The Smell of Home
I visited Graceland with my family as a young child. During our tour, there were still family members residing in one wing of the house and someone was making, or had just made, bacon. I can’t tell you to this day what Elvis’ bedroom looked like, but I can tell you the King’s house smells like bacon. It has been said that an individual develops their opinion of a home in the first 15 seconds of entering a home. While we focus on presenting an eye-appealing presentation when we are selling, it is important to to give attention to the smells of the home as well. Whether you are presently selling your home or preparing for upcoming holiday guests, below are a few tips for making your home as pleasing to nose as it is to the eye.
1. Fish on Fridays? Fish may sound great on Friday night, but if you are scheduled for an open house on Saturday morning, chances are the smell will still linger in the air. Pre-plan your meals to coincide with guest visits and open houses. Remember, some home-cooked smells can be very inviting: fresh bread, cookies, pies. A little baking can be delicious aromatherapy! I am planning on filling every nook and cranny of our home this weekend with the delicious smells of roasted pumpkins for our Thanksgiving pumpkin pies.
2. The nose knows. Don’t try to fool anyone with artificial scents; more often than not they are overpowering and can give the impression you are trying to mask something (probably Friday’s fish sticks). A great natural recipe:
In a saucepan, simmer 2 cups of water, one sliced lemon, 1 tsp of vanilla, and 1 sprig of Rosemary (or a few drops of rosemary essential oils). Open House Tip: Place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and leave it on low a few hours before the open house.
3. We aim to please, you aim too please. My grandparents had a placard in the bathroom with this sentiment. I never understood it until I was the mother of 5 boys. Without getting graphic, let’s just say the bathroom can be a challenge. The best remedy is a baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar. It’s natural. It’s inexpensive. It doesn’t leave your bathroom smelling like someone bleached down a crime scene.
4. Furry Family Members. I love our dog Jovie but sometimes she enjoys bringing in outside scents that are far from desirable. Frequently washing/changing pet bedding and changing the litter box will keep animal smells from being as prevalent. Carpeted areas that have that special pet scent, may need a professional to treat. My Pinterest addiction had me trying a baking soda/vinegar spritz method that seemed to work. The best test, is asking a trusted friend (one that isn’t afraid to be honest) to give you the smell test.
No matter how old I get, I can still remember the smell of my grandmother’s home. Of course it changed throughout the year: the sweet cinnamon and sugar of apple pie in the summer to the aromas of a satisfying Thanksgiving dinner in the fall. Before you walked in the door, the smells of her home would invite you in from the front porch. Sort of like days I have really got things together and have put dinner in the crockpot before I leave in the morning; the smell of warm delicious food hits my nose before I ever leave the car in the garage. It’s a feel good, comforting feeling that makes me extra excited to be home.
