Your guide to a no-nonsense masculine kitchen
Step back in time forty or fifty years and the kitchen was always viewed as a typically female domain, where Mum would prepare anything and everything from breakfast to lunch, and the evening meal to the Sunday roast. Dad might typically make an appearance to carve the meat or grab a beer from the fridge, but the kitchen was never considered a male domain.
Fast forward to the present and times have certainly changed. Kitchens are no longer defined by gender stereotypes, instead being designed to reflect equal usage between the sexes. Indeed, the rise of the metrosexual saw more and more men taking to the kitchen, and the popularity of TV programmes like The Great British Bake Off have led many males to taking up previously unheard of culinary crafts.
What makes a kitchen more manly?
If you live alone in your very own bachelor pad, or if you live in a shared but male dominated property, perhaps a flowery or rustic style kitchen isn’t for you. You’ll want to make your mark on your kitchen interior, giving you a resplendent space in which to want to entertain, or maybe even impress a certain someone with your dazzling dining skills!
To make your kitchen more masculine there are really 3 main things to consider: Your style, colour scheme and your choice of furniture, including units and worktops.
Masculine kitchen styles
A contemporary style or modern kitchen lends itself perfectly to the masculine. A traditional or farmhouse kitchen doesn’t really scream male domain, so go for an interior style that is on-trend, such as a minimalist design or something with an industrial theme.
A minimalist kitchen relies on clean lines and simple, unfussy shapes. You’ll also have to be a bit ruthless with all those odds and ends that typically fill a bachelor pad, so your kitchen remains uncluttered. Keep your layout symmetrical and this style will really come together.
If you’re going for an industrial look and feel, concrete surfaces, granite worktops, chrome and brass fittings and halogen lanterns can all add to the effect.
A masculine kitchen colour scheme
When it comes to choosing a colour scheme for your masculine kitchen, the darker the better!
Resist the urge to inject bright, colourful shades or patterns into your overall decor. Blacks, greys (there are 50 shades of them remember?) and browns are all ideal for this type of design.
Darker colours have been gaining popularity in interior design over the past few years, and lend themselves perfectly to a more manly kitchen.
Why not use under cabinet strip lighting to add a genuinely moody atmosphere? Or browse our kitchen lighting ideas for more illuminating inspiration.
Units and worktops for your masculine kitchen
As previously mentioned, stone worktops can look spectacular, especially if you’re aiming to achieve a more industrial look and feel. When selecting wooden worktops, go for darker wood finishes such as wenge or walnut, instead of opting for the more common oak or pine.
When choosing units, keep things simple. Sleek, contemporary units will work much better in your masculine kitchen than, say, a more traditional style of unit with panel detailing.
No male domain should be complete without a special addition or two. Why not add a breakfast bar with a pair of high stools for those early morning starts? There are plenty of materials available including laminate, acrylic, granite, quartz and wood, so you needn’t restrict yourself to one single design.
The finishing touch? A gadget of course! Why not treat yourself to a flip down TV that fits to the underside of your cabinets, so you don’t miss the football when you’re whipping up a treat?
The best worktops for masculine kitchens
At HCSupplies, you’ll find the widest range of worktops, including solid wood worktops, perfect for your masculine kitchen. Get browsing today!
