My DIY Room Spray Recipe for Making My Home Smell So Cozy

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A kitchen with lots of storage space and a blue and white curtain that separates it from the living room — Credit: Mackenzie Schieck

From hot apple cider to baked goods in the oven, there’s a candle for every fall scent. As much of a sucker as I am for fragrant candles, several years ago I decided to cut down on my candle spending. While my grandma’s olla aromática recipes can compete with any high-end candle (and win), I don’t always have the time to leave a pot simmering on the stove all day.

In my search for a scent solution that would be quicker than a simmer pot and cheaper than a rotating door of new candles, I came across a TikTok tutorial of a DIY essential oil spray. I decided to play around with different combos to re-create fall fragrances, and to my surprise the results were magical. Since then, these tiny, autumn-packed blends have become one of my go-to ways to make my home smell cozy all throughout the season. The best part? They’re ridiculously easy to make, and totally customizable. Whether I want my home to smell like warm pie, or I’m in the mood for something more woodsy and crisp, these scents capture that fall aroma.

Amber Glass Spray Bottles for Essential Oils, Set of 3

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How to Make Your Home Smell Like Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin is the quintessential fall fragrance, so, naturally, this is the scent that started it all. My goal was to make my space smell as if I had just pulled out a pumpkin pie from the oven, without actually having to do any baking. This blend nails that warm, sweet, and spicy aroma.

Pumpkin Pie Essential Oil Spray Recipe

To make it, combine one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel) and the above essential oils into a 2-ounce glass spray bottle, and gently swirl. Then, fill the rest of the bottle with distilled or filtered water, screw on the top, and shake well. Let the spray sit for a day or two to allow the scents to mingle and intensify for a more harmonious and potent aroma. Always shake well before each use.

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Other Ways to Make Your Home Smell Amazing for Fall

The beauty of these essential oil-scented sprays is that you can get creative in making your own concoctions to set the mood you want. Below are a few of my favorite cozy fall aromas that I’ve come up with. Follow the same instructions as mentioned above, swapping out only the essential oils. If you want to create a more potent scent, add a few more drops of the essential oils of your choosing. You can also double the recipe and use a 4-ounce glass spray bottle. If you’re creating different blends, consider using sticker labels to keep track of which is which.

Apple Pie Spray Recipe

Harvest Spice Spray Recipe

Sweater Weather Spray Recipe

How I Use My Essential Oil Sprays Around My Home

What started as a quick DIY experiment has since become a seasonal ritual. There’s just something incredibly cozy, nostalgic, and festive about these essential oil blends. Not only do they bring that sought-after autumnal feeling into my space, but they also make it feel like home. I highly recommend mixing your own room sprays, whether you want to freshen up your space, are looking to cut back on lighting candles, or want some fall-scented aromatherapy.

When using it as a room spray, I do a light spritz — usually three or four — in smaller areas, and double that amount in more open spaces. The scent is subtle but noticeable, and never overwhelming. If you want the scent to linger, I recommend using your essential oil spray as more than just an air freshener. I mist it on my pillows, linens, sofas, throw pillows, curtains, carpet, and rugs. Generally, the scent lasts a couple of hours in the air, but can last days when I spray it on fabrics.

I usually reapply twice a day, or whenever I feel like the room needs a refresh. Before hosting, especially, I generously spray a blend — and yes, people notice! Without fail, I get compliments on the scents from guests, who usually ask what plug-in I’m using or remark on how good the room smells. A few of my friends have been inspired to make their own blends after coming over.

You can spray them into your closets to keep them from smelling musty, as well as inside your drawers. One of my favorite hacks is applying a few spritzes on an old T-shirt and then hanging it in the closet or placing it inside a drawer. A wool dryer ball also works wonders.

I love going through my sweaters when picking out an outfit and catching a whiff of “Sweater Weather.” Nothing quite beats walking into my bedroom or lying down to relax on the couch after a long day and getting a soft hit of “Pumpkin Pie.” It makes my space feel extra-cozy and lived-in.

A quick note on safety: Avoid spraying these on delicate or lighter-colored fabrics — especially if you’re using darker essential oils. Always spot-test if you’re unsure. Steer clear of spraying onto leather or wood surfaces. Because alcohol is flammable, never spray near a lit candle or open flame.

My Home Smells Like Delicious Pumpkin Pie All Fall — Here’s How I Do It