By Matthew Currington, Technical Director, The Lighting Superstore
It’s official. Staying in is the new going out. That’s at least where Valentine’s Day is concerned with 63 per cent of people preferring to stay at home, rather than head out to celebrate.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, The Lighting Superstore thought there was no better time to share its top tips for creating the perfect romantic ambience in the comfort of your own home…
Set the mood
The perfect Valentine’s night in is all about striking the right tone. Remember, you’re trying to create an atmosphere of intimacy. According to Professor Robert Pickard ‘people are more likely to feel romantic if they are alert, warm and relaxed’.
Dimmable lights and candles will help to create the ideal atmosphere perfect for snuggling up on the sofa.
The Lux Contemporary Semi Flush Ceiling Light is a great investment piece that will add a chic and refined element to your night in.
Temperature is key as well – make sure the room where your date is taking place is warm and cosy – but not too hot.
Undivided attention
Cook a homemade meal with all your favourite trimmings and then ad-lib on the table décor with fairy lights, which you can set up in glass jars, to create an intimate dining experience.
Set a rule to keep your phones off, and yes, we mean for the whole night! The best compliment you can give your partner is being entirely present and giving your undivided attention.
Scandinavian inspiration
Cosy. Intimate. These aren’t just words describing the perfect Valentine’s night in. They’re also words most associated with the Scandi phenomenon ‘hygge’.
Describing feelings of wellness and contentment, the trick to adopting the ‘hygge’ mindset is all about valuing quality and creating your own personal sanctuary. Think about investing in fluffy throws and soft pillows to make your surroundings more inviting.
To complete the look, add some sentimental touches that hold specific meaning. Why not adorn your living room with some of your favourite photos of the pair of you together in colourful frames?
Say it with flowers
It may be a tad quaint, but nothing says romance quite like flowers.
However, if you’re looking to add a modern spin to this age-old gesture, there are plenty of novel ways you can say it with flowers.
Floral-themed decorations like a Rouge Single Table Lamp offer an updated take on red roses with arresting details such as black and silver twisted metal stems and a chrome plinth.
Want to be a little more inventive? You can simply drop a few edible rose petals into a glass of champagne, or give those petals extra life by using them to make potpourri.
Bedroom makeover
If splashing out on a swanky hotel just isn’t your style (or within your budget), you can inject the decadence of an expensive night away into your home instead.
Use linens, blankets and plumped cushions to give your boudoir that added touch of fresh luxury.
Don’t forget those after dinner chocolates
Studies have proved consuming chocolate can lift your mood, making you feel calmer and more content. Dark chocolate, in particular, stimulates the production of endorphins; chemicals in the brain that create feelings of pleasure.
So now you have the perfect excuse to indulge in those after dinner chocolates…
Sensuous scents
Why not invest in some scented candles for your evening to really boost your mood?
A 1994 study found the warm, enticing aroma of cinnamon increases feelings of romance more than any other aroma.
Ylang ylang and neroli are also scents which have been used as aphrodisiacs for many years, due to their mood-lifting effects.
A perfect night, engulfed in a perfect scent, may forever conjure up fond memories in your mind whenever you smell that certain aroma.