Can Redecorating Save Your Relationship?

Want to bring more romance back to your relationship? Start with how you decorate your bedroom.

Creating a romantic bedroom is easy and affordable. A romantic bedroom doesn't mean heavily scented candles, a heart-shaped mattress and rose petals on the floor. A bedroom can -- and should -- be romantic 365 days a year. Follow our ten steps for turning your bedroom into a romantic retreat. You might be surprised at some of the advice.

1. Make your bedroom a clutter-free zone.
Clutter is the number one romance-killer. If your bureau, bedside table and closets are overflowing with junk, take a weekend to get rid of the mess and organize the rest.

2. Don't treat your bed like a sofa.
A bed is for sleeping and having sex, nothing more and nothing less.

3. Invest in a high-quality mattress that supports your back.
If you can't afford a whole new mattress, consider a memory foam mattress topper as a stop-gap measure until you can replace your old mattress.

4. Don't keep a TV in the bedroom.
I repeat: Don't keep a TV in the bedroom. Nothing kills romance more than Seinfeld re-runs or reality shows in your intimate space.

5. Banish dust and dirt.
A clean bedroom is much more romantic than a dirty one. Regularly vacuum your floors, dust flat surfaces and launder your sheets for the most luxurious feel. Lose dust collectors like extra throw pillows or heavy, frilly curtains.

6. Get the lighting right.
Your bedroom should have multiple sources of light, not just one harsh overhead fixture. Ideally, each light should be on a dimmer so you can control the brightness. You can purchase plug-in lamp dimmers at the hardware store for about ten dollars a piece.

7. Buy the best sheets you can afford.
If they're 100% natural-fiber, organic and chemical free -- that's even more romantic. Trust us, whoever decided satin sheets were romance-inducing must never have slept in these potentially sticky and sweaty linens.

8. Keep all personal electronics out of the bedroom.
You shouldn't be checking your email right before you go to sleep and the presence of all those work-related gadgets is far-from restful. If your desk is in the bedroom, shut down everything before you hit the hay.

9. Adorn your bedroom with favorite gallery of yourself and your partner.
Photos from a past vacation or a special event will remind your of romantic, happy times.

10. Keep it fresh.
Whenever possible, leave the windows open to let in fresh air. Opt for fans over air conditioning, and consider investing in an air purifier. The scent of a bouquet of fresh flowers is a thousand times more romantic than a chemical, floral room spray.

Want more fresh ideas for the bedroom? Check out this post on how to freshen up your sleeping space or this post on feng shui for the bedroom.