Dimensions Weekly Mens Lifestyle Magazine

Whether you’re a single guy furnishing your first apartment or married and looking forward to finally taking over one room for yourself, your space says a lot about who you are.  At this post-dorm stage of your life, the image you project is important, especially if you are interested in attracting or keeping a special woman in your life. 

With beer can walls and hot rod posters firmly in your past, it’s time to reveal the successful, mature, sophisticated, and confident man you are. For most men the idea of “decorating” is a daunting task, but the good news is that simple really is better.  A minimalist approach accomplishes several important goals:  it tends to be a more sophisticated look, it relieves stress, it’s easier to maintain, and it saves time and money.  Here are three basic elements to consider when planning and shopping for your domain.

Remove The Clutter
Starting with an empty room is ideal.  This way you can make purposeful decisions about what you choose to bring in.  Now is the time to go through all your stuff and, with a cold heart, start tossing non-essentials. 

It might hurt at first to part with those old concert stubs but you’ll be glad in the end.  Set aside truly meaningful memorabilia.  One autographed program in a simple frame has more impact than a shelf full of team gear.  Good looking and functional storage boxes are readily available and will help keep you organized.

Choose a Color Scheme
This is easier than you think.  For a classic, masculine look stick with white/gray/black or off-white/sand/brown.  A simple rule of thumb is to integrate these colors vertically.  The darkest colors will be used low to the floor in rugs and furniture, the medium colors should be applied to walls and window treatments, and the lightest colors are for ceiling and accents. 

While just a guideline, this basic look anchors the room and is visually appealing.  Lastly, don’t be afraid to add a shot of color to this muted environment.  Lampshades, picture frames, artwork, or tabletop accessories are the perfect candidates for that splash of red, green, or yellow.  If you’re more adventurous, you might consider painting one wall in a bright color for a very dramatic look. 

Furnish Wisely
Before you begin to select furniture, consider carefully the room’s uses.  Are you decorating a multi-purpose, one room apartment or a narrow-purpose bedroom or office?  Function is definitely the driving factor over form.  Stick with basic criteria such as seating, tables, lighting, storage, and workspace needs. 

Keep accent pieces and accessories to a minimum – they’ll have more impact and you’ll have less to clean.  When evaluating different styles, choose clean, straight lines over more intricate designs.  Fortunately, when it comes to fabric, manly and low maintenance go together.  Durable upholstery such as leather, suede, corduroy, and sailcloth are great choices and readily available without special ordering. In addition to the tips offered here, most furniture stores today offer design services free of charge, and you should definitely take advantage of them.  Creating an elegant, functional space is easier than ever for every man and every budget. 

-DW | Men's Style