Richly scented candles - have you thought of these options?

  It not a real surprise to find that most people think that scent is the most important factor influencing their choice of a candle. The only real surprise is that so many people don't take advantage of the many ways of using richly scented candles.

Think outside the box. Why not use richely scented candles outdoors as well as indoors? For example, on a warm summer evening the refreshing citrus smell of citronella will keep away unwelcome insects, and with careful placement will not become intrusive....

And indoors, where better to use scented candles than in the bathroom, either to pamper yourself as you prepare for a romantic evening, or to set the mood for an even more romantic finale, perhaps by choosing the sensual fragrance of ylang ylang?

In general, richly scented candles can have a dramatic impact on your mood, and help you set the atmosphere for the rest of the evening.

Some scented candle thought-starters.

While food and scent don't mix, you can certainly set the tone before a meal. If it's near Christmas, or if you've chosen an eastern theme, how better to induce the right mood than with spicy scents, or even with a candle studded with cloves or cinnamon?

Scented candles, of course, contain scent rather than essential oils. But if you want more of a mood change, what about aromatherapy scented candles?

Want to relax? Try lavender.

Need reviving or a livelier party? Use bergamot or rosemary.

There are so many ways to use scented candles. You can match colors and scents - citrus with yellow and orange candles, lavender with blue or mauve.

What better way to welcome a guest staying the night than with a beautiful scented candle?

And surely a scented candle is a better way to freshen any space than a room freshener?

Scented candles offer an embarrassment of possibilities, and with these ideas in mind, the selected manufacturers reviewed on this page are happy to offer you more choices than you dreamed existed.