For a part of the professional home decor elite, a guy’s room has always been the one with old ratty furniture, obscure art, and gaming or comic book fandom accessories, all ruled by a big TV on the wall. For too long has interior design had a definite focus on women’s view of decorating style. However, the latest trends show us that it’s possible to create a space that is both masculine and stylish. Check out these six tips before you embark on your man-cave overhaul.
Theory of lines and shapes
Whether a room appears more masculine or feminine depends on two main factors – one is the color and other is décor you choose. Colors and shapes are two things we subconsciously identify and categorize within these two distinct decorating styles. A masculine space is expected to include simple, straight lines, while a feminine space draws its aesthetics from sensuous curves and wavy patterns. However, this doesn’t mean you should only stick to squares and rectangles. Another important perk of a masculine space is the use of heavier objects. Sturdier looking décor items like an old metal coffee table or a heavy wooden desk will give the space more confidence and masculine appeal. Even a single heavy item can dramatically change the energy of the room.
Use masculine colors
Whichever room you start with, and regardless of the style settle with, choosing the color palette should always be the first step. Naturally, no one expects to find a lot of bright shades of yellow and pink. Man’s colors follow a different gamut, including moody shades of charcoal grey, chocolate brown, coal-black, rich eggplant, deep burgundy, navy blue, and forest green. These can be accented with contrasting shades of white, camel, crimson, and sapphire blue. Black and white will work like a charm in any masculine space, while pops of colors can be used to break up color blocks. One way to achieve this is to use warm metals like gold or brass.
Explore geometric patterns
While except for floral imagery and butterflies it’s challenging to define a pattern that is strictly masculine or feminine, it’s generally agreed that strong geometric patterns are the man’s territory. Having geometric patterns on textiles and accessories allows you to map those aesthetics all over your space. Perhaps the best way to achieve this is with a beautiful Moroccan rug. With their beige and black color schemes, these rugs have become a classic choice for masculine spaces, where neutral colors and diamond patterns can brighten up a moody atmosphere or fit seamlessly into a neutral-to-heavy one. Depending on the size of the rug, the scale of the pattern can increase the visual interest in the room.
Splurge on leather
Leather is one of those essentially masculine materials that work wonderfully in virtually any space that separates the men from the boys. Large furniture pieces like sleek recliner sofa from King Living in luxurious European leather and matching side chairs can become the perfect anchor pieces for your space, setting the scene for a timeless and classic feel that you can layer with various textures, accessories, and art. Leather can be found in a variety of swatches from deep black Espresso and Café, over subtle Cognac and Malt, to bright tones of Panna and Champagne, so it’s easy to match and contrast with the rest of your décor.
Rough textures and weathered surfaces
Most would agree that even more than patterns, masculine spaces are defined by their mix of hard, rough textures, and weathered-looking surfaces. Natural materials like stone and unfinished wood should be your prime choices for decorating your urban hunting lodge. Brick walls are another great choice, bringing not only color and texture but also the irresistible charm of early industrial settings. Metallic textures are also high on the list, often providing a smooth-finished contrast to south stone, masonry, or wood. Metallic finishes are used for small accessories and lighting fixtures, but also as the hardware on larger pieces such as credenzas and coffee tables.
Bring the outdoors inside
It’s hard to make a round of masculine living spaces and skipping one of the hottest trends of today. Architects, designers, and homeowners across the world are increasingly looking for new ways to complete their living space by turning towards the outdoor views. As bachelor pads and stylish homes with a masculine vibe are concerned, one of the easiest ways to avoid monotony is to incorporate the bright lights of the city skyline into your color scheme. On the other hand, if you’re fortunate enough to be blessed with a view of distant green hills or the rolling waves of the bay, that antlered whitetail skull on the bookshelf or a king crab wall mount can testify to your unwavering outdoorsy nature.
In its basics, masculine interior design style is functional, brusk, and very personal. Strong materials, brutal details, and simple lines defined through comfortable dark room colors are the anchor of every bachelor pad. And while every man has his own taste, decorating with natural materials allows you to
