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Homes Extra: Make Room for Romance!

Thursday, 13 February 2025 07:39

By Sara Whatley

Make room for romance in your life and your home this month as we fall in love with romantic dining, a bathroom spa experience and bedroom bliss...

Helloo romance, coming in hot! Love is in the air this month and we are making room for it in our homes as well as our hearts. Would you care to join us?

Don’t panic, bringing a wash of romance to your home does not mean it has to be saccharine sweet and sickly, you can opt for a gentle treatment instead. Only go the whole hog if roses, doves and harp music make you weak at the knees.

It’s not just for loved up couples either; a romantic home is warm and inviting, stylish and sensuous for everybody to enjoy.

Take my hand and let me lead you through the top romantic areas in your home. Are you ready for a steamy ride? Let’s go!

ROMANTIC DINING

The dining room or dining area can become a purely functional place – but stop right there – and put on some rose- tinted glasses.

Assess your table – does it need a sand and revarnish? A good old clean and polish? Give it some love and make it as pretty as a picture. Now look at your chairs. All the best romantic restaurants have plush upholstered chairs you can sink into and comfortably sit and natter for hours.

Perhaps you are in the market for some new ones, but if not think about adding cosy cushions and sumptuous throws to elevate your existing set.

Lighting is always key to create a mood, be it romantic or functional. Give yourself options with overhead lights, lamps and candles – never forget the candles.

This brings me neatly onto dressing the table for a special romantic occasion. Start with flowers – a huge bunch of luxurious blooms will set the tone beautifully and give you a colour scheme to work with as well. Pink is a classic, delicate, romantic shade.

And finally, address the table setting. Place mats, polished cutlery, special crockery, candles for the all-important romantic glow, and something unexpected – perhaps Champagne in stylish coupe glasses? Bon appetit.

BATHROOM SPA

What is the most romantic bath you can think of? For me it would be something along the lines of a candle lit free-standing bath with views over a dramatic lake at sunset, full of bubbly hot water, bath salts, floating rose petals, with a glass of something chilled and sparkling resting on the side. Now to recreate that at home!

The view might be tricky, but the rest is perfectly doable. To turn your bathroom into a romantic hot spot here is the check list you need to follow (someone to enjoy it with optional):


• Steaming bath (or shower)
• Gorgeously scented foaming bath / bath salts/ body wash
• Delicious oils and balms to rub into damp skin
• Candles and gentle music
• Fluffy towels and bath robe
• Something cold and bubbly to drink

BEDROOM BLISS

And finally, to the heart of all romance – the bedroom. Hopefully your bedroom is already a sanctuary of calm, beauty and relaxation, but how to make it more romantic?

Firstly, the bed should be the focal point of the room. Give yours an update with a statement headboard, new bedlinen, and plump pillows to sink into. A four-poster bed is very inviting with its romantic drapes and secrets hidden within.

Comfort is key, so a soft carpet or rugs underfoot, a cosy chair to recline in and plenty of blankets on hand to ensure warmth and relaxation.

For an injection of instant glamour look at the colour scheme in your bedroom. You could introduce some passionate reds and pinks via cushions, throws, or a statement wall can all turn the heat up.

Bedroom lighting is key, ideally with options for bright light but also soft dimmable lights. Again, candlelight (either real or LED) will create a soft glow to the room, setting the tone just right.

Make sure you have privacy options, such as a door lock, and blinds or curtains for the windows. Lastly, keep family photos out of the bedroom and replace them with erotic and sensual artworks.

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