There is something very snuggly about autumn.  The outside is glorious with its reds, oranges, and yellows, and it’s not too cold, yet, so fall walks are appealing.  However, it’s just chilly enough to pull out blankets and sweaters and wrap your hands around big mugs of hot chocolate.

For sure, certain aromas are associated with the fall season and bring about warmth, nostalgia, and cozy smiles.  A home filled with the scents of cinnamon, pine, apples, cloves, and nutmeg can help to make you feel warm, comforted, and even a little festive.

There are a few ways that you can achieve an autumn-scented home without much fuss, cost, or the use of questionable chemical store-bought air fresheners. Here are a few ideas for you to play with this fall season and make your house smell like an autumn hug.

1.  Make a Simmer Pot

Simmer pots are a great, easy, and cheap option for filling your house with delicious smells.  The great thing is that you will likely have everything you need on hand already.  First of all, get a pot and fill it with water.  Next, toss in some classic autumn spices, like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, ginger, and allspice.  You can even slice up some oranges or apples and toss those in, too.  To be less wasteful, you can always just use the peel from a previously eaten orange.

Pop your pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat.  After that, you just leave the pot on a very low simmer, sit back, and enjoy the wafts of sugar and spice drifting from your kitchen.

2.  Burn Fall-Inspired Essential Oils

Another great way to spread autumn joy around the place is to burn seasonal essential oils.  Think about using one, or a blend, of the following oils— rosemary, clove, orange, lemon, pine, oregano, cinnamon, or ginger.  You might already have an oil burner, or you can make one yourself out of recycled materials.

You can actually make an oil burner from an old tin can.  Take a used clean can and CAREFULLY cut out a space in the side of it that is big enough for you to put a tea candle inside.  Next, you need to find a ceramic dish or saucer that fits safely and snuggly on the top.  A metal lid that fits a mason jar is actually a great size and fits inside the top of the can. Fill the dish or lid with water and drop in some essential oil.  Light a tea candle and pop it inside the can.  You’ll have 3-4 hours of heavenly autumn-scented air.

3. Bake Something Festive

Source: Pumpkin Spice Squares/One Green Planet

This is just a win-win situation.  You get to have a house filled with delicious and irresistible fall smells and you have an excuse to make some fun treats.  Think about all of those festive flavors that you love to eat this time of year—apples, raisins, cinnamon, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.  You’ll have autumnal smells emanating from your kitchen and folk drawing in to find out what’s cooking.

Have a go at making these yummy Pumpkin Spice Squares or these Cinnamon Baked Apples.  If that isn’t enough, you could turn out a batch of these Flourless Chocolate cupcakes with Spiced Sweet Potato Frosting and really become popular.

4.  Make a Fall Scented Air-Freshener

Rather than filling your house with eyebrow-raising store-bought air freshener, try making your own.  So long as you have a few simple items, you can be in control of what you spritz into the air and what you breathe in.

First of all, you need to get a glass spray bottle.  You can find these easily online.  Fill your bottle three-quarters of the way up with distilled water and then add your essential oils.  Again, you can have a play around with this just as you would if you were burning the oils.  Use a single oil or make up a blend.  Just be sure to pick some yummy autumnal-inspired scents.  Lastly, you need to top off the bottle with some vodka to help preserve the oils.  Then, get spritzing!

5.  Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones

Here is a cheap, fun, and crafty option, especially if you live in a place where you can go out and forage your own pinecones.  First, find some pinecones.  Next, bake your pinecones in the oven at 200F for about 25 minutes to dry them out.  KEEP AN EYE on them and whip them out if you detect any burning. Let them cool.

There are a couple of different ways of scenting your pinecones. One way is to spritz them with a mixture of water and cinnamon essential oil.  This is a great option if you want to rejuvenate them as the smell diminishes.  Another way is to put your pinecones in a ziplock bag and douse them with cinnamon essential oil.  Seal the bag and allow the oil to permeate the pinecones.  The longer you leave them, the stronger the smell.

Once you are happy with your pinecones, you can either display them in a bowl on the coffee table or make a festive garland by stringing the cones together.

Related Content:

• Cool Ways to Make Your House Smell Like Fall (No Chemicals Required!)
• 9 Hacks to Make Your House Smell Great Without Any Dangerous Chemicals
• 3 Ingredients in Candles that Harm People, Animals and the Planet (and What to Choose Instead!)

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