A well-decorated bedroom inspires romance.
The bedroom should be a place for relaxation and romance, but all too often, it turns into a dumping ground for dirty clothes and clutter. Inappropriate decor and dull color schemes also do very little to help encourage romantic intentions. Fortunately, a few quick and relatively inexpensive changes can be made that will yield immediate, impressive results.
Clean Up the Clutter
Nothing is more unromantic than entering a room with laundry on the floor or junk piled up under the bed. Put all the laundry in a hamper and move it out of sight, either in a closet or another room. Pick up any distracting objects and store them elsewhere, too. Check under the bed. If it's being used as a storage area for junk you no longer use, move the stuff out of the room, or donate it to charity. Vacuum the carpet, dust the furniture and use fresh sheets and blankets. Taking the time to clean everything will do wonders for a room's atmosphere.
Add Some Fragrance With Candles
Scent is very powerful. The right ones can improve mood and inspire sensual feelings. The wrong ones, however, can be distracting or downright unpleasant. What smells pleasant to any given individual is a matter of personal preference. Before purchasing anything scented, it is helpful to know what you and your partner find appealing. To do this, visit a candle shop and take the time to smell a variety of products. Ask the store clerk for recommendations.
Although the perfect scent is a personal matter, there are a few good choices you can try that seem to be perfect for a romantic evening. Vanilla is a light, sweet fragrance. Cinnamon can be very sensual, and is a scent many men enjoy. Lavender creates feelings of relaxation, while orange blossom can be used to elevate mood.
Set the Mood With Lighting
Unflattering lighting is hardly helpful if a relaxing environment is the goal. Very bright overhead lights seem to point out bodily flaws. High-wattage fluorescent lighting is meant to keep people wakeful and productive. This is the opposite of the desired effect when putting together a romantic room.
Candles can serve another purpose here, besides smelling nice. The light of a flickering flame is warm and sensual, and manages to accent a body's best features. If lightbulbs are to be used, select a lower wattage, and place them in some attractive lamps. Natural light is a good choice as well, although too much of it can be harsh and glaring. This can be easily controlled with drapes or curtains.
Comforting Bedding
If you're going to spend a lot of time in bed, it makes sense to invest in a few sets of good sheets and a blanket that feels luxurious. A blanket that is too thick, thin, warm or cold can make things very uncomfortable. Likewise, old and scratchy sheets won't help.
When choosing sheets, consider investing in a few high-quality sets. Egyptian cotton is the finest type of cotton sheet available. Silk promotes sensuality, although it requires special cleaning. These sheets may be expensive, but good ones will last for years. After buying the sheets, decide if a new blanket or comforter would be beneficial. It might be a good idea to get two different blankets, one for the summer and another for winter.
Use Romantic Colors
Plain white walls can be very boring and create an atmosphere that feels sterile and uninviting. The proper use of color, however, can be the most dramatic change made to any bedroom. A fresh coat of paint is perhaps the best way to add color. If your home is rented, and painting isn't allowed, there are other options. Try tacking colored sheets of fabric on the walls, or using well-placed romantic artwork.
When deciding on a color, think bold, but not too bright. For instance, red is a very sensual color, but bright red can be overpowering. Instead, try burgundy or a brick color. Other good colors are dark blue and green. A cream color can be used effectively as an accent. Avoid using colors like pink, which is too feminine for a bedroom shared with a man, and yellow or orange, both of which are too bright and can be irritating.
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