How Men’s Fashion Is Inspiring Interior Design Trends

In recent years, feminine decor styles have dominated the market. From millennial pink to palm leaf prints and statement art (Live. Laugh. Why?), many current trends are becoming just a bit tired. But now, the pendulum is starting to swing the other way. Clean, modern looks, inspired by men’s fashion are making a comeback. 

However, don’t be fooled. This is nothing like the modern looks of the late ’90s and early aughts. Tuscan kitchens, sleigh beds, and chocolate brown walls are behind us (hopefully forever). A sophisticated, gender-neutral skewing look is beginning to emerge. Think mansion, not man cave (even if you don’t live in one). Here are three noteworthy launches paving the way.  

The Inside

Today, The Inside launched a menswear-inspired collection. The brand worked with a list of notable tastemakers including celebrity chef and television personality Curtis Stone, founder of Dollar Shave Club Michael Dubin, fashion designer Peter Som, Anthony Sperduti, founder of Sweetgreen Jonathan Neman, and founder of Apartment Therapy, Maxwell Ryan. Men’s style blogger The Style Girlfriend was also involved.

Founded by Christiane Lemieux, after she sold her first brand Dwell Studio to Wayfair, and Britt Bunn, who is formerly of One Kings Lane—The Inside is a brand that frankly doesn’t get enough credit for an innovative approach. Every piece is made to order with a choice of over 100 different fabrics.

“For the past two decades, mid-century has been the prevailing interior style for a masculine or gender-neutral vibe, but that has started to feel very generic. This was our inspiration for a new line,” says Lemieux.

The menswear collection introduces several new prints to the roster including Ziggurat, Scattered Dot, Fairfield Stripe, Muki Dot, Slate Zebra and Herringbone designs.

The cohesiveness of the line takes the risk out of mixing and matching prints. Furthermore, there is a level of subtlety that is universally appealing and easy to integrate into any room that needs redecorating. It’s not glaringly masculine, explains Lemieux. “For example, when people typically think of the most beautiful masculine-inspired interiors, they think of tailored lines on the furniture, rich deep colors, and a mix of natural materials like leather, linen and wood.”

To create a complete look, she suggests choosing deeper, neutral paint colors such as deep grey or tobacco red. “Clean-lined, more industrial accessories will quickly round out a more masculine design.”

CB2 X GQ

But The Inside isn’t the only brand with this vision. CB2 recently launched a collaboration with one of the first names in men’s fashion, GQ. Ryan Turf, president of CB2 tells me this partnership a no brainer. “We’re often inspired by what we’re seeing in fashion. Modern men have asserted a sense of style and sophistication, its time to look at home decor through the same lens.”

This line features furniture and decor for every room in the home, from sofas to beds and even chic lacquer bath accessories. “With this collection you’ll see a blend of masculine yet refined materials—think wood matched with more delicate materials, metals like wrought iron, marble and vinyl,” explains Turf.

Every single piece has a neutral, but rich color in shades of black, brown, white or tan with a mix of textures. While many people (especially men) struggle with design, choosing the majority of pieces for a home from one store or one line often ends up looking uncreative at best or like a showroom at worst. But the GQ collection is the exception to the rule. From the Niander Mesh Bed to the Roy Mirror, there is clearly a vintage inspiration that makes every piece feel unique with a seamless flow from room to room.

Frette

Frette’s recently launched Bold collection is another example of the gender-neutral trend. Featuring a thick border, this design truly elevates any style bedroom instantly. Incredibly sophisticated, yet entirely effortless, the 100% long-staple cotton sateen bedding is the epitome of luxury. 

What’s great about this design is that it provides a true pop of color with eight choices available including black, grey, beige and turquoise. If you are trying to bring modern elements into a contemporary bedroom, this an easy choice.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.