Good spots outside the bedroom

Sex in bed is comfortable, familiar and easy. But it can also get predictable. What if you think outside of those four walls? Sex in a different place can be exciting, surprising and even more intimate than you think. But what are good alternatives — and how do you ensure that it’s fun for both of you?

Sex doesn’t have to be in a fixed location

We often think that sex belongs in the bedroom, preferably in the dark, under the covers. But sexuality lives inside your body, not in your interior. Another place doesn’t have to be more extreme — sometimes a small change is already enough to add new energy.

The couch: accessible and playful

You spend time on it every day anyway, so why not … want to do a little more than Netflix? The couch offers comfort and a touch of spontaneity. Perfect for a quickie or a long, sensual session.

And it also means:

• positions you wouldn’t easily try in bed.
• sex in ‘regular’ clothes — which can be surprisingly arousing.
• a feeling of “we shouldn’t be doing this”, without actually breaking the rules.

The shower or bath: intimate and sensory

Taking a shower or bath together is not just getting clean. Water relaxes, and it makes you feel each other’s body in a completely different way.

But be careful:

• use silicon-based lube (otherwise the water washes it all away).
• keep it safe: with a non-slip mat, a firm stance, and talk about what feels good.
• sometimes just soaping each other up is enough to feel connected.
  

In front of a mirror: both sexy and vulnerable

A mirror literally and figuratively shows how you move together. Which can be exciting — or awkward maybe. But once you get past any initial shame, it can be surprisingly intimate.

Tip: you can start by kissing or touching in front of the mirror, without pressure, which will gradually create a natural feeling of playful confidence.

On the floor: earthy, solid, surprisingly nice

A rug, yoga mat, or pile of blankets can turn the floor into a great spot for sex. The firmness of the floor provides other possibilities for movement and grip.

Why this works:

• you feel your body more and it’s more stable.
• it gets you out of  your regular routine.
• the setting invites slower, more conscious contact.
  

Outside: exhilarating, though not for everyone

Sex in nature or in a quiet place outside sounds romantic — and it can be for sure. The starry sky, the grass under your feet, the feeling of freedom …

But:

• only do it if it’s legal, private and truly safe.
• pay attention to temperature, sun radiation, insects and distraction.
• always check how you both feel. Exciting is fine, but keep things safe.

Why it’s not about the place

Whether you’re on the couch or in the woods: it’s not about the location, but about the experience. What changes if the surroundings are different? How does your body feel, how do you look at each other? Sometimes it takes some searching. But it’s exactly that search, that discovering together, that makes sex intimate.

New places = new conversations

Another place also calls for new agreements sometimes. “What do you enjoy?” “Where do you feel safe?” “Shall we just try this?” Those kinds of questions are not uncomfortable — they’re the key to mutual alignment and playfulness.

And ultimately: it’s your body, and your rhythm. Wherever you are.