When you’re striving to encourage an all-natural home, you quickly realize that some things are easy and some things are hard, like scents for instance. Summer scents are easy to produce naturally in your home because so many DIY cleaning solutions require citrus and lavender. But when it comes to making your home smell like fall, it can be frustrating to naturally achieve that warm cinnamon-y scent in your home without heading to Bath and Body Works.

Well, it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think! There are many interesting and creative ways to recreate those fall scents without turning to store bought air fresheners. Take a look at these 25 DIY ways to make your home smell like fall without sacrificing your all-natural goal.

What Are the Scents Used to Smell Like Fall?

Before diving into how to make your home smell like fall with some DIY projects, you may be wondering what constitutes as a fall scent. Below is a list of the most common scents that people generally associate with the fall season.

PumpkinPumpkin SpiceApple CinnamonPecanChaiSandalwoodBonfireBrown SugarVanillaLeavesFlannelPine

Of course, these aren’t all the scents that remind people of the fall season, but these are the major ones. So if you want your home to truly smell like fall, you will want to incorporate these scents into your DIY air freshener.

When Should You Use Fall Scents?

Some of the projects on this list will smell so good that you will want to leave them out to smell them all year long! Unfortunately, this would ruin the novelty of fall scents, which is why you should only leave them out for a portion of the year.

Fall scents are generally acceptable once the weather begins to cool. This is usually in late September to early October, but in some locations, it begins to cool off even earlier—in early September—and these people are lucky because they can then smell their fall scents even longer!

You can keep your fall scents out until the beginning of the Christmas, or winter, season. This is usually the beginning of December for most people, but some choose to wait until mid-December. At this time you should switch to Christmas or winter scents.

Why Should My Home Smell Like Fall?

The main reason you should take the time to make one of these amazing air fresheners on this list is because you will feel better when you have an amazing smelling home to go to after work. You will love walking in the door to the smells of the season—this will really help you destress after a long day at work.

Besides that, the people you live with will also receive the same benefit. Not to mention that your friends and family when you entertain will enjoy smelling the scents of fall in your home as well. Basically, there is no reason for your home not to smell like fall!

How Do I Pick a Fall Scent For My Home?

As amazing as all the fall scents are, you, unfortunately, can’t use them all in your home. This is because too many conflicting smells will make your home smell worse than not having used a scent at all. Instead, you should use the following tips to narrow down your selection to just one scent for your home.

1. Pick Your Favorite

This one is a no brainer. If you have a favorite scent, then make your entire house smell like that scent. Love pumpkin spice? Go crazy and make your entire home smell like pumpkin spice.

2. Match Your Theme

For those that have more than one favorite and are having trouble narrowing it down to just one scent, you should take your décor theme into consideration. For example, if your home has more of a log cabin, pine needle décor style, you should go with an outside scent like pine or campfire. But when you have pumpkins covering every available surface, it is probably better to go with a pumpkin scent.

3. Be Mindful of Allergies When Making Your Home Smell Like Fall

When you live alone, picking a scent is no problem because you are the individual that will be smelling it the majority of the time. Roommates or family complicates things, as you must take their preferences into mind before you make your decision. This is especially true with outdoor scents like pine, as these can aggravate some people’s allergies. Mild scents like vanilla and flannel are generally safer choices in a home where someone has allergies.

Have a scent in mind for your home? Time to take a look at these 20 DIY ways to make your home smell like fall without breaking the bank!

Easy DIY Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall

1. Make Your Own Candles

Candles are maybe the easiest way to fill your home with any scent. Just light and smell.

You can make your own soy candles with any fall scented essential oil you choose. Plus these have a wooden wick that will crackle like a bonfire inside when lit. (via eHow)

2. Simmer Your Own Spices to Smell Like Fall

Everybody knows that simmer pots are a great all-natural fall scent solution. But you can take that one step further and make your own spices for mulled wine. Not only will it make your kitchen smell amazing, but you’ll also get a nice cozy drink out of it. (via Hello Natural)

3. Cook Some Pumpkin Spice

Speaking of simmer pots, how would you like your home to smell like a pumpkin spice latte all autumn long? I certainly wouldn’t mind either. And this recipe uses all natural ingredients that you just combine and turn up the heat! (via Free People)

4. Hang a Rosemary Wreath

I’ve always thought that herbs are a cozy smell. Craft some fresh rosemary into a mini wreath and hang one wherever you want the scent. Or, you know, make one for every room in the house. (via The Pretty Blog)

5. Scented Play Doh for Kids

Many mothers are nervous about lighting candles or having the stove on all day. To get that fall scent without the heat, make your kids this scented playdough! Not only will they love the activity, but you’ll also get to enjoy the smell of cinnamon. (via Small and Friendly)

6. Soak Pinecones in Essential Oils

Fall scents that act as decorations are the best and that describe these pinecones perfectly. Gather some on your next nature walk and soak them in cinnamon essential oil.

Then place them in a bowl on your coffee table or kitchen counter for a lovely fall decoration that smells like autumn too. (via Where Your Treasure Is)

7. Leather Scented Bookmark

Nothing is cozier in the fall than curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. Wouldn’t it be even lovelier to be greeted with the scent of apples or cinnamon or cloves every time you open the cover? This leather bookmark project makes that possible. (via Sweet Roots)

8. Scented Dough Ornaments

If you have kids, you might have already made scented salt dough ornaments for Christmas… but why stop there? Use your fall cookie cutters and golden glitter to make beautiful warm scented leaves to hang around the house. Make sure there’s an extra batch to gift to Grandma! (via Fun at Home with Kids)

9. Concoct DIY Smell Like Fall All-Natural Room Spray

You’ll hear about essential oils a lot in this post, but you’ll find that they are your best friend when it comes to all-natural scents. This room spray is no different.

Combine your favorite fall smells into a spray bottle with some vodka and you’ll have a room spray to use all winter long. (via Hello Natural)

10. Dried Lavender Sachets

Everyone makes these little sachets with dried lavender, but I’m going to suggest something a little different. Use a mixture of herbs, cinnamon stick pieces, and cloves for a fall scent that will invade your drawers and closets and wherever else you put the little pouches. (via Francois et Moi)

11. Fall Scented Homemade Spiced Sugar Scrub

You can argue that wherever you are will smell like fall, right? So whipping up this spiced latte brown sugar scrub will not only become a shower necessity, your home will smell like a spiced latte wherever you are. (via Bumble Bree)

12. Cinnamon Orange Flameless Air Freshener

Here’s another great solution for a flame-less fall scent! This all-natural cinnamon orange air freshener would be the perfect fall touch for your guest room this season. Especially if you’re expecting out-of-town family for Thanksgiving. (via Shaken Together)

13. Clean Your Bathroom With Scented Scouring Powder

If your bathroom cleaning essentials can smell like summer, why not make them smell like fall? This recipe uses cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda to create an all-natural scouring powder that will leave your bathroom smelling like an apple pie. (via Hello Natural)

14. Have the Kids Play With Scented Rice

When those fall rains start sprinkling and the little ones get restless, it’s always a good idea to have some indoor activities on hand. This fall scented rice is the perfect project to keep little fingers busy and your house smelling lovely at the same time. (via Growing a Jeweled Rose)

15. Craft Some Smell Like Fall Potpourri

Potpourri is kind of an old fashioned way to capture the autumn scents. But there are ways to make it fit with your decor!

Like using a crystal jar and lace and moss to make it feel more terrarium-like and less like a “grandma’s bathroom”. (via Free People)

16. Set Out Reed Diffusers

Reed diffusers are an easy way to diversify the scents in your home without much effort. Fill yours with essential oils that smell like fall. Think cinnamon and clove or go with orange and rosemary.

17. Smell Like Fall Scented Wooden Trivets

Did you know that you can make scented wood? That’s right.

Just soak the piece in your favorite essential oil and then craft these wooden trivets. Every time you put a pot of soup on top, you’ll smell a hint of cinnamon or apple or whatever oil you used. (via A Beautiful Mess)

18. Scented Apple Pie Play Set

Kids so enjoy being a part of the kitchen happenings, but sometimes you just want to bake an apple pie all by yourself. So you can make this little pie play set for your minis that even smells like apple pie! Then you can bake yours in peace. (via Study at Home Mama)

19. Scented Fire Starters

Whether you have a fireplace or a fire pit, you’re going to want to make these spice and herb fire starters. Then wrap up in your coziest sweater and enjoy the ultimate fall smell that will bring out the neighbors. (via Hello Natural)

20. Homemade Car Air Freshener

Don’t forget the car! Craft this little magnetic holder in a few minutes and insert a cotton ball with your fall scented essential oil of your choice. This will make morning commutes much more bearable. (via Frugally Blonde)

21. Alcohol-Free Smell Like Fall Air Freshener Spray

Like the idea of the aforementioned DIY room spray but don’t like the idea of mixing your essential oils with vodka? Check out this alternative recipe for a spray air freshener from Taste of Home that is alcohol-free. Instead, you will be mixing your essential oils with water and baking soda to keep your home smelling fresh.

22. Blended Essential Oil Spray

Can’t decide between a couple of different essential oil scents for your home? Combine two or more using these air freshener spray recipes from The Prarie Homestead. The spicy chai recipe requires 4 different essential oils mixed together, but combined these make an amazing fall scent that will ask everyone where you got it!

23. DIY Essential Oils Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is another way to get your home smelling great this fall season. But an actual diffuser can be expensive! Rather than dropping a substantial portion of your next paycheck, follow these simple instructions on The Homemade Experiment for your own DIY essential oil diffuser.

Just boil water with your chosen scent, and then place the boiling water in a mug. As the water cools, the scent will be slowly infused into your home.

24. Pomander Balls Help Your Home Smell Like Fall

Pomander balls are an age-old secret to making your home smell great for fall without any chemicals. You can find this idea on The Spruce, but it basically just requires taking some candied oranges and pressing your favorite spice into them.

The example mentions cloves, but you could certainly do this with cinnamon or even chai depending on your preferences.

25. DIY Fall Scent Carpet Deodorizer

Are there other scents messing with your ability to make your home smell like fall? Chances are these are coming from your carpet or furniture.

The good news is, you can make this homemade carpet deodorizer from Puddles and Pine that will allow you to put your favorite fall scented essential oils directly into your carpet. This will leave your home smelling fresh and like the scent you want for days to come.

FAQ About Getting Your Home to Smell Like Fall

How Do You Describe a Fall Scent?

A fall scent is any scent that you associate with the autumn season. This can be both indoors or outdoors, and includes many earthy or warm and cozy smells.

What Do You Use to Give Items a Scent?

Generally, essential oils are used to infuse products with a particular scent. Essential oils can be used for candles, wood, dough, and a number of other products.

Is a DIY Air Freshener as Good as One You Buy at the Store?

DIY air fresheners can actually freshen your home and smell more strongly than a store-bought air freshener depending on what you use when you make it!

Are DIY Air Fresheners Good For People With Allergies?

Yes! People who have allergies tend to do better with DIY air fresheners because they can more easily control he ingredients that are going into them and can leave out any ingredients they are allergic to.

What is the Best Scent to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall?

What the best fall scent is will generally depend on your personal preferences, but most people love the pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon scent best during the fall season.

Ready, Set, Scentify!

Now that you’ve read this article, you should have quite a few ideas of how your home can smell like fall all season long. Whether you choose to make your own spray or use scented cleaning products, you’ll have the amazing smell of fall in your house without breaking your budget. Just be prepared for your friends to constantly ask where you got your fall scent products!