If you’re an entrepreneur or in your 20s and live alone, you’ve probably had to think about decorating your apartment all on your own. While some guys prefer the Spartan look, I think it’s essential to have some style around you when you’re on your own so that when you have guests over, they don’t think you live like a slob! So here are my top 5 decorating tips for men’s apartments
Natural Wooden Furniture
One of today’s hottest decoration trends is natural wooden furniture. Many people who have a decorator style prefer wooden furniture to any other material, but they find that wood can become damaged or broken easily. If you’re looking to make your wooden pieces feel new again, consider using sanding and varnishing products to give them a boost of shine. Even though it’s an easy fix, people don’t use these products as often as they should.
Smaller Items Make a Bigger Impact
The first thing you notice when walking into any room is its size. When it comes to designing apartments, smaller furnishings (like throw pillows or rugs) can make a big impact. Using several items in small quantities helps create balance and interest in your space. Instead of going all out with accessories, try using one accent item per room (i.e., a clock in the living room, artwork above a bed). Also, don’t be afraid to incorporate color! Bright pops of red or green will instantly warm up any white-walled apartment.
Placement of Items
When decorating your man cave, it’s important to consider where you place items. A lot of guys want to put a huge screen in their living room, which is fine, but maybe your space is better served by placing it in your bedroom instead. Placing big pieces of furniture and appliances in odd places can make a man cave feel cramped and uncomfortable. Also, think about flow when placing items throughout your apartment; if something blocks access from one area to another, that can cause frustration over time.
Color Choices
Colors are important to consider when you’re decorating an apartment because they can significantly affect your mood. Soft pastels have a calming effect, while bright colors can make a room seem more spacious. If you’re sharing an apartment with someone else, be sure to coordinate and compromise with your roommate on paint colors—even if you disagree initially. You want everyone in the space to feel comfortable! For example, if one person wants white walls and another wants dark green walls, maybe there’s a happy medium in between: light blue walls.
Utilize your nooks and crannies
Out of sight, out of mind—that’s how most men tend to think when it comes to their homes. But when you live in a studio apartment, there are no nooks and crannies to hide your messes! A wise decorator knows that what goes on under those beds and inside closets could make or break a space. Throw away your dusty couch pillows, clean off that bookshelf and sort through your CD collection.
