A messy bedroom with awful lighting and laundry strewn about does not a sexy nook make. Here are ways to make your bedroom more inviting. By Danielle Anne Suleik
For those of you who can’t afford a $10,000 suite at the five-star hotel for your anniversary, there are other cheaper
budget-friendly alternatives. Decorate your bedroom to simulate a
romantic atmosphere for you and your date just by keeping a few key
things in mind.
Nothing spells romance like a bedroom. History and evolution has
shown us that it’s not just for sleeping. Making love requires an aura
of intimacy and seclusion. Although hotels are wonderful – seeing as
they have room service and those adorable mints over your pillows – you
can still have an amazing night in the comfort of your own home.
This is especially important if you are seeing someone serious. By
welcoming them into your home, you are showing them a new side of
yourself. It also denotes the developing trust within your relationship.
Advantages of a romantic night at home
Who says a romantic night in is boring? You can save more and do more when you’re in the comfort of your own home!
#1 Privacy. Intimate moments require the utmost
privacy. Public displays of affection are fine, but you can’t exactly
procreate in a public setting. Although hotels and resorts are ideal for
privacy as well, you can never anticipate random occurrences like
forgetting to put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign or worse, putting it up
the other way around.
#2 Cost-effectiveness. The best hotels for romantic
get-togethers are usually expensive. Some of you may not have the budget
to splurge on a beautiful hotel room. Your home is not only cozy and
modifiable, but it is absolutely free.
#3 Artistic freedom. Hotels, resorts and rented
homes are already furnished and set up when you arrive. When decorating
your home for an evening with your loved one, you can arrange the
furniture any way you like, set up mood lighting and even simulate
foreplay settings without the need to consult the concierge.
#4 Dinner for two. A romantic night needs ample
sustenance before the bedroom festivities begin. At home, you can cook
dinner and dine without anyone else in the vicinity. The effort will
score you extra points as well. Did I mention that it will also cost you
less?
#5 No check-out time. Anyone will want to spend as
much time as they can with their loved one. If you spend a romantic
evening at home, it would be nice not to have to wake up early or rush
out of the room to avoid getting charged an extra night.
#6 Music. The less expensive hotels rarely offer a
sound system for their clients. Some even charge extra for it. No
romantic evening is complete without Marvin or Prince crooning words of
love and seduction from your own stereo.
#7 The morning after. If the night goes off without a
hitch, you can rest assured knowing that you can cook your date
breakfast, offer them toiletries that are better than a hotel’s and even
spend the whole day together without leaving the house.
How to prepare your bedroom for a romantic evening
Make the moment count by preparing your bedroom in a way that
expresses your feelings. You don’t need to buy a hot tub or a pole to
make your bedroom more romantic. All you need is a few things from the
nearest supermarket and a little bit of creativity. Here’s how:
#1 Lighting. There are different ways to spice up
your bedroom, but the most important part of it is choosing the right
type of light. You can use candles, but be sure to keep them away from
flammable objects like the carpet, drapes, sheets and wooden materials.
Put them in a shallow bowl with water. The water will sparkle, which
helps make the setting more special. You can also replace your
fluorescent bulbs with warm-colored ones. Note: Stay away from red lighting.
#2 Music. Choosing the right type of music is very
important. People have different tastes in music, but some genres are
effectively romantic for everyone. Put on some smooth jazz, R&B or
deep house music. What you want is a mellow, soothing ambience. But of
course, if both of you are into the kinky, rough stuff, putting on some
Nine Inch Nails or Glassjaw may be more up your alley.
#3 Scents. Choosing a romantic scent for your room
is optional, but keeping it smelling clean is a must. Put away your
laundry and remove any food in the bedroom. Light an incense stick or
use an air freshener that’s not offensive to your nose. Aromatherapy
oils like ylang ylang or jasmine have also been shown to help make your
room smell more sensual.
#4 Color scheme. This might take a bit out of your
budget, but replacing your curtains and sheets is worth it. Research
suggests that warm colors like red and brown can enhance your pleasure
centers the way it does for food. You can also opt for dark colors like
navy and grey. You can offset this with warm lighting.
#5 Food. Don’t set a three-course meal on your night
stand. Just place a bowl filled with chocolates and strawberries for
easy access. You can also opt for some whipped cream or honey for that
added sweetness fix to your bedroom play. Sensual feeding can up the
ante in terms of bedroom foreplay.
#6 Pillows. Remove your decorative throw pillows
because they are practically useless. Nothing kills the mood faster than
having to turn down your bed before making out. All you need are a
couple of soft pillows that you can rest on comfortably.
#7 Comforters and blankets. Again, like with the
pillows, less is more. If it’s a cold night, choose a soft downy
comforter and add a thin blanket underneath. You wouldn’t want to freeze
or sweat through your romantic activities, would you?
#8 Cleanliness. Another mood-killer is a messy
bedroom. You can’t leave your laundry on the floor or your papers on the
night stand. Don’t leave open jars of beauty products or wet towels
lying around. Not only is it a reflection of your character, but it is a
very annoying distraction as well.
#9 Wall décor. Everyone loves art. When setting up
your bedroom for a romantic evening, leave the loud and neon abstract
art in your living room. You need to put up tasteful décor that
accentuates the coloring of your room, but will not take away your
attention from each other. No one wants a huge painting of an eye
staring at you while you make love.
#10 Privacy. Make sure that everyone who might show
up unexpectedly has fair warning that you have a guest. Tell them that
you do not wish to be disturbed, unless it’s an emergency. Close all the
curtains and blinds and lock all the doors. Don’t forget the bedroom
door even if no one else is in the house.
#11 Heat. It’s not just about the tension between
the two of you. Make sure that you and your date are comfortable enough
temperature-wise. Check to see if your air-conditioning is working. If
something’s wrong with it, open your windows to let the breeze in. Just
make sure that no one can see inside.
#12 Pets. Keep your pets away from the bedroom. You
wouldn’t want the heat of the moment to get interrupted by a barking dog
or a playful kitten. You can lock them out of your room or put them on a
leash in your kitchen. Just check on them from time to time to ensure
their safety.
#13 Props. Not everyone needs or wants accessories
in the bedroom, but it’s all right if you and your partner have
discussed this beforehand. Don’t just throw your toys on the bed.
Arrange them in a cute set-up on the foot of the bed or on the night
stand for easy access.
Employing these strategies and getting the necessary items
for your bedroom can be done in a day. Just make sure that you are
prepared for your evening so that everything will go as smoothly as
possible. And by the time you’re done, your bedroom will become a
lovers’ paradise!
