The Wicked Scents Journal

Wicked Scents is a candle and home fragrance boutique located in Hoboken, NJ — a short walk from the PATH train and minutes from Manhattan. We opened because we believed the New York area deserved a dedicated specialty candle shop: not a gift store that carries a few candles, not a department store counter, but a shop entirely focused on home fragrance with a staff that genuinely knows every brand and scent on the shelves.

What We Carry

We curate from over 25 brands, ranging from Brooklyn-made independents to European heritage houses to cult California labels. You will find Apotheke (the brand behind the 1Hotel scent), Voluspa, Cereria Molla (Barcelona, founded 1899), Nest New York, Boy Smells, Glasshouse Fragrances, Capri Blue, Lafco, Antiga Farmacista, Mindful Glow, P.F. Candle Co., Paddywax, Lucky Honeybee (made in Jersey City), and Lit Lab Co. (made right here in Edgewater, NJ), among many others.

Beyond candles, we carry reed diffusers, room sprays, linen sprays, ultrasonic and liquidless diffusers, wax melts, incense, artisan soaps, sachets, wick trimmers, wick snuffers, decorative matches, and personal fragrance including eau de parfum from Boy Smells and Glasshouse.

Our Hoboken Location

We are in Hoboken, NJ — easily accessible from Manhattan via the PATH train (Hoboken Terminal is steps from our neighborhood) and from Jersey City, Weehawken, and surrounding Hudson County towns. Street parking is available nearby, and we are a comfortable walk from the Hoboken waterfront.

We are open seven days a week. Check our current hours on our contact page or give us a call before making a special trip.

Why Shop at a Specialty Candle Store

When you buy a candle at a specialty shop rather than online or at a big-box retailer, you get something that most e-commerce experiences cannot give you: the ability to smell before you buy. Fragrance is deeply personal. What reads as “lavender and cedar” on a product description might smell entirely different to you than you expected — in either direction. Our staff will help you narrow down scent families, find something that works for your specific space, and introduce you to brands you would never have discovered scrolling through a website.

We also offer in-store gift wrapping and can help you build a custom gift for any occasion — housewarmings, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, corporate gifting, and more.

Online Shopping with Free Shipping

If you cannot make it to our Hoboken shop, we ship nationwide. Orders over $100 ship free. We carry our full in-store inventory online, so you have access to everything we stock regardless of where you are. Orders typically ship the next business day.

Come See Us

Whether you are a Hoboken local, commuting through from Manhattan, or making a special trip from the broader New York area, we would love to see you in store. There is no better way to find your next favorite candle than to smell them in person — and we are here to help you do exactly that.

If you live in a Hoboken studio, a Jersey City one-bedroom, or a Manhattan apartment, you already know the challenge: everything you do in your home happens in the same 600 square feet. You cook, work, sleep, and entertain in the same room. That means what your apartment smells like matters more — not less — than in a larger home.

The right candle can make a small space feel intentional, calm, and genuinely inviting. The wrong one can make it feel like you are trying too hard, or worse, like you are covering something up. Here is how to choose well.

Scent Throw: Light, Not Heavy

In a small space, a candle with heavy throw will overwhelm you within twenty minutes. You want medium to light throw — something that scents the room without announcing itself. This means avoiding most gourmand (food-scented) candles, very heavy musks, and anything described as “warm and enveloping” unless your space has high ceilings.

What works best: fresh, green, woody, and lightly floral scents that fill the room gently rather than saturating it.

Our Top Picks for Small Apartments

Apotheke White Vetiver Classic 10.5oz

Silky cashmere, eucalyptus, earthy vetiver, and white cedar. This is the candle that makes a small apartment smell like a boutique hotel suite — which is exactly what it is. Apotheke created White Vetiver as the official scent of 1Hotels. It has medium throw, incredible complexity, and 60–70 hours of burn time. It works in bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices equally well. If you can only buy one candle, make it this one.

Voluspa Eucalyptus and White Sage Classic 9.5oz

Crisp, herbal, and instantly clearing. This is the candle to light after cooking, after a stressful workday, or before guests arrive. The eucalyptus and sage combination feels clean without smelling clinical. Our best-selling Voluspa for a reason — it works in any size space, any time of day.

Cereria Molla Verbena di Sicilia 8oz

Sicilian lemon, verbena, and lemongrass. Bright, Mediterranean, and genuinely transporting. This handmade Spanish candle has a subtle throw that is perfect for studios and small living rooms. It is the candle equivalent of opening a window onto a coastal terrace — without the noise.

P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood and Tobacco 7.2oz

Leather, teak, and orange. P.F. keeps their scent stories short and nails it every time. Teakwood and Tobacco is the candle for people who find most candles too sweet or too floral. It works beautifully in a home office or bedroom — sophisticated and quietly masculine without being overwhelming in a small space.

Lucky Honeybee Chai Latte

Made in Jersey City, NJ — this one is for our local customers. Warm chai spices, vanilla, and a hint of black tea. This is the candle that makes your apartment smell like the best version of a cozy morning. Lucky Honeybee is a small-batch, locally made brand that we are proud to carry. The throw is warm but not heavy, making it ideal for smaller rooms.

Sizing for Small Spaces

You do not need a 48oz jumbo candle for a studio apartment. The 7oz to 10.5oz classic size is ideal — enough throw to fill a small room without overpowering it. Save the 3-wick and large jars for open-plan spaces and living rooms with higher ceilings.

Mini tins (2oz) are perfect for bathrooms and desks — small, focused scent in a very contained space.

One More Tip

Rotate your scents seasonally. A fresh citrus or green candle in spring and summer, a woodier or spicier one in fall and winter. Your nose adapts to scents it smells daily, so switching every few months keeps your home feeling fresh and intentional.

All of the candles above are available at Wicked Scents in Hoboken, NJ and online with free shipping on orders over $100. Not sure which scent is right for your space? Come in and smell them in person — that is what we are here for.