Designing a home is a deeply personal task and journey, so it strikes me as absurd and somewhat curious that so many men leave all interior design decisions to the women in their lives. It’s no wonder a significant chunk of the male population gets home in the wee hours of the night to avoid being in their houses.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it is to pay more attention to the state of our homes. Covid humbled us all and now “A woman’s place is in the home” is null and void. The home is for all of us, men and women, all day, and all night, since working from home is the new normal. After spending months on end at home, you realize those pesky backaches are because you skimped out when you bought your mattress. You soon realize you’re always so tired in the living room because the curtains are so heavy, your body always thinks it is time to sleep. Save for the TV and other electronics, you rarely pay attention to what is in your homes, yet it matters.
It matters that the couch is a color that makes you tranquil and invites you to drop all your troubles at the end of the day. It matters that the cold beer you sip as you forget the day and watch the highlights as Moutinho silences Old Trafford hits the right spot because there is no tangled mess of cables where your TV sits.
You may not admit it, but you’d appreciate a soft fluffy pillow as much as any girl because, let’s be honest, it’s like a warm hug for your head. I know, I know. Hugs are for simps and you’d much rather a dismissive pat on the back so you can both be on your way. But hear me out, investing in luxury does not mean you have to surrender your male card.
Between you and me, there is no going back once you’ve had the musky, rich, and exotic scent of sandalwood sifting through every corner of your home. You will appreciate having décor pieces with a little bit of your soul in them because you chose them or they chose you: the books on the shelves (an ideal collectors’ item), framed pictures of that time you went camping, the plant you are learning to care for – you get the drift. Once you start adding art to your walls, you’ll want to keep telling that story.
Whether single or married, you want to make sure your home is a space you look forward to returning to every day. You want to ensure it is a place you can go to when you want to hide from the world. If you’re single, your home should mirror your personality – remind you of your person and inspire you to create. If you’re married or living with a partner, your home should be a space that accommodates the both of you, a blend of styles that respects each of your individual styles.
It’s 2022 and I say, “What women can do, men can do too!” Design is not a reserve of the feminine. As a man, you should care what your home looks like. Function is crucial, which is what you are most likely concerned about, but a little style never hurt anyone. A bed, mattress, couch, 55-Inch TV, and sound bar are the bare minimum. But if you can afford it (though you don’t have to break the bank for good décor), make intentional decisions to personalize and improve your space. Also, are you tired of receiving boxers and socks for your birthday? My guarantee – show a little concern for décor and suddenly there is so much potential for superb, creative gifts. And let’s be honest, you’re gonna gain much more points if you bring a babe to a well-designed home.