You’ve already had a few dates, met up for dinner and drinks out, and with Valentine’s Day lurking just around the corner all signs are pointing towards a romantic evening in at yours. Does this idea excite you or send you into a panic? If it’s the latter, there’s plenty you can do to put your mind at rest.
First, let’s run through some vital dos and don’ts that could easily make or break a romantic encounter. These may seem like obvious points, but it’s easy to forget the basics when you’re contemplating true love…
• No dirty knickers/pants on the floor!
• Banish any flatmates’ embarrassing anime figurines/porn stash/beer bottle collections from view (unless any of these items are likely to be an aid to success).
• Get your windows cleaned. There’s nothing like smudged windows to tarnish the look of an otherwise clean and tidy house.
• Make sure the fridge is clean and smells fresh (if you don’t have long to deal with any lingering aromas, you can buy a fridge freshener from your local homeware store or supermarket).
• Got a cuddly toy collection? You might want to re-home it in a spare room for the evening. Or, if you can bear to, donate them to your local charity shop or children’s hospital along with any other clutter you’ve held on to for too long.
• Don’t leave anything out that obviously belongs to you ex. Think hard about this one - are there tell-tale artefacts in view that you’ve simply stopped noticing?
• Invest in some scented candles. Even if the date’s a disaster, you can enjoy them afterwards.
Once you’ve tackled the worst of the mess and clutter, it’s time to start giving your home a more inviting, romantic ambience. Light those candles and order in some fresh flowers for a really welcoming atmosphere, then, if you’ve still got any time left, why not put some of that nervous, pre-date energy into some DIY?
DIY mood lighting
Is the lighting in your home a little too stark? A little too dim? If you want your guest to feel comfortable and relaxed in your space, this is something you’ll really want to get right, so here are a few tricks you can pull to get the effect just right.
As a rule, up-lighting works better than down-lighting for creating a relaxing ambience, so if you’ve only got ceiling-hung lighting, take the opportunity to get some freestanding up-lighters or lamps with large shades - most furniture stores should have a selection. This should soften the quality of the light significantly. Avoid placing lamps too close to mirrors as this creates glare, and ensure any paintings or other features you want to draw the eye towards are close to a light source.
If you’re strapped for cash, fairy lights can work wonders on even the dingiest rooms, providing a gentle and enticing light. But make sure you use a good quality set that doesn’t make your place look too studenty!
Tags: mood lighting, romantic evening, Valentine's Day, yell.com
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