There are organizations that categorize odors based primarily on colors and color classifications. However, we believe this is only one of many possible approaches and not always fully useful. Nevertheless, we think it is important enough to share this interesting and comprehensive view with you.
The effect of smell
The human olfactory system has a direct connection to the limbic system in the brain, where memory and memories are also stored. Moreover, this is where our emotions are formed.
Scents contain a wealth of information about our memories and emotions. When we sniff a scent, our brain takes in this information through our nervous system and links it to stored memories, emotions and other information. This results in an attraction to or repulsion from the environment in which we find ourselves. Of course, as a retailer or brand representative, the goal is not to trigger divestment.
When the information contained in a scent connects with other external stimuli such as color, music, taste and touch, a harmonious interaction occurs and the scent has a positive influence on our well-being and emotions. In contrast, if the perceived smell does not connect, it can cause strong repulsion because our sense of smell has the most influence on our emotions compared to our other senses.
Based on this premise, an “scent route plan” can be created. The purpose of this plan is to choose an appropriate fragrance that suits the user’s intended purpose. For this we use color charts.
Frangrances in commercial spaces
What should you consider in scent marketing?
First, it is important to identify the goal:
- Do you want to communicate your business more clearly to your target audience and make it more recognizable, thus increasing your differentiation factor?
- Do you want to create a certain atmosphere that will make your target audience stay longer in your store or business and allow you to present more products or services? In other words, do you want to enhance the experience?
- Want to make sure your brand or product stands out from your competitors?
For the first goal, the scent is intended to have a positive impact on the company’s appearance. The second goal involves trying to create a specific “mood” or atmosphere that makes people want to stay in the store or business longer, with the ultimate goal of making the product or brand more appealing. The latter goal specifically involves fragrances that fit brands’ identities, enhancing their recognition and memorability. Think of clothing brands, car brands (with a new car smell), and so on.
In addition, it is important to describe the concept in which the fragrance is applied. It is essential to know which audience the scent is aimed at and what other environmental influences are perceived. All these aspects must be aligned to achieve the best results.
Ultimately, the choice of fragrance is determined by the colors used. Here we come to fragrance selection based on color ratings. People can automatically and easily think of a color when they smell odors. The stronger the correlation between the two, the more natural and natural the scent is perceived and the more effective scent marketing is.
Therefore, we summarized different emotions into colors, with each color paired with some of our own scents for illustration. In this way, they reinforce each other, trigger our limbic system in harmony and positively influence our emotions. Thus, the final chosen scent contains the right information to best support your product, service or brand and convey the right message to your target audience.
Color classification, scents and emotions
Below is an overview of 14 different colors with their corresponding Scents fragrances. It is an example to demonstrate how scent choice can be determined. Many other factors come into play, of course. This approach must therefore be complemented by the influence of our other senses that are stimulated while perceiving smells before a final choice is made.
1. Yellow: sunny, radiant and happy
Scents fragrances
- Lemon and Lime
- Summer Fresh
- Lemongrass
- Bergamot
- Lime-Tree Blossom
- Lime
- Pineapple
- Pineapple
- Summer Feeling
- Holiday One
2. Bright orange: strength, cheerful, relaxed and determined
Scents fragrances
- Orange
- Sunny Day
- Licorice store
- English licorice
- Peach
- Peach-Papaya
- Florenz
- Arabian Charm
- Grapefruit
3. Dark orange: quiet, comfortable, pleasant, intimate, cozy
Scents fragrances
- Cinnamon Sensation
- Holy Night
- Appel-Kaneel Broodjes
- Cinnamon
- Orange Cinnamon Roll
- Speculoos
- Sugared Almonds
- Apple Pie
- Belgian waffle
- Café Noir
- Capp. Cacoa
- Chocolate coffee
- Chocolate – Orange
- Bakery
- Bread
- Walnut
- Sandelwood Gold
4. Red: spirited, passionate, heartfelt and sultry
Scents fragrances
- Fresh strawberries
- Roses
- Rosegarden
- Christmas Day
- Flowershop
- Raspberry
5. Dark green: bright, vibrant, clean and fresh
Scents fragrances
- Foggy jungle
- Gras
- Eucalyptus
- Mountain Pine
- Christmas Day
- Dennenbos
- Tomaat – Basilicum
- Cedar Hout
- Bamboo
6. Bright green: vibrant, zesty and fresh
Scents fragrances
- Appel (Groen)
- Apple-Vanilla
- Apple-Mint
- Melon
- Melon-Tonic
7. Deep blue: fresh, serene, calm, pure and bright
Scents fragrances
- Spearmint
- Roses
- Algues Zeewater fris & zilt
- Blue
- Pacific Ocean
- Water
- Cool Breeze
- North Sea
- Wave
- Anise
8. Pink: sweet, soft, cute and feminine
Scents fragrances
- Fresh strawberries
- Orchid
- French Glam
- Rosegarden
- Hyacinth
- Jasmine
- Fleur d’Amour
9. Purple: sultry, feminine and voluptuous
Scents fragrances
- Flowershop
- Glamour
- Lavender
- Lavendin
- Victoria
- Emily
- Maria
10. Lilac: stylish, superior and luxurious
Scents fragrances
- Glamour
- Red Force
- Rio World
- Shop de Luxe
11. Soft yellow: clean, pure and pure
Scents fragrances
- Hotelkamer
- Fresh Laundry
- Fresh Linen
- Anise
- Clean air
- Sky
- Fresh Office
- Winter vibes
12. Light brown: fierce, sultry and sultry
Scents fragrances
- Roasted coffee beans
- Rook-BBQ
- Chocolade
- Chocolate
- Chocolate – Hazelnut
- Chocolate – Nougat
- Chocolate – Orange
- Mint – Chocolade
- Wonders of Nepal
- Colors of Autumn
13. Dark brown: rustic, worldly, masculine and reliable
Scents fragrances
- Foggy jungle
- Wax wax
- Leather
- Classic
- Leather
- Leather-Intense
- Cedar Wood
- Sandelwood
- Leather Sandelwood
- Ambre d’Haute
- Musk
- Leather Musk
- Morsal
- New Car Noble
- New Car Ambiente
14. Black: rigid, artistic, secretive and masculine
Scents fragrances
- Red Force
- Constante
- Shop de Luxe
- Secret Desire
- Le Patron
- Ken