Three Ways to Make a Room Appear More Feminine

Femininity is a complex concept. Because of societal biases, the word can have negative connotations. Anything related to womanliness has long been incorrectly equated to fragility and weakness. We know this couldn’t be further from the truth. If femininity means qualities attributed to a woman’s character, then the word could mean any number of things. Femininity can mean beauty, strength, sophistication, and nurture. That being said, both men and women should be able to appreciate and enjoy feminine interior design. For the sake of this article, we are listing traditional elements of decor commonly labeled as feminine and how they can make spaces feel warmer and classier.

We have four basic ways you can celebrate and express your femininity through your home decor. First, delight yourself with colors that are easy on the eyes and textures that enhance and highlight them. Second, fuse delicate patterns with bold prints. Third, integrate decorative pieces of furniture and accessories into your space. Finally, look for pieces with rounded or curved edges instead of harsh lines.  

Pink is a powerful color and has been a symbol of femininity for generations. In the last 20 years, four different shades of pink were declared Pantone Color of the Year. The most recent one being Rose Quartz in 2016. Aside from this, Millennial Pink and rose-gold metal tones have become more popular in recent years. Before this, and even until now, many people have had an aversion to pink because of its association with “girliness” and immaturity. There is a problem with how society perceives young women, but it’s about time to take that narrative back by embracing the color pink. 

A modern way you can incorporate pink into your color palette is choosing a muted shade, tone, or tint. It will make it look more sophisticated and also easier to pair with other colors. Brighter shades of pink, like fuchsia, can look a bit dated. Of course, not everything in your room must be pink to be considered feminine. A pink rug, an accent chair, or a painting could easily convey your intent.  

If you simply don’t like pink, that’s completely fine and doesn’t make your tastes less feminine. Instead, you can try other soft colors. Consider muted versions of the colors purple, yellow or orange along with neutral colors like beige and brown. For your decor to exude feminine energy, go for soft and warm colors. This applies even to the metals in your design. Traditionally, gold, rose gold, copper, and bronze are more suited to feminine spaces because of their warm tones. Of course, there is always room for bolder and cooler tones if that suits your personal taste better. These aren’t hard and fast rules, but they’re good guidelines.

Feminine patterns and prints tend to be on the more natural and traditional sides. These include florals and botanicals or small geometric prints. Some examples of floral or botanical patterns are brocade, chinoiserie, chintz, damask, ditsy, fleur-de-lis, floral, jacquard, medallion, paisley and toile. As for more abstract or textured patterns, some examples are basketweave, flame stitch, harlequin, herringbone, ikat, ogee, polka dot, stripes and trellis. The trick to combining patterns is choosing one with a large print, one with a small print, and one with a solid color but interesting texture. This is a good rule to follow, especially when it comes to pillow fabrics. You can incorporate these patterns into your curtains, wallpapers, throw pillows, furniture, and framed prints. 

Try to stay away from patterns with straight and clean lines because they look more masculine. These are patterns like checkered, geometric, gingham, Greek Key, houndstooth, and tartan plaid. If you want to use these patterns, just ensure that the print is small enough or the colors are soft enough to still appear somewhat feminine.  

Another important aspect of the overall appearance of a room is the kind of natural materials used. If you are going for a more relaxed and casual vibe, consider using rattan and wicker. This can be paired nicely with natural wood or distressed painted furniture. If you want a more glamorous vibe, materials like white marble, high-gloss paint, and darker wood-stain can give you that effect.  

There is not really a big question as to why women are associated with curves. Accentuating curves to appear more feminine is taught in photography, fashion, and even interior design. Masculine decor calls for bold clean lines and geometric shapes. Feminine decor is the opposite. You want curved edges in furniture instead of boxy rectangular pieces. You also want to include circles in decorative items like accent mirrors, artwork, accent pillows, et cetera.

 Spaces that look softer make feel more inviting. You can achieve a cozier look through the use of texture. You can have upholstery and pillows made of velvet, knit fabric, and embroidered fabric. Tufted furniture is also a staple in feminine interior design. These fabrics are soft and textured to the touch and therefore to the eyes as well. Materials like feathers and faux fur also make a room appear softer. This doesn’t have to be limited to fabrics, you can also use them in lamps, chandeliers, and other accessories.

Another aspect of the feminine aesthetic is shiny and polished surfaces. Unsurprisingly, crystals and glitter or gilt give off a glamorous and feminine vibe. More subtle materials that also give off a polished look are marble, mirrors, and warm metals.  

We could list a thousand rules on how to make your space more feminine, but what’s most important is that you include whatever makes you happy. Showcase artwork you love on your walls. You can even hang up your own work. Have framed pictures of your family and friends. Buy yourself your favorite flowers once in a while and display them prominently in your best vase. It is ultimately your space and what makes a room yours are your personal touches. All these rules and suggestions only enhance and highlight them.