We all know just how much first impressions matter, but not all of us realize just how far first impressions go beyond things like clothes and personality.
The moment someone new in your life steps inside your home for the first time, they’ll undoubtedly be forming all sorts of opinions based on your living space. And for many women, a new guy’s apartment can reveal a lot more than might initially meet the eye.
And the tough truth is that sometimes these home décor first impressions aren’t all that great!
Guys need to avoid giving women the icks as much as possible during these first home visits, and here are some of the most common décor icks that women simply can’t ignore—as well as how men can fix them!
The College Dorm Vibe
If your furniture looks like a combination of plastic storage bins, hand-me-downs, and folding dining chairs—then it’s simply time to level up your décor game.
When a woman walks into a guy’s apartment and feels like she’s been transported back to her college dorm, it’s an instant turnoff that can potentially kill the mode entirely.
The fix for this décor dilemma is to simply invest in at least a few quality basics, including a decent bed frame, a real couch, and a dining room that actually features chairs. There are plenty of budget-friendly stores like Target or Facebook Marketplace that can help guys ditch the dorm vibes, without breaking the bank!
Blank Walls Seemingly Everywhere
Empty walls make a home feel uninviting, cold and essentially unfinished. Blank walls give off the vibe that you either just moved in or you don’t care about putting any effort into your home’s comfort.
Fixing this issue doesn’t mean you have to become a full-on art collector, because you can start out with some affordable canvas prints, framed posters, or photography that matches your personality—which can be a great conversation starter during those initial awkward moments with a new house guest!
Mystery Smells
It’s normal for guys to go “nose blind” to their home’s smells, but the truth is that your female guests will definitely not be.
Any lingering smells from laundry, pets, cooking or gym sessions will kill the vibe and have you coming off as a slob who doesn’t understand the first thing about aromatherapy.
And although getting rid of some lingering smells can be easier said than done, simply cleaning your home’s fabrics on a regular basis can be a good starting point. Guys should also try opening up windows more often to let in fresh air, as well as using essential oil diffusers, air purifiers and candles to maintain a fresh scent that you can be proud of!
Lack Of Area Rugs & Flooring Décor
There aren’t many things that make a home feel unfinished quite like bare floors. Regardless of what type of flooring you currently have, skipping out on area rug investments will have your rooms lacking personality, looking cold and echoing.
A lot of women see area rugs as a sign that a man actually has the intelligence to pay attention to things like style and comfort, and without them, you’ll inevitably be running the risk of having your home come off as an unfinished short-term rental.
The good news is that finding cheap area rugs that look great isn’t difficult when you shop online at outlets like Rug Source, Wayfair, Rugs USA and other affordable providers!
Over-The-Top Gamer Setups
Although there’s nothing technically wrong with being a gamer, it’s common for hardcore gamers to make major home décor mistakes when they place massive gaming chairs and monitors right in the heart of their living rooms.
These over-the-top gamer setups tend to make homes feel unbalanced, and a lot of ladies will read this as men prioritizing their gaming habits over having a cohesive and welcoming home.
Our advice for all the gamers out there is to separate your gaming setup if possible, or simply keep things tidy when you’re planning on having a guest over. This type of organization will include things like cable management tools that’ll help make your overall home design more polished and professional.
Harsh Lighting
A lot of guys move into an apartment and simply accept the lighting setups that their homes come with, but this can be a huge mistake in terms of creating an inviting and cozy ambience.
Cold, overhead lighting can make your living room feel like a police interrogation room, and it doesn’t get more unflattering than harsh white bulbs that give off a sterile hospital vibe.
The trick for fixing this ick is adding table lamps and floor lamps with warm-toned bulbs to offer a more layered, softer mood.
Bathroom Horror Shows
Single damp towels, old toothpaste, no soap whatsoever, and all sorts of other bathroom icks are pretty much guaranteed to turn a woman off.
Women simply notice bathrooms, and they’ll definitely remember them if they think they’re gross.
This is why dudes need to keep their bathrooms consistently stocked with hand soap, clean towels, and a spare toilet paper roll. Be sure to regularly wipe down your bathroom surfaces, and for the love of all things sexy, replace that decrepit shower curtain liner!
If Your Walls Could Talk, Would They Wingman For You?
It’s crucial for guys to know that their apartment doesn’t just simply exist, because it also speaks on your behalf as well. This includes the colors you choose, the furniture you pick, and the way you do (or don’t) decorate your residential spaces.
Everything about your home décor sends subtle messages, and any discerning woman is going to easily pick up on these messages when they come over for the first time. Ladies want a guy that’s attentive, mature and capable of creating a comfortable home environment—and any of the above icks will showcase the exact opposite.
That’s why fellas need to consider their home as a silent wingman. Is it helping you look better? Is it helping you set the right tone? Or is it whispering to women saying something like he still lives like a college freshman?
When men upgrade their home décor, they’re doing a lot more than just avoiding common icks—because they’re also getting a dating ally that makes their homes (and themselves) more inviting and impressive!
