Bedroom bondage is usually mild and includes one partner voluntarily being restrained by other with cuffs or ropes, combined with other sex toys such as blindfolds and gags. While restrained, tied partner may be sexually stimulated by masturbation, oral sex, a vibrator or intercourse. S/he also derives sexual pleasure from being “helpless”, while the free partner may achieve arousal from being in a dominant position.

Besides being a standard practice in BDSM, bondage is a frequent component of a common fantasy settings such as rape and abduction, predicament bondage, dominance/slavery and is often associated with other sexual techniques.There is a large variety of bondage equipment available to achieve different results, such as ropes, harnesses, cuffs, spreader bars, x- frames, clothing such as hobble skirts, straitjacjets and sleepsacks. All of the above enable restraint in various positions, most commonly hands being tied together in front or at the back. Other popular positions include spread eagle (with limbs spread and fastened by wrists and ankles), hogtie (which secures each wrist to its complement ankle behind the back) and  crotch rope (applying pressure to female genitalia by pulling a rope between the labia; sometimes the knot is placed at the position of clitoris to intensify the sensation).

BDSM consists of wide spectrum of physical activites and complex forms of hierarchical interpersonal relationships.  Although not always openly sexual, activities and relations within BDSM are commonly eroticized by the participants to certain extent.

Participants in BDSM take on corresponding, yet unequal roles. Commonly, active participants that exercise control over others are known as Dominants or tops. The ones who are recipient of activities performed by their partner in control are typically known as bottoms or submisives. There are also individuals who move between top and bottom roles periodically or in various relationships- they are called S/switches.

Terms “play”, “a scene” or “session” describe BDSM actions agreed by both partners that take place during the specific period of time. Although many of BDSM practices include pain, humiliation and restraint that would under normal circumstances be unpleasant, all parties involved in BDSM usually derive pleasure from the performed activities. Sexual intercourse may occur during session, but is not essential.

Due to all possible risks of such practice, fundamental principles of BDSM require that it should be performed by mature and responsible partners, consensual and in a safe manner. Since the 1980s these principles have been compressed into motto “Safe, sane and consensual” abbreaviated as SSC. It is the mutual consent that states an ethical and legal distinction between BDSM and crimes as rape or domestic violence.

A safeword agreed in advance enables bottom to withdraw his/her consent at any given time. Tops that dismiss safeword are comitting serious misconduct in BDSM and are facing criminal charges depending on the relevant law since their bottom has explicitly withdrawn his/her consent for the actions following safeword. Pre-play negotiations are quite common, especially when partners aren’t familiar with each other. Their goal is to discuss partners’ fantasies and interests in order to eastablish a framework for session.