A warm, fresh fragrance is welcoming and inviting and makes guests and residents alike feel at home. Shown clockwise from top left - 'Memories of Paris' by Get Fresh ($30), 'Red Currant' by Votivo ($25), 'Tamarind Lychee' by Thymes ($28), 'Tea Rose and Sage' by Potter & Moore ($36), and 'Scarlet Grapefruit' by Delirium & Co. ($38).

Bridgehampton - You can decorate, design, and fluff pillows to freshen your interiors, but the first thing you notice about any living space is the scent. A warm, fresh fragrance is welcoming and inviting and makes guests and residents alike feel at home. As the staff at Bridgehampton Pharmacy, known as a haven for home fragrances, will tell you, "Fragrances make rooms come alive."

As housewarming or hostess gifts. a simple, glowing candle is a lovely touch. In the case of the very popular brand Thymes it's not just the fragrance that folks notice, it's the lively printed glass and the wide range of scents. Thymes single wick candles in 'Tamarind Lychee' ($28), a combination of refreshing white grapefruit, tamarind, lychee blossom, and zest of yuzu are warmed with aromatic ginger and smooth, creamy coconut milk to awaken and invigorate the senses.

Scents with a sense of humor include the regionally organized fragrances by Get Fresh. Inspired by New York, Paris, Kyoto, and Positano the scents of lemongrass, orange flowers, red rose, jasmine, and more are presented in soy-based waxes ($30) and come in delightful packages. Etched glass jars enhance a room and when filled with rich fragrance even more so as with Potter & Moore's classic English 'Tea Rose and Sage' perfumed candle ($36). Topping the popularity charts when it comes to candles is Votivo ($32). The best-selling 'Red Currant' is fresh and fruity with subtle vanilla notes and will burn for over 55 hours.

Customers are really interested in diffusers says the folks at Hildreth's. 'Fresh Linen' by Hillhouse Naturals ($48) and Agraria Air Essense diffuser in 'Mission Fig' ($110).

New this spring, Delirium & Co. candles are coming to Blue & Cream in East Hampton. The extremely popular 'Scarlet Grapefruit' ($38) comes in a reflective, translucent silver glass jar and is brimming with ruby red grapefruit, red currant, apple, mandarin, jasmine, and amber fragrances and will burn for over 55 hours.

Renee MacBride, bed and bath manager at Hildreth's, says that beyond candles, "Customers are really turning towards diffusers because the scent lasts until the oil is gone. Diffusers are the way to go if you want to scent your room." The masses agree as these sets of oil in glass and wood sticks fly off the shelves in a host of fragrances across the Hamptons. Simple and easy to use - just pour oil into the provided glass jar, insert sticks, and enjoy for months. There is no flame to worry about, no spilled wax, and no smoke marks on the ceiling.

Interior designers favor the 'Clean Crisp White' by Votivo ($56) for its simple scent of sun dried white sheets billowing in the crisp springtime morning and an overwhelming aroma of nothing but clean. Simply luxurious. Perfect In the kitchen, Crabtree & Evelyn's new line of Aromatherapy Distillations room diffuser in 'Revitalize' ($49.50), a blend of lemon, spearmint, and coriander, is energizing and fresh.

Out at Sylvester & Co At Home in Amagansett, Agraria Air Essense diffusers ($110) come with hand-blown glass jars and diffusing reeds in a lovely gift box. Talk about a hostess gift! Another popular diffuser is by Hillhouse Naturals in 'Fresh Linen' ($48) and can be found at Hildreth's. The fragrance is a soft blend of light floral and sunshine.

Whether you use candles, oil diffusers, or even room sprays, keep in mind that some products may stain the fabrics so use a bit of care. For candles, most candles will burn for at least 30 hours as long as you keep the wick trimmed to a quarter-inch, trim before use.

Shopping Guide:
 • Bridgehampton Pharmacy - 2450 Main Street, Bridgehampton, 631-537-8884.
 • Blue & Cream - 60 On The Circle, East Hampton, 631-329-1392, www.blueandcream.com
 • Hildreth's – 51-55 Main Street, Southampton, 631-283-2300, www.hildreths.com.
 • Sylvester & Co. At Home – 154 Main Street, Amagansett, 631-267-9777, www.sylvesterathome.com.