How to Create a Romantic Dinner Atmosphere at Home

After a long week full of work and responsibilities—in a nutshell, adulting—you need to unwind. One of the best ways to let off steam after an action-packed week is by having a fun and romantic dinner at home with your significant other. Staying in for date night is a great way to save money and spend quality time together without the pressures of going out on the town or even finding a sitter. Here is a helpful guide on how to create a romantic dinner atmosphere at home.

Clean the house

The first thing to do when you’re getting ready for a romantic dinner date night is to clean the house—especially where you’ll prepare and eat the meal. Sweep or vacuum the floors, wipe down the table, and those dishes you’ve been meaning to get to all week. Cleaning the home is a romantic gesture all on its own.

Light up some candles

With a freshly cleaned home, something that always takes it to the next level is a subtle scent that also adds some romantic lighting. Most of us don’t have natural mood lighting in the house, so one way to improvise—that’s even more romantic sometimes—is by lighting candles. Candles scream romance and turn your home’s ambiance up. One thing to look out for when lighting a bunch of candles in your home is fire safety. To prevent a date-night disaster, make sure to light your candles properly and blow them out when you’re not in the room with them.

Set the mood with some music

With the ambiance set, it’s time to curate your perfect date-night playlist. Put on some old romantic songs you and your significant other loved when you first started dating, add in current music, and of course, add in classic romantic jams. You know you and your partner better than anyone, so creating a playlist to set the mood is the perfect job for you to master.

Make the menu

The last thing you need to do is create the menu for your romantic dinner at home. Something light yet delicious is the go-to for romantic meals. Look up some recipes—or make your partner their favorite dish as a surprise—and get cooking!