How you can improve your sex life with daring interior design

We Brits are generally thought of as awkward when it comes to sex. Research shows more than half of us actively avoid discussing our sex lives with our friends or, shockingly, with our partners! In fact, we’re the people least likely to talk about what happens behind closed doors in Europe.

Although we aren’t likely to talk about it, in a recent Lovehoney study on libido across Europe, the UK took fourth place. And while they’re less sexually active than older cohorts, the age group with the highest libido is Gen Z.

A separate Lovehoney study found that one in four 18–24-year-olds has never had partnered sex. But while Gen Z may be having less sex, they’re far more liberated in their approach. They tend to be more present on apps like Feeld, a dating app focused on casual sex, polyamory and kinks. They are also the generation most open with their sexual orientation, with two in five identifying same-sex attraction.

However, as our recent TV obsessions reveal, we’re more interested in sex than we let on. Netflix’s popular How To Build A Sex Room, which has an audience rating of 83 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, follows interior designer Melanie Rose as she helps romantic partners build a specific space in their home dedicated to sex and intimacy. Meanwhile, the popularity of Love Island’s Hideaway is so great, the show has partnered with Ann Summers to allow viewers to buy the same range of lingerie and sex toys the contestants have in the villa.

If you’re thinking of increasing the intimacy in your own relationship, fitted bedrooms manufacturer The Sliding Door Wardrobe Company offers some of its best interior tips to make sure your bedroom is ready for romance.

When you think of romantic colour schemes, your mind likely goes straight to red. While this hue can create a sense of warmth and insularity, it can also cause feelings of anxiety and intimidation, especially when overused.

Instead of painting entire walls red, try using this lustrous tone as an accent colour—perhaps adding an ottoman or rug in rich shades of red. Or you could also opt for the classic pop of bright red roses!

When choosing your wall colour, look for subtle colours with darker undertones, such as muted roses or dusty pinks. These colours will still create an intimate, romantic atmosphere without feeling too overwhelming. They’ll also look great in candlelight and match with most bedspreads.

Dreamy, dusky tones will result in a room that feels inviting and amorous, putting you and your partner at ease.

Make like the designers of the Love Island villa and inject some sexy neon wall signs into your space. Switching off the main lights and letting the soft neon lights set the mood can encourage a stronger atmosphere of intimacy.

With neon wall signs, you can also choose the colour of your light—opt for warm versions of colours like yellow, which will give lighter skin tones a nice, tanned look, or pinks and purples, which will enhance darker skin tones.

In How To Build A Sex Room, Melanie Rose encourages couples to install some more daring décor, including poles and feature walls with a selection of whips! But if this is all a bit too Fifty Shades of Grey, try hanging some curved mirrors or flowers instead. Mirrors will bounce light around your room, making it feel bigger, and deep purple or red flowers flowing from the ceiling will further the sense of intimacy and romance.

Investing in a good mattress might seem like an obvious interior improvement when it comes to increasing your intimacy. But how do you know where to start looking?

Sleepopolis UK has reviewed some of the best mattresses for sex and discovered that a precisely balanced, foam or hybrid mattress paired with a solid bed frame offers the perfect solution.

Greg Carlisle, managing director at The Sliding Door Wardrobe Company says: “Remember to match your chosen mattress with a bed frame that resonates with your existing room design. Your bed should be the centre point of your bedroom, but you don’t want it to stand out for all the wrong reasons! Follow the colours and tones already present and choose a bedspread that encourages intimacy.”

Greg recommends avoiding bedspreads that feature busy patterns, which can be distracting, or bland colours. Instead, opt for deep, rich tones, such as purple or emerald, and soft, swirling patterns. This will create a warm, cosy atmosphere.

While you may not have a spare basement or attic you can convert into a sex room like the couples Melanie Rose helps, you might have an unused alcove or cupboard.

Having a space separate from your bedroom that you can enjoy with your partner helps to extend the intimacy. Even if you only have access to a small recess in your bedroom or a forgotten cupboard in your house, try hanging a soft curtain from the ceiling above and dedicating the space to your relationship. You could decorate the walls in a different colour to the rest of the room or install shelving to store your lingerie, sex toys and more.

Greg suggests you “create a space that reflects your personalities, both as a couple and as individuals. If you have one, a walk-in wardrobe is a great option for an intimate area. It doesn’t have to be purely practical—it can be a space that you use for romance. It’s where you get dressed—and undressed—every day. Make it special with subtle lighting and a romantic colour scheme.”

A separate, private space is also a great place to store anything private you want to keep between you and your partner. Melanie Rose’s clients might be happy to put their sex lives on display, but the majority of us will want to keep certain details away from prying eyes! You also have the option to discreetly lock your walk-in wardrobe, keeping the space just for you and your partner.

Try adding some of these interior design tricks to your bedroom to see how they can improve your sex life and make you feel closer than ever to your significant other.