how-to-date-night-at-home
young couple smiling andcuddling on a sofables modular sofayoung couple having a date night at home eating homemade food and drinking wine
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How to date night at home

Forget fancy hotels and candlelit dinners - modern romance is all about feeling closer as a couple. Whether that’s cooking together, binging a show, or cuddling up on the sofa, more and more of us are turning to at-home dates for a fix of cosy fun with our partners.

Here at DFS, we know a thing or two about making the most of your time at home. Read on for our top tips for how to make a date night at home special.

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What makes a Brit’s ideal date night?

Slap-up meal out? Or takeaway and film at home? We were curious how Brits love to spend their date nights these days - so we thought we’d find out! We polled 2,000 long term couples to find out their date night preferences - from what they like to do, wear and cook, to how they define romance. And we’ve combined the most popular answers with some of our top tips, to help you spice up date night with your partner too!

couple cuddled up on the la z boy tamla sofa

How to plan a date night at home

Say goodbye to bank-breaking meals out and hello to intimate nights in for two - our research found that most long term loved-up Brits choose to stay in over going out, but a whopping 68% struggle to plan a date night at home. If you’re set on a stay-at-home special occasion but not sure where to start, check out our steps on how to plan a date night at home below.

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Unless of course you’re arranging a surprise date night (and even then, it’s a good idea to at least warn your partner ahead of time to expect something), your first step should be to sit down together and discuss your date night plans. How would each of you like to spend your date night? What are your ideas? Perhaps you don’t see completely eye-to-eye on what the perfect night in would be - but maybe you can find some middle ground, or use elements of what you both like to create an evening that you’ll both find romantic. You never know until you discuss it!

Just like calling a restaurant to book a table, it’s important to pick a date and time that will work well for your at-home date night, to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Don’t forget to check your calendars for any clashes - you both want to look forward to your evening together, not rushing around trying to get home from a late shift, dropping off the kids at activities, or scrambling to wash the school uniforms… when you should be making eyes at each other by candlelight!

If your date night involves an activity, make sure you order or collect the supplies ahead of time, particularly if it’s a bit more specialist. There’s nothing worse than starting date night feeling frustrated because your plans have gone awry!

Even if you’re staying home, you might decide that you’d still like the peace and quiet that comes with arranging childcare for your date night. Perhaps the little ones can spend an evening (or the whole night) with their grandparents or cousins? Otherwise, you can always wait to start your date night until they’ve gone to bed.

If you’re cooking a special meal, don’t forget to get all the ingredients in! Whether you pop to the shops or arrange a home delivery, make sure you give yourself enough leeway to deal with any pesky substitutions or empty shelves. You never know what might be sold out, and you wouldn’t want steak night to be ruined by a lack of steak! Don’t forget the nibbles and drinks too…

There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy your time together, while a pile of dirty laundry or dishes glowers at you across the room. Ensure you can focus on your date night by getting those pesky chores done and out of the way - and create a calm, tidy and relaxing space for you to dial up the romance in!

And you’re ready to go! With your date night planned and ready, all that’s left to do is enjoy it!

young couple out on a date night laughing and smiling at each other

How to spice up date night at home

Date nights at home are a great way to ramp up the romance in an intimate setting, letting you try out new things you might not get away with in the pub down the road. If you’re finding it difficult to come up with new ways to keep the romance alive, you’re not alone - 83% of our long-term couples admitted it can be tricky, with money worries and long days at work getting in the way. Read on for some of our ideas on how to spice up date night at home.

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Nothing screams romance like a candle - at least that’s what the movies tell us! Set the cosy ambience of your date night right from the get go by turning the big light off and warming up your space with soft lamps, candles, or even colourful mood lighting. Read our handy guide for more ways to set up the perfect cosy space.

For a little bit of indulgence, consider buying a nice bottle of wine to share with your partner. Splashing out on something fancier than usual can level up the luxury of your date night, and a third of the couples we polled agree that wine is just the thing to make an evening extra special.

Why not take advantage of a night at home alone by giving (and getting!) a massage? Essential oils and lotions you already have in the cupboard can transform your date night to a luxury at-home spa, giving you the chance to wash away the stress of everyday life and connect physically and emotionally with your partner.

There’s nothing quite like quality time. Put your phone away, turn off the TV and enjoy some much needed one-on-one time with your favourite person. You might take the opportunity to have some old-fashioned fun with a couples-themed board game or craft.

couple sat on sofables modular sofa eating takeaway

What to cook for a date night at home

Dating and dining are like fine wine and cheese - great on their own and even better together. A date night at home is the perfect opportunity to try something new in the kitchen, but it’s important to be prepared to avoid torched tea towels and botched bakes. Luckily, we have plenty of ideas for what to cook for a date night at home…

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Perhaps it’s a dish you had on your first holiday together. The first meal they cooked for you. Or even a meal from the past you always used to make, but haven’t eaten in ages. Whatever it is, re-creating a special dish from one of your memories together is a great idea for a romantic, personal date night!

Trying a new recipe can often be a bit of an adventure - so why not do it together? It could be something you’ve saved from TikTok or Pinterest to try; or maybe you dig out your favourite cookbooks and choose something new as a couple. Just remember to ensure you have all the ingredients before you begin!

We all have those classic family favourites that always go down well. Why not make one of those dishes for your date night? The warm fuzzy feeling of creating a family recipe can often make you feel closer, and help you to look back fondly on all you’ve achieved over your time together.

If spending quality time in the kitchen crafting a delicious meal together sounds romantic to you, then why not make cooking part of your date night? Pop on some music, crack open the wine, and get cooking! Not used to cooking in tandem, or need some fresh inspo for dishes? We love this new Cook Together cookbook, packed with recipes designed to be made by two - with all the instructions split so you each have a list of tasks to minimise confusion.

Don’t fancy slaving away in the kitchen? Most large supermarkets, including M&S, Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Morrisons offer Dine In For Two meal deals within their premium ranges for between £10 and £15 (the more expensive ones often include a drink too). You’ll have a selection of different ready-made mains, sides and desserts to choose from, and most of the work is done for you - simply heat your dishes up and you’re good to go!

Who says you have to cook for date night?! If you really want to put your feet up and just enjoy each other’s company, then opting for a takeaway is never a bad idea.

couple sat on sofables modular sofa cuddled together and laughing

What to wear for a date night at home

Are you a loungewear lover or a dressing gown goddess? Prefer to suit up in style or dress down to decompress? Choosing an outfit when you’re going out can verge into tearing your hair out territory - but it’s just as important if you’re staying in. When it comes to what to wear for a date night at home, the choice is yours!

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Your most glamorous outfits If you want to make your date night extra special, throwing on your favourite frock or shirt is a surefire way to elevate your evening. Getting your glad rags on and styling your hair can turn your stairs into a red carpet and make a spag bol for two in the kitchen feel more like a starlit meal by the Seine. Not up for all-out glam? You’re in good company - over a third of the couples we asked pointed to jeans and a nice top as their home date night outfit of choice.

Rather take advantage of staying indoors? If your idea of the perfect date night at home is cosying up on the sofa, your comfiest clothing can be just as romantic as suits and dresses. Whether it’s a cute and cohesive loungewear set or your favourite t-shirt and joggers, relaxing with your partner in your comfies might just be the intimate evening in you need after a long day at work.

To really ramp up the relaxation factor of your date night, why not go for ultimate cosy couture in your pyjamas? Over half of the long-term lovebirds we polled said watching TV together helps to keep the spark alive, and there’s nothing better than cuddling up on the sofa in your jim-jams - however you choose to do it! Remember, pyjamas don’t have to be frilly, floral and full coverage - you can add a little bit of spice to the occasion with a saucy set.

date night at home with the french connection carlisle cuddler
date night at home with the sofables modular sofa
date night at home with the ted baker brompton cuddler
date night at home with the  house beautiful ada cuddler
date night at home with the cinesound showcase sofa
date night at home with the balboa cuddler
date night at home with the joules patterdale cuddler
date night at home with the la z boy tamla recliner sofa
date night at home with the rest cuddler
date night at home with the cherished cuddler
date night at home with the french connection carlisle cuddler
date night at home with the sofables modular sofa
date night at home with the ted baker brompton cuddler
date night at home with the  house beautiful ada cuddler
date night at home with the cinesound showcase sofa
date night at home with the balboa cuddler
date night at home with the joules patterdale cuddler
date night at home with the la z boy tamla recliner sofa
date night at home with the rest cuddler
date night at home with the cherished cuddler
date night at home with the french connection carlisle cuddler
date night at home with the sofables modular sofa
date night at home with the ted baker brompton cuddler
young couple laughing and eating together at home whilst drinking wine

How to make Valentine’s Day special at home

Regular date nights are great, but there are a few times a year many of us want to make those dates extra special - and for many of us, Valentine’s Day brings a lot of pressure to be extra romantic! If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your other half, but don’t fancy braving the crowds for a date at a restaurant, cinema or bar - then check out our Valentines at home ideas below…

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Why wait until the end of the day to kick off the romance? A stack of heart-shaped pancakes, some overnight french toast, or even just a simple breakfast in bed can really get your Valentine’s Day off to a romantic start from the get-go.

If you’re not spending the day together - perhaps you’re both out at work - then why not treat your partner to a special packed lunch to show you’re thinking of them? Heart-shaped sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries and a cute love note will really make them feel special come lunchtime. If you are both at home, a cute picnic is always romantic - and if the weather’s not co-operating, having it on the living room floor is just as fun!

Another way to make Valentine’s Day special at home is to dress up as if you’re going out! If you and your partner love putting on your glad rags and looking your best, then why not pick out some glamorous outfits just for each other? Of course, if comfy pyjamas or loungewear is more your style, then go for it!

Why not mark the occasion by decorating your dining table? Candles, confetti, and a pretty tablecloth can really make the meal feel more special - and you could pull out your fanciest dinnerware (pick out some new pieces) to bring that restaurant vibe to your dining room. Not sure where to start? Read our guide for inspiration.

Making something together as a couple - even if it turns out terrible - can be terrific fun, especially if it’s something you’ve never tried before. You could paint portraits of each other; create a joint vision board; start a scrapbook of your favourite memories; build a Lego set together, and much more! There are also plenty of couples craft kits online to choose from, covering everything from pottery to painting. You might even end up with some lovely new pieces of decor you can display proudly in your home to remind you of the night!

A joint game or activity is a great way to spend quality time, and there are plenty of options! From classic board games like Scrabble and chess to two-player video games - or even couples-themed games, both vanilla and a little spicy! - there are endless options when it comes to at-home date night activities.

As mentioned earlier on in this article, the Dine In For 2 offers available at supermarkets are an affordable and easy way to have a restaurant-quality meal at home - and around this time of year, the supermarkets ramp up their offerings to compete with each other, so there’s even more romantic options to explore. Not sure what to choose? Check out Good Housekeeping’s ranking of the best Valentine’s dine in for two offers for 2025!

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