The first things that come to mind when somebody says Man Cave or “Bachelor Pad” typically are not interior design or thoughtful decor. Instead, most think of random sports memorabilia, beer posters, or empty pizza boxes. Whether you’re moving into a college dorm or apartment, planning out a new man cave, or just looking to refresh an existing space – organization and functionality are key ideas to keep in mind when curating the perfect masculine interior. These tips will be your guide to transforming your (or your partner’s) men’s space into something that still displays personality and individual interests without sacrificing tidiness, organization, or thoughtful design.
DO – Pillows & Quality Bedding
The bedroom is arguably the most important room when designing because it is the most personal space in any home. Your bedroom is not just a reflection of your personality but also shows any guests (romantic or otherwise) how well you take care of yourself. Other than keeping your room clean and organized, (which should go without saying), chances are, it’s time to upgrade your bedding. Matching pillowcases, fitted and flat sheets, a quality comforter, and at least 4 pillows will take your bed to the next level.
DON’T – Be Afraid to Personalize
Transforming a man’s home, apartment, or man cave does not mean you have to sacrifice fun decor that showcases your personality. Men’s spaces are notorious for things like sports memorabilia, sprawling video game setups, and huge collections of anything from watches to sneakers to Legos. These things don’t have to disappear when elevating your man cave, they just need to look intentional.
Your sneaker collection doesn’t belong in a pile on the floor. Try storing them in clear display boxes so they stay organized while showcasing your rare kicks. Memorabilia and collectibles can be displayed thoughtfully on floating shelves and styled with plants for some balance and depth. Despite what some may tell you, sports jerseys can absolutely be decor, just make sure they’re framed and displayed properly – not on a clothes hanger on the wall.
The rule of thumb when it comes to any display of personal interest or hobbies (sports, film, music, video games, collectables, etc.): keep it classy, keep it simple, and keep it organized. Custom ArtFab prints are another great way to showcase what you love in a way that feels intentional. Just select a favorite image or a collage of a few and you’ll have a custom framed piece that instantly elevates any space.
You should never be ashamed to express your personality through the things you love, just make sure they’re styled tastefully and balanced with neutral elements, so the room feels put together, not overwhelming.
DO – Smell Good
Whether you’ve noticed or not, your space smells. When guests come over, it’s one of the first things they’ll pick up on. That’s why it’s worth the effort to make your space smell good. Which you can do without using cheap air fresheners or sacrificing masculinity.
One of the best ways to keep your space smelling fresh is actually keeping the air fresh. Change your filters regularly and make sure circulation is good. Flush out stale, stagnant air by opening some windows when the weather allows.
From there, layer in some subtle scents. Skip the cheap plug-ins and experiment with something more refined like scented candle warmers, oil diffusers, or wax melts instead. This will keep the air in your space smelling fresh and clean without becoming too harsh or overpowering.
DON’T – Use The Big Light
Those nasty overhead lights (a.k.a “The Big Light”) are often very bright white and borderline offensive to the eye. Steer clear of flipping these on unless you absolutely have to. Instead, opt for as many accent lamps as you can handle. Taller lamps in corners or over seating cast a softer light for reading or relaxing on the couch. Floor lamps (if placed correctly) can add another layer of depth to the ambiance of your space.
Most importantly, choose color temperature bulbs around 1500 kelvin and under to make sure you get that soft, warm, orangey glow instead of a harsh white beam. One simple upgrade is to switch to smart bulbs. Connect them to your smart phone so you can control every lamp’s color and brightness right from your phone.
DON’T – Overdo it
This may seem like a broad generalization, and it is, but the goal here is to refine your man cave or bachelor pad into a space that is personal, but also inviting. A lot of the traditional man cave elements can be refined in a way that is both functional and tasteful. Before you buy that obnoxiously heavy pool table off of Marketplace, just ask yourself, “How often am I actually going to use this?”. If the answer is often, then go for it. As long as you’re actually honest with yourself.
Screens are another classic culprit in the case of “overdoing it”. A 100” flatscreen may sound impressive but shrinking that down to a 65” flanked by smaller auxiliary screens gives more functionality, a better picture, and a more balanced look.
Personalization is good, but you want to avoid your space becoming too one-dimensional. A room with excessive one-dimensional personalization comes across gimmicky or immature. Sprinkle in your personal touches with other elements to add depth and complexity to your space. Plants are a great way to do this as they keep things neutral while still adding vibrancy and life to a room. “Everything in moderation” is the motto when it comes to any space. Balancing the things you want in a room with neutral compliments to those things is the best way to go about making a space feel like your own, without looking tacky or busy.
Dos & Don’ts in Summary
DOs
- Personalize (tastefully)
- Prioritize functionality
- Get quality pillows and bedding
- Use neutral decor to fill in the gaps
- Try diffusers and wax melts to freshen the space
- Get custom prints to showcase your personality
DON’Ts
- Tacky decor
- Disorganized collections
- Overdo to the point of gaudiness
- Waste space on unused novelties
- Be afraid to make your space your own
