There are a few tried-and-true ways to set the mood: candles, dim lighting, and soft music with a deep bass line. But to fully embody that sense of decadence all the time requires a feat of interior design. “A romantic interior is one that invites you to soften into yourself,” says Ashley Wilkins of Islyn Studio. “It creates a space that gently encourages you to linger a little longer. Intimacy doesn’t require darkness; it requires intention.”
Romance means something different to everyone, but whether it’s low, plush seating, the likes of smoky members’ clubs and 1970s lounges, or the dreamy lightness of a fragrance commercial, it’s important to define the design elements that really get you going. Perhaps you’re trying to create the serene bedroom of your dreams, or simply attempting to better outfit your dining room for a slew of close-knit winter dinner parties. We tapped trusted, vibe-setting designers to help us craft a romantic interior that will set the stage for your next date night.
Don’t Skimp on the Details
When Alan Eckstein of Somerset House thinks of romance, he prefers a sense of maximalism. “It’s a little cozier, you know? I think it kind of does the trick when you have layers that feel like they’re building on one another,” he says. “I think the room has to be dynamic. It has to be involved.” Like any good first date, a romantic space encourages a sense of discovery, of exploration. Consider this a step up from simply layering textiles and furniture pieces. “One can never underestimate the power of small details,” says interior designer Joseph Monsour. “Your guests’ favorite flowers, a lit fireplace on a cold evening, and conversation-evoking coffee table books all enhance an already romantic atmosphere, allowing your guests to slowly discover these details throughout their time in the space.” Let your space highlight your personality. As guests discover your home, they’re really getting to know you, and what’s more romantic than shining through the space you love?
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Turn Off the Big Light
Avoid overhead, LED lighting at all costs. Nothing is worse than trying to cozy up on the sofa, but you’re being blinded by a sterile operating table glow. Soft, ambient lighting (warm temperature light bulbs preferred) is key if you’re trying to create moodiness or softness in a space. If you prefer natural light, Claire Staszak of Centered by Design encourages you to let it wash over the space without the hindrance of drapery. “The way natural light hits the bed or the floor says I am not afraid of intimacy,” Staszak explains. Even if your textures and materials are harsh—metals, straight lines, a neutral color palette—incorporating the right light fixtures can instantly create intimacy. For Monsour, warm lighting keeps your attention on others, not on the worries of how you’re being perceived. “Ambient lighting makes everything from fabric to people look their best; it automatically gives a cinematic aspect to any space,” he says. ”It sets the stage for people to feel comfortable and focus on the conversation and others in the room.”
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Embrace Age
Antique furniture is often described, not as worn, but as well-loved. There’s a sense of romanticism to pieces that have lived a long life. It’s one of Eckstein’s favorite ways to make a space more romantic. “It’s built from the human experience,” he says. “When I see real-life character and almost a weirdness to things, especially through decades of use, I guess I’m feeling pretty romantic.” Sourcing vintage and antique furniture can also aid in the layering or curation of a room, preventing it from looking like a showroom or department store display. We’re not saying you can’t buy all of your decor in one place, but you’ll have a more personality-driven home if you collect over time. There’s no such thing as a finished room; allow it to evolve.
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Cocoon With Texture
Allure is inherently fluid—the back and forth of conversation, of gestures, of feelings. “Romance is sort of unrigorous,” says Gregory Rockwell. He prefers a contrasting approach to interiors and treats each room as its own unique vibe. “I think of softness in materials, ruffles, generous volumes, lots of fabric, florals, and gauzy, light textures are extremely romantic,” he says. In model Paloma Elsesser’s Brooklyn home, designed by Rockwell, there’s a juxtaposition between the intense, maroon-clad lounge and the airy primary bedroom. The lounge is sexy in its own right, with a zebra print sofa and a plush red carpet. But in the bedroom, a different, softer type of romance is prioritized. The diffused light brings softness, as does a linen or sheer cotton fabric billowing in the wind from a cracked window. While Eckstein insists that “a great room has all of the textures,” prioritizing softness and luxuriousness can help a space define itself. A high pile rug or mohair throw—things that feel good to the touch—invites you to relax, while a wood chair or metal desk might give the room a more functional intention. “I actually think light-filled spaces can feel incredibly intimate when they’re grounded with warmth and texture,” says Hudson. “Even a very minimal room becomes softer when the materials feel lived-in rather than slick.”
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Encourage Connection
For designer Madelynn Hudson of MH Interiors, and the mind behind Heidi Gardener’s Kansas City retreat, it’s important to be intentional in how you want folks to interact with each other, not just the environment. “I like seating that encourages people to face each other, rooms that aren’t oversized, and layouts that naturally pull people together—around a table, a fireplace, or a banquette,” she says. “When a space feels easy, connection follows.” Stray away from individual accent chairs, and instead, opt for love seats, settees, plush sofas where you can sit as close or as far as you’d like. Eckstein suggests giving each seat their own world. “Every seat should have a light source and a table, somewhere to set a drink down,” he says. This provides a sense of freedom to live in the space; the furniture is no longer a set piece, you can move freely, without a sense of preciousness. Let the connection happen naturally, don’t force it. As Rockwell says, “Nothing is less sexy than trying to be sexy.”
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