Understanding Objectification Kinks: from Fantasy to Clear Consent

In this article, the LOVE Team is getting into the nitty-gritty of objectification kinks, looking at why some people enjoy it so much, and helping you to ease into risk-free objectification exploration that puts trust and communication first.

An objectification kink is a fantasy in which someone is turned on by the idea of being treated like an object, or using their partner as one. This type of practice isn’t designed to erase the person acting as an object, but rather to allow them to embody a freely chosen role for a certain period of time.

There are loads of ways to do this:

• Becoming a piece of ‘living furniture’ (chair, table, footrest)
• Playing the role of a sex toy
• Remaining frozen in a certain position
• Being used for one specific function
• Or, on the contrary, ‘owning’ your partner during play

The goal is to create a space in which the body becomes a symbol, and play is transformed into a moment where the mind and body are separated, leaving behind only sensations, aesthetic and staging. The practice isn’t obligatory, and every aspect of play is freely decided, communicated and accepted by everyone involved.

It’s not simply curiosity that attracts people to practicing objectification kinks most of the time:

Becoming an object is a way of relinquishing control and detaching oneself from distracting thoughts and daily demands. Being used for a specific purpose, in a certain position, or in a specified role can be incredibly relaxing and arousing for some.

For some, being admired or used as an object can make them feel desired. The body becomes central to erotic play, and is magnified and sanctified.

This practice disrupts societal norms and codes, making it extremely exciting for some. It’s a way of distancing ourselves from our daily life in order to create a space solely for play.

This sort of practice requires strong communication. Bonds are reinforced thanks to the level of raw vulnerability offered by this unique form of intimacy.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to ensure that play never strays into non-consensual forms of objectification:

1. Make your desires and your limits very clear: Tell your partner exactly what you want from the experience, what you aren’t willing to do, and what you’d like to try. Everything must be explicitly discussed.
2. Put safe words in place: having a clear way of saying ‘stop’ guarantees the ability for each person involved to put an end to play if necessary.
3. Define the experience before getting started: who plays what role, duration of play, what’s allowed and what isn’t, positions, accessories… everything needs to be agreed upon before you begin.
4. Set the tone: lights, music, clothes (or lack thereof)… aesthetics are an important part of this practice to ensure total immersion.
5. Don’t overlook aftercare: after play, make sure to check in with your partner, reassure each other, take a moment to reconnect. It’s an important moment for you to ensure each other's emotional wellbeing.
   

There isn’t one single way to enjoy objectification kinks. You can start simple and work all the way up to more intense scenarios. Amongst the most popular practices, you’ll find human furniture: when someone remains immobile in the form of a piece of furniture such as a chair, table, or footstool, so as to offer a silent, immersive, aesthetic moment of pleasure.

Others prefer to incorporate accessories designed for domination, such as collars, leads, handcuffs or harnesses. These types of accessories reinforce the symbolic idea of possession, allowing partners to structure the scene around these well-defined roles.

Some people also like to explore the idea of being used like a sex toy, allowing themselves to become a living sex toy, or by using their partner in ways that have been agreed upon beforehand. This dynamic has a strong influence on the concept of function and on distancing oneself from their thoughts.

Objectification kinks can also take the form of photographic scenes: posing like a mannequin, statue or decorative object plays with the idea of immobility, aesthetic and fixed beauty.

Finally, there are numerous sensory and/or BDSM accessories (paddles, feathers, whips, hoods, masks…) that can add to the general atmosphere, intensify the scene and temporarily accentuate this idea of consensual ‘dehumanisation’ that’s characteristic of objectification kinks.

An objectification kink should never be demeaning or include forced submission. It’s a voluntary sexual practice that leans heavily on sensory and aesthetic dimensions, relying on consent and communication. If properly defined, it can become a rich, powerful and deeply freeing field of exploration for those looking to explore new facets of their sexuality.