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When speaking with interior design expert Kenzie Elizabeth a few years ago, she mentioned that often, men don’t have a vision when it comes to decorating their space.
“They typically just go grab some stuff and call it a day. They stick with what they know — navy sheets, cold greys — instead of ever trying to make their space more of a home,” Elizabeth told me at the time.
As I’ve said before, you should ensure your space is one where women feel comfortable (one that doesn’t involve her having to dodge the minefield of dirty socks on your floor), without completely sacrificing your taste in design. This also doesn’t mean a complete overhaul of your space.
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Here are the formulas that actually work and will impress your overnight house guestsI tend to become so overwhelmed by the many design elements I want to incorporate into my home that I’m unsure where to start. That’s why I like to begin small by employing simple decor upgrades in each of my spaces — a framed photo in the bathroom, a new set of lace curtains in my bedroom, a chic throw pillow on the couch in the living room — and switch out a few decor items I’m not particularly inspired by.
I’ve compiled a helpful guide that’ll help you transform your conventionally male space into a design-forward haven you can feel confident in, your house guests will be impressed by and a woman would want to spend time in.
The Swap: Navy Sheets to… Patterned Sheets
The number one deterrent to staying over a man’s house? The color of his sheets. It’s time to separate yourself from the spooky navy blue sheet pack. We’re approaching fall, which means easy hues, fun patterns and different textures that create an entirely different (and more welcoming) vibe in your space. I do believe in a good bedding rotation, so try interchanging your more sophisticated, solid-colored sheets with a softly striped set like the one below from Quince.
The Swap: No Coasters to… Coasters!
Condensation rings on your wooden coffee table? Sorry, but it’s giving slob. Keeping a four-pack of coasters on hand shows you care for your furniture.
Your coasters should also share a fun design element. Whether they’re made of marble or crafted from leather and ceramic with a retro design like the set below, this simple addition to your coffee table adds a practical “pop” to any table.
The Swap: Soggy Floor Towel to… A Sophisticated Patterned Mat
A man’s bathroom can be a scary place. Almost every time I’ve stepped into a man’s shower, the Kill Bill sirens have sounded off in my head while I surveyed the scene of soap scum, dirty razors and five-in-one shampoo bottles. Obviously, there’s a lot wrong with this picture, but beyond regularly cleaning your bathroom, you can implement a few design elements to turn it into a serene, relaxing environment. Hang a cool print, get a nice glass bottle diffuser and change your bath mat. No one wants to step out of a shower onto a dirty, sad bath mat you bought from Bed Bath and Beyond 10 years ago.
The Swap: Dorm Movie Poster to… A Framed Print
Framed art prints are the easiest way to fill your bare walls and add some character to your space. There’s nothing I love more than admiring the wall galleries of people’s apartments. But while I love a Quentin Tarantino film as much as the next girl, it’s time to retire the full-size Pulp Fiction poster in favor of something a bit more elevated that’ll tie your space together.
The Swap: Empty Coffee Table to… A Chic Serving Tray
One of my most complimented decor items is a patterned serving tray I keep on my coffee table. For parties, I use it for its intended purpose: to serve drinks and snacks. But every other day it displays my candles, coffee table books, matches and more. A serving tray keeps all my trinkets neatly organized and contained in one spot on my coffee table while easily sprucing up an otherwise bare piece of furniture.
The Swap: Fridging the Bottle of Wine to… A Stylish Bottle Chiller
There’s nothing I love more than sitting on the couch and splitting a bottle of wine. The easiest and classiest way to serve a beautiful bottle of white wine, rosé or bubbles is with a bottle chiller. Society6 offers stainless steel containers that fit 750ml bottles and keep them cool for up to two hours. The stylish and functional chillers are perfect companions to any party or at-home date night.
