Give your bedroom a complete romantic makeover or just spice it up with a few well-placed accessories. If you want set  a sensual mood in your love nest, here are some great tips and inspirations.

There’s no one definition for a romantic bedroom in terms of décor. You can dress your walls with shimmering patterns to add glamor, choose deep, passionate reds to create an aura of seduction, or rely on subtle hues for a more feminine, relaxing feel.  An enchanting bedroom is one that offers an inviting atmosphere and promotes intimacy, but whereas one person prefers a warm and soothing environment, others will need a little more fire to get turned on.

Start by closing your eyes and thinking of all the things that excite your senses. Think of places you find most romantic in the world. Is it a tropical beach with swaying palms, an isolated country cottage, a boutique hotel room overlooking the Eiffel Tower, an elegant night club or a blue and white terrace restaurant in Santorini?  Then design your bedroom in a way that reminds you of these places.

Above all, don’t be egoistic in pursuing your romantic bedroom ideal. Let it be a pretty and feminine space, but make sure it’s not alienating to your partner. Conflicts in taste can really distract the atmosphere of passion and closeness, so before introducing any major changes, ask if the other person is OK with them.  Here’s are some things that definitely scream “romance” without too much sugary sweetness.

1. Canopy bed

Nothing says romance like a room with a contemporary canopy bed. There is something exotic about stretches of translucent, lightweight fabric draped on a grand bed frame, reminiscent of a honeymoon in the tropics.  Since the metal frame in this design is really delicate and the fabric sheer, the bed doesn’t dominate the look, although it does have a strong romantic presence and decides the character of the bedroom. A simple monochromatic scheme that could otherwise seem cold and sterile, turned this alcove into a sanctuary of tranquility and relaxation. If you can’t afford a new bed, hang curtains from a narrow curtain pole fixed over the bed and drape them using holdbacks.

{Source: Houzz}

2. Rustic headboard

A DIY rustic headboard will instantly add charm to you bedroom, and vintage charm goes hand in hand with subtle romance. One fabulous idea is to use a pair of old doors or a garden gate. Isn’t it romantic that you give new life to something that’s doomed for eclipse? If you’re not keen on the rustic door project, you may well take a large piece of plywood, wrap it in patterned fabric and place it behind the bed.

Vintage is not your cup of tea? A boutique-styled bedroom with a stunning tufted headboard can have a strong romantic feel, too. Plush or leather, straight lines or fancy shapes, a stylish headboard is the easiest way to add elegant opulence to your room and make you feel like you’re on a constant romantic vacation. If you’re proficient in DIY, do try to make one yourself.  The web is full of inspiring tutorials.

{Source: Dreamy Whites}

3. Exposed brick

Rustic and idyllic or harsh and ascetic –brick is a really versatile material to work with. It can add charm and a cozy feel to traditional interiors, enhance the warmth of cottage country style, or emphasize the austere character of industrial arrangements. Everything depends on how well you maintain it and decorate around it. When done properly and paired with romantic accessories (such as a luxuriant, white canopy and ultra soft vintage bedding) exposed brick walls will create a perfect ambiance for passion and romance.

Mind you, when the project is not executed with care, the walls will look shabby and sooner or later will start adding to your household chores and expanses. Here’s what you should know to avoid disappointment – Exposed Brick Walls: A Good Idea?

{Source: Willow Decor}

4. Shabby Chic inspirations

Two things that instantly add a romantic quality to a bedroom setting are pastel color schemes and delicate floral patterns. By chance, these two features are some key elements in shabby chic arrangements, so if you want to follow a specific decorating style, why not go in this direction. Vintage furniture, sweet pastel hues, flower prints, frilly bedding and feminine accessories are bound to make your bedroom feel cozy and inviting. Just make sure you keep the level of wear and tear, antique pieces and sugary  accents under control – you want your bedroom to turn out romantic and sensual, not scruffy and nauseating. Some tips on how to design a shabby chic bedroom with  subtlety and style can be found here.

{Source: eBay}

5. Vintage wallpaper

It might be a delicate floral print or a more distinctive pattern – there is something inherently romantic about vintage wallpapers. Here a stunning gilded bird cage motif corresponds beautifully with a painted metal bedstead and a large mirror in a simple, slightly distressed frame. If you care for a more contemporary look, consider a wallpaper with darker background and light reflecting pattern – it will create  a dramatic focal point and add sophisticated elegance to your bedroom. Just remember that rooms with patterned wallpaper call for moderation is accessories and a limited color palette.

{Source: FreshNist}

6. Fireplace

Fireplaces are romantic. Period. And that’s basically why you should have one in your bedroom if only there is such a possibility. The warmth of fire instantly connotes passion and coziness, setting the perfect stage for a little cuddly time. Just think about the long winter evenings! Technologies are quickly developing and the choice of designs is so huge today that getting a fireplace in your bedroom does not necessarily require a major project. The is an ever-evolving collection of portable, eco-friendly fireplaces that don’t need a chimney, which makes them incredibly quick and easy to install.

{Source: Houzz}

7. Window treatment

Window treatment always sets the tone for the design, but nowhere does it seem so important as in romantic arrangements.  Be it sumptuous blackout panels, layered swoops and swags, delicate sheers or roman shades, light and privacy control is a priority in a room that calls for an air of utmost intimacy. Window coverings that filter the light in the room create a snug atmosphere perfect for romance.

{Source: Houzz}

8. Reading corner

The bed may be the hub of passion, but make sure it isn’t the only place to sit in a romantic bedroom. A cozy seating arrangement creates an air of intimacy and provides a tranquil space for the “me time” with a good book and a glass of wine. Sofas, chaises, ottomans, loungers or accent chairs – consider what you’re going to use the space for and choose furniture accordingly. Depending on the size of your bedroom,  anchor the sitting area at the foot of the bed, put it in front of the fireplace or push it into the corner. And make sure there is a soft blanket and a little coffee table to set a cup with hot chocolate.

{Source: freshome}

9. Sparkle and shine

A little glamor almost always sets romance ablaze. Crystal chandeliers, silver vases, golden  picture frames, wallpapers with light reflecting patterns, luxurious silk bed linen and heavy ornate mirrors – there are multiple ways to add some luster and shimmer to a bedroom. Of course, let’s not forget the candles. Few things contribute to a romantic atmosphere more than the gentle glow of flickering flames.

{Source: RH baby & child}

10. Faux fur and wool

Come wintertime, your bedroom should fill with fabrics that ensure warmth, coziness and comfort. Soft wool and faux fur create a relaxed haven in which the two of you can brave freezing nights and chilly mornings. Snuggle together under a handmade wool blend blanket, cuddle on a fluffy sheepskin rug in front of a fireplace and wrap yourselves up with high thread count bed linen. Bedroom décor that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed will help romance flourish even when the world around gets frozen.

{Source: Apartment Therapy}

11. Shadow lamp shade

There’s nothing sexy and romantic about a well-lit room, and overhead lighting tends to be quite unflattering. Soft, filtered light and shadows will not only help you feel more comfortable, but will also set a romantic ambiance for a relaxing time together. Shadow lamps, such as the exotic table lamps by Calabarte, provide fantastical illuminations that create a magical mood and get the imagination going. If you don’t want to buy a new lamp, you can still make a pretty shadow shade by stitching doilies to a vintage shade frame.  It is incredibly romantic even when unlit, let alone when it presents its full potential after dark.

{Source: A Beautiful Mess}

12. “Statement of love” accessories

Actions speak louder than words, which is so true about love and affection, but a little declaration of adoration will not do any harm.  Let that special someone know how much you care with a lovely pillow slip, put your picture together in a heart-shaped frame and make red the accent color. Consider wall decals with love quotes or any other messages that make it clear love is in the air. Just be careful not to go overboard with too many declarations of affection in your bedroom décor, unless you’re designing a bedroom for your teenage daughter.

{Source: House to Home}

13. Scent

Creating a truly passionate atmosphere is about appealing to all senses, so take the same approach to smell that you take to sight or touch. Beautiful furniture and silk bedding will not do their job if the rug beside your bed smells of a wet dog and the mattress hasn’t been aired for years. Ban pets from the bedroom, move the laundry hamper to the bathroom, ensure proper ventilation, and change the sheets regularly (at least every two weeks, but preferably once a week). Use scented candles and fresh cut flowers to awaken you senses, bearing in mind that the scent should be stimulating, not overpowering. Of course, it is going to be a matter of individual taste.

{Source: homedit}

14. Bed tray

When you think about romance in the bedroom, it’s just impossible to skip the idea of breakfasts served to bed. A butler tray is a great practical and decorative accessory that can help set a romantic mood and make lazy mornings in bed even more enticing. If you have a strict “no food in bed” policy, put the tray on an fold-away stand and use it to display elegant stemware… just in case you want to toast your time together with a glass of bubbly.

{Source: Buckets of Burlap}

15. “No clutter” policy

No matter what decorating style you opt for in your romantic makeover project, there’s one truth that applies to all bedroom designs, especially when you have romance in sight – clutter kills the spirit. What you need to invoke sensual energy is balance and relaxation – hard to achieve when you’re steeped in chaos.

Of course, this is not to say you have to avoid accessories, collectibles and other items that you find dear. Just try to resist the impulse to display all your sport trophies and medals or photos and souvenirs from every single place you’ve traveled to. If there’s an open closet, cover it with a curtain, use wicker baskets to keep magazines organized, and don’t display your whole cosmetics assortment on top of the vanity (a pretty perfume bottle will do).