How to Give Your Bedroom a Masculine Look

by Scott Purcell

by SCOTT PURCELL

Given these rapidly changing times, the meaning and context of the word “masculine”–especially as it pertains to interior design–has also changed drastically. That’s not to say the old tropes don’t still exist. After all, you can still find plenty of dudes who identify themselves as male by chugging beers and getting into fights over their favourite sports teams. Likewise, the classic (and frequently chauvinist) Don Draper archetype is still alive and well. But when it comes to young, modern males who want to give their bedroom a “masculine” look, we simply must contemporise the word before moving forward.

For starters, being masculine nowadays entails slightly nurturing your feminine side. Think about it for a moment. In previous eras, the very act of interior design as hobby or profession was commonly associated with females. Give men a couch, a beer and a ballgame and most were satisfied. That’s simply not the case anymore. Modern men have a heightened sense of awareness when it comes to their surroundings and they proceed accordingly.

Being masculine in the 21st century also means taking pride in your personal appearance from a style and confidence perspective. That often equates to stepping outside the box every now and then and mixing up the wardrobe or bedroom aesthetic. Don’t get me wrong–the fine tailored suit still has its place–but the recent Dappertude and street style movements go to show there’s room for so much more when it comes to men’s fashion. In other words, “masculinity” is a shape-shifting concept that changes with the times just like anything else. With that in mind, consider the following pointers when making your bedroom more masculine.

#1 Darker Tones

Image: By Thornam

Image: SF Girl By Bay

The essence of modernity and minimalism might be best summarised by the stark use of colour or material to create a sense of space and versatility. When it comes to the bedroom that equates to using darker tones on the walls and furnishings to automatically elevate the vibe. When I say “dark” I mean hues like tan, grey, dark blue and even dark green. And while no one usually argues with black, I don’t recommend it for the walls because that colour tends to swallow its surroundings. Maybe save the black for the bedspread only. Similarly, the colour white is commonly associated with minimalism but in a bedroom space it can often lead to a somewhat sterile environment. Meanwhile, a nice shade of grey creates a sense of refinement without overpowering the other elements in the room.

#2 Bid Adieu to Your College Self

Image: Jenny Wolf Interiors

Image: Domino

No matter what the era, there is a stage most men go through that seems almost exclusively defined by the amount of testosterone they’re producing. We might best label this as the “college phase”. But those days are over. Heck, even if you’re still in college you’d probably score far more points with the opposite sex by demonstrating a little distinction when it comes to décor. What I’m trying to say here is: take down those stupid Playboy posters and framed jerseys and any ephemera that make it look like you’re stuck in frat boy mode. It truly impresses no one.

#3 Good Art is Easy to Find

Image: BB Italia

Image: Katty Schiebek

Thanks to the trusty Internet, you’re never more than a few clicks away from an amazing work of art. The best part is you don’t have to drop huge dollars or go searching for big names. A solid framed photograph or framed print with a distinct point of view can do wonders for the aura of your bedroom. The work can be sophisticated, playful, abstract, alluring, etc, etc. What’s important is that it stands out as tasteful and operates in conjunction with its surroundings.

Scott Purcell is a Contributing Editor of Milray Park Magazine. Scott is the Co-Founder of Man of Many, a leading Australian online men’s lifestyle magazine which showcases the latest in products, culture, and style. You can follow them on their Instagram here @manofmanytastes.

Milray Park gives all Australians access to affordable interior design online for one simple flat-fee $299 price. Book a Milray Park Designer.

Cover Image: Hzmeshow

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