It’s that time of year again — the season of love! If you’re not thrilled about the idea of spending Valentine’s Day in a noisy, overcrowded restaurant with dozens of other canoodling couples, why not stay in this year?

A Valentine’s Day at home can be just as (or more!) special and unforgettable as a V-Day celebration on the town. And that’s especially true when you add in dashes of romantic decor and accessories to create an ambiance that’s perfect for creating tender moments. Staying in for Valentine’s Day will allow you to focus exclusively on the object of your affection, and also set the stage for a romance that uniquely represents your relationship.

If you’re searching for at-home Valentine’s Day ideas, Ashley has you covered! Here are 10 romantic, fun, and creative things to do at home for Valentine’s Day.

Romantic At-Home Valentine’s Day Ideas

When you’re planning on staying in for Valentine’s Day, getting creative is key. Sure, you can just kick back on your loveseat and settle in with a romantic flick for two, but your at-home Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be just like every other evening in front of your entertainment center. It should be special, unique, and memorable. Here are a few fun ideas to get you started.

Breakfast in Bed

Is there anything better than waking up to a full spread of your favorite breakfast fare? We think not! You can make an at-home Valentine’s Day memorable from the moment you and your special someone start the day with a tasty breakfast in bed! Kick your morning off with pancakes, waffles (bonus if you make them heart-shaped), eggs, bacon — the whole nine. Arrange your morning feast on a cute serving tray and share a few quiet moments with your sweetheart before the day begins.

Pamper Yourselves with a Spa Night

If a relaxing couple’s massage at your favorite spa isn’t in the cards this year, why not bring the spa home for Valentine’s Day? Give your bathroom a romantic vibe with flickering candles, glasses of bubbly, music, and decadent chocolates perched next to your tub. Then, whip up some DIY Valentine’s Day bath bombs, indulge in a long, soothing bubble bath, and take turns giving each other relaxing massages.

Get Cozy with a Backyard Fireside Picnic for Two

Sure, it’s still chilly outdoors in February, but you won’t catch a chill when you’re bundled up with your love in cozy lounge chairs beside an outdoor fire pit. Break out a bottle of good wine, cozy up with a few blankets, toast some marshmallows, and just enjoy each other’s company.

Transform Your Living Room into a Ballroom

When was the last time you and your partner danced the night away? Create a playlist of you and your sweetheart’s favorite songs, light some candles to set the mood, slide your living room furniture aside to create a dance floor, and turn the lights down low to create a romantic vibe.

With your space set up, it’s time to get down! If you want to learn something new with your sweetheart, check out step-by-step YouTube dance videos and spend the evening learning a romantic partner dance like the tango, foxtrot, or rhumba.

Cook a Special Valentine’s Dinner at Home

Who needs a professional chef to prepare their Valentine’s dinner when there are endless options for cooking a romantic dinner at home? The fact that you actually get to kiss the cook is just one of the many perks of staying in with your love for an at-home Valentine’s Day meal.

What should you make? While your tried-and-true favorite dishes are always a safe bet, why not get creative and prepare something unique? Consider signing up for a virtual cooking class with your sweetheart to learn something new or try out one of the following ideas.

Fondue for Two

Nothing says romance quite like chocolate-dipped strawberries, but they’re not exactly a meal all by themselves. So break out the fondue pot, prepare an array of fruits and sweets, and whip up some chocolate fondue! If you’re more of a savory type, go for cheese fondue with bread and veggie dippers, followed by a bouillon base with your favorite veggies and meats for dipping. Or, if you like a little salty and sweet to balance things out, do it all!

Homemade Pizza

Preparing and sharing a homemade pie is one of the most romantic (and tastiest) things you can do with someone. Most supermarkets carry pre-made pizza dough that will seriously cut down your prep time, but if you want to make dough from scratch, all the more power to you (again, bonus if you make it heart-shaped!).

To ensure your pizza comes out properly cooked, consider investing in a pizza stone to get that perfect, crispy, golden crust every time.

Share Charcuterie

Want something a little on the lighter side? Maybe something that pairs perfectly with your romantic Valentine’s Day vino? Charcuterie it is. Wine and cheese are practically V-Day requirements, but tossing in extra goodies such as Chocolate never hurts. If you need some charcuterie inspiration, check out Pinterest for hundreds of excellent ideas.

Set the Mood with Valentine’s Day Decorations

Make your at-home Valentine’s Day celebration super special and memorable with festive decor! Warm reds and vibrant pinks are in theme with the holiday, so dress up your space by adding traditional accents that complement your year-round aesthetic.

Opt for deep shades such as burgundy, maroon, and sangria for a luxurious, ultra-romantic vibe. For a lighter, more flirtatious feel, choose both bright and softer shades of pink interspersed with shades of white. Need ideas? We have a few:

Little Love Notes

Want to make your sweetheart feel extra special? Grab some red and pink sticky notes, write your partner a bunch of little love notes, and stick them all over the house! Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most. Of course, the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is meaningful, too! If you’re not super great at getting your feelings out on paper, look to great poets, playwrights, and authors for inspiration.

Flowers Galore

Nothing says romance quite like red and pink blooms. Plus, fresh spring flowers can elevate any room’s decor while serving as a symbol of affection for your sweetheart.

Choose arrangements with roses, tulips, peonies, carnations, and other symbolic flowers for a Valentine’s Day gift that doubles as decor. Bonus if you arrange them into a gorgeous centerpiece for your dining table or have your florist create heart-shaped floral wreaths!

Create Ambiance With Lighting

Transform your dining area into a romantic, VIP table for two with classy candle holders and candles that emanate a soft, inviting glow. You really can’t go wrong with candlelight when you’re trying to create a romantic vibe, so if you’re not keen on real candles, opt for the flameless variety instead.

For a sultry, low-light look you can enjoy, even after Valentine’s Day is over, consider pendant lights with tinted or antique-style bulbs. Opt for a bulb that radiates a warm, sunset-like hue—such as amber—to create the most romantic vibe. Dimmable smart bulbs are a great idea, too. Smart bulbs allow you to achieve a dimly lit, romantic look right from your smartphone, even if you don’t have dimmer switches at home.

For more Valentine’s Day decor inspo, check out our Pinterest board!

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to include a fancy dinner out to be special. This holiday isn’t about how much you spend, it’s about how you uniquely spend time with the one you love! There are plenty of romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day at home, so get creative and see what you come up with! We’d love for you to share your at-home Valentine’s Day ideas with us on Instagram—and when you do—use #MyAshleyHome for a chance to be featured on our feed!