Valentine's Day, a time filled with thoughts of candlelit dinners and heartfelt gifts. But amidst all the planning, we often overlook a love that's always there, patiently waiting for our attention—the love we have for our own home. 

This year, as we navigate through a pandemic, celebrating Valentine's Day within the comfort and safety of our own abode is a wonderful option. So, while you ponder ways to make your loved one feel cherished, let's not forget to shower some affection on the one place that shelters us day in and day out—our house. 

With a little TLC and some quick cleaning tips, you can create the perfect ambiance for a romantic Valentine's Day date right at home. And hey, have you ever considered regular house cleaning to keep your sanctuary in tip-top shape? We'll touch on that later, but for now, let's dive into preparing your home for a truly memorable celebration of love.

Give your kitchen countertops some TLC. While routine cleaning will make your countertops look good, a bit of extra care will make them look great. Whether laminate, granite, marble, or stainless steel, learn the proper cleaning solution to maintain the kitchen's countertop material. Don't forget first to clear off any unnecessary clutter before you work on making them shine. 

Another easy and essential cleaning task is changing your furnace filter. Changing your furnace filter is easy if you keep buying replaceable fiberglass furnace filters, but if you want to treat your HVAC system well, consider stepping up to a filter model that improves air quality and energy efficiency. The right type of furnace filter keeps the air clean and reduces the amount of dust gathered on surfaces. The key is to look for the highest MERV rating recommended for your particular HVAC system.

Next on the list is closet cleanout. As this is usually last on the list, it reaps many benefits. It may take a little time to organize a wardrobe or two. While it may take some serious effort, tidying up your closet will not only make you feel better but will also make your life easier. As you start, be sure to take measurements and purchase and use appropriate storage hooks, containers, and shelves to corral your closet items. Just seeing an organized space can bring you feelings of joy.

Now to clean the surface that is right at our feet; the carpets. Clean your carpets—I mean clean them! Either hire a professional or rent one of those heavy-duty cleaning machines over a long weekend. Sure, the carpet may look neat enough, but thorough conditioning not only removes dirt but also redistributes the carpet pile, making the carpet appear new again and overall more hygienic.

Cleaning projects, particularly leading up to a particular day, may seem daunting. Give yourself a treat and bring in the pros, such as Rain City Maids, to take out the sweat and stress.

Now that your home is clean, you can begin planning Valentine's date at home:

Once the rooms are clutter-free, clean, and organized, you can start adding all the unique accent details. You can give a new look to your home's light fixtures by decorating them with ribbon pieces and changing the light bulbs to dimmable bulbs to bring a romantic mood ambiance. The chosen decorative ribbon colors would be great in a combination of red and white, or even in your loved one's favorite color.

If you don't want to go through all the trouble of switching to dimmable lights, you can choose to decorate with candles. Illuminate the room, create focal points, and turn the whole space into a romantic nook. But watch out where you place the candles and always remember: safety first.

Red is the color of passion, so take this opportunity to change the main rooms' vibe by introducing a few red accents. Maybe you can get some new pillow or cushion covers. Also include textures like faux fur, velvet, or velour, preferably red with a combination of white blankets or throws. You can give an extraordinary touch to the corners of your rooms by putting bunches of flowers such as Tiger Lilies, daffodils, or carnations in simple flower vases, preferably of some earthy tones. Or go with the tried and true look of red roses, which have become symbolic with Valentine's Day.

The wall décor has a significant impact on the overall look of a room. A way to set a romantic mood for your home is by framing photos of you as a family or couple. Use curtains to complete the look; choose a color that shows your passion and love. Red would be lovely, but you can also play with other shades that accent your other decor. A designer mirror could look nice on a wall as well. If you have a fireplace in your home, that's already pretty romantic. You can enhance the romantic vibe by decorating the mantle with something handcrafted or with candles. If a fireplace is not there, you can apply the same ideas to decorate any idle corner of your space.

Plan little gifts of goody bags of chocolates wrapped with bright, glossy wrappers, and bags knotted with a neatly made bow of thick red ribbon to match the new Valentine's decor.

Last but not least, dress the dining room table in white silk or lace fabric table cover. White dishware sets with customized napkins aside give a royal look to the table. Along with that, a centerpiece candle underlay with rose petals or a bouquet of white and red roses in a crystal vase. Accompany dinner with a favorite glass of wine to complete your Valentine's Day motif.

Of course, these ideas also work for date nights at home, not just on Valentine's Day. So keep them handy year-round to celebrate the person you love the most in the place you love the most. Rain City Maids is also available year-round to help make every home event special.