Dark colours, animal heads jutting out of the wall, a sword mounted above a fireplace, incongruous touches of plaid and tartan, and an extensive whiskey collection. Or is it discarded beer bottles and X-box controllers strewn around an otherwise bare-bones space? What really constitutes a masculine living room?
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Put down the deer’s head — but leave the whiskey — as bachelor pads have come a long way since the 1950s (and are also a far cry from the abysmal space you may have conducted your early 20s in). No longer cold and faintly off-putting, masculine living rooms of today do away with dated decor, instead embracing masculine materials and design touches in a way that feels fresh and inviting.
To avoid creating a bachelor pad that doubles as male birth control, take some design cues from these well-decorated masculine living rooms.
1. Use masculine materials in innovative ways
A grey colour palette coupled with concrete and exposed metal sounds like it should be cold and harsh, but this space manages to make it inviting. Concrete coffee tables anchor the room with their monolithic structures and rectilinear lines, while the industrial staircase and concrete flooring are softed by timber shelving, plants, curved pots, and soft furnishings.
2. Establish design harmony
Creating a masculine living room or bachelor pad doesn’t mean every piece has to be aggressively manly in the traditional sense. Promote design harmony by balancing masculine and feminine pieces and silhouettes. This living room makes use of its ample natural light. While it looks far from minimalist, the decor is quite simple, with interest added by the four layered black-and-white rugs in the centre of the room. A balance of yin and yang is achieved by teaming curved and rectinilear lines. The arch above the fireplace and intricate mouldings of the home are grounded by streamlined two-seater lounges in a neutral shade, which are in turn enlivened by colourful throw pillows.
3. Display your interests with pride
Some things never go out of style. A floor-to-ceiling bookcase is one of them, with this home proving the classic piece is not only a space to showcase your books, but a means of displaying art and storing firewood. Furniture in rich tones enlivens this living room, while hardwood floors are always timeless.
4. Use the space wisely
Just because you aren’t blessed with an expansive living room, doesn’t mean you can’t create an impactful one. This salon makes for a peaceful space to enjoy good conversation. Doing away with bulky lounges or sofas, elegant mid-century chairs add colour to the space, which primarily employs a pared-back, neutral colour palette.
5. Make use of what you have
Wood naturally exudes a rustic, somewhat masculine tone. This masculine living room leans into its foundations by letting the timber panelling, exposed beams, and expansive nature views do the talking. A geometric wooden table complements its surrounds while a deep blue textured rug lends a sense of richness and depth to the space.
Words by Theo Rosen
Feature image courtesy of Didier Delmas
