who will experience it.

Hospitality: creating something guests remember

For hotels, guesthouses, lodges and wine estates, fragrance offers another opportunity to shape the guest journey.

It can begin at reception, continue into the guest suite or spa and extend into the evening through a thoughtful turn-down ritual.

Our branded Night Ritual Turn-Down Spritzer was developed with exactly this in mind, a small sensory gesture that can sit alongside, or even replace, the traditional chocolate on the pillow.

A fragrance can become part of the memory of a stay, returning long after the journey ends.

Retail: scent your interior

For homeware and interiors retailers, fragrance can become part of the visual merchandising story.

We can develop a concept from:

Fragrance Selection → Product Collection → Branding & Packaging → Interior Story → Merchandise Display

Welcome packs and branded gifting

Fragrance also lends itself beautifully to gifting.

A carefully considered candle, ambient spray, hanging diffuser or fragrance discovery set can form part of:

Property handovers • New-resident welcome packs • Hotel gifting • Corporate gifts • Weddings • Events • VIP client gifts

Packaging and branding can be adapted to suit the client while retaining the natural, organic character of the collection.

From concept to experience

For us, the starting point is never simply choosing a fragrance.

We first consider the space, the brand and the experience being created. From there, we curate the fragrance and product format, develop the branding and think about how the finished collection will be presented.

CONCEPT • CURATE • BRAND • PRESENT

Experience the collection

If you are considering fragrance for your hotel, retail space, development, estate or gifting programme, we invite you to experience the collection in person.

Request a Waterblessed Scenting Visit and let us explore the atmosphere you would like to create.