At-Home Date Night Ideas You Haven't Tried Yet

While romantic winter getaways sound enticing, sometimes there’s nothing better than a date night at home to refresh your romance routine and show your appreciation for that special someone. Breaking out the fine china, taking an online cooking class together, and challenging one another to a board game are all simple but fun ways to reconnect with bae.

Whether you’re planning on proposing in a romantic setting or simply longing for some quiet time with your better half, these indoor date night ideas will melt your partner’s heart and make for a memorable evening.   

How to Plan an Unforgettable Indoor Date Night

Make sure to focus on the first impression—from what you’re wearing to which flowers you’re going to place on the table—and set the scene. Here’s how.

1. Clean and organize your house before enhancing the ambience. Purchase a floor lamp from NOVA of California to create that special lighting for a special night of romance. 
2. Add candles, diffusers, and incenses from P.F. Candle Co. (all its products are vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free) to make your space more alluring. 
3. Throw a cozy blanket on the sofa to encourage cuddling. Try one of Sheltered Co.’s handmade weighted blankets in your S.O.’s favorite color. 
4. Place fresh flowers around the house, and spice it up by sprinkling some petals on the bed. 
5. If you haven’t already, print out photos of the two of you and put them in frames that you can place in the living room or bedroom.  

Once the scene is set, it’s time to decide on your outfit. While everyone has their own individual style, dressing elegantly for an indoor date is bound to impress the love of your life. Regardless of how many years you’ve been together, getting the little black dress or the slim-fit shirt from the back of the closet brings back a vibe of formality and newfound love that no date night should lack. Show how much your partner means to you by dolling up for them as you did on your first date. Top it off with a new hairstyle and a splash of your signature fragrance. 

 Fun Date Night Ideas

Date night at home doesn’t always have to mean binge-watching Netflix shows and ordering takeout from one of your go-to restaurants. With a little bit of imagination and effort, you can plan a magical tête-à-tête with a multitude of fun activities. These romantic date ideas will make any night at home feel exciting.

Plan the Perfect Movie Night

One of the best date ideas is to watch a classic movie at home with your partner. Purchase a projector and set it up in your living room (or in your backyard so you can watch movies alfresco). Then, make some popcorn and prepare snack buckets filled with your and your partner’s favorite sweets, chips, nuts, and healthy bites. You can also cut up fresh fruit to dip in chocolate fondue and make delicious fall drinks to savor during the film.

Make a Gourmet Meal

The key to one’s heart is through the stomach, so impress your significant other by recreating a fine-dining experience in the comfort of your own home. Don matching aprons as you prepare a three-course meal that you and your partner decided on together. Then, deck the table with a new tablecloth, shiny silverware, fancy glasses, and handcrafted ceramic dinnerware from Heath Ceramics. Set the mood by dimming the lights, turning on jazz music, and lighting candles; if you want to take things up a notch, dress up like you’re going to a Michelin-starred restaurant—this is a romantic dinner for two, after all.

Have a Game Night 

Chances are, you have a few board games or a deck of cards lying around, so spice up the dynamic by challenging each other to a game of poker, UNO, or Sorry! Don’t have these types of games handy? Play truth or dare to learn new things about each other, set up a mini-golf course in your living room or backyard, organize a romantic scavenger hunt, or have a video game match-off (and let your S.O. win).

Pamper Yourselves

Enjoy a spa night at home to rejuvenate your spirits while connecting with that special someone. Order under-eye patches and hydrating face masks, purchase matching bathrobes and slippers, light some candles, and indulge in a bubble bath with bath bombs and salts. (If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make a homemade hand scrub using coffee grounds, brown sugar, and extra virgin olive oil.) Stock up on massage oils and essences, too, so you can treat your partner to a back and foot massage. 

Nourish Your Minds and Bodies 

Spend your date night savoring some quiet time and promoting well-being with your beloved. Plan a session of mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises, stretch and practice stress-relieving yoga poses, slow dance to romantic music, or make a list of all the things you love about your sweetheart and read them out loud to him or her. 

Go Camping

Live simply for a night and camp at home. Break out the tent and sleeping bags, and spruce up your lodging with twinkle lights, cozy pillows, and lanterns. Then, make some of your favorite camping recipes and easy desserts to enjoy as you cuddle up inside your tent. Spend the rest of the evening reading books to one another, taking a virtual tour of the state’s national parks, or planning your next camping trip to California’s lakes, mountains, or beaches. 

Get Creative

Handcraft lasting memories by learning a new skill together or unleashing your creative sides. Try an online pottery class, make each other beaded bracelets, paint a new piece of wall art for your bedroom, or try your hand at woodwork.

If you can’t decide between these date night ideas, mix and match activities to create your own exciting rendezvous. Regardless of what you do, make sure to focus on each detail that proves your love to the person you’re trying to impress.