Does fall make you want to pull out the blankets and curl up by the fireplace? Even if the weather is still warm where you live, you can create your own homemade potpourri for fall to create that cozy atmosphere…no matter what the weather is like outside.
I love fall! It’s without a doubt my absolute favorite time of year. One of the best things about fall is the wonderful smells that come from the kitchen as cooks everywhere return to kitchens and plan for holiday gatherings.
But even if you’re not anxious to be in the kitchen there’s no reason you can’t duplicate those lovely smells in your home. Creating your own homemade potpourri for fall enables you to have a lovely smelling home without spending time cooking.
It’s easier than you think.
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My favorite smells are always the food smells: Cinnamon, cloves, apples, pumpkin, oranges, lavender, vanilla – they all bring to mind the wonderful fall season along with the cool rush of air that signals the coming of the fall holidays.
Depending on the smells you like, you can make different potpourri recipes to bring out that smell and feeling.
All you need is dried flowers, zest, cloves, cinnamon sticks, apples, pumpkins, other fall-scented plants and water. Try different combinations to see what makes your house smell best. You can also try these same ingredients and leave in dishes around your house to bring up those smells for your home.
You can dry flowers, fruit, and more at home yourself just using your oven or by hanging the arrangements upside down in a dry place. If you have a dehydrator, you can use that instead.
Or you can use an oven, parchment paper and a low temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours until the fruit or flowers are completely dried. Alternatively, you can buy already dried ingredients and spices, as well as oils to make everything smell even stronger.
Don’t be afraid to bring in things from the outside that you like. Leaves, a cutting off a plant or tree, or anything else that looks pretty will add a nice touch to your potpourri.
And of course, using items from our kitchen is the perfect way to add great smells to our home.
I’m partial to cinnamon, cloves, oranges, vanilla, and coffee (yes, you can add some coffee grounds to your homemade potpourri for a delicious scent).
Recipes to make homemade potpourri for fall
Lavender and Spice and Everything Nice
1 bunch dried lavender
1 TBS ground nutmeg
1 TBS whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
2 cups water
Add to a small slow cooker on low with the lid on it. Keep going all day by adding water as needed.
Dried Apple Spice Potpourri
1 cup apple slices, dried
2 TBS ground cinnamon
2 TBS whole cloves
1/4 TBS allspice berries
2 TBS Otis root powder
10 cinnamon sticks
10 small pine cones
Cinnamon oil
Combine into a jar big enough for the pine cones to fit, put the lid on tightly and shake. Add as much cinnamon oil as you think you need to make it smell as you wish. After a couple of weeks, you can remove the pine cones with tongs and allow to dry. The smell should stay. Put in a basket and leave on a dresser or bathroom counter to bring fall smells inside.
Orange Spice Potpourri
10 slices freshly dried oranges
1 bunch of pine cones
1/4 cup star anise
10 cinnamon sticks
1/4 cup whole cloves
Bowl
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl using as much as you need to fill the bowl that you’re using to help impart the scent to the house. You can add whole oranges, flowers, rocks and other elements to the mix to make it look extra special for the fall.
Anything that smells good and makes you think of fall can be an ingredient in your homemade potpourri. From dried pumpkin, dried berries, to cloves and coffee, the only thing limiting you is your imagination. Use these ideas to get started creating a delicious smelling homemade potpourri.
What are your favorite fall smells?
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More ideas to help you love your home:
Follow these 4 Principles For Clutter-Free Fall Decor to add seasonal touches without a lot of fuss.
In A Frugal Idea To make Your Home Smell Good you’ll learn a quick and easy tip to get more mileage out of your favorite candles.
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