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These pro tips will turn your home theater into a scent-sational escape
For a TV room that smells more like a VIP lounge than a binge-watching bunker.
When I bought my house, for the first time in my life I finally had a space for a TV room. First, I found the perfect 4K TV and comfortable seating. Then came the surround sound system that made it feel like you're in the coliseum with Russell Crowe. Then, the lighting was dialed in.
But it didn’t take long for cozy nights to leave their mark. The unmistakable aromas of pizza parties, popcorn marathons and dog snuggles crept in, threatening to steal the magic. The "lived-in" vibe, sadly, was turning my VIP lounger into a stink den.
A great TV room doesn’t just look the part; it should feel fresh and inviting, too. With a few smart tricks and trusted products, you can keep your space ready for its next blockbuster binge. Here are my go-to favorites and some new discoveries to help set the scene.
Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum
$342$500Save $158Shark Carpet Cleaner and Upholstery, Spot, Odor & Stain Remover
$110$150Save $40Good Natured Brand Carpet Freshener & Deodorizer
$26$30Save $4Activated Charcoal Odor Absorber
$19$30Save $11Levoit Core 400S
$178$220Save $42Pure Enrichment PureZone Air Purifier
$100$130Save $30 with PrimeHearth & Hand with Magnolia Salt Room Spray
$7Asakuki Smart WiFi Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser
$36$46Save $10Color Changing Candle Warmer Lamp
$36
Get a fresh start
I know, I know, what fun is actually, cleaning? I hate to say it, but no amount of scent is going to mask the stale snacks you have hiding under the couch. Luckily, it doesn't have to take much to clean out a room. A regular once-over with a vacuum will keep the buildup of pet hair and food to a minimum — and it'll suck up linger.
Named our best cordless stick vacuum for carpets, this souped-up model will clean up everything from crumbs to pet hair. There’s no doubt it’s a powerful appliance, but the thoughtful extras — like the odor diffuser, headlights and an LCD screen that displays battery life and confirms when your floors are truly clean — make it a standout in my book.
If it's been a while since you've cleaned the spills and dirt from your sofa, chairs and carpet, a vacuum might not be enough. While it can be tedious work, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing stains disappear right before your eyes. Every time I use this little machine I am amazed at how much dirt it can pull from my carpet.
Banish the stink
Unless you never plan to eat on your couch or never let your pets in the room, you’re going to need something to combat odors. You don't just want to mask unpleasant scents, you want to eliminate and neutralize them. That means keeping some odor absorbers on hand (or hidden under the couch or the cushions).
Sprinkle a natural deodorizer powder on carpets and rugs, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up to eliminate lingering odors.
Once everything is vacuumed up, stuff some of these activated charcoal sachets around. Charcoal is full of millions of microscopic pores in each piece that attract and absorb moisture and odors. Plus, since charcoal is mostly carbon, it's great at soaking up organic compounds (i.e. stinky food smells).
These will keep the stink at bay, making your TV room an odorless, blank canvas for introducing fresher-smelling scents.
Clear the air
When air’s stagnant, it’s like inviting odors to settle in. A compact air purifier is your new best friend for clearing out musty smells, pet dander and dust. Running one regularly helps keep your TV room feeling light and fresh, so you can breathe easy and focus on the good stuff (like the movie marathon ahead).
Want an air purifier with some smart features? Here ya go. You can connect the Core 400S to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant via Wi-Fi and control it via voice command, just like your TV. An air purifier like this one will silently remove dust, pet dander, and other odor sources, ensuring clean, fresh air as you settle in for a movie marathon. Plus it'll fit right in next to your subwoofer.
The Levoit app acts as a remote control for this model, whether you’re home or away. You can also create target schedules for it to run at certain times (so it is completely off while you're watching TV). Most importantly, its three-stage True HEPA filtration system can capture larger particles and smaller particles, of even fewer microns, alike.
This compact purifier emits negative ions that neutralize airborne particles, freshening the air without a heavy fragrance. Great for a discreet tech-based solution. Think of it as noise-cancelling headphones but for your nose.
Spray, diffuse and set the mood
Setting the right vibe in your TV room is about more than just surround sound and a 75-inch screen — the right scent is key to the mood. The key? A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it — you want ambiance, not overpowering fragrance. Keep it subtle, and let the atmosphere work its magic.
Sea salt is a go-to fragrance for hospitality design directors for its crisp, clean scent. This spray delivers a refreshing aroma that’s never cloying and won’t overpower the vibe of your movie or show. Spray it (sparingly) on your seats and floors, and the fresh scent will come in like the tide. Before spritzing on your seats, I recommend patch testing in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it won’t stain.
Want scent you can control with an app? Try a smart essential oil diffuser, like this one or the Levoit 4L Smart Cool Mist Humidifier, both of which you can adjust from your phone. Set it to release your favorite aroma before movie time or tweak the intensity with a tap.
For a multisensory experience, try a candle-warming lamp with smart color-changing LED lights like this one. You can set scent, brightness and colors for a fully immersive atmosphere that matches your movie theme.
