A Ken Den should absolutely be a affair .
John Bessler
Thanks to a certain iconic blonde , we ’ve all been seeing pink . Barbiecore has been trendingsince 2022 and TheBarbiemovie , released in 2023 , has only increase the popularity of pink and that Graeco-Roman Barbie aesthetic in both fashion and design . HGTV even aired aBarbie Dreamhouse home - makeover seriesin 2023 where an entire home got a renovation inspired by the beloved dollhouse .
Credit:John Bessler
But how does Barbie ’s other half element into the makeover ? Well , the HGTV dreaming business firm also include a den for Ken . We ’re call this quad a Ken Den , an upscale reading of the valet de chambre undermine .
Tria Giovan
The concept of the man cave has been around for old age . Often institute in basement orconverted garage , these suite notoriously favour mathematical function over form and often bring up thoughts of morose , grimy space void of plan or aesthetical consideration .
Credit:Tria Giovan
Ken Dens , on the other hand , offer a fresh take on what modernistic men are look for in their spaces and conceive that many man do care about what their homes wait like : They want something that reflects their personal style , and as a rebrand of the human being undermine , the Ken Den offers space to do just that . ( Of course , anyone can create a Ken Den for themselves — the Ken Den is n’t limited by gender . )
Instead of leaning into date stamp stereotypes , Ken Dens sweep up the spectrum of maleness because , just like all women have different penchant , men are n’t a monolith either , and our environments should reflect that .
AsFrancesco Bilotto , pattern and entertaining expert , so succinctly put it , “ In today ’s world , more than ever , it ’s exceedingly important to lionize all types of masses and all types of home design concepts that celebratefun ! ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
So , if you ’re look for a short more levity and just patent pleasure in your home , read on for tips on sum up a Ken Den to your house .
Francesco Bilotto is a invention and entertaining expert who has appeared on many tidings morning programme and daytime talk shows .
Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Dane Tashima
The Ken Den vs. the Man Cave
“ A Ken Den is a wizardly , manicured — yet still masculine — space . Unlike a traditional man cave , it is a fashionable and conventionalized room more reflective of a modern - sidereal day gentleman and his interests , ” Bilotto says .
And while a man cave has a specific intension , a Ken Den does n’t have to adjust to the norm .
“ It ’s much less aboutdark leatherrecliners , beer cans , and a enceinte screen television set … and more like swivel lounge chairs upholstered in upbeat tones , a bar cartwith wellness witting non - alcohol-dependent offering , and of course , an areato experience either yogaor speculation , ” Bilotto says . “ Some Ken Dens may even have a glam / Zoom area to facilitate make those human face - to - font meetings picture - perfect ! ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
In other words , the only matter a Ken Den require to be is a rumination of its primary exploiter .
As for why someone might need a Ken Den , Bilotto retrieve having an upscale environment offers an experience similar to the hike you get when you ’re dress up .
“ Most of us feel completely different when we ’re wear our ‘ Sunday Best ’ versus when we ’re in our quaggy activewear , ” he says . “ The same goes for your personal dwelling . I ’d personally much rather be in a full-bodied outer space that celebrates me , skirt by decor and motivating items that aid set up my every day to be a successful one ! ”
Dane Tashima
Tips for Adding a Ken Den to Your Home
The starting point for designing a Ken Den should be thinking about the things that you really love and infusing them into your distance . This includes colors and textures , as well as thinking of how you could comprise your love into a jumping - off peak for a theme . This type of elbow room is the perfect position to let the decor excogitate your interest or hobbies . Do n’t be afraid to go a small barbarian with it .
“ In a Ken Den , someone may also want to display their appeal of high - ending watches , shoes / clothing , or their achievement and sporting appurtenance , ” Bilotto says .
But do n’t just localize thing randomly around the room : work part of the space into ashowcase for your collection .
“ The key to making it more Ken Den - similar is to expose it in a more sophisticated way , much like a section storehouse would merchandise a store window , ” Bilotto says .
Even if you ca n’t re - do a whole elbow room , you’re able to still bring this modern version of masculine style into your abode in small way .
“ If you ca n’t dedicate an entire outer space to have a Ken Den , I think by creating a part of your home that ’s a little bit more ‘ California preppy ’ is a right start point , ” Bilotto tell . “ add up in modern art , colorful burnt umber table books , [ and ] shades of wan blue , pinkish , or orangish ( a lilliputian on the nozzle , I get laid ) within your piece of furniture or accessories also plays into this trend . Solid plastic or atomic number 10 Lucite furniture , like small side tables or workbench , could also extend the vibe in your home . ”
Many homeowners ascertain the mixing of styles thought-provoking , particularly when they feel like they ’re in opposition from room to room , but it does n’t demand to be the case .
“ The easiest way of life to balance masculine and feminine with an any design plan you ’re working on is to be mindful of a few simple thing : color , conformation , and scale , ” Bilotto say . “ For instance , pear-shaped shapes often read as more feminine , fight to substantial or rectangle shapes . The same could be sound out for color tones : Dark furniture read masculine , low-cal furniture reads womanly . ”
difficult textures and large shapes are more traditionally masculine , while touchy and soft items are more traditionally womanly , Bilotto say . While these styles are different , they can complement each other when used thoughtfully .
“ You always want to ensure there ’s an equal mix of each in every space to find that perfect balance , ” which will make everyone in the menage happy , Bilotto says .
With all his helpful tips , we had to ask Bilotto what he would have in his ultimate Ken Den to inspire your own abode makeovers .
“ I ’m basically more of a ‘ Portofino Ken ’ ( Vespa and loafers not included ) , ” Bilotto tells Better Homes & Gardens . “ My ideal Ken Den would be classic , chic , and curated . Imagine a shimmery wall - to - wall white viscose rug , a curved ashen artistry decovelvet sofaplaced in the center of the room facing two harmonious brass leaf sconces over a smoked bulwark of mirror on either side of a marblefireplace mantle . I ’d have a diffuse gray shagreen writing table in one corner with a solicitation of smooth-spoken boxes atop and a Valentino red lacquer bar cabinet in the other corner ( filled with cosmetic boxes housing my compendium of pocket square , affiliation , ticker , shoehorns , and government note folds ) . ”
If that does n’t exhort the variety of upscale comfort and personalization that every Ken Den should have , we do n’t have it off what will .
in the end , a Ken Den should mull its main occupant — and if your taste lean more toward neon beer signs and overstuffed reclining chair , to each their own . What ’s crucial is that everyone feels equipped to create a quad in their home that reflect them , where they can be well-situated spending their free time , whether that ’s a Ken Den , areading nook , or another quad . And if Ken Den stick as the more evolved name for a man cave , all the better — doesn’t a den sound like a much gracious piazza to spend your fourth dimension than a cave , anyway ?
Frequently Asked Questions
A den is a multipurpose room that can be used in any way that the homeowner wishes . This surface area is typically more secret and loose than a living ordining room .
Yes , as long as add a den does n’t take space away from the kitchen or another elbow room that might be deemed more of import to a homebuyer , then a lair canincrease the valueof your home .
