It’s no secret that spending one-on-one time together helps keep the romance alive in a relationship, and date nights are one of the easiest ways to do just that. But with rising inflation, it’s hard to justify spending $500 on a night out. After all, there’s bills to pay and food to put on the table—which is exactly where a date night at home comes in.
When times are tough and costs are high, it’s easy to let one-on-one time fall by the wayside. But I’m here to tell you that inflation no longer has to get in the way of romance. Because the truth is: You don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to have a romantic evening with your significant other. In fact, all you need to keep the spark burning is a little creativity and the right guidance.
So, the next time you feel like you can’t swing a night out, turn to this list to create the ultimate night in. Keep scrolling to learn the 7 ways to make a date night at home super romantic.
7 Ways To Create a Romantic Date Night at Home:
1. Come up with a plan together
Just like you’d plan a night out, plan for your date night at home! Not only will this amp up the anticipation and excitement, but it will also make things run smoother because you won’t be stuck trying to make last minute decisions.
The first thing you should do is pick out the day you’re going to have your at-home date night on. From there, talk to your partner about potential things you can do that day; take a look at the weather to get an idea of what you have to work with. For example, if it’s supposed to be sunny and warm, you might want to plan an outdoor picnic; if it’s going to be cloudy and chilly, maybe you opt for some takeout and a good movie. Create a plan, and have 1-3 backups lined up in case you can’t do the first one.
2. Have something tasty to eat
No date night would be complete without some good food. Whether it be takeout, delivery, or a home-cooked meal, something tasty to eat is essential for creating the perfect date night at home.
If you want to make something at home, try making a charcuterie board to start off the night, and end with a nice steak dinner or delicious mac n cheese. You could also grab some takeout from a restaurant you both love, or do something as simple as pizza delivery. The choice is yours! Whatever you do, make sure you’re indulging in something delicious.
3. Stock up on refreshing drinks
Much like having something tasty to eat is crucial for a date night at home, a refreshing cocktail or mocktail is as well. Grab your favorite wine or beer, or level up your mixology skills and make a new drink. This is also something you could plan ahead of time (think: a cocktail you saw on TV or social media and want to try), and base your food around it! This will also get you both more excited for your at-home date night.
4. Set the vibe with low lighting
One thing all romantic settings have in common is low lighting. So, light some candles, string up some fairy lights, or simply dim the lights to set the mood. The goal is to create an environment that’s relaxing for you and your S.O; it should be warmly-lit but not too bright.
If you choose to incorporate candles into your setting, try picking out scents that both you and your partner love. This will also help awaken your senses, which in turn will awaken your sensuality and put both of you in the mood for romance.
5. Wear something you feel good in
One of the biggest pros about date nights at home is the fact that they’re so comfortable. Think about it: What’s more comfortable than relaxing in your own home?! Wearing something you feel good in is going to help you relax and be more fully present in the moment.
Some people may feel their best and most relaxed when they’re bare-faced and chilling in sweats, while others may feel good when they’re dolled up. Some may feel their spiciest in some sexy lingerie, and others may just need a simple accessory to make them feel good. You can even simply spritz on a favorite perfume or cologne to feel a little bit more confident. Whatever you decide, make sure you feel comfortable and confident. When you feel this way, you’ll radiate confidence—and your partner will take notice.
6. Put the phones away
As a society, we’re often glued to our phones and leave them close by at all times. However, when it comes to date night, it’s time to put them away. This will allow the two of you to really connect without any distractions from the outside world.
You can simply put your phone in another room, stick it in a closet somewhere, or set it to Do Not Disturb. If you’re worried about being out of reach and missing something important, you can select contacts and add them to your favorites list, which will allow calls or texts from them to come in while your phone is set to Do Not Disturb. If you choose to do this, just make sure your phone isn’t a huge distraction.
7. Set aside time to talk
Losing the ability to talk about anything and everything with your S.O is detrimental to all relationships. Just because your date night’s at home doesn’t mean that you don’t talk like you would on a romantic night out. Instead, make room for time to talk together. Whether it’s outside with a few drinks and appetizers, over dinner, or after a movie, having the time to talk together is going to bring you closer and help strengthen your bond.
hubby and i love staying home but we need to be more intentional with our home dates. thanks for the tips!
Author
Date nights at home are the best, especially since they’re so intimate! Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed!
Great ideas! We are home bodies, but don’t necessarily think of any of that time as dates! Think it’s time for one! Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thank you! Time at home is definitely one of the best ways to have some quality time together, and you can really make the most of it! Thanks for reading!
We love at-home date nights! This is pretty much how we do it, too! Especially the No Phones part! If you’re glued to your phone, you don’t have time for one another. <3
Author
They’re seriously the best! That’s awesome to hear! No phones is key to avoiding outside distractions, it’s the best tip and way to get closer to your partner!
This is fantastic! My husband and I usually have our date nights at home after our 3-year-old goes to bed. We got used to staying home because of Covid, and also it’s a pain to get a babysitter. We will use these ideas!
Author
Thank you so much! OMG COVID definitely did that to so many of us—we became homebodies! Staying in is seriously underrated, and you can have a great time with your partner! Thanks for reading!
Love these tips! My hubby and I are big on having regular date nights but like you say things are crazy expensive these days so it’s great to have tips to not let the economy get in the way of our relationship . Thank you
Author
Thank you! My fiancé and I also do the same and have come to love our date nights at home. They’re still special and just between the two of us with the added bonus of being in a place we call home and feel relaxed and comfortable. Thanks for reading!
Great tips! Good reminder not to just watch Netflix all the time.
Author
Thank you! Netflix dates are definitely fun, but switching things up and creating a romantic evening at home can definitely amp up the romance. Thanks for reading!
This is a great read!
Author
Thank you so much!!