Whether you’re preparing a son’s room or want to give your living space a more masculine feel, there are plenty of small changes you can make and steps you can take without resorting to a comprehensive overhaul or renovation. You can play with colors, incorporate certain materials, and add specific decorative elements.
If you’re moving to a new space and want to give it a more masculine flair, here are some tips to help you get started:
Incorporate certain materials
Here are some materials you need to consider incorporating into the room or space:
- Timber is versatile enough that it can look both striking and strong, and gentle and soft. It all depends on how you will incorporate it into your space. There’s a reason why plenty of designers default to this natural and beautiful material to give a home an edgier feel; it’s a tone that can co-exist with hardwoods and various kinds of decor. For added texture, consider adding a timber feature wall to spice things up.
- Leather is also another material that can instantly give your space a masculine boost. It can withstand pets and children, making any furniture piece made of leather a solid investment.
- Another material to add is meta or stainless steel, which instantly gives your room an industrial feel. Coffee tables and chairs with steel support structures are a good option, as well as lighting fixtures, chandeliers, and lamps with metallic finishes. To give your space an ultra-modern look, consider going for chrome.
Mind your color palette
The colors you choose will make or break your room’s look, feel, and atmosphere. When choosing a palette, go for darker, more natural tones such as black, gray, and brown. Navy blue can also make for a good accent color. Neutral and earthy tones can also look more masculine, depending on how you use them. Whichever colors you decide to go with, just remember that masculine spaces lean more towards darker tones, as opposed to vibrant or cheerful colors.
Another design principle you need to remember when choosing colors is the timeless 60-30-10 color rule, which basically states that your room’s colors need to be:
- 60 percent the main color, which means your walls, large accent pieces like sofas and area rugs
- 30 percent the secondary color, which needs to support your main color, but can be different enough to set it apart; it can be used for the front and exit doors, and other furniture pieces, accent chairs, draperies, bed linens, and accent walls
- 10 percent the accent color, which can be used for artworks or smaller decorative elements like throw pillows
Choose the right patterns
When choosing a pattern, forego those that evoke daintiness or sweetness. Stick with traditional geometric shapes like stripes, plaids, and herringbone. You can also choose not to go for patterns at all; you can just choose more solid designs. If you must include patterns, consider incorporating them in smaller doses, and don’t go for floral patterns or those that evoke gentleness, softness, and femininity. Another type of pattern that provides an industrial feel is a brick pattern, so consider using exposed brick for one of your walls.
Play with textures
When it comes to textures, don’t just go for the more obvious choices; using a combination of various kinds of textures will add depth to your room, regardless of your theme. Play with a host of different textures like tweed, leather, flannel, and suede, and don’t hesitate to try adding small amounts of velvet and silk. You can incorporate these textures in your living room throws, rugs, and other smaller decorative accessories.
Choose art pieces and decor carefully
If you must include art in your living space, make sure to choose ones that have bolder colors and darker themes. Some wall art pieces to consider include:
- Vintage photos in black and white
- A range of accessories like books with vintage hardcover bindings, pottery, statues, and stoneware
- Some colorful art pieces can help break up the moodiness in your room, so choose sculptures or works of art that are a bit more vibrant in tone
- Greenery and plants can also add a brighter element to your home, especially if your color palette is on the darker and moodier side
Adding a masculine touch to your home is all about making the right stylistic choices and making sure that everything is balanced. Follow your instincts and consider consulting with family and friends as well; they might be able to help you see things since they’re coming from an outsider’s perspective. Good luck!
