It is now widely accepted that scent plays a much more central role in our emotions and memories than we might first assume. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that commercial spaces such as gyms, shops, offices, hotels and real estate smell pleasant and inviting. It helps customers to have a positive first impression and stay loyal to the business.
To help you make the best choice for your commercial scent diffuser, it’s helpful to understand the composition of a scent. The formula is made up of fragrance notes, sometimes also known as perfume notes. They come together in a harmonious symphony, much like musical notes, to form a unique scent.
Fragrance notes are categorised into three sections: the top notes, the middle notes, and the base notes. It’s helpful to visualise them as a pyramid divided horizontally into three sections, with the base notes in the lower section, the middle notes in the central section, and the top notes in the upper section at the apex.
The top notes are the first aromas to reach your olfactory system when you encounter a fragrance. They are the lightest of the notes, and are often fresh citrus, herb or floral scents such as lemon, peppermint, lavender, and bergamot. These impelling scents don’t last as long as the other notes, typically fading away after about 10 or 20 minutes.
This is when the middle notes will come to the fore. They make up the main body of the fragrance, and are composed of stronger scents that often have a full-bodied floral, spicy, or fruity nature. They may retain some of the qualities of the top notes, but they also round them out with bolder scents such as cinnamon, jasmine, or strawberry.
The base notes are the foundation of the whole fragrance, which are intended to balance out the top and middle notes. They tend to be rich and warm scents such as vanilla, musk, patchouli, or sandalwood. You will find that the base notes underpin the whole fragrance and last far longer than the middle and top notes.
How to choose the right scent notes for a commercial environment
It is possible to choose a ready made fragrance for an industrial diffuser, or you can even commission your very own bespoke fragrance.
To help you make the right selection, consider what effect you want the fragrance to have. For example, if it is for a gym you may wish to choose a scent with predominant fresh and uplifting notes such as citrus. These can bring a feeling of positivity and energy.
A retail store selling luxury designer goods may wish to create a sophisticated scent with an expert blend of top and middle notes and a warm base note. You may even wish to create a portfolio of scents to match the season, or to reflect a range of different settings.
You could also try out different fragrances and ask for feedback from your target audience to help you make the perfect final choice.
