Claudia Strasser and Jon Robertson share romantic ideas for home decorating. Turn your bedroom into a romantic Valentine's Day retreat.

Home decorating often involves choosing function over form: placing a sofa in view of a television and lamps near electrical outlets. With these necessities in mind, creating a romantic décor in your home can be an afterthought. Finding decorating inspiration will help create a romantic space that is a pleasure to come home to. These two decorating books will inspire an interior decorating makeover that's doable on any budget.

"The Paris Apartment: Romantic Décor on a Flea-market Budget"

The author of this decorating book, Claudia Strasser, owns The Paris Apartment, a Manhattan shop filled with romantic antique furnishings. The book shows you how to achieve a similar French décor style at home on a budget. Shopping in flea markets, recognizing finds, and the transformational power of paint are all powerful design ideas covered in this guide.

Cheap Decorating

Even if your resources permit a more generous decorating allowance, staying within a reasonable budget will allow you the freedom to experiment and live with a style prior to making a commitment. Before and after photographs show total apartment makeovers in the $1,800 range. While the examples in the book are for apartments, homeowners can easily adapt the French interior suggestions to a bigger space, or select only one room to transform. The basic premise of this guide is to start your decorating project from within, finding inspiration in everyday life. Then Strasser shows how to turn that decorating dream into a reality, even on a shoestring.

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher: Collins Design; 1 edition (April 9, 1997)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-0060391690

Author: Claudia Strasser

Price: $17.16

"The Sacred Bedroom: Creating Your Personal Sanctuary"

Author Jon Robertson has created an inspirational guide with a different take on romance. This book proves it's possible to decorate bedrooms that nourish both body and soul.

Romantic Ideas

Robertson takes a spiritual approach to romantic décor, including Feng Shui and techniques for creating a sacred space for love and romance. There are practical steps for creating a holistic bedroom, incorporating aromatherapy, and finding true love.

Private Home Sanctuary

You'll learn to awaken your senses and bring romance into your bedroom. This book will inspire anyone who sees their bedroom as a workspace or clutter catch-all to use bedroom décor as an opportunity to create a peaceful private sanctuary.

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: New World Library (May 10, 2001)

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-1577311430

Author: Jon Robertson

Price: $3.99

Great Gifts

Both of these books make great gifts for yourself or a loved one, particularly for Valentine's Day. Use them as inspiration to make a lasting change that will be a luxurious gift to yourself.