Amping up the romance and deepening your bond is a whole lot easier when you've got some fresh ideas for things to do together. Whether you're new to dating or have been married for years, planning a romantic night at home or out on the town can be stress-free with the right setting and a little inspiration. All you need are some romantic evening ideas to help you create the perfect night. These are a few of our favorite ways to keep the spark alive.
Plan a Romantic Evening at Home
A quiet night at home might be just what you need to connect. You can keep it simple, or you might choose to spend money on a few extravagances to help you pull off the best romantic evening. From prepping your favorite dinner for two or watching an emotional film in a cozy setup, there's no limit to the ways that you can create a romantic night at home and make your partner feel loved.
Many people feel more comfortable and chill at home, which can make it easier to be vulnerable and talk about how you really feel. Planning a romantic night can also set the mood to ask your partner intimate questions and get even closer as a couple.
Get Creative Together
Flex your artistic muscles as a couple by doing something creative together. Think painting, coloring in an adult coloring book, recording a TikTok or reel, or anything else you both enjoy. Being creative is a great way to relax, and sharing that can help you deepen your bond.
Make Dinner for Two
A romantic dinner is always popular and very effective at creating an intimate night in. You can cook your partner's favorite meal or have the meal catered and brought to you. Setting the mood is equally important as the meal you prepare, so plan on some candlelight and maybe bring home some roses to scent the air. Be prepared with some romantic conversation starters or sweet things to say to make the night in even more memorable.
Host a Charcuterie Competition
If you're not in the mood to craft an entire spread and you love a good old-fashioned competition, challenge your partner to building the perfect charcuterie board. Whether you like to stick with a theme or want to limit yourselves to only what's already in your pantry, a friendly competition can be a raucous way to spend date night after a boring day at work. Laugh it up with fun questions to ask your lover as the two of you compete too.
Slow Dance to Your Favorite Love Songs
If you want to live it up old-school, put that Apple Music or Spotify subscription to good use and establish a beautiful romantic setting with your carefully constructed playlist. Choose songs that remind you of your sweetie, as well as of all the special moments you've shared together. Play it at a low volume, light candles around your living room, dim the lights, and hold your love in your arms for as long as you can.
Plan a Romantic Movie Night
Planning a romantic night with your person doesn't have to be complicated. For a more casual time, make some popcorn and watch movies at home. Or, for a fun twist, pick up a meal to watch with the movie that your partner loves. Whether it's their favorite sushi or other preferred takeout, the fact that you thought about your partner will help create sweet moments together even without a lot of planning. Save the action films or sad dramas for another time; opt for top date night movies or romantic comedies for your special evening.
Relax by the Fire
If you have a fireplace, get a fire going and cuddle up together on a blanket. Since everything is better with a snack or two, feed each other some chocolates or fruit and simply enjoy being in each other's presence. Enhance the romantic setup with favorite beverages or a dessert for two to add sparks to your night in. Keep in mind that spending too much time in front of the fire will make both of you sleepy, so if you've picked out the best pillows in the house to spend an evening in the living room, make sure to turn on a couple of alarms just in case.
Plan a Personalized Wine and Cheese Tasting
If you and your significant other are wine lovers, it's easy to plan your intimate night in. Head out to the store and buy some of your favorite wines, as well as some new ones you've wanted to try. While you're at it, you might as well pass by the grocery store and buy a variety of cheeses. At home, drape a tablecloth on your kitchen table, set up some candles, play some soft romantic music, and sample the different wines and cheeses you picked up earlier.
Recreate Your Teenage Photos
Once you've downed some liquid courage, a hilarious way to spend the evening at home with your favorite person is finding the cringiest photographs from your teenage relationships and recreating them together. First dates, high school dances, and everything else you can dig up is worth a second glance. If only you'd second-guessed the roll-on body glitter and butterfly clips in your early 2000s prom outfit.
Create an Intimate Backyard Getaway
During the spring and summer nights, it's always nice to step outside to look at the stars, listen to the wildlife, and just take a moment to realize that it's just the two of you in this great big world. You can enhance this experience by putting up some tiki torches, lighting candles, or making a fire in a fire pit. Bonus points if you bring a portable speaker outside to play love songs and add some flowers to your deck or patio to add to the romantic setting for your sweetheart.
Break a Sweat with a '90s-Inspired Rave
Break out the blacklights, your best speaker, and brightest clothes in your closet because the '90s called, and it's time for a rave. Whether you and your partner partied it up together as diligent ravers or this is your first chance to live the candy-colored magic, an at-home DIY rave is the perfect place to let loose. Hosting at home means that you don't have to fight with the DJ to hear your favorite songs and you get to hog the best dance partner all night long.
Take a Shower or Bath Together
If you're lucky enough to have a large bathtub or walk-in shower, schedule a romantic shower night the two of you can share. Whether it's after a long work week or coming up on your annual date night, hopping into a warm bath can help you and your sweetheart reconnect and relax. Mother Nature'll also give you bonus points for helping her out by conserving a ton of water. To set the mood for an intimate evening, make sure to:
- Swap out the typical bubble bath for your favorite bubbly on hand
- Turn up the romance with an array of aromatic candles
- Connect to a music playlist full of soft, lilting tunes to soothe your stress away.
Connect Through Massage
Everyone likes to receive a massage, but we don't always take the time. That's why it's a good romantic evening idea to make massage the focus. Set up the bedroom with music and proper lighting and have some massage oils available, so that you can enjoy this sensual and relaxing experience with your partner.
Create Your Own Honeymoon Suite
No matter how long it's been since your honeymoon (or if you haven't gotten there yet), you can create your own honeymoon suite. For example, you can throw rose petals all over the bed and on the floor, fill the room with candles, and put a bottle of champagne on ice. Turn on your speakers and put on a few love songs. Now you're ready to celebrate the love you have for one another in luxury.
Related: 12 Anniversary Date Ideas to Make You Fall in Love All Over Again
Build a Pillow Fort for Two
Reignite that puppy love feeling by instigating a playful night of romance at home. Grab all of the pillows and blankets you can find and create a cozy pillow fort for just the two of you. Take your favorite snacks and flashlights, and climb on in! Perfect for those days when you just want to shut the world out, a pillow fort may be just the thing you and your partner need to really unwind and connect.
You can put a lot of work into a romantic evening, but you don't always have to. Just lay down on the bed or the couch together, listen to music, talk, cuddle, or read poetry together. Take turns asking one another fun relationship questions or "would you rather" questions for couples. Keeping it simple can be sweet too.
Plan a Romantic Night in the Bedroom Together
Whether you're going to end the evening in the bedroom or spend your whole night in your favorite relaxing space, you can easily plan an intimate time together. These are some of our favorite ideas for making it feel special:
- Hint at your plans by sending a sweet love note to your partner ahead of time.
- Have a few simple activities that set the stage for romance, such as romantic couples games, looking through old photos of the two of you as a couple, or browsing ideas for your dream vacation destination.
- Set the mood with scented candles, luxury sheets, and soft music.
- Consider splurging on champagne and strawberries, wine and dark chocolate truffles, or another romantic treat.
- Compliment your partner and remind him or her of all the things you love about them.
Romantic Night Ideas for Going Out
A romantic evening out can include a grand gesture like going to an expensive hotel, but you might also choose someplace simple and cozy to spend some quality time together. And if you're the crafty type, you can turn your bi-weekly or monthly nights out into an annually updated checklist. That way, you're never scrambling for ways to plan a romantic night with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or anyone in between.
Go on a Sunset Hike
In the summer months when the sun goes down later in the day, take your partner on a hike with wonderful views of the sunset. If there's time, pack a bag with picnic items so you can relax once you get to your sunset destination.
Get All the Donuts
For this fun (and delicious) outing, you'll need to plan to pace yourself. Make a list of all the highest rated donut shops in your area. Then stop by each one and split a donut (or get your own if you can't agree on a flavor). We think it's wise to take a stroll in between donuts to make sure you get max enjoyment.
Take a Local Getaway
Sometimes the best way to relax is to change your scenery. Staying in a hotel for an evening or a weekend provides a great way to forget your problems and focus on yourself and your partner. You don't need to travel very far. For an enhanced romantic experience, stay at a nice bed and breakfast or find a local hotel room that has a Jacuzzi tub. Sometimes the best romantic getaways are in your own backyard.
Blind Date With a Book Twist
If you've ever participated in a blind date with a book, then you know how exciting it can be not knowing what you're going to uncover. You can put a date night spin on it and head to your local bookstore with the intention of picking out each other's next big read. You can put parameters on the types of books, or make a list of what the other person is looking for. Either way, sometimes the person who knows your taste best isn't actually you.
Rent a Limo
Limos are for more than just prom and wedding nights. You can celebrate an anniversary or a birthday with a limo as well. Since the limo will be the focus of your evening, you'll be able to really enjoy the ride.
Play Fast Food Roulette
Thanks to foodie developers out there, there are tons of apps that let you spin the wheel on the restaurants in your area. Play a little fast food roulette for your next evening out and pick up your main course, sides, drinks, and desserts from each of the different restaurants that come up. Best part? The only thing required is that you come hungry.
Go for a Walk in a Romantic Setting
Walking, or just being outdoors in general, can be surprisingly romantic. The key is picking the right time and place. Near sunset is often the most romantic. The beach is a great place to walk, but a park or local neighborhoods are good as well.
Visit a Coffee Shop
Instead of going to the regular chain coffee shops, find a local and unique shop in your area. Some places will even have live music on Friday or Saturday nights for the two of you to enjoy. The low-fi music and warm espresso smell will make you and your partner relax into each other and enjoy the conversation that much more.
Dress Up and Go Out
You and your sweetheart probably go out on the town frequently, but how often do you really dress up? Putting on your finest clothes can spice up the same old hangouts. Add to the adventure by trying a new restaurant or doing something new like viewing an opera.
Go on a Luxury Joyride
Rent a luxurious car, maybe one with a convertible top, and plan a route that has beautiful views. During the fall, you can take a ride to see the colors of the changing leaves. In the winter, you can drive to see snow-capped mountains. In the spring, you can visit meadows of wildflowers or botanical gardens, and in the summer months, take a cruise along the beachfront.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
Variety is the spice of life, so use it to spice up your love life too. Break out of your comfort zone and try something new with your person. It's all about shaking up your routine and having fun together.
