Let’s be brutally honest here, if you’re reading this article, your marriage has probably turned more “lukewarm leftovers” than “sizzling hot dish.” And you know what? That’s totally normal, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
I’ve spent years helping couples rediscover their fire, and I can tell you this: the spark doesn’t just disappear overnight. It gets buried under mortgages, kids’ soccer schedules, work stress, and that never-ending pile of laundry. But here’s the good news, it’s still there, waiting to be reignited.
After working with hundreds of couples (and learning from my own marriage experiences), I’ve discovered that keeping your marriage hot isn’t about grand romantic gestures or expensive lingerie. It’s about intentional actions that prioritize passion and remind you both why you couldn’t keep your hands off each other in the first place.
Ready to transform your marriage from roommates to red-hot lovers? Let’s get into the real strategies that actually work.
How Can I Make My Marriage More Spicy?
Making your marriage spicy isn’t about following some cookie-cutter romance playbook. It’s about understanding what creates heat between you and your specific partner, then being brave enough to act on it.
The couples I work with who successfully spice things up have a few things in common:
- They communicate openly about desires without shame or judgment
- They prioritize intimacy even when life gets crazy
- They’re willing to step outside their comfort zones together
- They make each other feel desired, not just loved
Here’s what doesn’t work: hoping things will magically improve on their own, dropping hints your partner will never pick up on, or waiting for them to make the first move. You have to be intentional about creating the heat you want.
The secret sauce? Novelty, anticipation, and genuine appreciation for each other. When you combine these three ingredients consistently, your marriage becomes that couple other people are secretly jealous of.
10 Exciting Ways To Keep Your Marriage Hot
These strategies work because they address the real reasons marriages lose their spark, predictability, lack of communication, and taking each other for granted.
1. Have Quickies
Forget everything you think you know about quickies being “less than” regular sex. Quickies are relationship rocket fuel when done right.
The magic of quickies isn’t just the physical act, it’s the spontaneity, the “I can’t wait” energy, and the reminder that you still want each other urgently. They break you out of scheduled, bedroom- only intimacy and inject some of that dating-era excitement back into your marriage.
Where to try them:
- Kitchen counter during coffee prep
- Shower before work
- Laundry room while kids watch TV
- Your car in the garage (hello, high school vibes)
Why they work: Quickies create a sense of urgency and passion that routine sex often lacks. They make you both feel desirable and desired, which is incredibly hot.
Pro tip: The anticipation of a quickie later can make you both flirt with each other all day long.
2. Se#t
I’ll be the first to admit, sexting felt awkward as hell when I first tried it. But now? It’s one of the most powerful tools in my marriage toolkit.
Sexting works because it builds sexual tension throughout the day. Your partner can’t ignore a steamy text message, and it forces them to think about you (and getting home to you) instead of just work stress.
Sexting progression that works:
- Morning: “Good morning, sexy.
- Thinking about last night 😏”
- Afternoon: “Can’t concentrate at work. Keep thinking about what I want to do to you later”
- Evening: “Counting down the minutes until I can get you alone”
The secret: Start slow and build intensity. Don’t go from zero to X-rated, that’s jarring, not seductive.
For secure messaging, consider using Sig nal or Telegram for privacy.
3. Talk Dirty
Okay, I know talking dirty might make you cringe initially. But here’s the thing: dirty talk is incredibly empowering and most men absolutely love it.
Dirty talk isn’t about being crude or saying things that don’t feel authentic to you. It’s about expressing your desire verbally while you’re being intimate. It shows your partner that you’re present, engaged, and enjoying what’s happening.
Start with these approaches:
- Tell him how he makes you feel: “You feel so good”
- Express what you want: “I love it when you…”
- React to what he’s doing: “Don’t stop” or “Right there”
Why it works: Verbal feedback creates a feedback loop of arousal. When your partner knows you’re enjoying yourself, they get more turned on, which turns you on more.
4. Dress Up
This one’s going to ruffle some feathers, but hear me out. Visual attraction matters, and when you stop putting effort into looking good for each other, you’re signaling that the relationship isn’t worth the effort.
I’m not talking about looking like a magazine cover every day. I’m talking about making an effort to be attractive to your spouse the way you did when you were dating.
For women:
- Wear something that makes you feel confident
- Try a new perfume or lipstick color
- Put on real clothes instead of living in sweats
- Do your hair occasionally for no special reason
For men:
- Cologne goes a long way
- Well-fitting clothes make a huge difference
- Good grooming shows you care
- Dress up for date nights, even at home
The psychology: When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you’re more confident and attractive. It’s a positive cycle.
5. Try New Positions
Variety is the spice of life, and sex is no exception. If you’re doing the same thing the same way every time, you’re basically following a recipe for boredom.
Trying new positions isn’t just about physical pleasure, it’s about adventure, discovery, and playing together. The laughter when something doesn’t work, the excitement when something does, and the intimacy of exploring together all contribute to keeping things hot.
Where to start:
- Modify positions you already know
- Try different locations in your house
- Experiment with angles and variations
- Focus on what feels good for both of you
Resources for inspiration: Apps like Coral or Spicer offer position ideas and relationship games for couples.
Remember: The goal isn’t to become sexual acrobats. It’s to maintain curiosity and playfulness in your physical relationship.
6. See A S#x Therapist
This might be the most important point on this entire list. You don’t have to wait until things are broken to get help, sex therapy is also about making good relationships even better.
A qualified sex therapist can help you:
- Communicate more effectively about desires and boundaries
- Work through any physical or emotional blocks
- Learn new techniques that work for your specific relationship
- Create a safe space to discuss fantasies and concerns
How to find one: The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) has a directory of certified professionals.
The reality: Most couples who see sex therapists wish they’d done it sooner. It’s not admitting failure, it’s investing in your relationship’s future.
7. Have S#x At Work
Before you panic, I’m not suggesting you risk your careers :). But the thrill of potentially getting caught adds serious excitement to your sex life.
This could mean:
- Quickie in your home office during lunch
- Meeting up in your car during breaks
- After-hours office visits when the building is empty
- Hotel room during work conferences
Why this works: Breaking out of your usual environment triggers excitement and novelty. The slight risk factor releases adrenaline, which heightens arousal.
Safety first: Make sure you’re truly private and won’t actually get in trouble. The fantasy of getting caught is hot, actually getting caught is not.
8. Share Your Fantasies
This is where most couples chicken out, but sharing fantasies is intimacy gold. It requires vulnerability, trust, and the willingness to be completely honest about what turns you on.
How to start:
- Begin with smaller, less intense fantasies
- Create a judgment-free environment
- Focus on the emotional aspects first
- Be prepared to reciprocate openness
Common fears:
- “What if my partner thinks I’m weird?”
- “What if they want to try something I’m not ready for?”
- “What if it changes how they see me?”
The reality: Most partners are more open-minded than you think, and sharing fantasies often brings couples closer together rather than driving them apart.
Apps like Lasting offer guided conversations for couples exploring deeper intimacy.
9. Do Something For Your Partner
Here’s a truth bomb: resentment is the enemy of arousal. If your partner feels overwhelmed, underappreciated, or exhausted, their libido goes into hibernation.
Practical ways to help:
- Take over a household task they usually handle
- Plan a date night and handle all the details
- Give them time to themselves without being asked
- Handle the kids so they can relax or pursue a hobby
The connection: When your partner feels cared for and supported, they have more emotional and physical energy to invest in intimacy with you.
This isn’t about keeping score or trading favors. It’s about creating an environment where passion can thrive instead of being crowded out by stress and exhaustion.
10. Roleplay
Roleplay lets you explore different sides of your personality and step outside the roles you play in everyday life (parent, employee, homeowner, etc.).
Popular roleplay scenarios:
- Strangers meeting at a bar
- Teacher/student (age-appropriate, obviously)
Boss/employee power dynamics
- Massage therapist/client
Secret affair partners
Why it works: Roleplay disrupts familiarity and creates novelty. It allows you to see each other in a completely different context, which can be incredibly arousing.
Getting started: Start simple and build complexity. The first time might feel silly, that’s normal. The goal is playfulness and fun, not Oscar-worthy performances.
How To Use Se#ting To Spice Up Your Marriage
Sexting is an art form that builds anticipation and maintains connection even when you’re physically apart. Done right, it can transform an ordinary day into foreplay for an incredible evening.
1. Get Rid Of Your Inhibitions
Your biggest enemy in sexting is your own self-consciousness. You’re married to this person, they’ve seen you at your worst and still chose to stay. They’re not going to judge you for expressing desire.
Mindset shifts that help:
- Remember you’re communicating with someone who loves you
- Focus on how your messages make them feel rather than perfect grammar
- Start small and build confidence gradually
- Remind yourself that desire is healthy and normal
The truth: Your partner wants to know you desire them. Inhibition kills passion more than awkward phrasing ever could.
2. Start It And Get Used To It
Like any new skill, sexting gets easier with practice. The first few attempts might feel forced or awkward, but consistency builds comfort and creativity.
Week 1: Send one mildly flirty text per day
Week 2: Add compliments about their body or your attraction to them
Week 3: Include references to past intimate moments you enjoyed
Week 4: Start building anticipation for future encounters
The key: Consistency matters more than perfection. Regular communication keeps the sexual connection alive between physical encounters.
3. Be Flirty As Much As You Can
Flirting via text allows you to be bolder than you might be in person. The slight distance of texting can make it easier to express desires you might be shy about saying face-to-face.
Effective flirty messages:
- “Can’t stop thinking about how you looked this morning”
- “That thing you did last night is still on my mind”
- “I have plans for you when you get home”
- “Wish I could show you what I’m thinking right now”
Timing matters: Send these when your partner can read and respond privately, not during important meetings or family dinners.
4. Send Erotic Pictures Of Yourself
Visual stimulation is powerful, but erotic photos require trust, timing, and good judgment.
Guidelines for success:
Start with suggestive rather than explicit
Make sure your partner is somewhere private
Focus on what makes you feel confident
Consider your face visibility based on your comfort level
Examples that work:
Photo of you in their favorite shirt
Mirror selfie with bedroom eyes
Picture of lingerie laid out on the bed
Your legs in a bathtub with bubbles
Safety note: Use secure messaging apps like Snapchat with disappearing messages or Signal for privacy.
5. Use Se#ting For Delayed Gratification
Building sexual tension throughout the day makes the eventual release more intense. Sexting creates anticipation that enhances physical intimacy later.
How to build tension:
- Start conversations you can’t finish until later
- Describe what you want to do without immediate gratification
- Reference inside jokes or special moments between you
- Create countdowns to when you’ll be together
The payoff: When you finally connect physically, all that built-up anticipation translates into more passionate, connected intimacy.
Is Se#ting Good For My Marriage?
Absolutely, when done thoughtfully and consensually. Research shows that couples who maintain sexual communication outside the bedroom report higher relationship satisfaction and stronger emotional bonds.
Benefits of sexting in marriage:
- Maintains sexual connection during busy periods
- Builds anticipation for physical intimacy
- Allows expression of desires in a low-pressure environment
- Keeps you on each other’s minds throughout the day
- Creates shared secrets that bond you together
Potential concerns:
- Privacy and security of intimate messages
- Different comfort levels between partners
- Timing and appropriateness of messages
Making it work: Start slowly, respect boundaries, and prioritize your partner’s comfort level. The goal is connection, not pressure.
For relationship communication support, consider resources from The Gottman Institute which offers research-based advice on maintaining intimacy.
Final Thoughts On How To Keep Your Marriage Hot
Keeping your marriage hot is about more than just physical intimacy it’s about nurturing love, excitement, and connection on every level. Simple acts of romance, playful flirting, and spending quality time together help keep the spark alive.
Open communication about desires, trying new experiences, and prioritizing intimacy prevent the relationship from feeling routine.
Most importantly, showing appreciation and affection daily reminds your partner that they are valued and desired.
When both partners make effort to balance fun, passion, and emotional closeness, the marriage stays vibrant and fulfilling.
For ongoing support and professional guidance, consider online counseling through BetterHelp or Talkspace, or find local certified sex therapists through Psychology Today.