How to Decorate a Men's Bedroom

A comfortable bed with headboard shelves and lights on each side

Men's bedrooms tend toward a pared-down style because they generally prefer a more tailored look, free of frills. Men have latitude to display their own taste in home design. Their bedrooms can be sensual and contemporary and remain free from the bachelor pad stereotype. Choose basic furniture with simple lines, quality electronics and tasteful accessories in a serene and welcoming color scheme. This way the bedroom becomes a peaceful oasis for a man, and accommodating for company.

Things You'll Need

• Bedroom set: bed with two matching nightstands and dresser
• Chair
• Entertainment center (optional)
• Lamps with dimmers
• Comforter
• Sheets
• Tailored bed skirt
• Large pillows
• Vertical blinds
• Drapes
• Framed art or photography (optional)

Instructions

1. Select the main items of furniture, which may include a bed, dresser, nightstands, entertainment center and a chair. Contemporary, no-frills furniture styles work well for a man's bedroom. A dresser with a large mirror adds dimension to the room. To achieve a sleek, well-designed look, choose matching furniture or furniture in the same finish. For example, if you select a bed set in walnut---a dark brown finish---choose an entertainment center in walnut or another dark brown finish.

2. Choose sheets, pillow shams, a tailored bed skirt and a comforter in complementary colors, such as light blue and slate gray, or ivory and chocolate brown, or black and tan.

3. Buy unobtrusive window treatments such as vertical blinds and basic drapes. Fussy valances, ruffled fabrics, prints and other obtrusive window coverings look out of place in men's bedrooms.

4. Obtain accessories to add to the comfort of the room. If the floor is uncarpeted, put runner rugs on each side of the bed. Add a lamp with a dimmer switch to each side of the bed. Large bolster cushions placed against the headboard make the bed look inviting and make it comfortable for sitting on to read or talk.

5. Add personal touches to the man's bedroom, such as framed art, photography, a collection in a display case or a bookcase. Choose items that express the man's interests.

6. Reduce clutter in a man's bedroom. Keep items that aren't out for display in the dresser drawers or closet. Maintaining a neat, clean environment creates a good impression when a man has company.

Tips & Warnings

• Browse furniture showrooms and websites on interior design for ideas.

• Keep the number of colors to a minimum. Bare surfaces and soothing colors create a peaceful bedroom.

• Add plants for an added decorative feature. A tabletop fountain can provide a serene atmosphere.

• Personalize the room to keep it from looking like something copied from a magazine.

• A man's bedroom furnished in antiques or retro furniture will also work. Look for items from a similar era and style.

References

• Christopher Lowell: Projects
• Interior Design: Bedrooms