Bedroom Romance - Your bedroom: create a haven for you and your partner

Your bedroom should be sensual enough to elicit passion and romance, to elevate your senses, to make you crave to return. It should bear the hallmark of your love, and should never

Indulgence: Your bed should be sinfully soft, clean and cozy. Luxurious sheets and plush pillows are wonderful (use all those nice linens from your registry). Also adorn your spread with a few throw pillows to add colour and personality. But the real key is a comfortable mattress, so be sure to have one that you can sink into to unwind and relax.

If you don’t have a headboard, framed photos or pieces of art can be used as a backdrop to your bed. Another option, which will give you an ultra-romantic look, is attaching a canopy from the ceiling. The point is to make your bed the focus of the room. It should stand out and be warm and welcoming for you and your spouse.

Bed Size: With king sized beds you can practically sleep on opposite ends of the room and intimacy can take a nosedive. Merely downsizing to queen bedroom sets will not take away a lot of space but will force a bit more intimacy, literally keeping you closer together for the rest of your lives.

Colour: This may be the single most important factor in creating the mood of your room. Soft colours work best at creating romance. You can also opt for a focus wall with bold colour, softly lit, to bring out the accent colours in your room.

Lighting: Keep centralized lighting but add plenty of ambient lighting. Smaller lamps should adorn side tables and a few up lights will create intimate shadows and open up the room by exposing those darker nooks and crannies. Candles are another way to change the lighting and set the scene for love. Hang dark drapes or blinds for privacy and to keep out the sunlight whenever the two of you want to spend the day in bed.

Furniture: If your room is large enough to accommodate furniture pieces, pull them together into small intimate clusters. Service your armchair or chaise with a footstool and floor lamp. You can also toss a blanket or throw pillow over a chair by the side table to enjoy a cup of tea by the window. The objective is to make your space comfortable, cozy and functional.

Clutter: There is nothing less inviting than piles of stuff intruding on your oasis. Your bedroom is not a trash can or junk drawer. It’s where you and your spouse retreat for rest, relaxation, and romance. No one will be in the mood for sex if there are piles of laundry on the bed. To create the right ambience, ensure that everything has a space and that everything is in its place. Don’t be afraid to throw out stuff. Use closet organizers, boxes, chests, bins and other storage options to get items off the floor, bed, and wherever else they’re strewn.

Accessories: Place fresh flowers on the nightstand. Hang art and photos that are meaningful to you. For instance, keep that wooden jewellery holder your hubby bought you on your honeymoon in plain sight. The important thing is to place objects in the room that remind you both of your love story, the wonderful memories you’ve shared, and the many possibilities for the future.

- Danielle Watson