Interior Design North: Feminine vs. masculine design

Friday, 8 March 2013

Feminine vs. masculine design

Photo: House Beautiful.

I will never forget the face of the shop owner: huh, she wants what? I had commented that I was looking for something less "masculine" than the striped rug in muted colours that he was showing. He was completely at a loss. To him, "masculine" and "feminine" design meant nothing. How little did he know!

Shape, colour and material will affect if objects in our surroundings read as "feminine" or "masculine". Anybody wanting to achieve a "gender-neutral space" - one where both men and women feel equally comfortable - should make sure that there is a good balance between feminine and masculine vibes.

Stripes, leather, corduroy, boxy furniture, dark colours, wood and fireplaces read as "masculine". Soft textiles, rugs and furniture with curves or irregular shapes, pastels and light colours, mirrors and flower arrangements are examples of feminine features.

There are ways to "play up" or "play down" objects' "gender", but more about that in another post. For now, let's look at some typically feminine spaces, and let's congratulate all wonderful women out there on International Women's Day!