The best scented candles for staying at home

At this time of year I’d normally publish my annual round-up of the best scented candles for spring. But, with so many of us around the world under restrictions of some kind or another at the moment, this time around I thought I’d share a selection of the best scented candles for staying at home, instead.

Below you’ll find 15 options to enhance your mood in these strange times, many of which I’ve tried and tested myself. There are scents to uplift and energise, calming scents to soothe frazzled nerves, and cosy scents to help you feel warm and snug. I’ve also included a few fresh, nature-inspired fragrances that celebrate the joys of the season and maintain a bit of a connection with the great outdoors, even if we’re limited as to how much we can experience it in person. I’ve focused largely on small businesses as they really need our support at the moment, but there are a couple of stand-out candles from larger brands, too.

I hope you find something you like!

1. ‘Green Tea + Ginger’ candle, £16 for a medium jar or £12 for a small one, Cedar Lifestyle – a clean and invigorating aroma encompassing spicy ginger, zingy grapefruit and mandarin, and subtle notes of green tea
2. Plum & Ashby ‘Seaweed & Samphire’ candle, £24.95, Trouva – a fresh yet woody scent that evokes salty sea breezes, wide horizons and crashing waves [AD – affiliate link]
3. ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ candle, £20, Earl of East – a blend of oak moss, cedar and black pepper, inspired by the Japanese art of forest bathing and its stress-busting, immune-boosting powers [AD – affiliate link]
4. ‘Aether’ refillable candle, £48, Essence + Alchemy – a combination of juniper, rosemary and peppermint, all used for thousands of years to cleanse the air and re-energise the mind
5. ‘Spring’ candle, £20, The White Company – a light, delicate fragrance that combines honeysuckle, rose, jasmine and lilac with the earthy aroma of freshly mown grass [AD – affiliate link]
6. ‘Hygge’ candle, £35 for a large jar or £18 for a small one, Skandinavisk – a homely blend of black tea, dried apple, wild mint and baked cinnamon, inspired by the Scandinavian art of enjoying the smallest everyday moments
7. ‘Rest’ candle, £17, Hobo + Co – a mix of bergamot, lavender and patchouli essential oils that promotes a sense of calm and relaxation
8. ‘Joy’ candle, £35 for a large jar, £25 for a medium one or £16 for a small one, NUI Naturals – an uplifting and mood-enhancing blend of organic sweet orange, bergamot and geranium, designed to balance emotions and aid wellbeing
9. ‘Flore’ candle, £48, Evermore – a delicate union of lilac blossom, peititgrain, clove and ylang ylang that evokes spring morning mists. Throughout April, Evermore is offering 10% off all UK orders and donating a further 10% to the British Red Cross – just use the code ‘HOMECOMFORTS’
10. ‘Bibliothèque’ candle, £57, BYREDO – a velvety blend of peach, plum, vanilla and patchouli, reflecting the quietness and comfort of libraries sheltered from the passage of time
11. ‘Fresh Linen’ candle, £29, Helm London – a light and beautifully airy candle that fills your home with the smell of crisp white sheets billowing in the breeze
12. ‘No.2 Sydney in Springtime’ candle, £30, Moments of Sense & Style – a unique, dreamlike scent reminiscent of blossoming flora and warm breezes, with a hint of sea salt
13. ‘Maed’ candle, £37.50, Aerende – a light, uplifting mix of grapefruit, lavender and geranium, named after the Olde English word for ‘meadow’
14. Aery ‘And Relax’ candle, £24.95, Hus & Hem – a blend of lemongrass, cedar and patchouli that creates a tranquil sanctuary where you can de-stress and unwind [AD – affiliate link]
15. ‘Om’ candle, £20 for a large jar or £12 for a small one, Wxy – a calming and meditative neroli and bamboo-leaf scent that’s never cloying or overwhelming

Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would if you visited the websites directly.

Top and bottom four images by Abi Dare; all other photography via the brands listed above