Valentine’s Day may have been and gone, but why limit the loving to just 24 hours – or even one month?! February is the perfect opportunity to set the scene for a romantic rest-of-the-year. And there’s no better way to it so than by creating a passion-promoting living environment. In this blog post, we’re going to explore romantic interior design style, and share our top tips for creating an intimate atmosphere at home.
What is Romantic Interior Design?
Romantic interior design emphasises softness, elegance, and a sense of intimacy, drawing inspiration from historical styles such as Victorian and Rococo, and French country, as well as incorporating elements of vintage and bohemian decor. From Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette to Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, this aesthetic is a firm favourite amongst modern filmmakers when it comes to portraying an epic love story. And you can emulate this in your own home, too, by introducing some of its key features…
Soft Colour Palette
In colour psychology, pastels are often associated with feelings of calm, tenderness and care. Making shades such as blush pink, lavender, powder blue, and creamy whites perfect for creating a soothing, optimistic backdrop for romantic rendezvous to unfold.
Luxurious fabrics
Velvet, silk, satin, and lace are the go-to for upholstery, curtains, and bedding as they don’t just add visual interest – they’re interesting to touch, too! As both famously opulent and marvellously tactile materials, they’re a great way to stimulate the senses.
Ornate details
Perhaps the most wonderful part of romantic furniture is that it’s lovingly made. And this is evident in intricate detailing such as floral patterns, delicate embroidery, and decorative trimmings which add a romantic and feminine touch to any space.
Vintage furniture
We all love to romanticise, and antique or vintage-inspired furniture pieces provide the perfect opportunity to tell a story with interior design. From curvaceous silhouettes to detailed carvings and distressed finishes, choose pieces that allow your imagination to run wild!
Whimsical lighting
Low, warm lighting plays one of the most important roles in setting an amorous tone. And when it comes to romantic interior design, this is achieved with elaborate chandeliers, ornamental lamps, and fancy sconces that emit a soft, candle-like glow. Oh, and real candles, too!
Floral accents
The act of giving flowers has long been used to express love and affection – the Victorians even exchanged them as a form of cryptic communication! Whether it’s a beautiful bouquet, or botanical prints and patterns in upholstery, wallpaper and accessories, florals are an inherently romantic choice.
Overall, romantic interior design aims to create a space that feels warm, inviting, and filled with opportunity for love and romance. It often incorporates elements that evoke a sense of nostalgia and fantasy, making it a popular choice for bedrooms, living areas, and intimate dining spaces.
How to Create a Romantic Atmosphere at Home
But if the romantic interior design style isn’t for you, rest-assured there plenty of other options for creating a more intimate interior. From low lighting to squishy sofas, here are seven tips for making a sweet, sweet love nest…
1. Lighting
Nothing sets the mood quite like lighting. Opting for a soft, warm glow will help to create relaxing ambience ideal for getting cosy. Consider dimmer switches for adjusting the brightness to match the vibe, and sumptuous shades for a sensual, Rococo feel. Table lamps and sconces are great for casting low light, with the latter saving valuable surface space should you need it. Last, but by no means least, candles! There’s little more alluring than a flickering flame, and scattering them around any room is a sure-fire way to boost its level of intimacy.
2. Texture
Texture is great for adding depth and visual interest to any space while also making it stimulating and comfortable. Incorporating plush fabrics like velvet, faux fur, or silk into your decor to create a sense of luxury and indulgence, whilst layering different textures, such as a soft rug over hardwood floors, or cosy throw blanket draped over a sofa, also works to add warmth and dimension. Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials to achieve an interior that both looks and feels amazing!
3. Accessories
How to create a romantic atmosphere with decor? Well, less is often more. Display pieces with specific meaning to you as a couple, such as photographs, artwork, or mementos from special occasions. Fresh flowers are also a fabulous feature – place a vase of your favourite blooms on the dining table or nightstand to bring a pop of colour and fragrance into the room. Consider incorporating organic materials, such as wood, stone or houseplants. These tap into our instinctive need to feel connected to nature, known as biophilia, helping us to feel more at ease in our surroundings.
4. Colour
We’ve talked before about colour psychology in interior design, and how different shades can determine the way we feel, and behave in a space. Now, we probably don’t need to tell you that red represents passion, excitement and intensity. But it’s not your only option when it comes to manipulating the mood. Soft, muted tones like blush pink, dusty rose, and pale lavender can evoke feelings of romance and playfulness. On the other hand, rich, deep hues of burgundy, navy blue, and emerald green heighten the level of opulence for a sexier, more sophisticated look.
5. Comfort
Your ability to relax in a space is everything when it comes to creating a romantic atmosphere at home. Truly luxurious furniture is always stylish and never compromises on comfort. Squishy sofas and armchairs with oversized cushions or throw pillows are the perfect for cuddling up together. How about we take this to the boudoir? Investing in high-quality bedding with soft sheets and fluffy pillows will make all the difference – you’ll never want to leave!
6. Furniture
Some of the most intimate moments take place over a delicious meal, which is why an interior design that fosters social interaction is essential for creating a romantic atmosphere at home. Big dining tables are great for having guests, but having the option of a smaller surface will help to bring you and your partner closer together on those evenings you find yourselves alone. This also applies to the living room, where a smaller, or even modular sofa design could really help with getting reacquainted – there’s a reason they call it a loveseat!
7. Fragrance
Sight; touch; taste; scent. Learning how to create a romantic atmosphere at home is about arousing all the senses. Which makes our new range of oversized room diffusers a must! Infuse your space with striking notes of patchouli, sandalwood, bergamot, leather, jasmine and more, for a more relaxed, inviting feel. Each luxurious fragrance comes contained within a beautiful glass bottle with wooden accents to add a touch of sophistication to any surface. What’s more, they contain some of the strongest, finest quality oils on the market, as well as extra-large fibre reeds for optimal distribution, to last over 12 months!
With the right interior design choices, you can set the scene for those perfect romantic moments at home. From applying romantic interior design styles, to incorporating individual elements, there are endless possibilities for promoting warmth, intimacy and love in your living space. Interested in creating a space that has both a romantic feel and reflects your personal style? Get in touch to find out more about our luxury interior design service.
