Make Room for Romance
Photo by: Alisa Anton
When I was in my early adult years, my bedroom was my number one sanctuary. It was the place I relaxed, dreamed, and loved in. Always making it the lushest and darkest place in the house. Always having the color red prominent in its presentation. I find most people’s bedrooms boring, as though sleep is the only purpose there. I think that there is more thought going into the design of a sleeping quarter, having wellness and relaxation in mind, but I also think that bedrooms should be inviting, sexy, all while being a vehicle for comfort. It’s where the magic happens, but it should be the number one place of rest. You can achieve the romantic aesthetic in many ways, but here are some my favorite suggestions.
Setting the Mood
Lighting is very important when you are trying to set a mood. Use amber and soft white bulbs in bedrooms to create a warm glow and try to avoid overhead lighting. Another way to help warm up the room is to add dimmers to your light switches. I love a vintage sconce or table lamps with subtle lighting to create ambience. We also can’t mention lighting without acknowledging the power of candles. Whether it’s overhead on a shelf or adorning dressers, candles are always romantic. If you want to get super kinky, add some colored lights for effect. If you want to go for higher elegance, invest in a beautiful chandelier. My only issue with fixed lighting—makes it hard to move your bed around if you get bored with placements.
Sexy Silhouette, Woman's Body Shaped Candle from Amoreaux Candle Co | Buy Now
Photo Source: Trendir
Firefly Luna Globe Chandelier | Buy It Now
Shenmoyl Green Vintage Tulip Sconces | Buy Now
Where Dreams May Come
Of course when setting up any bedroom, the main attraction is vital. Choosing a bed that says “come hither” will depend on your style choice, but the main factor is comfort. Depending on your romantic aesthetic you can go a few ways, I personally find metal and iron headboards most romantic as it reminds me of vintage countrysides and farmhouses. I love the boldness of metal paired with the softness of luxurious linens.
Source: Erin Evolving
Source: Edward George
Source: DIY Bunker
Canopy beds are also quite romantic, but it has to fit the room. Your room cannot be short or small for a canopy bed. A bed like this demands space to create that draped opulent look. Add some small fairy lights or some starlike fabric and you have yourself a dreamy cove. If your room is shorter and smaller, consider a ceiling or wall canopy to create the same dramatic effect.
Artevious Upholstered Metal Canopy Storage Bed | Buy It Now
Iron Bed Canopy by Paso Robles Ironworks | Buy It Now
Tufted headboards are all the rage these days and there are so many different styles. Choosing a velvety headboard can give a softer touch to your berth, but you can always choose harder edges or a leather finish to give it more of a masculine look. You have a gambit of colors to choose from depending on your feel and style. I love a French inspired headboard cause I’m a bourge that way.
There are so many things you can add behind your bed to make it the center of attention, from wallpaper to adding decorative panels. Think about adding a cubby shelf to put books, candles, and mementos or add your favorite love song album covers. The bedroom is all about creativity!
Satin, Silks, and Velvets —Oh My!
The easiest way to make a bedroom more inviting is your choice of fabrics. Long velvet or velvet curtains, thick cloud-like comforters, and high thread count sheets are always winners. Choosing fabrics per season can also change the type of romanticism you want to depict. For instance in Spring/Summer choose lighter, more breathable fabrics and light muted colors such as lavenders, roses, light grays, and whites. Maybe some watercolor florals or a breezy coastal vibe with cottons for summer. In the colder months we’re looking at faux fur throws, fuzzy rugs and accents, thick comforters, deeper and richer colors—deep reds, dark blues and greens with gold accents. Here you can also play with contrasts in textures, never discount the power of the decorative pillow. You can also use custom curtain pulls to add detailing on your canopies and curtains.
Vintage Perfume Bottles on Etsy | Buy Now
Photo by Cottonbro Studio
SLOW SOUL Embroidery Light Blocking Curtain in Velvet | Buy It Now
Sweet Nothings
Creating a romantic bedroom doesn’t always have to entail huge elements. This can also be created by using decor elements like picture frames, mirrors, drawer pulls, and aromatics. Find poetry you love and have the pages framed or you can do the same with your love letters or postcards. It is no big feat to frame photographs of you and a loved one to display around your bedroom. I personally love a couple’s portrait done in vintage or power couple style.
Photo by: Angela Elise for Lustre Theory, Virginia House
Photo by: LaTonya Photography
A nice added touch is to hang lingerie for display, I’m talking about vintage slips, silky nightgowns and kimonos, romantic sleepwear, keep the unmentionables out of the public eye, nobody wants to see your crotchless lace bodysuit. I do however, love to see antique perfume bottles, record players, journals, clocks, or a decorative screen.
Use fresh and / or dried flowers. Take a wedding bouquet and put it in a gold or ornate empty frame for a dramatic affect. Make some playlists dedicated to your boudoir, soft and sexy or tranquil and atmospheric. You can add a bar cart (decanters and pretty bottles only) or mini fridge for nighttime wind downs, and always have a fruit infused pitcher of water available—convenient and relaxing.
Metal Bar Cart by Mercer 41 on Wayfair | Buy it Now
Photo by: Julia Zolotova
Aromantics
Smell is a powerful sense that invokes memory and inspires emotions. When creating a romantic atmosphere, aroma is no stranger to foreplay. Both men and women respond strongly to scents of the heart which include sandalwood, cedar, jasmine, amber, and let’s not forget the calming of lavender. Take a few drops of essential oils and drop them on your pillows and in your drawers. As cliche as it sounds, fresh roses in a room can be divine and once they are dried you can fill vases or make sachet pillows out of them.
Love Potion by Brooklyn Candle Studio | Buy It Now
Together, Forever
The bedroom, for some, is the ultimate sanctuary. You want it to be as cozy as possible and it should be that one never wants to leave it. It is the room where secrets are told and intimacy is created. It is the space where we are at our most vulnerable consciously and subconsciously. It is the den where we dream and immerse ourselves in stories. So, turn on the light and conjure your romantic night vision!
