Bedroom Blues: Romantic Decorating

Q: Dear April,
I've spent some time decorating the rest of my home, but haven't gotten around to the bedroom yet. Right now, I live by myself, but I do have "guests" who stay in my room, and want the room to feel comfortable...and sexy. Do you have any tip?

Best,
Bedroom Blues

A: Dear Bedroom Blues,
Having spent time decorating the homes of some of the richest and most famous people in the world (including my own award-winning abode), I've come to one unfortunate conclusion: One of the most important rooms in the house is often the most neglected—the bedroom. More often than not, I see them piled with storage, full of laundry, stacked with papers. You get the picture...and it's not a romantic one.

The bedroom should, however, actually be the one place where you can seek refuge from the world outside. It should be the one place where you can relax without everyday distractions. After all, how can you really get to the task at hand (i.e.—"enjoying" yourself with your partner) with a stack of unpaid bills, or a pile of dirty socks vying for your attention? The answer—you can't.

So we agree, the bedroom should be a place for relaxation and romance. But how can you turn your current bedroom into a full-fledged boudoir? A good place to start is by considering—and appealing to—your senses.

Sight

• Pick a color palette and stick to it. While certain colors (like red) may be good choices to get the romance flowing, other options, including blue, have their own beneficial affects, like calmness and comfort. Overall, pick a color you love, and one that makes you feel your sexiest.
• Feng Shui has a tip in this area that makes good, practical sense: Keep each side of your bed (his/hers) even. In other words, if you have a table and lamp on your side, make sure there's one on "her" or "his", too, even if there currently is no her or him. The idea being that it should appear as though you are ready for there to be a partner—that you have a space for him, both literally and figuratively.

Sound

• Music is a definite mood maker, but it shouldn't sound like you're sitting front row at your favorite concert. Play music just loud enough to hear, but not so loud that you can't listen to the sweet nothings your love's whispering in your ear.
• Pick music that's appropriate for the setting the mood. Jazz is always a safe bet as it can travel the distance of emotions—from mellow to hot and soulful—in a single song.

Smell

• Let's face it, women love candles (who doesn't look their best by the flame's flicker?), and we usually go ga-ga for ones that are scented even more. But much like color, certain scents create strong reactions. In the bedroom, it's best to stick to headier aromas, like musk and vanilla.
• Keep dirty laundry in a closet, or better yet, in a separate room all together to avoid any unwelcome odors.

Taste

• It may seem strange to think of food in the bedroom, but having a little nosh is a good idea. What to pack for the picnic? Try a plate of fruits, ready for the eating (peeled, cut, etc.), and a bottle of champagne for when things really heat up.
• Also, keep a pack of mints at the ready...just in case. /li>

Touch

• Make your bed a place your partner will never want to leave by using the perfect down pillows and softest sheets. Even though good sheets are a bit more expensive, it's worth it to make them fit in your budget. Look for high thread counts, or soft fabrics, like jersey. Don't underestimate the power of touch.
• Keep soft pillows on the bed, and scattered around the room. You never know when things might move to the floor; so be prepared to take it there.

The Sixth Sense: Common Sense
Take down that picture of your ex! No matter how sexy you look by the flame of the candle, you can't compete with the mood-killing power of your old flame. Get rid of it, pronto.

Ready for even more great tips on how to sex-up not only your home, but your whole life? Then please visit my Web site, www.AskApril.com. There, you'll find informative articles, expert columnists, interactive quizzes, and free giveaways! And don't forget to also check out my workshops to really help you get on the road to finding your perfect partner!

April Masini