A Guide to Decorating for Valentine’s Day
Photo by Tirza van Dijk on Unsplash
This Valentine’s Day is expected to be bigger than ever, with total spending projected to hit a record-breaking $25.9 billion, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics’ annual survey. That works out to an average of almost $80 per person spent on the holiday!
So, if you’re one of those festive lovers of love looking for fun ways to express your holiday spirit this Valentine’s Day, consider incorporating some romantic details into your home decor. Whether you want your home decorations to be bold and statement-making or subtle and romantic, there are plenty of ways to bring a little love into your space.
Where did Valentine’s Day come from?
Valentine’s day has been celebrated for centuries, dating back to the 5th century. It began as a day when Christians honored Saint Valentine and his martyrdom. According to legend, St. Valentine was a priest who served during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in Rome during the 3rd century. Initially, Emperor Claudius banned all marriages among young men as he believed single men made better soldiers. In defiance of this ban, St. Valentine secretly married couples and paid for it with his life- he was executed on February 14th by order of Claudius.
However, few people know that there were actually two St Valentines. Both of these men were executed by Claudius II in different years, and both were considered martyrs by the Catholic church. Legend has it that the very first Valentine’s Day letter was sent from St. Valentine to a student he had fallen in love with. Writing from his prison cell Valentine signed the letter “from your Valentine,” and people have been signing love letters as such ever since.
By the 19th century, St. Valentine’s Day had evolved into an annual romantic holiday celebrated throughout many parts of Europe and abroad with gifts such as red roses, chocolates, and jewelry exchanged between lovers.
How to set the mood in your home this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day is the perfect time to show your loved ones how much you care about them. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or simply appreciate the festivities of this holiday, there’s no denying that it brings an air of romance and joy to the world. This year, why not try something different and subtlety integrate Valentine’s Day features into your home? From cozy accessories to floral accents, decorating for Valentine’s Day can be creative and memorable.
Bring in soft touches and textures
Soft touches and textures can make all the difference when setting a romantic mood in your home and decorating for Valentine’s Day. Delicate materials like velvet curtains, lush pillows, and cozy throws can instantly transform any room into a romantic oasis.
Switching out your everyday throw pillows for heart-shaped ones or pillows with a cute festive saying like “Be Mine” is a great way to welcome the holiday. It’s also an opportunity to bring in shades of pink, red, and white for classic Valentine’s Day vibes that will make everyone feel the love.
Incorporating various fabrics and textiles are excellent ways to bring the V-day spirit into your space. Think beyond traditional, tackier décor and opt for more luxurious materials to create an inviting ambiance. Try draping rich silks or cashmere blankets over your furniture, or bring in some pink and red linens used as tablecloths – these all add a special touch of elegance that will make everyone feel extra special.
Set the mood with lighting
Lighting is critical if you want to set the mood this Valentine’s Day. Lighting has the power to create a romantic atmosphere in our homes and can be used as an effective way to integrate Valentine’s day vibes subtly. Cozying up by the warm light of a fireplace or under the twinkling lights of a chandelier is sure to evoke all the warm fuzzy feelings.
First and foremost, ensuring that your lighting scheme is warm and inviting is essential. The ideal lighting for a romantic atmosphere should be low-lit and intimate with luscious colors like red or pink. Try using accent lamps with pink shades, or opt for battery-operated fairy lights that you can string around doorways, fireplaces, or even your bedroom curtains.
Candlelight is always a classic choice when creating a cozy ambiance, and there are endless ways to incorporate them into your decor. Start by choosing soft colors like pink, white, and red to give off a romantic glow when lit. Then, place candles around your living space to light up the night and instantly create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
Accessorize thoughtfully
Accessorizing your home for Valentine’s Day is vital when creating an atmosphere of romance. Adding festive pieces like artwork, towels, garlands, and small sculptural pieces is a subtle but effective way to bring Valentine’s Day decoration into your space.
Start with your gallery wall. If you have any artwork that speaks to love or romance and symbolism, consider changing out some of the pieces on display to bring in the Valentine’s Day feel. If you want to make a statement during this season of love, House Digest suggests adding bold accents like neon “LOVE” signs or even oversized heart decorations, which can be placed throughout areas like living rooms and bedrooms. These larger-than-life pieces will undoubtedly get people talking about how romantic your display looks!
For something even more playful, hang a fun banner or an adorable garland of paper hearts around the house to capture the holiday vibe. Small Valentine’s Day décor placed strategically throughout the home will ensure a subtle valentines vibe without it being too overwhelming and tacky. Incorporating reds, whites, and pinks into your space by switching out everyday items like hand towels and soap dispensers can transform your house into a celebration of love.
Display dreamy bouquets
Nothing says happy Valentine’s Day quite like a beautiful bouquet. Adding dreamy bouquets and fresh-cut flower arrangements is a great way to bring Valentine’s Day spirit into your home this year. Not only are they beautiful, but flowers are known to evoke feelings of joy and love, the perfect accompaniment for a romantic holiday.
A large bouquet of roses in shades of pink or red can be placed on a mantelpiece or sideboard for a classic yet timeless look. Or you could choose an arrangement of seasonal fresh flowers like ranunculus and peonies in white and blush tones that will add a more subtle hint of romance to the atmosphere. For longer-lasting decor, opt for faux flowers to create that natural touch without needing replacement.
Set the mood with sweets
Integrating sweets into your home for Valentine’s Day can be a fun and festive way to spread love on this romantic holiday. For starters, you can display colorful heart-shaped boxes of chocolates on the dessert table that are perfect for gifting or snacking.
Another great way to inject sweetness into your home is to decorate with bowls of M&M’s. Pick up a variety pack in classic colors such as red and pink, and fill smaller candy dishes throughout your living area. This can be especially lovely if you have kids around who get excited about finding treats tucked into corners! Place them on mantles or coffee tables, and even group them to make a larger statement piece.
Show love for the pre-loved
Nothing quite says love quite like pre-loved antiques and secondhand items. So, this year, celebrate Valentine’s Day by looking for unique and vintage items to bring into your home to show you appreciate it. Not only are these items unique and full of character, but they also have a great story to tell – something that new items can’t do.
Regarding choosing which pieces would look great in your home during Valentine’s Day festivities, think about what could become timeless keepsakes throughout the years – whether it is artwork, furniture pieces, or decorative accents. From antique gilded mirrors and classic picture frames to beautiful China sets and ornate vases, vintage décor offers endless possibilities for creating a romantic atmosphere in any room of the house.
This Valentine’s Day, Kaiyo offers the perfect sustainable solutions to set the mood and make your home look stunning. We are proud to provide a wide selection of carefully inspected furniture pieces that meet our highest quality standards.
Not only can you find unique pieces that will perfectly match any décor style or color palette, but buying secondhand from Kaiyo is also a great way to reduce global waste and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
It is estimated that when buying secondhand items, carbon emissions can be reduced by an incredible 42-80%. So, this Valentine’s Day, why not use sustainable solutions from Kaiyo? Shop for stylish secondhand furniture items that help make your home look beautiful and reduce global waste.
