7 Ways to Create a Romantic Getaway Without Leaving Home

Love comes in many different forms. Thankfully, we all have some degree of it in our lives – be it through our family, our friends or our pets. We all want to live in a world filled with love, beauty and happiness and our homes are the perfect place to begin manifesting these qualities. Checking into a lush hotel room is always fun, but you don’t need to leave home to enjoy many of the same benefits.

Here are 7 ideas for creating a romantic atmosphere – whether you’re rekindling romance, cooking a lovely meal, or just staying at home enjoying a romantic comedy.

Invest in Candles and Burn Them Often

When it comes to lighting, there’s no doubt that candles are an immediate shortcut to a cozy, romantic atmosphere – and they make a bedroom smell amazing too! The key is to create a soft glow throughout the whole room rather than relying on the standard overhead-light-and-bedside-lamps combo. Nothing creates a romantic ambience quite like candlelight, so find candles in several fragrances and colors that you and your partner love and make a habit of burning them often. And if you’re looking for some lovely scents to experiment with, check out my collection of all-natural candles. The, experiment with how you group them and use them as accent lighting. Turn off the ceiling lights and the lamps and only enjoy the subtle and warm light produced by the candles. (Just makes sure to keep open flames away from curtains and other flammable objects. A fire is a definite mood killer!)

Choose Bedding You Want to Cozy Up To

Beds are the vessel we use to escape reality and for brief moments, enter worlds that are completely our own. They are where you start and end the day, making this the perfect place to focus. Your bedding will most likely be the most interesting and tactile accent in your bedroom. No matter how simple your bedroom color scheme is, you can totally personalize your space by choosing neutral basics then adding in pops of color or texture as you see fit. Choose high quality bed linens in tactile natural fabrics. Or, if you don’t want to change up all your bedding, a duvet and throw pillows are a great way to add more color, style, and romance without the commitment of major change.

Use Mood Lighting

Beyond candlelight, nothing says romance more than soft lighting in the bedroom. Add a chandelier on a dimmer switch if luxury is your style, but a semi-flush mount light fixture on the ceiling can be just as glamorous. If you already have bedside lamps, consider painting the inside of the lampshades a pale pink, which will give your skin a rosy glow. Be sure to first think through all the uses of your bedroom so that you have adequate light available for all activities. Learn the basics of lighting your home to enhance the mood of your bedroom.

Give Your Bedroom a Once-over

The main bedroom often reflects the state of your relationship, so give it a once-over to make sure it conveys the message you want. A romantic bedroom isn't complete without accent decor and accessories. Dressing your windows with flowing drapes in velvet or linen will give your bedroom a soft, romantic look and work double duty to hide boring blinds or unflattering views. For a soothing color palette, choose drapes to match your wall color and opt for warm, inviting shades. The texture of your drapes and bedding can add enough visual interest so that you won't need to add additional points of focus unless you want to. And, of course, be sure to clear clutter away. There’s nothing romantic about mess.

Fill Your Home with Flowers

Real love is passionate and far from neat, so your floral arrangements should capture that freewheeling vibe. Skip formal or overly-arranged bouquets and opt for a more undone, casual collection of flowers in an antique vase for a sweet dose of romance. Roses tend to be seen as the epitome of romantic flowers, but naturally, you don’t have to go with roses –they aren’t the only romantic flower. You don’t have to go with full bouquets, either. For example, bud vases are cute for single stem flowers. If freshly cut flowers aren't your thing, you can still include something growing in your space, like an orchid or a pretty plant that can also be transplanted outside.

Use a Variety of Soft Textures

One of the quickest ways to up your romance quota is to surround yourself with soft textures and comforting tones that soothe both your sense of touch and your eyes. Select one or two irresistibly snuggleable home accessories, like a faux fur throw, a knit-covered pillow, or one of our luxury robes. Surrounded by pillowy textures, you’ll be ready to settle in for a cozy night of togetherness.

Play Mood Music

We experience a space through all of our senses, so with sight, smell, and touch all covered, you’ll want to add music as well. That’s why it’s important to have a good sound system in your bedroom, even if it’s just a portable speaker. What you play is up to you, but smooth jazz, classical, and easy listening music are often good choices. Keep the sound level on the low side – this is about adding discreet ambience rather than focusing on the music itself.

One final tip to make your bedroom a romantic sanctuary is to keep everyday boring things like chores and work out of it. For example, don’t sort the laundry or do the ironing there. You may also want to make it a laptop or even a phone-free zone, to maintain a calming atmosphere that’s more likely to inspire romance.