LOVE UP YOUR HOME

With Valentine’s Day approaching, now is the time to add some simple touches to keep romance alive

WITH music playing softly in the background, the scent of a freshly run bubble bath and the lure of a crisply made bed, it’s tempting to think that the only way to guarantee romance is to book into a grand hotel.

Certainly, that’s something we spend nearly £300 million on in the Uk for Valentine’s Day, according to market researchers iBiSWorld.

But, instead of spending a small fortune, there are some simple insider secrets that can bring romance into your home.

as Sandor Varga, assistant director of accommodation Services at the Landmark London ( landmarklondon.co.uk), explains, ‘creating a romantic experience is down to the small personal touches added to the room that make loved ones feel special’.

SOULFUL MUSIC

WHEN you check into a hotel, or go out for dinner, the experience is often heightened by a quiet soundtrack in the background.

‘Music provides the context to the occasion,’ says Ollie humphreys, founder of Soundscape, a music agency that oversees the ‘sound identity’ for a range of global brands, including citizenM boutique hotels ( citizenm.com).

But he says it’s easy to recreate at home. ‘Think of yourself as the DJ in your favourite bar — when people walk in at the beginning of the night, you want to have something welcoming and atmospheric, perhaps with non-lyrical content. Then, as the evening goes on, you increase the tempo, so it feels like there is some movement to the night.’

he advises using a streaming service, such as

Spotify, to help assemble your tracks. another key thing, he says, is to use ‘lots of little speakers, set at a lesser volume than one large, expensive one. it provides a nice, even coverage.’ he recommends the brand Sonos, which can be controlled via a phone app (Sonos, from £179; sonos.com).

FLORAL FANCIES

ANOTHER simple touch found in many hotels is a beautiful floral display. But step away from predictable roses, advises katie Smyth, co-founder of the florist Worm ( weareworm.com), which arranges fashion party diplays, as well as private dinners and weddings. ‘Focus on the thought behind the flowers you choose and make something personalised,’ says Smyth. When arranging at home, ‘tumbling foliage, long grasses and mixed textures are the best for creating an arrangement which feels wild and poetic.’ Try arranging them in a coloured vase, like the blush Balloon vase by Louise Roe (£80; heals.com).

MOOD LIGHTING

‘Making your home dreamy is easy when you bring candles into the equation,’ advises Sarah Bell, founder and director of Evermore London, whose candles are in situ at the Corinthia London hotel.

‘nothing creates a romantic mood more than the flicker of candles. Lighting of different sizes helps you create an opulent backdrop.’

adding fragrance elevates the whole experience, but choose carefully. ‘Scents such as tuberose and patchouli are luxurious and indulgent, promoting feelings of warmth and sensuality,’ she says.

Try the new Evermore London alexandria Coe garden of Venus candle, which has an intricate line-drawing on the jar (£68; evermorelondon.com).

IN-HOUSE SPA

IF YOU want your bathroom to resemble a hotel spa, you need to pull out all the professional tricks. ‘The bathroom needs to be inviting, indulgent and appeal to all of our senses, so first things first, give that bathroom a spruce and get it sparkling,’ says gilly Eaton, head therapist at The Pig at Combe ( thepighotel.com). ‘Remove any clutter from surfaces and around the bath, and invest in a beautifully fragranced bath oil, plus fresh fluffy towels and bathrobes, which should be stacked neatly next to the bath.’ The White Company has an excellent bath range stocked in many top- notch hotels ( from £ 7; thewhitecompany.com).

Try Bamford Organic Rose Bath oil (£45; bamford.com).

BEDROOM UPGRADE

A FRESHLY made bed is one of the most crucial aspects of a hotel stay. Five-star establishments prefer to use bed sheets with at least a 300-thread-count (Rise & Fall duvet sets from £95; riseandfall.co), artful scatter cushions (mix from a selection at loaf.com) and topped with a cosy-but-chic throw, such as the adeline Bedspread, pictured far left, which adorns beds at kettner’s Townhouse (£495; sohohome.com).

Molly goddard, cofounder and creative director of the pyjama brand Desmond & Dempsey ( desmondanddempsey.com), which has had collections in hotels, is an expert on upgrading. ‘good lighting is important,’ she says, ‘ so turn down overhead lights and switch on softer side lamps to make your bedroom feel more like a hotel.’ gifting a pair of new pyjamas can also add to the experience. and, one final thing to consider, says goddard: ‘ The ultimate hotel extravagance is breakfast in bed (pictured above): you can’t beat a lazy morning enjoying runny eggs on a stack of toast from the comfort of your own bed.’