More Rooms
How to Create the Perfect Man Corner
Introduce a masculine edge to a section of your home with these simple tips, and keep the other half happy
Does a certain someone in your home need their own ‘man’ space, but you fear it turning into an eyesore of oversized beer fridges, car paraphernalia and shelves upon shelves of sporting trophies? This needn’t be the case, as these simple tips will show you how to integrate a more masculine flair via tailored, edgy and sophisticated designs that are just for him, but appeal to everyone. These tips are also for the fellas that aren’t lucky enough to have a dedicated ‘man cave’ and will show that you don’t have to be put in the garage so you can have your space. Everyone wins with a masculine, chic interior.
Add a luxe colour scheme
Why not consider introducing darker tones for the wall colour of the man corner, such as inky, navy blues and dark charcoals, and then team this with browns, mustards, neutrals and beiges. Darker hues have a real luxurious feel to them and immediately create a sense of charm and character, while making the space feel cosier and more intimate.
Darker walls also help to highlight architectural features within a space when you add a contrast colour to window trims, cornices and mouldings, as has been done in this room.
DESIGN TIP: When deciding on colours, aim to narrow your paint selection down to three tones and get test pots from your local paint shop. Paint the colours on the wall, the size of an A4 sheet and view them at different times of the day. The colours will look different depending on the light conditions.
Why not consider introducing darker tones for the wall colour of the man corner, such as inky, navy blues and dark charcoals, and then team this with browns, mustards, neutrals and beiges. Darker hues have a real luxurious feel to them and immediately create a sense of charm and character, while making the space feel cosier and more intimate.
Darker walls also help to highlight architectural features within a space when you add a contrast colour to window trims, cornices and mouldings, as has been done in this room.
DESIGN TIP: When deciding on colours, aim to narrow your paint selection down to three tones and get test pots from your local paint shop. Paint the colours on the wall, the size of an A4 sheet and view them at different times of the day. The colours will look different depending on the light conditions.
Create an art wall
If he has a lot of collector items and curios why not consider hanging or fixing them to create an interesting gallery wall? This looks even better if you refer to the previous point of choosing a darker, moodier wall colour, as it acts as the perfect backdrop for your artwork and other items. This is a great way of letting that certain someone feel as if they have a part of the house to display their things, and by grouping them together it strengthens the visual, making them appear like they belong. Perfect walls to consider for this are in a games or entertainment room, along a staircase or in the study.
If he has a lot of collector items and curios why not consider hanging or fixing them to create an interesting gallery wall? This looks even better if you refer to the previous point of choosing a darker, moodier wall colour, as it acts as the perfect backdrop for your artwork and other items. This is a great way of letting that certain someone feel as if they have a part of the house to display their things, and by grouping them together it strengthens the visual, making them appear like they belong. Perfect walls to consider for this are in a games or entertainment room, along a staircase or in the study.
Opt for tan leather
Man corners need leather as it is a versatile material and the foundation to any contemporary and masculine interior. Tan leather is especially recommended, as it adds depth and rugged charm, yet it can be teamed with myriad colour choices and styles so is an adaptable and clever choice for your big-ticket items such as sofas and armchairs.
STYLE TIP: When choosing your sofa or armchair, consider the shape and style and how it can incorporate with the rest of your interior. And, of course, take time to sit in it – comfort is always key. For a masculine-chic-style sofa, select one with strong and simple lines and no unnecessary poufs or frills.
Man corners need leather as it is a versatile material and the foundation to any contemporary and masculine interior. Tan leather is especially recommended, as it adds depth and rugged charm, yet it can be teamed with myriad colour choices and styles so is an adaptable and clever choice for your big-ticket items such as sofas and armchairs.
STYLE TIP: When choosing your sofa or armchair, consider the shape and style and how it can incorporate with the rest of your interior. And, of course, take time to sit in it – comfort is always key. For a masculine-chic-style sofa, select one with strong and simple lines and no unnecessary poufs or frills.
Try timber detailing
Masculine-chic interiors have a certain warmth and interest to them, and a great way of getting this effect is to add timber detailing or interior timber panelling. Not only is this trend making a real comeback, which means more trades and companies are completing these jobs, there are a wide range of styles and types of timber to suit your design job. Timber panelling or cladding also has physical benefits such as thermal protection, acoustic properties and increased stability.
DESIGN TIP: Unless you want it to look like you are living in a log cabin, be clever with the use of the timber and less is certainly more in this case. Allow the timber to be the feature rather than have it taking over the space. So, for example, use it on a wall behind a bed or behind an armchair such as the one we showed you in the first point. You could also use timber to surround a fireplace or even on the ceiling to create impact.
Masculine-chic interiors have a certain warmth and interest to them, and a great way of getting this effect is to add timber detailing or interior timber panelling. Not only is this trend making a real comeback, which means more trades and companies are completing these jobs, there are a wide range of styles and types of timber to suit your design job. Timber panelling or cladding also has physical benefits such as thermal protection, acoustic properties and increased stability.
DESIGN TIP: Unless you want it to look like you are living in a log cabin, be clever with the use of the timber and less is certainly more in this case. Allow the timber to be the feature rather than have it taking over the space. So, for example, use it on a wall behind a bed or behind an armchair such as the one we showed you in the first point. You could also use timber to surround a fireplace or even on the ceiling to create impact.
Love a Chesterfield sofa
Chesterfields are quite a sought after piece of furniture nowadays, and the more worn the better. They encapsulate everything there is to say about a masculine interior, while introducing rustic vintage charm.
Synonymous with hunting lodges, cigar rooms and moody jazz dens, the Chesterfield is also a distinctive piece of history – its deep-buttoned and quilted upholstery and low seat base stirs up feelings of nostalgia.
Chesterfields are quite a sought after piece of furniture nowadays, and the more worn the better. They encapsulate everything there is to say about a masculine interior, while introducing rustic vintage charm.
Synonymous with hunting lodges, cigar rooms and moody jazz dens, the Chesterfield is also a distinctive piece of history – its deep-buttoned and quilted upholstery and low seat base stirs up feelings of nostalgia.
Create texture contrast
Important to any interior scheme, look at incorporating a variety of textures and finishes so your man corner doesn’t appear flat and uninteresting. Look at wood grains, fur/animal skin throws and leathers (make them faux or ethically raised and produced) tweed and velvet fabrics, and chrome accents on chair and table legs or lamps.
Important to any interior scheme, look at incorporating a variety of textures and finishes so your man corner doesn’t appear flat and uninteresting. Look at wood grains, fur/animal skin throws and leathers (make them faux or ethically raised and produced) tweed and velvet fabrics, and chrome accents on chair and table legs or lamps.
It’s all in the little details
Incorporate vintage pieces and little mementos within the man corner in thoughtful ways, whether it is with suitcases as side tables or prized sporting trophies and medallions grouped together in a styled vignette. Instead of cut flowers, use cacti, succulents or terrariums, and remember to use varying textures to keep things interesting.
TELL US
Do you have a space dedicated to the man of the house? How have you incorporated it within your home? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
Man Space: True-to-Style Dining Spaces
Man Space: Plan a Bathroom Fit For a King
12 Man Caves for the True Man of the House
Incorporate vintage pieces and little mementos within the man corner in thoughtful ways, whether it is with suitcases as side tables or prized sporting trophies and medallions grouped together in a styled vignette. Instead of cut flowers, use cacti, succulents or terrariums, and remember to use varying textures to keep things interesting.
TELL US
Do you have a space dedicated to the man of the house? How have you incorporated it within your home? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
Man Space: True-to-Style Dining Spaces
Man Space: Plan a Bathroom Fit For a King
12 Man Caves for the True Man of the House
A great place to start small and introduce some masculine edge is with a mini-zone. Every man needs his ‘man chair’ – an armchair in a robust material with character such as leather, velvet, tweed or a woollen felt. It not only has to look good, make a statement and keep within a budget, but it needs to be comfortable, so when purchasing sit in a lot of chairs to find the right one. Look then at adding a piece of artwork (something with graphic lines that’s simple in colour), plus a bold, industrial-style floor lamp.
Take the man of the house out shopping with you. Yes, do it. He needs to choose the right chair and this can be a mutual decision so there will be no eyesores.