The Power of Fragrance in the Workplace
What can you experience in just 13 milliseconds, instantly trigger memories from decades ago, and influence how you feel before you’ve even realised it?
the answer is: smell!
When planning a fitout, businesss naturally focus on the layout, furniture and finishes. But could something as subtle as scent make a meaningful difference to how employees and visitors experience the space?
Why Scent Matters
The workplace is no longer simply somewhere people come to work. It’s an environment that should encourage collaboration, creativity, focus and wellbeing.
Introducing subtle, carefully selected fragrances can help influence the overall atmosphere of a workspace. While scent alone won’t transform productivity, it can contribute to creating an environment that feels calmer, cleaner and more welcoming.
A thoughtfully fragranced reception creates a positive first impression for visitors, while breakout areas can feel more relaxing and restorative. Meeting rooms can become more inviting, and collaborative spaces can feel brighter and more energised.
Choosing the Right Fragrance
In order to make fragrance work in a space, balance is key.
Popular workplace fragrances include:
- Citrus notes to create a fresh, energising environment
- Lavendar in wellbeing or breakout spaces to encourage relaxation
- Soft natural scents such as cotton or eucalyptus to reinforce feelings of freshness
The objective isn’t for people to consciously notice the fragrance. Instead, it should quietly contribute to the overall experience of the space.
Designing with the Five Senses
Every decision made during an office fitout has the potential to influence one of our five senses. Natural light affects our mood, acoustic design shapes how we communicate, finishes determine how a space feels to touch, and fragrance influences our perception of an environment.
When these elements are designed to work together, they create a workplace that is experienced, not just seen.