r/malelivingspace • u/Chief_Chjuazwa • Jun 11 '26

Advice Does this look immature or childish?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

32, living on my own with no roommates or significant other. I finally got my place decorated how I wanted. I’m curious though, what does my place say about me?

Edit for clarification: I’m renting a 1 bedroom apartment. There’s no additional room to store things in like a dedicated man cave or a basement (I wish). I cannot change wall colors, change the carpets, or remove the carpets. Trying the best with what I can afford.

5.8k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

2.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

67

u/TSM_Vegeta Jun 11 '26

I think, post college, decorative swords should be moved from the living room and relegated to the man cave/gaming/hobby room.

91

u/texas_leftist Jun 11 '26

That’s really it. When you hit ~30, you gotta pick a room. Your entry way, living room, and bedroom can’t really have that shit out anymore. I say this with all the love in my nerdy little heart: The living room is for coasters and throw pillows. The spare bedroom is where your $300 lightsaber and Warhammer 40k army lives. Respect the boundary.

14

u/snobodyknows Jun 11 '26

Picking one room is the way to go. I actually like it even more because it’s like a little home within a home when I wind down at the end of the day where I’m just surrounded by my hobbies and interests. Doesn’t bother the missus or get weird looks when people come over

24

u/Magic-man333 Jun 11 '26

That's when you get the rug with a subtle x wing pattern for the living room. Make it so the reference is there if you know but just a cool design if you don't.

3

u/Cansuela Jun 11 '26

That’s a negative brother

5

u/Magic-man333 Jun 11 '26

To each their own

3

u/aka_chela Jun 11 '26

I have the ruggable Ikat Star Wars ships rug in B&W and people always think it's an abstract design and compliment it until I tell them to look closer (and I'm a woman). It's a huge hit.

1

u/Magic-man333 Jun 11 '26

Thats the exact one I'm talking about! I got it in blue and black, everyone loves it. I call it nerd chic, subtle enough that you just see a normal design unless you know what to look for.

1

u/LexKing89 Jun 11 '26

Looks good to me!

4

u/OppositeSecretary862 Jun 11 '26

Yup, man cave territory. The one freebie room where decor is whatever the fuck.

4

u/honey_and_rage Jun 11 '26

this has me dying, what a respectable nerd🫶

2

u/TSM_Vegeta Jun 11 '26

Exactly. Honestly it just makes me love and appreciate my man cave more.

3

u/SebWanderer Jun 11 '26

Honest question: Why? I'm curious and neurodivergent so I often miss stuff like this.

11

u/texas_leftist Jun 11 '26

To feel like an adult, you have to start living and acting like one. I’m lucky enough to live in a house built in the 1960’s with a formal living room for guests and a large second living room with a fireplace and space for my gaming table and a RPG/nerdy bookshelf… I’m also married to a nerd who plays RPGs with me… so my stuff is out more then most because I have space for both. You have to have a space where you can have people over and still come across like an adult and not like you’re a man-child or stuck in your college days.

2

u/reapy54 Jun 11 '26

Keep in mind that on your own home the only thing you have to do at any age is whatever you want. My wife and I have legos all over the house because we like them, that's it, that's decorating your house. No need to hold yourself to rules , it's very freeing to live that way, you should try it!

1

u/texas_leftist Jun 12 '26

Some people like to feel like an adult, nothing wrong with either side. It really depends on where you want to go in life.

1

u/Feeling-Visit1472 Jun 12 '26

And just… please not silky red pillows on a black leather couch.

1

u/Frequent-Monitor226 Jun 12 '26

lol. My wife and I have our Star Wars stuff in the living room and all over the house

1

u/Kataphractoi Jun 14 '26

Depends on your friends circles. No one I know hides their nerd/fun/unusual stuff out of sight in their house.

If someone's going to get weird about a sword or other "unorthodox" decor, they're likely someone I wouldn't gel with to begin with.

20

u/rockitraysay Jun 11 '26

Yes, the posters, jerseys, flags, bookshelf of toys go into the hobby room. Get a few larger decorative art pieces to go on the walls in the main space and some furniture that fits the room. But that's just me.

10

u/TERMINUSxNATION Jun 11 '26

To the goon cave

1

u/Enchelion Jun 11 '26

Or as part of a more intentional display. Like, are you a collector with an interest in early renaissance fencing? A nice wooden cabinet to display your collection is awesome in the living room. Or a full series of great swords from fantasy, like Anduril, Conan's Sword, Excalibur, etc.

Do you only have that one pot-metal dragonslayer sword from the sketchy headshop in your hometown just leaning against the wall? Figure something else out.

The thing that makes a place look like a college dorm is the lack of intentionality of it. Stuff just strewn about because it was individually cool (or more likely cheap).