Our bedrooms are the ‘centrepiece’ of our romantic relationships.How we dress a room, the ambiance it has and the scene it sets all contribute for bringing in the romance. Most people don’t think too much into it, but certain aspects can actually make or break the romantic mood within a room, if not done right.
Whether you’re single, dating, married, in a long term relationship, having fun or anything in between, everyone acknowledges Valentines Day in some way or another, and if you are in a an exciting relationship, it will be alllll about those chemical substances going crazy! Like testosterone, serotonin and dopamine which flood our brains, giving us those excited and energised feelings. Dopamine makes just thinking about that special person feel a whole lot happier. These feelings are pleasurable and in their own way, so addictive!
But regardless on the individuals plans or thoughts on Valentines Day, those with a partner will know nothing beats when that ‘cuddle hormone’ kicks in. During the attachment phase of a relationship, we release a powerful chemical called oxytocin, known as the ‘cuddle hormone’. Oxytocin deepens the feelings of attachment and if mutual, leads to that heady state that we all crave –falling in love.
So, let’s take a look at how you can transition up your bedroom and make it an even more beautiful place to spend this Valentines Day (or weekend, if you count the one before it!)
1. Let’s have an inviting looking bed
When we say inviting, we don’t need anything cheesy. Basically, your bed should be the focal point of a bedroom regardless, because it’s usually the centrepiece of the room, sets the scene, and allows you to feel relaxed and happy at the end of the day. Not stressed or fed up, which a messy bed or one that provides no comfort value could do. It needs to look as inviting as possible with a mattress of a decent thickness to feel the benefits, lovely plumped up pillows and crisp, freshly washed sheets all beautifully made up. These are key to making your bed look attractive and appealing. Think about how your bed serves the room – does it need to have a big headboard to create a bit more of a feature?
Remember that your bed can double up as handy secretive storage too, which is why lots of people favour ottoman beds.
2. Have a clutter-free room
As mentioned above, your bed should be the focus of the room, and then the decor, the theme, the furniture and accessories all flow straight after this. However, if your bedroom if full of ‘rubbish’ or ‘things’ everywhere, it starts to not resemble a bedroom anymore and instead act like a storage room, or a dress/home office.
Remember to keep your bedroom as much of a ‘bedroom’ as possible. It’s fine to have any entertainment like large TV’s or music systems around, but anything that clutters the room or creates any distraction from sleeping, relaxing, winding down or having ‘me’ time or couple time, needs clearing away.
3. Create a theme to the room
A stylish room that all works well together and works to a theme will ‘flow’. It will instantly look chic and smart, and well put together. A good idea for focal points here are sleigh beds, which offer a unique outwardly curved headboard and footboard design, and can be finished with a scrolled top which gives the appearance of a sleigh, hence the name.
Sleigh bed frames lend themselves towards the more premium and luxurious feel when it comes to bedrooms, and work beautifully with silk and satin sheets, plush cushions decorative bed throws. You can get sleigh beds which come with ottoman storage underneath too, so they are brilliant for being both design-led and practical-led.
Try to pick a strong theme colour for your bed, especially if it has both a head and foot board. Like black, for example. The use this to match the other furniture in your room, like sleek black bedside tables with gold metal bedside lamps. Black solid chest of drawers units, and a fluffy contrast cream carpet.
4. Consider romantic lighting in your bedroom
When spending time with your loved one, make sure that your overhead light is switched off – as well as being a horrible yellow type light sometimes, it can be unflattering and just too bright a lot of the time! It doesn’t create any form of mood, and if anything just makes you want to go to sleep!
Try to be aware aware of the lighting situation and either use soft glow bedside lamps, tall candles or even little fairy lights. Contrary to what you may think, white is a much more romantic colour than red for lighting, as red is often associated with anger and has been shown to cause stress rather than desire – not ideal for a romantic night!
5. Think about the scents of the space
Whatever size bedroom you have, every room has a scent, and the beauty is you can create it to be whatever you like it to be with the right candles, diffusers, mists or plug-ins. The scent that greets you as you enter a bedroom can play a huge part on your mindset and mood, from relaxed, uplifted, sleepy or excited. The best way to create a lovely fresh and warming scent for a cosy night in is to use scented tea lights, as you only need a couple in one corner of the room to let the scent difuse around the room. You could then intensify by also using a pillow mist.
Don’t go overboard with scent though, it should be subtle and enough to be a nice ‘greeting’ upon entrance, as too many different smells can be overpowering.
6. Sprinkle your bed with a few rose petals
Now it wouldn’t be Valentines weekend if you didn’t bring in a touch of romance in the form of petals, right? You don’t have to go out and buy real ones, false ones can do the job perfectly. You see this kind of gesture carried out at htel suites or spa weekends, so why not re-create it in your own bedroom ?
You could extend the ‘trail’ too, so if your bedroom is upstairs for example, you could scatter a few of the petals heading up the stairs and across the landing towards your bedroom. Just a small little act that will indicate both romance and intent.
7. Prepare fully for a lovely Valentines Celebration
When creating a romantic, sexy, or pampering bedroom space, the key is to prepare in plenty of time so you tick everything off. It’s the little things that you don’t want to be stressing about last minute – the music that could come on the radio, the clean bedding, the fresh flowers in a vase at the window sill, having champagne chilling on ice in the corner, fluffy slippers and robes in the wardrobe…. the more you prepare, the less you’ll forget!
As you analyse your bedroom, try to think of using all your senses, and how you can create a romantic mood by utilising each one. While it’s easy to think about sensual aromas, music and lighting, don’t forget that touch is a sense that is key too. Silky pyjamas, fluffy towels, slinky feathers…. let your imagine run wild!
What is your romantic gesture this Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments!
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