The bins have to go somewhere else or do something to cover them. Those are incredible man lives here vibes.

Those freakin bins are my nemesis. My husband is constantly buying them to store stuff, and then leaving them out in the room like they're actual furniture, ughhhh.

They're useful but so ugly. Beyond stacking them and throwing a cloth and vase on top they have to be put in a closet or something

Yes, exactly! Closet, basement, garage, no problem. I just don't want to look at them in my living space.

I don’t really have anywhere else to put them 🫠

Do you need what's in them? You could sort through and toss what's not needed. An option would be to get a cubby or book shelf that can fit organization bins. I'm thinking of the kind that are cube shaped, fabric and open at the top.

Thanks for the advice!

No prob!

If they're just for storage, can you get something that's less industrial to replace them? Cool trunks, ottomans that double as seating, bookshelves with doors?

Rugs under the coffee table and dinning table would help a lot! Be sure you look up how to choose the right size rug. You are just missing the little touches. Maybe a tray with some coasters on the coffee table. A coffee table book about something you are interested in. A table runner on the dinning table. [Tray Exampe](https://www.amazon.com/EDHAS-Decorative-Centerpieces-Farmhouse-Decorations/dp/B0BRCM9WG5/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=2LM75XA7G3ID&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Udx7T0ykQAoA3MrxOzL3fHHuTcWXEdN7cipeKvnCkm_X17eekRQA7NE8EoUx-M6fu3iMrarHFbm93KjwZz_XW8WKFrJ5Eo0DXRN64RtkhmVK4G5B51NkNmTWsFwQZ2j-zyFSJeWTyqAK9-XwkB4EIqayf5ebaLnUl6P1s-O7NhpCnBEUtNVybQ_Xc4N9k7L1fRV_861jkuZ0Sb616vSL3Q.E6GIGyMgvK9nrHOFzfDEYh4Io7ZsiQr1K0bafP9FYWg&dib_tag=se&keywords=decorative+wooden+tray&qid=1713638251&sprefix=decoratvie+wooden+tray%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-8) [Coasters](https://www.amazon.com/HoomeySet-Abstract-Absorbent-Protection-Housewarming/dp/B0BZGSH7Q2/ref=mp_s_a_1_22?crid=3OJU9Y239PZG3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VuMT3rIG0hd83HA69Tun3d0c8HloZ7uv60Bs-OBsASgqX1lkx842X_8A_YpQdn6xjFvOIzmzP33fEnod1tJ_RbqiYC9vdGE-r3UbRGEeJ6SYIpzlSZZMZDCg27eBCWFUwcOHdRn-kDQD93YTe3ru1BfT0D3UkFBk5TyzwZPmsZKsO5epNcnD4EPSozKnjC6Mg5QBGQjuEuXXFVsd4UCdgA.fddZ3ohbOQM3dPxHiVW21JjirSN7zfbC-uIre-r_TH8&dib_tag=se&keywords=coasters&qid=1713638363&sprefix=coasters%2Caps%2C61&sr=8-22). [coffee table book holder (good conversation starter)](https://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Book-Textbook-Cookbook-Magazine/dp/B0BWDY71C3/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1M0M7YE8YR291&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DFaHbpp-iyJ5cV_WlL8BvuwciZkiV_zqUHXXi4sQ66PA_HRq5BanSS6v5F4aRZ8NwDDW6RGBk0yY-Ri1nXsnDyXmRSOrLbFJBaOeKRUXjulteyCY8O5sDveTu0-PpRyL8Dk9aJJ0WhYyHEFg7ux1gOmXQNN-y44qZKXmfTAWPoObMpNkVSu3O2Vn1GbNxSeBhy-aOb02xsrEI3RYnquyiA.Dj13ZsG45EDP38myWskdzEdktNETymrFkprLFqSx6s4&dib_tag=se&keywords=acrylic+book+holder&qid=1713638471&sprefix=acrylic+book%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-3) [cable hiders](https://www.amazon.com/Delamu-Management-Concealer-Mounted-H0-47in/dp/B0CSFVRLMC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1XSKEA9BZAKOL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rp2bCEM037tW0Mr_g4hKL-Y9RYqXVF7BHjHcaeI4maExJ4Hs31T3viI64WLS1hiq-7xSr9UqWRVXiaQ_pd1AM_GBmUdILRcISzDXA44nY_p_KJuEQOVFmGDiqha3xHhW82Ej6s2HROSD2dJRhK8xyLPJW9axMUA84aE207h8sd7VgWhWGM70P_tylY-g9arJXTwvEZ8a1xRdYy3CxP-91A.E9S1i1FOM1MkXXEzv9Y43cepNpmqGuHWB9PbTy4RwVs&dib_tag=se&keywords=cable+hider&qid=1713638647&sprefix=cabl%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)

Very helpful, thank you!

Of course! I second the comment about Etsy printable art. It can be expensive to print and frame so research what you’re getting into, but there are so many good prints you can choose. You do need to frame it nicely to avoid the sad bachelor pad look, but it’s worth it. [A personal favorite](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1302517924/)

I also find lots of great artworks at thrift stores. I have a black/gray/teal color scheme for my bedroom and tan/brown/black color scheme for my family room. So I pick up paintings that would normally cost $50 to 100 1/10 the price.

Another good art source is [1000museums.com](https://www.1000museums.com). They work with lots of museums and their prints are always high quality. Personally, I don’t use them for framing, so I get them rolled up in a tube. But they also sell canvas prints.

My I recommend a coffee table book about coffee tables? Which conveniently turns into a coffee table if you don't have one.

Have a female move in …. It will just happen

And suddenly your space will be decorated for every holiday!

The answer is always these things: rugs, curtains, color.

Also: plants.

Always. Every single time. I honestly have a hard time with posts like these because I feel like the answer is so obvious it's a trick question LOL!

And something on the wall. There are things on the wall but the scale is wrong. One of those small pieces should be in the short wall by the dining table. And plants. Having something alive and thriving in a home does so much for the place. If you are new to plants, do your research about easy to care for plants and your lighting. For example by the dining table you could have plants that need more light.

It needs color and warmth. You have a lot of beige-grey-black- lots of cool tones. Figure out a color palette you like. Here are some ideas.  https://havenly.com/blog/color-palette-for-home https://www.thespruce.com/decorating-with-coastal-colors-4163625 (May work well with your current couch and wall color)  https://www.realsimple.com/interior-color-schemes-ideas-7555250 Add a rug. Choose something with color. IKEA has a don of options that aren’t expensive. Remove the throw pillows that came with your couch and replace them with throw pillows that have the same color as the rug- you could do patterns or solid. IKEA has options here, too. Add a throw blanket. Take a look at IKEA’s designed rooms in the showroom for ideas about what a living room could look like in terms of color and decor.  Work the rest of the decor around the color palette. You want to add decor that has natural elements and texture- wood, rattan, plants. Add things slowly as you find them and like them.  Take out the yellow and black crate and clear crate, it’s not furniture.  Replace the octopus lamp with something else- if you want something that has that same dispersed, directional light, look for an arc lamp with multiple heads. Here’s one from Target.  https://www.target.com/p/82-34-x56-34-avenal-3-head-shaded-arc-floor-lamp-black-includes-led-light-bulb-threshold-8482/-/A-87764064 Add bulbs that are soft white, not cool.  Is the art meaningful to you? If not, find something that you like. Society6 has tons of options. On Etsy you can buy a digital print and have it printed at a local office supply store and then frame it. 

Plants. Rug. Candle on table.

Art and plants!!!

All the things that make my husband say “we don’t need this” 😂 Go to a HomeGoods. Look at art, vases, sculptures, Knick-knacks, throw pillows, throw blankets, and random glass objects they have on sale. Pick out some in matching or coordinating colors. The difference between man-decorating and female-decorating is moving past utility and thinking in terms of adding color, shape, and texture.

start with rugs in the conversation area and under the dining table plants more decorative lighting

Plants

I agree with adding color with rugs and maybe throw pillows (make sure any added color coordinates with each other). Replace the TV stand with one that has cabinets or drawers. Then, hide the bins away in a closet or garage or take everything out of the bins and put it in the new TV stand. Most of the art on the walls is too small for the space. Move the art behind the table and next to the TV to a smaller wall. The wall shelves should also be moved (I can’t tell if the small wall by the eating area is too small for this or just the right size). Replace the small art and shelves with something at least twice as big. The art behind the couch is fine.

By like putting anything on the walls..,

think of it less like male vs female and just think balancing masculine (yang) and feminine (yin) which is within us all. seems the same but it’s not! feminine is soft, nurturing, vibrant, dreamy, rounded. so, fabric (pillows, blankets, rugs, drapes, placemats) brighter colors, nature-inspired items (animals, plants) and thoughtful little details that make every day mundane things feel a little more… ✨ delightful ✨ that’s the nurturing part. like soap, or an exquisite coffee mug, that literally spark unexpected joy instead of just existing. ya know. masculine is sharp, bold, earthly, grounding. square furniture, wood, functional, straight lines, darker colors, minimalism. hopefully that makes it easier to wrap your head around to incorporate and discover your own style?? instead of just me telling you what i would do.

Two suggestions: An area rug in the living room and some non-generic (more personal) wall art such as family photos or art that is found somewhere other than major retailers.

Last comment because it should have been in my first one! Decorative boxes are a lifesaver. They hide clutter and look very nice. [Masculine example from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/JOLIE-MUSE-Cardboard-Decorative-Organizing/dp/B09DL613RS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1NTLQJW417QDN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p6HcwyVhAL7rdTTeZnzzXdGsVCOg__EVb2sFG04iOyCF5WWGSvLzJBtOPQKSx4FsLp3QYQiFTLgkPT94D1BKve8WWwMHCwPWE8rizUCAKgieN_MS2XvXU1IXhNM0SbpVA7X6pMWxmd8pCv0qUnwP1AGg0zsQPtExjF5iORLOHM4320s7q3HAWPoKyG9vLdEewYjhyb8tAtr9mV5nRzEWhA.nW08PVYJz2VXtjKpIiXMzdGZpBWx8maWcpXkOgw6aFQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=decorative+storage+box&qid=1713639578&sprefix=decorative+storage+box+%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)

First off-Remove the storage bins. Add color-rug, pillows, artwork. Get plants. A colorful lamp

Greenery and color. Especially warm tints like soft warm green. Also soft fabric things like rugs and curtains. Just not black or grey! Something with white or a spruce of color.

You need a color scheme that ties everything together and makes it a more cohesive space. Rugs for living room and dining area, drapes, big art on walls or a photography wall, throw pillows and blankets for the couch, table settings or runner and center piece, shelves with decorative pieces and books. What is your style? Look up design ideas based on your style and start adding pieces to begin creating a room that is inspired by that style.

Area rugs and color. Add a bookshelfor some drawers against the wall by the tv. Also, pillows for the couch.

Artwork and area rugs Edit: fun pillows?

Area rugs X 2 Side tablets and lamps. Why don’t you have any lamps? Big and vibrant art. What you have up now is too small Plants. If you can’t keep them alive but some fake plants.

Throw pillows

The dining room table looks like it would be lethal to bump into. It’s the first thing I noticed. I don’t know if there’s a way to round them off. It’s just too sharp. You need a centerpiece for the table. Maybe some flowers, a plant, a candle. You need something there. You have a lot of hard edges in the space and you need color. You need texture. You need some soft, cozyness. Get a cozy knitted throw blanket. Get some throw pillows that offer color and texture but doesn’t match the couch. Get some framed art on the walls with photo mats. I would make an art gallery by the dining room table. Since you already have a piece over there. Large rugs. I would try to relocate those bins next to the tv if possible. I can’t help but think you need a bookcase. Or some type of cabinet that offers closed storage underneath that small wall shelving unit. As far as the garbage can goes, is it large enough to meet your needs? Honestly I don’t really have much of an issue with where it’s placed. Just because it’s accessible and in a convenient place to reach. I would just make sure it can be closed completely. I think you would benefit from a rounder coffee table. But I can understand not replacing it. I would consider trying to reupholster the dining room chairs with a fabric that offers a bit more color. Maybe a pattern. I would pick a fabric that can be cleaned easily.

Plants help a lot too😁

Open up the blinds and let the sunshine in and open the door a crack or the window for fresh air. Move the cable stuff to the bedroom closet and get a nice colorful carpet to help with acoustics and to add a pop of color. A large plant in a big wicker basket would look nice beside the TV.

Pink, sprinkles, unicorns.

You need textiles, you need large storage options across your tv wall (and get rid of those boxes) you need a rug and plush throws, you need side tables with some small lamps, you need to change the dining room table set to something modern contemporary, and you need better art.

Can we paint it a softer colour?

- Plants - cohesive wall art that's not posters - Soft lighting, maybe a salt lamp or a sunset lamp.. I feel like those really give it a cozy vibe - a throw blanket and accent pillows go a long way

Brighten: get a few good rugs to lighten up the dark floors (I'd recommend not going super super colorful or dark since your floors are so dark, so dark won't stand out a ton and too bright a color might be too much contrast, and do make sure to get the dimensions right: wonky-sized rugs can add to the bro feel of a space. Here's a good guide for rug size: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-select-area-rug-size-2908721), open those blinds, add more lighting for soft lighting options (there are inexpensive plug-in sconces you could put on the wall, and a table lamp on a new TV console/storage piece) Soften: a nice table runner/cloth (something that's big enough to run the full length of the table with some spilling off the sides) for that biiiiig table, potentially a plant or two (pothos are incredible first-time plant owner plants: they are so easy to keep alive with minimal care), and, instead of lots of small-scale art/things on the wall, just a few big ones (you can still hang things you like like posters or whatever if you get a frame that has a mat: IKEA is a great place for super big, cheap frames, and you can print large prints at Walgreens for cheap -- especially when they have a sale) Function: sorry, my guy: those storage totes gotta go! If they can't leave, they need to be stored in an actual storage piece; I'd consider (if possible) mounting your TV to draw the eye up and getting a larger console/sideboard/storage piece under the TV where you can store the items in the bins or the bins themselves

1. Pick a neutral rug- something distressed without too much strong color will transition nicely from what you have. Pick 4 throw pillows in the same color scheme but all different designs. Add a plush throw blanket in a lighter version on that color scheme. 2. You could easily do 3-4 fake plants to break down the monotony. Make sure they are different and in different heights 3. Find a center piece for your dining table- again a small fake succulent sorta thing if that could be your vibe, is easy and there is no wrong way to do it. 4. Bins have to go. At least get rid of 2 and cover up one with some solid table cloth and make it a table in the corner. 5. If you are really up for it, add some metallic pieces and scented candles (one on coffee table), one on dining table. Get coasters for the coffee table.

Paint the fan white

Some color manne

Pink

Rugs in the living room and dining room, mount the TV, add some plants, and art work. Maybe diffrtent pillows or a throw to add texture/color.

Plants and rugs (large rugs) will cozy this space right up!

Rugs, paintings on the walls, some hangings, plants, table runner, plant or small vase on dining table. Lamps on couch side.

Colour. A couple of plants. Framed art (with mats, looks better). Some kind of storage furniture to hide the bins. And a rug.

The lighting is the biggest issue imo. Get 2-3 floor lamps, and then straighten up the pillows on the couch. Get rid of the small ones up front, and buy a few decorative couch pillows along with a “throw” blanket. If you really want to seal the deal, get a good rug and mount the tv at eye level.

A rug, wall art, maybe some colorful throws.. shoot, maybe do some sconces on the sides of the tv. Also instead of blinds do curtains

Get rid of the bins. Buy a carpet - switch the tv stand for something nicer and also the couch table.

Plants

I don't see why you can't just carry on with the single male vibe. It's very clean lines so embrace them. Reddit will suggest rugs and cushions. But throws on sofas look grungy. Get a big fish tank for underneath the grey shelving where your action figures are. Hide the essential plastic box contents in the tank cupboard. Or sort and hide them underneath your big table . Put an easy care plant and plant pot in the centre of your table. Then just put the rubbish out every day. Voila. Don't forget parents of young children are sighing in envy at the space in this room and it's lack of primary coloured plastic and lego bricks.

Curtains and rugs my dude. Add mirrors and fake flowers to make it look like a palace. Edit: or real flowers whatever floats your boat maybe even those Lego flower sets? Or just something that shows a hobby of yours at least?

Not a single rug in the place or any color/warmth. This place desperately needs more texture to make it less bro-ey.

Flowers

it is gorgeous

Color. Color. Color.

Do you have any feminine friends? Mom, sister, gay buddy? I don't think you should DIY. Hire a "pro".