Best Scented Candles for Summer 2023: Shop Luxury Home Fragrance

If you ask someone to describe the scent of summer, you’re sure to get quite a few different replies—some might say salty air or the ocean breeze, while others may associate the season with blooming flowers or fresh cut herbs, or perhaps zesty citrus and lush greenery. Fragrance is personal, but no matter what bouquet you prefer, a luxurious scented candle is a perfect way to bring that summery feeling into your home.

A chic scented candle instantly transforms the atmosphere; it's such an easy and seamless option to update your home for summer. You can also opt for different scented candles depending on your mood; you might want a more uplifting, sunny scent during the daytime, and then light up a soft woodsy or amber-focused bougie for a dinner party or cozy evening at home.

While the official start of the season is June 21, it's never too early to get into the summery mood. There's an elegant summer candle out there for every scent preference, whether you’re into floral, fruity, woodsy, herbal, citrus or anything in between. Below, see the best candles to light up this season.

Subscribe to Observer's Lifestyle Newsletter

All products featured are independently selected by Observer editors. When you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission that supports our work.

All the best summer scented candles to liven up your home decor ambiance for the season.

Carrière Frères's special candle collection with the Paris National Museum of Natural History is so chic for summer, like this lovely waterlily candle, which is both floral and fruity, all in a lovely multicolored vessel.

What better way to get into the summery mindset than with a beautiful bougie that’ll transport you right to the Amalfi Coast, all without leaving your home? This dreamy glass jar candle exudes an aroma of verbena, mandarin, basil and lime, with hints of rose, jasmine, amber and sandalwood. It's a two-wick candle, for an extra bit of indulgence.

This luxe candle is inspired by perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian's childhood in the French countryside, which comes through thanks to the warm and nostalgic amalgam of lavender, thyme and rosemary.

Lafco debuted this dreamy essential oil-based fragrance just in time for summer; it's fresh but complex, with rosemary, casaba melon, cantelope and lime.

Not only does this candle exude an aroma of white florals like jasmine and gardenia, but your purchase also supports a good cause, as profits go to depression research.

This aptly named hand-poured candle will fill your home with a the aroma of a bouquet of wildflowers, golden poppy and herbs, complemented by a touch of citrus and blue agave.

Oribé has long been a haircare favorite, and now the brand has released their first candles, including this captivating scent inspired by the French Riviera; it's a mixture of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine and la mariposa blanca, with an underlying note of sandalwood.

If you’re always dreaming of the ocean, you’ll adore this sea salt votive, with additional hints of oakmoss and cedarwood.

For an elegant orange blossom aroma, try this candle that's inspired by the Caribbean isle of Mustique.

For a citrusy, almost spicy summer fragrance, try this candle, which features notes of lemon, rosemary and ginger with more unexpected hints of oak moss and cardamom.

You simply can't go wrong with anything from Diptyque, but for summer, definitely try out the French fragrance house's rose geranium candle.

Nette's new hand-poured, coconut and soy wax candle is all about the height of summer; it will perfume the room with a mixture of white musk, amber and orris.

Bring on the summertime vibes with this fruity candle, which features a combination of pear, nectarine, rose, jasmine, pink peppercorn, cedar and sandalwood. It's long been a best-seller for Boy Smells.

Trudon's sophisticated orange blossom votive is accompanied by notes of juniper and vanilla, for an elegant and luxe fragrance.

For a more unexpected scent, try this candle that's inspired by those quick summer storms—think damp grass and peonies.

Take a break from the usual fruity and floral summer scents and give this matcha-focused candle a go; it also contains hints of lemongrass and bamboo.

Citrusy scents are so lovely for this season, and we love the combination of mandarin and grapefruit, along with a touch of sandalwood, in this petite bougie.

Those that can't get enough of fruity fragrances won't be able to resist this juicy watermelon, cucumber dew and palo santo-focused candle, which also has a 50-hour burn time.

Aerangis’ new votive is a unique mixture of floral and wood along with musk, for those that prefer a headier scent, even in the warm months. The cashmere wood and musk are offset by cassis and lemon, for a bright yet warm aroma.