The best advice and products to set the mood

We asked top designers to share their secrets for creating a sexy bedroom. And their answers? Let’s just say these sultry solutions are the way to undeniable romance. They go through the room essentials piece by piece: bedding, flooring, window treatments, lighting and color, as well as some all-important personal touches. Go ahead; show some passion for the bedroom.

Bedding to Spend All Day In

Crisp white sheets in thread counts ranging from 450 to 650 create the sexiest tactile experience in terms of bedding. Keep the sheets plain; go no fancier than a top sheet with embroidery. And don’t go overboard with too many pillows.

"Even if you’re watching your wallet, the place to spend the money is the bedding." — Cathy Hobbs, founder of Aphereä

"People will over-pillow the bed," warns designer Eric Cohler, of Eric Cohler Design Inc. It’s not sexy to have a romantic interlude put on pause while all the pillows are removed.

"For a two-person bed, you need at most two Euro-sham-size pillows (placed against the headboard), and four sleeping pillows." — Designer Rebecca Cole, Rebecca Cole Design
Seduction Must-Have: Pure linen sheets

Window Treatments to Shut Out the World

For total relaxation—essential to romance—a bedroom should shut out the outside world, by way of blackout curtains or layered window treatments. A three-fold layering such as wooden blinds, topped by sheers, topped by floor-to-ceiling draperies will create the most soothing effect.

"I love the elegance of a whole wall of drapery, ceiling to floor." —Designer Rebecca Cole

"Blackout curtains are a must in the bedroom so you can stay in bed as long as you want." —Designer Eric Cohler.

Seduction Must-Have: Silk or matte velvet drapery fabrics

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