Stay away from fussy furniture when decorating for a man.
There's a huge difference between a "man cave" with excessive animal heads hanging on the wall over decorative beer steins, and a room that has been subtly designed with masculine sensibilities in mind. Designing a masculine room goes beyond merely eliminating the feminine: Masculine design has some rules that are all its own, such as paying close attention to texture and shooting for a streamlined look. Function tends to trump form with masculine design, but the form remains an important part of the design.
Instructions
1. Choose a color for the room. Keep it in harmony with the rest of the house if at all possible. "Neutral colors for walls like taupes and grays are...reminiscent of a factory or a loft, which are both considered very iconic masculine environments," notes interior and set designer Kyle Schuneman. Painting with these colors rarely clashes with paint in other rooms, as taupe is available in many different tones, as is gray.
2. Select furniture that has a pleasing masculine texture, such as a nubby tweed chair or a rustic leather couch. Keep texture in mind when choosing window treatments as well. A Roman blind in a rough-hewn bamboo fabric may turn out to be the perfect complement to other items in the room.
3. Choose a rug that's not too "busy." Look for rugs that are either a solid color or that have square or triangular geometric designs. Stay away from circles and arabesque motifs. Consider texture in this area as well---a seagrass rug may turn out to be just the thing.
4. Give the room life and color by adding plants. "Succulents are a great way to add softness while still keeping a manly edge," says Schuneman. Try other varieties of nonflowering plants as well, such as ferns or mother-in-law's tongue.
5. Designate one piece of artwork to be the focal point of the room. Select a piece that is solid---either in form or appearance. "Better Homes and Gardens" advises that people who want a masculine room "keep walls, shelves and tables generally free of knickknacks, accessories and purely decorative items."
6. Buy lighting for the room that has smooth, clean lines---one overhead glass globe and an upright halogen lamp are good choices. Provide a lamp especially for reading if the room will be used for that purpose.
7. Keep comfort in mind. Pound Ridge interior designer Lisa Smith Faitell points out that "comfort is number one" when designing for men. Stay away from excessive throw pillows, however---many men find that they're a nuisance. Two large throw pillows on a comfortable sofa along with a footstool will do the trick.
Related posts
Bring the ocean home by creating a beach house room.Your beach house room is a relaxing retreat inspired by nature and the ocean. Incorporate outside elements through natural wood furniture and pa...
Designing your living room online can save time and aggravation.Your living room welcomes guests to your home and gives you a quiet place to relax when you get home from a long day at work. Decidi...
Stained woodwork often presents design challenges in a room. One of the objectives in designing a room is to make the décor of the room flow so that the eye moves continuously and isn't s...
A nursery is where a baby and his mother spend a lot of time, so it should be relaxing to both parties.A perfectly decorated nursery for a baby is every mother’s dream. She wants the best of every...
Miniature Zen gardens are popular accessories in a Zen-style room.Asian-influenced decor is a popular choice for homes. For people who would love to bring a Far East flair to their living room, co...
