The basic rules
- Choose a stable, open surface such as a console, a shelf or a side table.
- Give it a little space on every side, so the scent can travel naturally.
- Keep it away from vents, fans and open windows, which carry the scent away too quickly.
- Place it at roughly chest height or above, not on the floor.
- Keep it clear of delicate or unsealed surfaces, as you would with any fragrance product.
Start in the room you use most
If you are scenting one space, choose the one where you spend the most time, usually the main living area. Place the diffuser near the middle of the room or by the entrance, not in a corner, so that the scent has room to spread.
Room by room
| Room | Where to put it | A scent to try |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | A console or side table in the middle of the room | Laguna or Cali |
| Entryway or hallway | A narrow console, away from the door draft | Ericeira |
| Kitchen or dining area | A nearby surface, away from the stove and extractor | Del Mar |
| Bedroom | A dresser or shelf across the room from the bed | Laguna |
| Home office or study | A shelf at the edge of the desk area | Del Mar or Porto |
| Open plan space | At the point where the zones meet | One scent only |
Open plan homes
In an open plan home, scent travels freely, so one diffuser can do the work of several. Place it where the kitchen, dining and living areas meet, and keep a single scent throughout. Mixing scents in connected spaces makes both smell muddy.
Bedrooms
Keep a bedroom very light. Place the diffuser across the room, not next to the bed, and schedule it to run for a short time before bed rather than all night. A calm scent such as Laguna suits the space.
How strong, and for how long
Start low. Run the diffuser for a short time on a low setting, and raise it a notch every day or two until the scent is noticed gently when you walk in. Then stop. A schedule works better than constant use: with SERRA, the Carmela Scents app lets you set both the intensity and the hours it runs.
What changes the result
- Ceiling height. A tall, open room needs a little more than a low one.
- Airflow. Drafts and open windows thin the scent out.
- The season. In winter, when windows are closed, you need less.
- The oil. Richer, warmer scents read stronger than fresh ones at the same setting.
A simple starting plan
- Put SERRA in your main living space on a stable surface, away from vents.
- Choose one scent and set the intensity to low.
- Set a schedule for the hours you are home.
- Raise it one step at a time over a few days.
- Leave it, and adjust only when the seasons change.
