10 ways to romanticize your home without adding clutter

In honor of the Bridgerton series 3 debut yesterday, I thought I'd share some ideas that might've been floating in your/our heads thanks to it... Romance. Now I am no Whistledown, so I will only touch upon the subject that is my area of expertise: romance in our home's decor. Creating a romantic atmosphere in your home doesn't have to mean sacrificing space or adding clutter. With a few strategic design choices, you can transform your home into a cozy and romantic retreat that exudes charm and elegance. Here are 10 ways to romanticize your home without adding clutter.

1. Soft Lighting

Illuminate your space with soft, diffused lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Opt for dimmable lights and candles to add a romantic glow to your rooms.

2. Mixed Textiles

Incorporate plush fabrics such as linen, velvet and bouclé to add texture and luxury to your home. Think different types of feels, prints, making you want to run your hands on all those indulgent fabrics.

3. Floral Accents

That’s a very easy and obvious one: bring the beauty of nature indoors with fresh cut flowers, dry or stabilized floral arrangements. Choose romantic blooms like roses, peonies, hydrangeas… And pair them with some foliage to add a touch of romance to your decor. I’m currently loving my fresh peonies, they’ve been in bloom for over 10 days!

4. Sensual Scents

Whatever the season, scented candles, essential oils, or reed diffusers are an automatic mood lifter for me. Pick romantic fragrances like lavender, jasmine or oud. The right scent will evoke feelings of warmth and intimacy in your home. My absolute favorite scent right now is Gabriel by Trudon (this is not sponsored, I absolutely love this fragrance).

5. Vintage Touches

This is another obvious one for myself: incorporate vintage or antique pieces into your decor to add character and charm to your space. Look for unique finds like ornate mirrors, delicate china, candlesticks or vintage furniture. You can usually find these in your grandparents’ attics or long-lost cabinets, otherwise you can source them in your local second-hand shop or facebook marketplace. There’s really nothing like an object that has a story to tell to bring warmth and romance into a space.

6. Cozy Nooks

Could be trickier, depending on your space, but so worth a try: create intimate seating areas or cozy reading corners where you can curl up with a good book or enjoy a glass of wine. Add plush cushions, throws, and soft lighting to make these spaces feel extra inviting (see point 1 and 2).

7. Whimsical Details

Add whimsy and romance to your home with playful details like fairy lights, dreamy artwork, or decorative birdcages. These charming accents can add a touch of magic to any room and can be sourced really cheap at local charity shops or flea markets. I’ve recently bought these two vintage Dame Jeanne in Collonges-sous-Salève’s yard sale 5 euros each!

8. Soft Colors

Choose a soft, muted color palette for your walls, pick wooden furniture, and add useful accessories like wicker baskets to create a serene and romantic atmosphere. Shades of blush, lavender, or pale blue are meant to evoke a sense of romance and tranquility in your home. See more tips on interior decoration here.

9. Minimalist Approach

Keep clutter at bay by embracing a minimalist approach to decor. Choose quality over quantity (I cannot stress this enough), think through every purchase and make sure what you’re adding is making sense, not just taking up free space. This will all help create a sense of calm and serenity in your home. See my takeaway from Pulitzer winner Edith Wharton on all of this.

10. Books

I mean, what else is there to say? Beautiful books, interesting ones, ones you loved reading and can’t wait to talk about when your guests enter your home… For me, not only do they bring beauty in a room and a conversation point, they also bring an extra level of texture that really tie a design together.

By incorporating these 10 tips into your home decor, you can create a romantic retreat that's both elegant and clutter-free. Whether you're planning a cozy night in or hosting a romantic dinner for two, these design ideas will help you set the mood and create lasting memories in your home. For taylor-made design guidance, you can book a Style & Design session with me at your earliest convenience.