Few fragrances capture the essence of a crackling hearth in the depths of winter quite like Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace. With its unmistakable blend of smoky wood, roasted chestnuts, and sweet vanilla, it’s a scent that evokes cozy memories of bundled-up evenings and flickering firelight. But what if you’re looking for something similar—whether for layering, variety, or a more budget-friendly option?
Here’s a curated list of fragrances similar to By the Fireplace, categorized by niche, designer, and affordable alternatives, so you can find your perfect smoky-sweet companion.
(Scroll horizontally to see the whole table)
Fragrance | Smokiness | Sweetness | Warmth | Spiciness | Woodiness | Atmosphere |
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Diptyque Feu de Bois | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Serge Lutens Chergui | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Imaginary Authors A City on Fire | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
D.S. & Durga Portable Fireplace | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Maison Margiela Autumn Vibes | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Commodity Book (Bold) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Zara Bohemian Oud | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Lush Fireside | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Maison Crivelli Bois Datchaï | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Please Note: This assessment is based on general consensus, expert reviews, ingredient profiles, and brand marketing claims. Individual experiences may vary.
1. Diptyque – Feu de Bois
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Notes: Burning wood, smoke, earthy tones
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Why it’s similar: Though primarily known as a candle and room spray, the fragrance version captures that same firewood scent. Feu de Bois leans smokier and drier than By the Fireplace, with less sweetness but equally atmospheric.
2. Tom Ford – Tobacco Vanille
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Notes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla, dried fruits, cacao, spices
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Why it’s similar: Tobacco Vanille isn’t as smoky, but the warm, rich vanilla-tobacco blend echoes the cozy sweetness of By the Fireplace. It’s ideal if you want a more refined, plush version without the fireplace smoke.
3. Serge Lutens – Chergui
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Notes: Tobacco leaf, honey, musk, incense, amber, hay, rose
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Why it’s similar: Chergui shares that sweet-smoky duality, leaning more toward resinous honeyed tobacco and incense. It’s beautifully unisex, with a drier and dustier warmth than By the Fireplace.
4. Imaginary Authors – A City on Fire
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Notes: Cade oil, smoke, burning paper, spicy cardamom, dark woods
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Why it’s similar: This indie niche perfume is one of the closest in terms of burnt wood and smoke realism. It’s slightly darker and edgier but carries the same storytelling spirit as By the Fireplace.
5. D.S. & Durga – Portable Fireplace
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Notes: Wood, smoke, ash, pine, cedar
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Why it’s similar: As the name suggests, this perfume is practically a fireplace in a bottle. It's more raw and pine-resin heavy than By the Fireplace but excellent for those who want less sweetness and more embers.
6. Replica – Autumn Vibes (Maison Margiela)
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Notes: Cardamom, cedarwood, moss, nutmeg
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Why it’s similar: From the same Replica line, Autumn Vibes is a woodsy-spicy sibling. While it lacks the smoky chestnut of By the Fireplace, it shares the cozy, nostalgic theme and layers beautifully with it for added depth.
7. Commodity – Book (Personal or Bold)
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Notes: Cedarwood, sandalwood, musk, eucalyptus
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Why it’s similar: The Bold version is particularly smoky and woody, evoking libraries with burning wood stoves. It’s a smoother, less gourmand cousin to By the Fireplace.
8. Zara – Bohemian Oud
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Notes: Incense, oud, woods
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Why it’s similar: A budget-friendly alternative that brings in smoky, woody incense without being overly complex. It’s less sweet but maintains that dry warmth that makes By the Fireplace special.
9. Lush – Fireside
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Notes: Clove, vanilla, smoky wood, floral hints
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Why it’s similar: This one leans spicy with a clove and vanilla mix that hints at warmth and comfort. It’s more aromatic than smoky but captures the same winter vibe.
10. Maison Crivelli – Bois Datchaï
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Notes: Blackcurrant, tea, spices, woods, incense
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Why it’s similar: It combines smoky black tea and dried wood with spice and fruit, giving a similar atmospheric experience. Less literal fire, more poetic bonfire.
Fragrance Layering Tips to Enhance "By the Fireplace" DNA
If you’re layering or trying to mimic the effect of By the Fireplace with your own collection:
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Add a smoky note: Try layering with a birch tar-heavy or incense-forward perfume (e.g., Le Labo Another 13 or smoky oud).
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Add roasted nuttiness: Chestnut or hazelnut note fragrances (like Chopard Casmir) can deepen the gourmand aspect.
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Boost vanilla warmth: Try combining with a pure vanilla scent like Vanilla 28 by Kayali for added sweetness.
Final Thoughts
By the Fireplace is a beloved cold-weather staple for a reason. Its unique balance of smoke, spice, and sweetness is both nostalgic and sensual. Whether you're looking for something more niche, more budget-conscious, or just want to explore adjacent scent profiles, these fragrances offer compelling alternatives.
Let the fire crackle—your perfect cozy scent might just be one spray away.