Creating a Romantic Style Bedroom

A popular trend right now, in bedroom furnishings is shifting away from the standard set of a bed, two nightstands and a few dressers all of the same style and collection, towards a more romanced and eclectic combination of pieces to create a personal space with an feeling of romantic escape.

Choosing a Romantic Bed

Nothing adds to the air of romance in a bedroom quite like a canopy bed. The easiest way to create a simple canopy for your bed is to hang a piece of fabric over the top frame rails of a structured canopy bed. But if your bed doesn't have a canopy frame, there are other ways to get the look of a canopy and to surround your bed in softness and colour. You can achieve a very attractive canopy bed look by installing curtain rods to the ceiling, placing one over each end of the bed.

Bedroom Furniture

Furniture can be the first building block in creating an amorous atmosphere within a room setting. Romantic European influences from Italy, France and the British Isles are currently in vogue. For instance, the woods used in today's furniture are richer and deeper, like cherry and walnut with java, cocoa or sienna stains.

Bedding

The bed is the focus of any bedroom and the most romantic rooms make it as cosy as possible. Luxurious sheets and plush pillows are wonderful, but the real key is a comfortable mattress, so make sure to have one that give you and your partner the maximum comfort.

Lighting

Lighting should be soft and filtered; bright lights can detract from the ambience. Use lower wattage light bulbs or those with a soft pink hue. And, for special evenings, nothing adds romance like the warm glow of candles. Put your central light on a dimmer switch for controlled ambiance. An additional switch by the bed adds extra convenience.

Sound

Keep your favourite CDs at your fingertips; soft music is one of the easiest ways to elevate your mood. If it's noisy outside your bedroom window, hang thick curtains to muffle the sound. A peaceful bedroom retreat is the place to focus on each other, so keep distractions such as the television in another room.

Scents

Add a romantic touch with scented candles. To fragrance bedding, add 3 to 6 drops of your favourite aromatherapy oil to the softener section of your washing machine (use with hot water only). Alternatively, put 3 drops of oil on a piece of natural material (such as a small cotton handkerchief) and pop it into the tumble dryer along with the bed linen.

Add a Rug

Lay an area rug on your bedroom floor. The rug will add extra richness to your room. Place it at an angle, with a part of it under the foot of your bed, for a dramatic effect.

Don't Let Clutter Kill the Romance

Nothing kills romance like clutter. Make sure you have adequate storage to suit all your needs. Find appropriate storage spaces for papers, spare change, and other pocket items. If you have a small bedroom, eliminating clutter will also make your bedroom look larger.