Thanks to this room fragrance, your home feels like vacation
14.7.2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Pia Seidel
After searching high and low for the perfect room fragrance, I finally found what I wanted in a Copenhagen Airbnb. The Vivid Shades Diffuser from Meraki left such a positive impression that I had to buy one for myself as soon as I got home.
If I’m going to use a room fragrance, it has to be subtle and pleasant. Scented candles, sage bundles, electric diffusers – I’ve tried a lot of things, but nothing’s hit the nail on the head. Until now.
I came across Meraki’s Vivid Shades Diffuser in an Airbnb in Copenhagen. I was immediately obsessed with the smell. After a few weeks and some extensive sniffing later, this is how I feel about it.
Charming on the eyes
Meraki comes from Denmark and is part of the Society of Lifestyle, which also includes brands such as House Doctor and Nicolas Vahé. The brand stands for minimalist designs, natural ingredients and Scandinavian aesthetics, with a focus on wellness and sustainability.
The packaging of the Meraki room fragrances is simple but chic – perfect for gifting. Tie a bow around it and the wrapping is done.
I’d hardly have noticed the glass bottle in the Airbnb if it didn’t smell. It’s about the size of a soap dispenser. Since I’ve had it in my own home, I’ve become a little more aware of it. The rattan reeds and flower stems give the bottle a natural touch. You can easily combine the bottle with different living styles, whether it be in the bathroom, hallway or living room.
A scent that lingers
However, the fragrance is more important than the look – and this is why the Vivid Shades Diffuser is also a perfect match for me in Zurich. The blend of herbs such as lavender and citrus notes such as lemon, complemented by warm and woody base notes such as cedarwood create a soothing atmosphere.
I particularly like the fact that the fragrance seems to embrace me every time I walk past it. It’s perfect for the hallway you’re constantly walking through. But even in the bathroom or living room, the smell is like a warm breeze that envelops you on a walk along the lakeside.
Longevity: how long does the fragrance last?
With a capacity of 240 millilitres, the diffuser’s here for the long run. Even after several weeks, the fragrance is still present, albeit somewhat more subtle than at the beginning. This is ideal if you don’t like overpowering fragrances. According to the manufacturer, the diffuser lasts up to three months – which seems realistic if you don’t use all the sticks at once.
My tip? You can easily regulate the intensity by the number of reeds. I started with three reeds and later increased it to five to make the fragrance stronger.
Sustainability: room for improvement
Let’s not forget an important point: the ingredients. The diffuser contains essential oils that create an enjoyable fragrance, but also potentially allergenic substances such as (R)-p-mentha-1,8-diene (limonene). Although this substance occurs naturally in citrus fruits and is there to provide the fresh note, it can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. Anyone sensitive to fragrances should consider this before buying.
In terms of environmental friendliness, there’s room for improvement. The substances it contains are harmful to aquatic organisms and the environment if disposed of improperly. I’d love to see a more sustainable formula. On a positive note, however, the glass of the diffuser is recyclable.
In a nutshell
A touch of north in the south
I almost thought I’d found the best diffuser on the planet with the Vivid Shades Diffuser – the fragrance is lovely, it has a timeless design and is easy to use. I was particularly impressed by the way it creates a calm atmosphere without being intrusive. My only criticism is the ingredients – I’d like to see a more environmentally friendly version in the future.
Nevertheless, the diffuser remains a piece of Copenhagen that I can’t go without. Would I buy it again? Yes, definitely. Until then, it adds a stylish pinch of Scandinavian magic to my home.
Pro
- Stylish, minimalist design
- Pleasant fragrance
- Long shelf life (up to 3 months)
- Sticks provide fragrance intensity options
Contra
- Contains potentially allergenic substances
- Not entirely environmentally friendly
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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