Give Ordinary Rooms the Look of Love

"Romance" is one of those tricky terms that can mean just about anything to anybody. It's that old leather-lace argument endlessly debated in Cosmopolitan magazine love guides and Don Henley/Stevie Nicks duets.

Unfortunately, when the word is used in decorating circles it usually refers to what you might see on the cover of a novel sharing the same designation.

Granted, the frilly, Victorian-inspired look you might see on a bodice-ripper paperback might have its place for some who long for what we'll call "historical romance" - that is, representative of a time that was allegedly more romantic.

But let's be honest. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and the romance we're all thinking about involves consenting adults participating in various stages of the human mating ritual.

In the end, it's not a decorating scheme you're shooting for as much as a vibe scheme. As such, it's probably unnecessary for you to go out and refurnish your place to make it more conducive to love. Here are some big points to think about from a décor perspective when trying to set the mood.

Lighting - Far too many people make do with two types of lighting: overhead and over bright. The single overhead light fixture is the bane of the boudoir - and just about any other room, for that matter - because the light it offers is harsh and glaring.

Lamps, meanwhile, are generally used to provide indirect light for reading and thus use the highest wattage bulb possible. That's not a bad thing, but it can be a bit much when romance is the intended outcome.

Dimmer switches are perfect for this situation, but if they go only to overhead lights, just turn the thing off. Your goal is muted, indirect light -- about 50 percent of what you would normally use.

A bit of decorative fabric laid over a lampshade is a longstanding technique, but another option is to replace white or light lampshades with something darker that still complements the room's overall décor. A last-ditch solution is to change out the light bulbs to ones with half the normal wattage.

Fire - Speaking of sensuous lighting, it's a natural inclination to stoke the flames of passion with candles. The benefits here are that they are inexpensive, can easily coordinate with existing décor, can add rich, enticing scents to a room and provide a soft, sexy glow. But don't scrimp on numbers. The more candles the better - whether it's on the dinner table, in the living room or around the bed or tub - and the less you'll have to rely on unromantic traditional lighting.

If you're worried that your enthusiastic celebrations of the romantic day will result in overturned candles (or are forbidden to have them by lease restrictions or other covenants), consider the wide variety of new "flameless" candles that have recently hit the market. Many are made of geniune wax on the outside, and include a flickering, low-wattage light emmitting diode inside that gives the illusion of a lit candle without the potential for a major conflagration.

Scent - It's widely known by scientists and major players in the bedroom that certain scents can evoke certain responses, so don't ignore this important element of your romantic room staging. If you're tempted to break out the incense burner you normally used to mask other incriminating smells, make sure whatever you burn is appropriate for the situation and your anticipated partner.

Vanilla, which is regarded as having the most subtle and pleasing effects on the erotic centers of the brain, is an excellent choice. Other options include scented oil burners that sit atop light bulbs, scented candles or even just a drop or two of vanilla extract in some simmering water.

Fabrics - If you find yourself frequenting those Pocono resorts with the heart-shaped tubs during your romantic getaways, satin sheets might just be the thing for you. In color alone, these shimmery (and occasionally slippery) fabrics can scream "do things on me you'd never want your mother to know about."

To some, though, the look is just tacky and the chances of them every being used outside of V-Day are minimal. So instead of opting for the obvious message of satin, go instead for cotton sheets with thread counts of 800 to 1,500. The subtle colors won't make your bedroom look like the set of an erotic film, but the rich feel of these silky, indulgent linens might inspire some similar activity.