The Clever Way To Use A Candle Warmer To Keep Your House Smelling Great

There's a reason real estate agents are known to pop a batch of chocolate chip cookies into the oven right before a showing: scent impacts how we perceive a space. But you don't need to whip out the mixer every time you want your home to smell great. A couple of clever DIYers have come up with a new way to transform your home's scent: adding a bowl of your favorite coffee beans to water and turning on your candle warmer.

Candle warmers have been trending over the last few years and for good reason. Originally modeled after the hot plate (yes, like the one in your old college dorm room), these devices create low heat, gently melting candle wax to release the scent without flame. Similarly, when the coffee beans are exposed to heat, their volatile organic compounds — the stuff responsible for coffee's delicious smell — are activated. The water then helps diffuse the beans' scent, creating that coffee shop scent in your home. Plus, the nitrogen naturally found in coffee can help get rid of any unpleasant odors. Want to try it? All you need are your trusty candle warmer, a heat-safe bowl, whole coffee beans, and hot water for an easy way to make your house smell good.

If you've ever hacked your candle warmer to make a simmer pot without the stove, you're in luck: the process is essentially the same. First, heat your water. DIYers generally agree that the water needs to be hot, but how hot? Lean more towards brewing temperatures to wake up the coffee beans' scent. If you have an electric kettle or thermometer, aim for around 195 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, bring your water to a boil, then switch off the heat, and wait for 30 seconds to get the ideal temperature.

Pour the water into a heat-safe bowl or cup, then place it on your candle warmer. Next, add the beans. How much? It depends on the size of your space, how high your warmer is set, and — perhaps most importantly — how much you like the smell of coffee. We found recipes with anywhere from 2 tablespoons to ½ cup of beans, so try different amounts and see what smells best to you. Turn your candle warmer on and let the scent fill the air. Remember to keep an eye on the water level and refill as needed.

One thing we love about this hack is how easy it is to personalize. By adding in a little something extra, you can create a unique home scent — for example, slide in a citrus peel for brightness, a cinnamon stick for spice, or vanilla for a lovely sweetness. Don't be afraid to experiment: if you like the way that flavor tastes with coffee, you'll likely love how it smells too.