Just in time! Celebrate that love is in the air this February with Rose Morrison’s easy, affordable tips on How to Create a Romantic Valentine’s Day Retreat at Home.
Many thanks to Rose for her guest posts for Slipcovers for Your Walls, casartblog for Casart Coverings, removable wallpaper and decor. Be sure to read Rose’s bio at the bottom.
– – – – – – – – – – – –
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While some couples are busy making reservations at fancy restaurants, you might consider having a date at home with your partner, where you can set the mood for a more genuine celebration of love.
The overall feel of your house is essential when creating a romantic atmosphere. The setting, fragrances, and other factors can make or break your partner’s mood. Plan for a special Valentine’s Day date at home with these ideas.
Repaint Walls
Color is a powerful tool that can influence mood and feelings. If you have ample time and resources, repaint your walls for that romantic touch. Colors like muted sage, soft gray and golden orange are some color ideas to turn your home into a romantic retreat.
Red symbolizes love but can trigger higher blood pressure and heart rate. A pop of this intense color will do the trick.
[Ref: previous post on Finding Your Perfect Color while using the Color Wheel]
Add Soft Textures
One of the easiest ways to elevate the romantic mood at home is to surround yourself with comforting tones and soft textures that are easy on the eyes. Energize your space with a few red throw pillows on your living room sofa for that added pop of intense color.
Add snuggly accessories like a faux fur throw. Consider adding a printed throw blanket on the couch if you’re into playful symmetry.
Incorporate Pleasant Scents
Fragrances go a long way in establishing a romantic home. Filling the air with your favorite scents creates a relaxing and aphrodisiac effect. It can inspire conversations, evoke memories and elevate the mood in the room. Some common scents include jasmine, vanilla, rose and musk. Here’s how you can incorporate them at home:
- Use a diffuser: Place it in the entryway to set your partner’s mood as they walk in the door.
- Invest in scented candles: Decorate the dinner table with aromatic candles — situate them on top of a mirror for an eye-catching centerpiece. Avoid using options with intense aromas so you don’t overpower the smell of food.
- Add natural fragrances: Add aromatics to your room, such as vanilla extract or rose petals.
Play Relaxing Music
Like colors, music is a powerful tool that can change your mood. It can help create a relaxed atmosphere and evoke emotions. When choosing songs, it’s essential to think about the vibe you want to have. Play an upbeat song to energize you and your partner to dance. If you wish for soothing music to accompany your candlelight dinner, choose songs with a slow tempo.
It’s also essential to consider song lyrics. Words help convey feelings to your partner, so look for tunes with wordings that resonate with your relationship. Songs that hold a special meaning to both of you are great additions to your playlist. If you’re unsure where to start, check out curated romantic playlists on your favorite music streaming platform.
Prepare Proper Lighting
The right amount of light at home will dictate the overall mood of your Valentine’s Day date. All you need are these tips and tools to make your celebration memorable:
- Use natural light: Open the windows as you prepare a hearty breakfast for you and your partner. Sunlight helps improve mood as you indulge in good food.
- Use light strings: Fairy or globe lights are excellent accessories to add indoors for that outdoor bistro vibe. They create a soft, romantic glow in your dining room that you usually see in softly lit restaurants.
- Plan a fireplace dinner: Eating by the fireplace is another intimate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s like an indoor picnic but more romantic, where you and your loved one can drink wine, eat snacks and snuggle up. Ensure you only burn wood seasoned for six months to a year to reduce the risk of inhaling harmful chemicals in the air. Avoid putting flammable objects near the fireplace to prevent accidents.
- Dim the lights: Consider installing a dimmer switch if you have bright interior lighting. A soft-lit room is key to a romantic and relaxing date night.
- Add candlelight: The soft glow of a candle can elevate the at-home dating experience. Opt for safer options like wax LED candles to avoid fire hazards.
Create a Cozy Dining Area
There’s more to a romantic dinner than just the food — setting the table is just as important. Replace your plastic plates with ceramic or porcelain — quality tableware can make it seem like you’re eating at a fancy restaurant. Lay out a clean and luxurious table runner for that elegant touch.
Incorporate Fresh Flowers and Plants
Skip expensive, overly arranged bouquets this Valentine’s Day. Adding colorful flowers and plants to your home will make your partner feel loved. You can also replace traditional roses with something your partner adores. Flower arrangements are also aesthetic dining table centerpieces — simply use a decorative vase.
Plants are natural air purifiers that filter out carbon dioxide, making your home a safer place to live in. If you have a pet, keep them safe with pet-friendly houseplants, like spider plants. They grow between 12 and 15 inches tall, making them ideal additions to the corners of your living area.
Design a Romantic Bedroom
Give your bedroom a makeover to end the day feeling relaxed. Replace old curtains with flowing velvet or linen drapes to add a touch of elegance. Choose colors that work well with your walls. Other visual interests include artwork, flowers and a comfy duvet cover that will make you want to cuddle up next to your loved one.
Create a Gallery Wall
Do you have a blank wall at home? Decorate it with your favorite photographs and memories together. Aside from framed photos, you can also add stylish wallpapers if you have imperfections in walls or want to add a pop of color.
[And, if you don’t want to hang frames or put holes in your walls, this is an easy way to get the gallery-wall effect with removable and reusable, peel-and-stick / apply wallpaper]
Infuse Your Space with Love
Planning a Valentine’s Day date at home doesn’t need to be complicated. These tips can help transform your humble abode into a romantic retreat in no time.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Additional posts & resources:
- Fall in Love with Your Home Again
- Interior Design Colors That Warm the Heart
- Get Your Red On
- Finding Your Perfect Color
- Will You Be Mine
- Warm Your Heart with Winter
- Designs That Brighten Winter Blues
- Five Ways to Pair Pink with Staying Power
- Floral Ambrosia Seen in a Romantic Pop of White
- Why We Love Co-Creation and Why You’ll Love the Results
Many thanks to Rose for this inspirational article on creating a romantic retreat in your home.
About the author:
Rose Morrison is a home improvement and design writer.
She is also the managing editor of Renovated. Follow her on Twitter to see more of her work.
Leave a Reply