Make the Kitchen Cozy with an Easy Stovetop Potpourri

While my apartment is spacious enough, the kitchen is small and one of the first rooms visitors see when they enter. One of my go-to methods for drawing attention away from the limited space is to put the emphasis on another aspect.

Appealing to other senses, whether through the sound of soothing music or the scent of freshly baked cookies, shifts the focus from the size of a space and makes the room more comfortable and welcoming.

I am no stranger to small kitchens. For the last seven years, I lived in Amsterdam, where maximizing small spaces is considered an art form. Now living in Portland, I am tapping into my experience to enhance the coziness of a small kitchen through the cold, winter months.

Creating a cozy atmosphere gives guests a warm welcome, no matter the size of the space. This is especially important for a small kitchen, where guests naturally gravitate during a gathering.

An easy way to do this is with homemade potpourri. Set a pot simmering on the stove and greet guests with the scent of pine or lavender wafting through the air. Simply mix a few fresh ingredients, herbs, or spices of your choosing in a large pot of water. Set to simmer, stirring occasionally and refresh the water throughout the evening.

Here are a few recommended blends to get you started:

• Apples, cinnamon, cloves
• Lemon, rosemary, vanilla
• Pine branches, orange, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon sticks, cranberries
• Lemon, orange, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves
• Lavender, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon
• Orange, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves

Enjoy the way the aroma infuses your house with life and makes your guests feel at home no matter how small the space.