Sex can be a lot of things—sweet, sweaty, tender, filthy, transcendent—but one thing it should never be is predictable. Still, it happens. You fall into a rhythm and default to the same three greatest hits (no shade to missionary), and suddenly sex starts feeling more routine than revelatory. Finding yourself through self-expression and sex isn’t just for people entering their “new year, new me” era, but there really is no better time to try new things than now. No matter how long you’ve been with a partner or what your current lineup looks like, exploring new angles, sensations, and ways of being close can shift the energy entirely—and that’s something everyone should experience.
Whether you’re craving more intimacy, want deeper penetration, or simply need to shake the dust off your sex life and try something new, consider this your roadmap. Remember: The hardest part is rarely the desire; it’s knowing where to start. Read on for the 12 positions, broken down by desire, that will upgrade your sex life in 2026 and beyond.
If you want more intimacy…
Cuddle squat
If you want a position that turns your entire body into a warm, pulsing hug, the cuddle squat belongs in your rotation. It’s intimate by design—the giver leans back with legs extended while the receiver settles into a lifted squat on top, creating a chest-to-chest connection that feels grounding and delicious. Once you’re settled, arms naturally wrap, foreheads fall together, breaths sync, and the movement becomes this slow, steady rock that hits emotionally just as much as it hits physically. It’s guaranteed to remind you why closeness matters, why body heat is underrated, and why sex can feel like a cozy little universe with just the two of you inside it.
All wrapped up
If your love language is physical touch, this position is for you. The giver stays on top, and the receiver pulls them in with a tight, full-body hug that keeps every inch of you pressed together. The closeness creates a rhythm that feels instinctual—like you’re moving as one person instead of two—and the pressure, warmth, and whispers in each other’s ears crank the intimacy up even further. It’s grounding, it’s connective, and it delivers that can’t-keep-my-hands-off-you energy that makes sex feel tender and overwhelming in the best possible way.
READ: Couples Who Follow the 2-2-2 Rule Are Proving to Have Happier, Healthier Relationships
If you want to introduce toys…
Sideways straddle
If you want to bring toys into the mix while still keeping the mood deeply sensual and centered on your pleasure, the sideways straddle gives you total control from the jump. With the giver lying on their back or side—one leg long, one knee bent—the receiver straddles that bent leg with their back to their partner. The setup instantly frees your hands, opens up the perfect angle for grinding, bouncing, swiveling, and adding in a vibrator (or other toy) without breaking rhythm. Whether you’re working with penetration, external stimulation, or both, the sideways straddle is basically made for amplifying sensation and letting you experiment until you find that magic combo.
The cross
The cross is a toy-friendly move you reach for when you want things to stay lazy, cozy, and a little mischievous. Both of you stay propped up by the mattress, so nobody’s working too hard, and the angle makes slow, steady stimulation feel incredible. If you’re the one using the toy, lie on your back while your partner relaxes on their side, positioning themselves perpendicular to you so your bodies form that easy T-shape. Your knees can rest on their torso or hip, giving them the perfect access point to guide the toy in a smooth rhythm that builds heat without breaking the sleepy, snuggly energy. It’s intimate, effortless, and ideal for mornings when you want pleasure without the pressure.
READ: 7 Spicy Sex Positions For When You’re Lazy AF
If you want to feel more relaxed…
Butterfly
If you’re in the mood to just melt into the mattress and let your partner take the lead, this one is a dream. The receiver stays flat on their back, completely supported, while the giver stands at the edge of the bed—no hovering, no wobbling, no arms shaking from holding themselves up. All your partner has to do is simply slide closer, scoop your legs up, and rest them against their torso or shoulders, giving you all the benefits of a lifted angle (AKA, deep penetration) without asking your body to do much of… anything. The closeness tightens the sensation in the best way and lines everything up for deep, direct pleasure that practically finds your G-spot on autopilot. All you have to do is relax, breathe, and enjoy while your partner gets to stand comfortably and set the pace.
Pretzel missionary
If you want to keep things simple but still dial up the pleasure, this twist on classic missionary is the perfect sweet spot. The receiver stays on their back, totally supported, while the giver leans in, bracing themselves with their hands beside your head or chest for a warm, wrapped-up feeling without any heavy lifting. All you add is a gentle leg wrap—ankles crossed behind the giver’s back—to pull them just a little closer and subtly shift the angle. That small adjustment gives deeper access without you lifting, contorting, or straining anything. It’s easy yet surprisingly intense, creating a slow-build kind of pleasure that makes staying on your back even more enticing.
READ: I Stopped “Spectatoring” And My Sex Life Immediately Improved
If you want to add kink…
Butter churner
If you’re ready to turn up the heat and go straight for high-intensity pleasure, the butter churner delivers the kind of deep, consuming sensation that defines a truly spicy position. With the receiver’s legs up and the giver thrusting downward from a squatting position, you get an angle that’s bold, exposing, and very freaky. It’s dramatic in the best way, requiring trust and body awareness, but that’s exactly what makes it land so hard. Once you find your rhythm, the intensity skyrockets—every thrust feels deliberate, focused, and impossible to ignore.
Standing fire hydrant
This one’s for people who like their sex with a tiny dash of athleticism. The receiver bends over a countertop or sturdy surface and lifts one leg, opening up an angle that feels instantly hotter and a whole lot more intense. The giver steps in from behind and grips for balance, and the rhythm builds quickly—deep, deliberate, and seriously satisfying. It’s one of those positions that feels adventurous without being complicated—though it may look it. Yes, you’re both upright, but when fully in the moment, you’re able to play with pace and pressure in a way that keeps everything electric. The mix of balance, grip, and slightly exhibitionist thrill.
READ: 14 Standing Sex Positions Ranked From Easy-O to Expert-Level
If you want sex to feel more playful…
The corkscrew
If you want sex to stay light, flirty, and fun without pushing your body into anything acrobatic, the corkscrew nails that perfect middle ground. The receiver settles on their side, already relaxed, while the giver kneels or stands beside the bed and enters from the side. It offers a new angle that feels exciting without adding any stress to either of your bodies. The setup makes playfulness effortless—you can shift the pace, tease, laugh, and explore deeper sensations without losing the comfort of staying partly curled up. It’s low-effort, high-reward, and exactly the kind of gentle shake-up that keeps things fresh.
READ: 6 Tricks to Making Your Sex Life More Playful & Passionate
Binding spoon
If you want something familiar with just enough novelty to make you both grin mid-thrust, the binding spoon is a standout. It builds on classic spooning (the universal lazy-day favorite) but adds the receiver lifting their top leg to create deeper penetration and more body contact. It’s comfortable, intimate, and still delivers that playful, intertwined feeling. You can add some dirty whispers and roaming hands, plus you are guaranteed full-body warmth and that addictive sense of closeness—all with an extra kick of intensity that keeps things from feeling repetitive. Sex is supposed to be fun, and the binding spoon is exactly that.
If you want to feel more empowered…
Mutual masturbation
If you want a position that makes you feel bold, confident, and completely in control, mutual masturbation is the ultimate power move. You sit facing each other, legs open and relaxed, taking charge of your own pleasure while watching your partner do the same. There’s something magnetic about showing them exactly what works for you, slipping between touching yourself and reaching over to help them, all while holding eye contact that builds slow, delicious tension. It’s raw, connected, and totally empowering. Not to mention, toys can be added effortlessly to turn the moment into something even hotter.
READ: 6 Expert-Backed Ways to Have a Healthier Relationship by the End of the Week
Face sitting
If you want something that’ll make you feel powerful while achieving a deep orgasm, sitting on your partner’s face is a must. The giver lies back—floor, bed, wherever feels stable—while the receiver straddles over their face, lowers down, and takes control of the rhythm, pressure, and pace with just a shift of their hips. It’s intense and gives the person on top total command of the moment without all the noisy mattress acrobatics. And because it’s a naturally low-motion oral sex position, you won’t even break a sweat while you receive deep, focused pleasure that hits exactly where you want it.
Alyssa Rotunno, Contributing Writer
Alyssa Rotunno is a NYC-based writer with a focus on beauty, fashion, shopping, travel, and culture. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, InStyle, Travel+Leisure, Parade, and other national outlets, where she brings a sharp, timely lens to the products, places, and trends worth knowing. She’s endlessly curious about what people are talking about—and loves connecting the dots between trends, products, and real life.
