Illustrated GIF by Aiste Papartyte

I’ve always been that person who rearranges my living space at least once a month. Growing up, I’d push furniture around until it finally felt right. Lamps, chairs, tchotchkes, everything had to move until the room had the vibe I needed. Even now, I catch myself shifting things around just as often.

That instinct followed me into studying architecture, where I learned what I’d always felt. Spaces aren’t just backdrops. They shape us. They hold our moods, our routines, our connections, and our pleasures.

What if we didn’t hide intimacy away in drawers or boxes? What if we designed spaces that welcomed it? What if toys could live as design objects, celebrated as part of our personal landscapes?

Let’s explore how arousal and design can meet!

Flowing Desire

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of arranging living spaces for harmony, might explain why we feel different after moving things around. Curious to try it for your own setup? Here are a few quick tips:

• Keep clutter out to allow connection to flow.

• Make sure there’s space to get into bed from both sides.

• Create balance, meaning bedside tables and lighting for both sides of the bed, whether you’re solo or partnered.

• Soften lighting with warmer bulbs or layered sources.

• Add life like plants or fresh flowers.

• Limit mirrors and cover screens when not in use.

• Never store anything under the bed.

• Release items tied to ex-lovers and ex-partners.

Touchy Textures 

You know how nice a cool marble counter, and linen or silk sheets can feel? We’re gonna suggest something called “tactile layering”, which means building a sensory playground where you enjoy hanging out. For example, you could pair a Clone-a-Pussy with ceramics, and create contrasts with bright, soft throws close by. 

Toys as Installation Art

There are some incredibly aesthetic toys out on the market (right behind the individualized molds made by you from our kits, of course). These toys are screaming to be on display! Imagine draping a flogger over a sculptural hook, or letting a Clone-a-Willy mold live as a playful installation on a bookshelf. Aesthetic intimacy is about designing joy into your daily landscape.

Flirtatious Lighting 

Lighting truly is everything. Imagine how your spaces could feel if you incorporated more just for pleasure. You can try these out:

• Use layered lighting systems.

• Experiment with sconces, pendants, or dimmable lamps.

• Experiment with how a toy might look illuminated by a soft glow.
  

Pleasure Corners 

I’m a big fan of tiny altars and have been wondering why more folks aren’t making their own little pleasure corners full of toys, accessories, favorite candles, sensual fabrics, plants, and flowers. Pleasure corners don’t need to be elaborate. They just need to hold intention.

Pleasure can be part of the design.

Rearranging my living space is how I reset, how I listen to myself, and how I experiment with what rooms can hold. Lately, that’s meant designing for desire. I think this is something many of us could reflect more on. 

Because I can’t resist a Portland shout-out: Amory Design, co-founded by one of our favorite sex educators, Amory Jane, makes beautiful nightstands specifically designed for your sexy needs.

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