It is difficult to really pinpoint what the decoration of man is. Guys are a diverse group with a wide range of traits and attributes. Labeling an entire gender with a certain personality is a dangerous habit.
However, there are certain things in our society that are stylistically masculine. It is not a firm scientific decoration, they are more a philosophy, a set of intrinsic notions that give us a common artistic ground on which to work. Some things just look feminine and some things just look masculine. It is as obvious as the difference between pink and blue.
Defining male decorative preferences is really a matter of understanding the psychology we expect from this genre. Male decoration is, by its very definition, not female decoration, and therefore its essence will be understood in the difference between the minds of the two.
One of the things that society thinks of men is that they are more functional than women. While women appreciate beauty, men like things that work. In fact, common designs claim that men are annoyed by useless decorative touches.
This means that one of the key elements of men’s decor would be choosing function over form. A delicate coffee table made from loose strips of stainless steel will lose ground to a sturdy work table made from oak.
Another manifestation of this trait is the male tendency to decorate using their hobbies and interests. Sports accessories, toys, models, these are the favorite accessories of a manly room. Meanwhile, flowers and incense holders, candles and lace, mood-setters and little else, are generally considered more feminine in nature.
Another aspect of masculine decoration is that men are generally larger than women. This means that they need more space to be comfortable. They need to be able to stretch out and feel that the world around them is proportional to their size.
One of the most stereotypical pieces of masculine decor is the recliner. Often this is the only furniture that is large enough to comfortably fit a man’s body. Able to lie down and stretch out, they can generally support most of the size of a tall man, in a comfortable and relaxing manner.
Size and function trends collide in other aspects of men’s décor. Men tend to like big dressers, big beds, big shelves and big drawers. This is both because the imposing size matches them and because these items tend to do their job better. Larger containers hold more. Bigger beds are more comfortable. Larger vanities are generally stronger and more durable.
Men also tend to like different colors than women. Guys tend to be drawn to darker, earthier colors. Red, brown, black, and green are traditionally masculine and, in some shades, have a distinctly masculine feel.
While these trends may be true for some men, every man is different. The important thing when creating a space is that you take the wishes and preferences of everyone who inhabits it, men and women, and discover where their tastes overlap. Compromise in decoration is the art of creating a symphony from many different visions.