Standing Sex Positions: Up Against the Wall Before You Reach the Bedroom

You've only just got in the door. A kiss in the hallway gets a little more interesting, a hand goes up under your shirt, and neither of you is keen to stop. Suddenly the bedroom seems unnecessarily far away. You're pressed against the wall, your clothes are half off, and nobody's walking anywhere.

That's the appeal of standing sex: staying close, keeping some clothes on and having it right where you are. It feels urgent and it looks hot. Whether your bodies line up is another question, so here's how to make it work.

Face to face, against the wall

Standing face to face keeps your mouths together and your hands free. A wall behind you helps with balance and gives you something to be pushed up against. Lift one leg and hook it around their hip, or rest your foot on something stable, like the edge of the bed or a stair, to open up the angle.

Keep your feet on a clear, dry floor. Move any clothes you've dropped before you trip on them, as trousers around the ankles have taken out better people than you. Your hips need to line up without anyone straining. If one of you has to stay on tiptoes, the position needs a rethink, not more determination.

From behind

This is often the easiest way to do it. Turn around, brace your hands on the wall, a bench or the back of the couch, and arch your back. They get your hips and a very good angle, plus their hands are free to reach around you. A slight change in how far your knees bend can make a big difference, but don't stay in an uncomfortable squat.

A wall will hold you up. A towel rail or a loose shelf won't. If your plan relies on hanging off the bathroom fittings, get a new plan.

When to sit down

A big height difference can make standing penetration awkward, even when the kissing's excellent. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with either of you. Move to a sturdy seat or the bed, and our height difference guide and seated sex guide will help you get level. You can keep the mood while changing location. "Come over here" hardly destroys a good snog.

Keep it steady

Have your lube and barriers within reach, and keep any spills off the floor. Start with small movements. Stop if you feel pain, dizziness or unsteadiness, and make sure you can both step away easily. You're having sex, not trying to prove you can finish a stunt. Heading for the water? Read our shower sex guide before you add a wet floor to the plan.

Standing doesn't have to mean penetration

There's plenty to do before anyone worries about angles. A hand down the front of their jeans counts. So does a Maia Flora slipped under your underwear while they kiss you against the wall. Our non-penetrative sex guide has more ideas.

Enjoy that kiss that started it all. Stay standing while it feels good, then get comfortable somewhere else if you want more. Nobody's keeping score, and the bedroom's only a few more steps.