Most men like things simple and no drama. This also translates into the type of room they find attractive. They tend to like modern and not a lot of ‘fluff’ (anything too girly, flowery, a lot of fabric). Simply put, they want a handsome space; not necessarily a man cave, but something handsome. In this latest blog article, I outline what elements make for a handsome masculine space that can be quite sexy and inviting.
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
BLOG POST BY:
Carla Gentle with Design Realign, Inc.
WHAT MASCULINE MEANS TO ME
How do you go about creating a masculine space? Well, to start, when I think of a manly man full of masculinity, I think of the following:
Rugged, outdoorsy type
Adventurous and daring
Loves to watch and/or play sports
Someone who is very competitive … in everything
Takes charge and leads
Loves to hang out with his buddies
So, what does all of this have to do with creating a masculine space? Well, everything ... so let's dig deeper.
MASCULINE INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES
Ladies, want to spruce up your marriage? Make your husband feel special by creating a masculine space he will love for years to come. Styling a masculine room doesn’t have to be limiting or starkly contrasting compared to the rest of your home, as tends to be the case with a designated “man cave”. Let’s take a look at just how handsome and welcoming masculine rooms can be and the defining design styles that are a heavy influence.
Industrial
Industrial style is probably the first style you think of when you think of masculine decor, and with good reason. It emphasizes exposed wood grain, angular forms, and metals (including industrial piping and beams), which all give a strong masculine vibe and lets you play with shapes and warmth a little bit more. The cover photo is the epitome of a handsome masculine space and screams industrial.
PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest
Mid-Century
If the rest of your home is Mid-Century Modern, you won’t have to look too far to transition into Mid-Century masculine territory. It is a classic masculine style and is one of my favorite styles, in general. The style’s spare silhouettes and sleek lines already lend themselves perfectly to a masculine tone.
Here, the biggest adjustment you’ll want to make is probably in the color palette. Lean toward reserved greens; deep, inky blues; grays; and moody neutrals.
Contemporary
Look for modern, no-frills objects and simple shapes. Grays and wood tones go well with this style. An item that works well with modern objects and simple shapes and pulls it all together is a nice simple rug, which will add warmth to your space and pull multiple elements together.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bons Rapazes
Rustic
Masculine rustic decor fits in perfectly with homes that lean into lived-in charm. Rustic style works well with the outdoorsy type as it incorporates a lot of wood, brick, and greenery which gives a strong organic feel. Look for natural and nature-inspired tones or antique pieces with strong lines, like this trunk-style nightstand.
SOURCE: Dianne Decor
MODERN MASCULINE DÉCOR GUIDE
Color Palette
Start with deep earth tones and/or a monochrome neutral look. Black, brown, and cream are great neutral colors that will work well for a masculine room design. This picture is a PERFECT example.
SOURCE: Amazon Vendor
Furniture Selection
When it comes to furniture selection, break away from the norm by finding unique pieces such as a large trunk or chest used as a coffee table. The strongest appeal is a modern industrial décor vibe, as demonstrated in the picture to the left.
Many of the furniture pieces use exposed piping or metals with a raw look. These are great options for decorating a masculine space.
Material Selection
Metal is a fantastic material option that is very masculine. Wood and concrete complement metal very well, so I would
SOURCE: OneKindesign
consider working these three materials into your room design. And, of course, leather is probably the most popular masculine material.
Strong Shapes
Masculine home decor tends to be light on curves and heavy on sharp angular corners. Go for rectangular or square furniture as your base and work in more organic shapes with small tabletop decor accents.
Wall Art
Finding masculine wall decor sounds a lot harder than it is. Go for gallery-style paintings. Either a collection of smaller, artfully arranged pieces or a large oversized installation is the way to go.
Decorations
While masculine decor tends to be light on decorative objects, that doesn’t mean you should avoid them entirely. Rather, find pieces with a big visual payoff. Keep masculine rooms light on knick-knacks and tchotchkes, but foregoing decorations entirely can leave a room looking incomplete and give off an “unfinished bachelor pad” vibe.
Bronze art has been read as masculine for years, which is fortunate because it also packs a punch. Love the bronze sculpture to the right!
SOURCE: Lamps Plus
Multi-functional pieces, like this lamp that’s stylish enough to stand on its own as a decor piece, are ideal for masculine spaces. When you’re limiting decorative items, you want every piece in a room to make a statement.
SOURCE: Etsy
IN CONCLUSION
Creating a handsome masculine space should be pretty easy if you think in terms of the things men like to do. For example, if your man is an outdoorsman, he will be attracted to a space with a lot of wood and nature. They also tend to like modern and not a lot of ‘fluff’, so keep the design simple and the colors not too crazy. Ladies, want to spruce up your marriage? Make your husband feel special by creating a masculine space he will love for years to come.
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