Valentine’s Day is nearly here. Bring on the roses, heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and cards that simply ooze love. Naturally, your significant other and you will be dressed to the nines, and eat out in an expensive restaurant before being whisked away in a limousine to a plush hotel room with a bed strewn with rose petals and a chilled bottle of champagne.
Well, that might describe a first Valentine’s Day together. Throw in a few years together, maybe a couple of kids and Valentine’s Day is more likely to end up with hustling to find a babysitter, a noisy restaurant, and coming home tired from battling the crowds.
Never fear – there’s a perfect way to have your cake and eat it too. With the right props, creating a magical, romantic evening at home is ever so easy. Read on for our top tips on how to create the perfect at-home date night.
Your Living Room – The Venue for Romance
Your living room is the perfect venue to sweep your partner off their feet. It’s ideal for the classic “dinner and a movie, and maybe some dancing” date. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps to create an ambience perfect for romance. The best part is, with a little forethought, all the steps we’ve discussed are easy enough to put together even after you’ve put the kids to bed.
1. Set The Ambience
Love blossoms under the softest of lights. Set the tone for romance by turning down the lights. Light a few candles and place them on your coffee table. Tea lights with scents like ylang-ylang, rose, lavender and patchouli create a romantic atmosphere while scents like vanilla add coziness. These Parish Tea Light Holders are a great way to add a sense of drama as they allow you to place your scented candles at different heights.
Make a playlist of songs that mean something to you as a couple or pick a romantic playlist from a music streaming platform of your choice. Light instrumental music is always a great choice as it creates a classy atmosphere while allowing you to have a conversation over dinner.
2. Choose Your Food and Drink
If you and your partner are the kinds who love to cook up a storm – DON’T! This is the night to just enjoy being together without any agenda. Prep a simple charcuterie board beforehand to nibble on while you chat or pick up a pre-made one. Pair it with a wine you like or try a new one. If you need a little extra light while you eat, consider switching on a floor lamp like the Cassell Floor Lamp that adds just the right amount of extra light without being intrusive.
Order some easy-to-eat food from your favourite restaurant. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just s. Keeping things simple, allows you to focus on what matters the most – the two of you.
3. Get Comfy for the Show
It’s time for the entertainment. You can choose to go to a movie or attend a show with the best seats in the theatre – your sofa, of course! If you both prefer a night out at the movies, choose a romantic movie and set the scene. Unfold your Angiola Sofa Bed so you can both stretch your legs while watching a movie. The Angiola Sofa Bed seats two comfortably with its foam seating while its sturdy hardwood frame makes it durable. It’s the perfect date-night solution for smaller living rooms.
If you love a night out at the theatre, surprise your loved one by renting that play or a ballet they’ve always wanted to watch. You’ll have the best seats in the house! Set up a home projector and hook up your home theatre system for an experience they’ll never forget. Relax in style with the Pamina Sectional with its pull-out drawer-style bed or use its extra ottomans as footrests while you enjoy the show. The clever storage allows you to stash extra cushions and throws that you can whip out when you need to get ultra comfortable.
4. Accessorize
The right accessories can dramatically enhance your date night at home. Make your sofa look plush and inviting by arranging plenty of pillows. Pick some pillows that go with your date night theme. For example, this Bohemian Goa Macrame Cushion sets the vibe for a beach-themed romantic movie while plush cushions like this Pichu Navy Velvet Toss Pillow can give your living room that luxurious, box seats vibe.
5. Give Cupid a Hand
While spending quality time together can certainly make temperatures sizzle, it doesn’t hurt to encourage snuggling. An artfully placed throw like this Veribena Charcoal Throw Blanket just invites cuddles.
Fill an Ella Ceramic Vase full of your partner’s favourite flowers, so you can breathe in their fragrance through the night.
Pro Tip: If you have younger children, you can turn your date night into an activity for them by letting them help you create a ‘surprise’ for your partner.
You can also ‘venue hop’ in your home for your date night by setting up a cocktail hour by the firepit, a sit-down dinner in the dining room, and a show in your living room. Feel free to get as dressed up (or not!) as you like, the most important thing is to have fun doing the things you love, with the person you love.
Whatever your perfect date night at home entails, Q-Living has the furniture and décor to help you get it just right. Browse our online store for some inspiration or visit one of our showrooms today!
