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Since Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away and I’ve made it my goal this month to create more ambience at home, I want to share some simple, practical ways to bring romance back into everyday life. Are you blushing or cringing?
If your life looks anything like mine, the daily scramble of kids, chores, work, carpools and pets can easily crowd out romance. Those fairy-tale notions we held as teenagers about how romantic married life would be often give way to diapers, dust bunnies and sinks full of dishes.
It’s easy to get swallowed up by the routine of keeping a home running. Setting a romantic mood is frequently the last thing on my mind. For me, ambience is key — not just in the bedroom, but throughout the house.
Here are a few tips I use (or plan to use this month) to create ambience and set a more romantic tone in the evenings. I’m sure my husband will appreciate the effort!
*Use the pretty dishes
(yes, it matters)
Are you eating off plastic or ugly plates, or worse, in front of the TV every night? Bring out the nice dishes and set the table. I collect neutral white plates at discount stores and don’t worry if they don’t all match. They look lovely together and instantly elevate the meal. Add a couple of candles and you’ve set a romantic tone with almost no effort.
*Freshen up the bedroom & bathroom
If laundry has taken over the bed, kids’ clothes are scattered on the floor, or a cereal bowl lingers on the bathroom counter, take a few minutes to tidy up. Visible reminders of a long day will quickly kill a romantic atmosphere. A quick reset makes the space feel welcoming again.
Coastal Living
*End the day earlier
If you’re tired by evening, consider having an earlier meal — like your grandparents did with “supper.” Eating earlier and cleaning up sooner gives you extra time to relax later. If possible, nudge the kids’ bedtime earlier to carve out a couple of child-free hours. When our kids were small we sometimes fed them early and then enjoyed a quieter dinner together once they were in bed — a lovely at-home date.
*Scents
If lingering cooking smells are lingering after dinner, air the house out and introduce a pleasant scent. Use a diffuser with a few drops of essential oil or bake something fragrant to replace the offending odor. Clean, inviting scents help set a warm, romantic mood.
*Turn on the mood lighting
As daylight fades, switch off harsh overhead lights and rely on lamps instead. Once the kids are in bed, light a few candles to cast a soft, flattering glow on side tables and surfaces.
*Light a fire
If you have a fireplace, use it. A gas fireplace makes ambience easy with the flip of a switch; if you don’t have one, arrange clusters of candles to create a cozy focal point. Always be mindful of safety and avoid open flames while small children are awake.
*Get creative
If your evenings have become predictable, mix things up. Instead of the usual cleanup-TV-sleep routine, try a board game by the fire, read aloud to each other on the couch, or revisit old love notes and memories from your early dating days. It might feel a little corny at first, but breaking routine keeps your connection fresh — and dull is not romantic.
House Beautiful
*Music to your ears
Rather than turning on the TV to fill silence every evening, play soft, romantic background music. A thoughtfully chosen playlist can transform the mood without any extra fuss.
*Attitude check
By the end of the day I’m often exhausted and still in “work” mode. Beyond changing lights and scents, I have to shift mentally from chores to creating a romantic atmosphere. There’s no point in making the house pretty if a grumpy attitude ruins the mood. Take a deep breath, let go of the day’s frustrations, and choose a kinder, more relaxed tone — it makes all the difference.