In the 1950s, at the height of modern domesticity, baking cookies for open houses became a go-to strategy among real estate agents. It was thought that the rich smell of butter and caramelised sugar would evoke a nostalgic sense of homeliness, comfort and happiness in prospective buyers. Oftentimes, it worked.

In that cosy spirit, we round up the candles, incense, room mists and diffusers that’ll have your home feeling like the best of hugs – much like those cookies. Better yet, they’re all made in Australia so you can feel good about supporting local businesses, too.

Candles

Who doesn’t love a fragrant candle? Especially when it’s Aussie-made, and from natural ingredients that won’t pollute your living space. Look beyond the mass-produced brands and discover soy candles by Red Hill Candle Co (our pick is the Australian Outback scent from its heavenly new Australiana collection); hand-poured ones from Conscious Candle Co (the French pear nectar is chef’s kiss); and Beloved Scents (try something from the Empowered Goddess collection).

Whether you gravitate towards sweet, citrus, woody or earthy fragrances, all of these brands offer an impressive range. Did we mention Conscious Candle Co makes what might just be Australia’s longest-burning soy candle, with a burn time of 100 hours?

Diffusers

Diffusers are excellent for perfuming the home because, unlike candles, you can set and forget. Leave the headache-inducing diffusers at supermarkets and chemists and reach for an Australian brand that makes ones that emit just the right amount of scent to accent your room of choice. The wonderfully fresh diffuser oil in honey and lemon myrtle by Viam Organics is a favourite, and Dindi Naturals does refills you can add to your existing diffuser once empty. We’re fans of the Wild Orange scent.

Room mists

Room mists are like the cherry on top of a clean, calm space. Once you’ve made your bed and picked your clothes off the floor, or fluffed and karate-chopped the cushions on your couch, a spray or four of room mist will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into the pages of a glossy interiors magazine. Denu has a really great range (we recommend the Relaxing spray, with notes of lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon and geranium), as does Wattle Grove Eucalyptus Oil, whose Sleep room mist – with ylang-ylang, bergamot and lavender – works magic. Bon Savvy’s multipurpose Charmant is another goodie.

Incense and more

There’s something dreamy about incense. Lighting a stick is like a precious ritual, and the delicate line of smoke is transporting. Melbourne brand Exuro makes incense to suit all moods, from happy and focused to cleansing, for when your mind (or home) needs a refresh.

Home fragrances go beyond candles, diffusers, room sprays and incense. Dindi Naturals does some beautiful boxed soap, like the clean, refreshing Fir Needle, which can be used for washing, or as a scent for your bathroom or wardrobe. There are also wonderful smelling laundry washes, like Bon Savvy’s Malibu Mojito-scented sports wash; toilet deodorisers (aka poo drops) including this one from Wattle Grove; and Beloved Scents’ Peony Petals wax melts.

Next time you’re in the market for a home fragrance, look out for the iconic green and gold Australian Made logo. Not only will your home smell delightful, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve supported a local business and all the people involved – growers, makers, retail assistants – and blessed the lucky nasal passages of anyone who visits your abode.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australian Made. Support local manufacturers, makers and growers during Australian Made Week, running nationally from May 18 to 24.