Ready for your home to smell divine? I should hope so! Summer has so many wonderful options, from fresh fruity scents to lively aquatics, even some warm desert vibes. And if you're looking for fragrance picks, fashion picks, or swimsuit picks, I've got you covered too (had to plug). But first, I've put together a list to make your space even better. Happy smelling, babes.
*This list features some affiliate links. I may earn a commission.
Tuscan Rosemary Candle by Flamingo Estate
If you've ever brushed your hand against fresh rosemary and just stood there for a second, that's basically what this candle smells like. The Tuscan Rosemary from Flamingo Estate is herbaceous and a little sharp, but with enough airiness to keep it feeling more garden than grocery store. It's inspired by Greek and Roman culture, and that tracks; there's something old and unhurried about it that I really love.
Flamingo Estate candles are also just a great gift, full stop. They look elevated, burn well, and make any space feel a little more intentional.
Wild Tomato Vine Candle by Kobo
Tomato candles are quite possibly in my top three favorite candles ever. Something about them feels so fresh and bright and can really liven up a space. This one from Kobo is, hands down, the best tomato candle I've ever smelled. It is just so lively. They also have a diffuser!
There's a pepper note in here that keeps things a little punchy and a little spicy, which I love. Kobo also makes this in a number of other scents and formats, including a diffuser, so you've got options. The cool thing about Kobo is their commitment to sustainability: all of the packaging is actually plantable. I'll admit I haven't attempted it myself, but maybe you can and report back.
Lemongrass and Neroli by Apotheke
I smelled this by chance while shopping at Crate & Barrel, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since, at least since March. I've been patiently waiting to burn it because it's just that good.
I personally get a much more neroli-forward scent from it, though there's also jasmine, lily of the valley, cedarwood, and sandalwood adding depth. It's very fresh, very ethereal — honestly, the kind of thing I imagine Aphrodite has burning in her home. It has this almost dewy quality. Apotheke makes pretty affordable, nice-quality candles for the price point, and this one is no exception.
Guaiacwood & Bergamot Incense Cones by Paraphrase Perfume
If you're looking for something to burn right after you clean, this is the one. It's both refreshing and grounding at the same time; the bergamot brings the freshness, and the guaiac wood rounds everything out with a beautiful earthiness. There's a citrus element to it as well, and I believe some lavender in the mix too.
It captures that feeling of calm and clarity you get after you've cleaned your space, whether that's energetically or physically, hopefully both. When you're ready to bring something intentional back into the room, this is the scent to do it with.
Upstairs Candle by Discothèque
I hope you're having all kinds of fun summer rendezvous this season. If you want a candle to really set the mood, this would be it. It feels like that end-of-the-night warmth and sensuality, the kind of night where you're hopefully covered in someone else's lipstick and yours is thoroughly smudged. This candle embodies that.
Notes of violet leaf, white rose, peach, metallic, lilac, fuchsia, lily, lipstick, clove, and tobacco. It's a little warmer than some of the other fragrances on this list, but it's not a heavy winter floral. The lily, peach, and freesia keep things fresh and bright. It's sensual, very feminine, very classic, and very, very exciting.
No. 11 Fig Candle by Lavune
If you're looking for the perfect fig candle, this is it. It's straight-up fig, all the green, sharp notes, but with a woodiness that keeps it from going too jammy or floral. That green sharpness is really nice.
This is a candle for slow days at home, windows open, nothing on the agenda. It feels lived-in and grounded but still very fresh, like you're sitting near a fig tree in the late afternoon shade. I haven't burned it yet so I can't speak to the hot throw, but it looks gorgeous and simple, and I have a feeling it's going to make its debut on the summer solstice. Figs just feel right for that.
The Haunted Tea-Cosy Room Spray by Heretic
One of the most underrated parts of summer is a good rainstorm day: windows open, the smell of fresh air drifting in, the sound of rain, and maybe a breeze if you're really lucky. This is the room spray that pairs perfectly with that moment.
Inspired by tea, it has notes of bergamot, black tea, tobacco, and musk. The way this smells is just so cozy and consuming. It makes you want to relax, slow down, and just be for a little while.
There's something nostalgic about it too. It reminds me of the movie Clue, which I know is a murder mystery, but it was one I watched constantly as a kid. You've got this thundering, stormy atmosphere, a nostalgic warmth, and a faintly spooky, haunting quality. It just captures that energy perfectly.
Plush Vetiver by P.F. Candle Co.
I love Palm Springs at night. There's something about it that feels warm and cool at the same time, very healing, very dry. This candle captures it really, really well.
Notes of eucalyptus, cedar leaf, beetroot, iris, patchouli, lily of the valley, vetiver, amber, sandalwood, and cashmere musk. The amber and sandalwood keep things grounded, luxurious, and cozy, while the patchouli, eucalyptus, and cedar leaf bring that dry, healing, centering quality. Together they balance into something musky, earthy, and beautifully soft.
P.F. Candle Co. was my entryway into mid-priced candles, and I really love their collections. Great quality for a very reasonable price, and they fill a space wonderfully.
Armenia Paper by Santa Maria Novella
These don't belong to any particular season for me; I tend to burn them all year round. But I wanted to include them here for that transitional moment between summer and fall, when it's still warm but you're starting to crave something cozier without being quite ready for apple and cinnamon yet.
They're super easy to use. Just light the paper in a vessel you're okay with burning in. I use a cute little marble plate that does the job perfectly. The scent is spicy, resinous, warm, and sensual, but not overpowering at all. It's a quick little blip of fragrance that's really lovely for starting your day, especially on mornings when you've got a lot of work ahead and just want to begin with a little intention.
Discovery Set by Brooklyn Candle Studio
I've really gotten into discovery sets lately for both fragrance and candles. It's just so fun to have a collection of little options. This one is a steeper price point, but these are full-sized candles that burn up to 30 hours each, and you get to pick from several different scents, so it evens out.
Brooklyn Candle Studio makes some of the best candles out there. I love how clean they burn and how well they fill a space. For summer, I'd recommend Santorini, with notes of fig, red currant, and sandalwood for a very Mediterranean feel. Their Sunday Morning scent is actually my personal favorite from the brand; it has notes of pear, bergamot, and gardenia and smells like the perfect clean white T-shirt. Easy, fresh, and completely effortless.
Marrakesh and Santa Fe are also worth exploring. With 14 scents to choose from and a set of six for $95, it's a pretty solid deal.
Summer is short, so you might as well make it smell incredible. Light something beautiful, pour yourself a drink, and enjoy every single second of it.
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