How to Make Your Bedroom Even More Romantic

An attractive, inviting bedroom can play a big role in keeping the romance alive in your relationship. Whether you're looking to completely redesign your bedroom or just add a few decorative touches, there are plenty of ways in which you can create a romantic haven where you and your other half can unwind after a busy day and rediscover your love and affection for each other.

If you want to keep the focus on romance in your bedroom, it's important to eliminate other distractions. This means keeping the room clean and free of clutter. Links with the outside world such as telephones, TVs or computers should ideally be kept in another room or placed somewhere unobtrusive. Avoid bringing the stress of the workplace into your bedroom -keep office files and documents well out of sight!

You may not be able to change the size or location of your bedroom, but repositioning the furniture can dramatically change the appearance of your room. If your bedroom is smaller than you'd like, positioning the bed at an angle in a corner can make the room appear larger, while mirrors add depth. If your room looks bare, a plain wooden floor can be made more romantic with the addition of a richly patterned oriental rug or carpet.

Beds and romance

Your bed is obviously the key piece of furniture in your room when it comes to love and romance!

Certain styles of bed, such as four-poster, Victorian or canopy beds evoke old-fashioned romantic moods, while for some couples the playfulness and adventure of a waterbed does the trick. Generally speaking, large, soft, inviting beds of any type are romantic when everything else is right.

For a luxurious, sensual feel, sheets should be made of satin, silk or soft, high-quality cotton. Quilts and bedspreads decorated with lace or embroidered with floral designs are very romantic and feminine. Scattering a number of soft, fluffy pillows in different sizes and colours on your bed creates a charming effect. Curtains or valences with fringes, beads, or lace can complement the style of your bed and add detail and elegance to your windows.

Inspire romance using all the senses

The colour of the walls in a room is known to have an influence on our mood.

Your choice of colours will be determined by your personal taste, but be aware that softer colours are more relaxing and tend to inspire serenity. Red and pink are associated with love and passion, however too much of these colours could be overpowering, so combine touches of red or pink with a neutral background colour such as white or cream. Whatever colour scheme you choose, make sure you keep it consistent, as introducing too many colours or styles creates disharmony in your room.

Flowers are always romantic and instantly brighten up a room. For a classic romantic gesture, red roses are the obvious choice, though daisies and tulips are popular alternatives.

The artwork you hang on your walls can also be used to inspire romance. Display your artistic taste with beautiful prints, watercolours or oil paintings, or for something more personal to your relationship, hang a series of photographs of the two of you, or other mementos that have special meaning. Surrounding yourself with personal memories can inspire your relationship like nothing else.

We all know soft lighting is crucial for creating a romantic atmosphere, whether it's in a dimly lit restaurant or at home in your bedroom. Candles are indelibly linked with romance, so light as many as you like, in all sizes, colours and scents. You could also install lights that can be dimmed or make use of bedside lamps with shades in a soft colour. Don't allow external light to spoil the mood - If there's a harsh streetlight outside your window, block it with curtains.

Scent can also have a significant effect on our emotions. To set the mood with scent, use perfumed candles, essential oils burned in an oil burner, or simply a splash of your favourite perfume on your sheets. Choose calming or sensual scents such as jasmine, ylang ylang, rose or vanilla and don't overdo scent to the point where it becomes overpowering. In addition, bear in mind any allergies or sensitivities to scents your partner may have.

Finally, soft music is a key element in setting a romantic mood. Place a stereo in your bedroom with the speakers away from the head of the bed, so the sound is not too intrusive. Make a CD with a collection of romantic songs or music (bearing in mind again your partner's taste). Be creative, be inspired, and revitalise the romance in your life!