Written by: Vrushali Mhatre, Assistant Professor, Interior Design, School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University Dubai

Can interior design be gender-biased? A design favouring one gender over the other without even meaning to do so? It certainly can. Sometimes it may seem like designing a room that is both feminine and masculine can be an uphill task. However, creating spaces where everyone feels welcome is key to a place that is happy and where people feel welcome. But there are certain rooms where gender neutrality becomes important to incorporate. For example, a couple’s bedroom, a nursery, even a kids’ room (is it important to have boy colours and girl colours defined?), and a guest bedroom.

Gender neutrality in design does not only mean being conscious of colours – while one may be forgiven for thinking so. Colours , patterns and textures do form a major part of décor. However, many other aspects contribute to the way a space is perceived. Paint, hardware such as light fixtures, door knobs, curtains and drapery, and central furniture should be neutral. Having neutral pieces ensures the basic design can be switched or changed. While most modern-day designs are minimalistic and clean, being neutral does not mean washed-out colourless rooms, it just means that the main attributes of design will be in a way where gender is not in question, but more human Centric a design concept that focusses on the needs, problems, emotions, and behaviors of people rather than gender.

Vrushali Mhatre, Assistant Professor, Interior Design, School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, shares insights on different aspects of design and décor that can ensure a space is far removed from any gender norms:

You cannot ignore colours
There is a clear divide between decorators and designers that opt for bright colours or wallpapers and those that look at a more neutral tone base. But locking down on the colours that make a gender-neutral setting can be key to achieving a more well-rounded-looking space. For example, white or grey walls with a pop of colour in the form of a decorative wall or overlay textiles can be a refreshing change from a single colour layout. However, you have to be conscious about not overdoing it through your upholstery, drapes or even accessories. Using bursts of colours such as terracotta, shades of blue, green, pink, or any other of your choice in a mostly neutral room can soften the look. It adds more saturation to the room and gives it depth.

Contrast not bias
One of the basic design understandings is to be able to balance out a room. Achieving this is not as difficult as it seems. Picking contrasting colours, shapes, and sizes can help decorate and design the space. For example, if a bedroom has dark wood flooring, which can sometimes be more masculine, you can decorate the room with lighter walls and softer bed linen. In addition, introducing art that reflects the style of the home can help add a differentiator to a neutral space. Choosing art that transcends gender, like scripts, maps, landscapes, and abstracts, can be ideal when decorating gender-neutrally.

Lessons from a nursery
Designing a nursery can be a major lesson in creating gender-neutral interiors. While the modern design has changed, we have been privy to typical gender-based nursery designs in the past. Pink for girls and blue for boys, dolls for girls and planes or cars for boys were how nurseries were designed. While there is a deeper question to be answered about how these early initiations into colours or accessories can impact a child’s outlook, we need to break the age-old colour tradition to begin with. While colour palettes can differ from bright colours that spark interest to more soothing colours, the more interesting aspect of a nursery is the toys that can help with the varied interests of a child. Don’t be afraid to explore and include playthings that are not just gender-focused.

Simplicity can be the answer
It is easy to be confused with colour palettes, accessory options, upholstery design, and options. Depending on your choice, whether colourful or neutral, there can be many options for you to choose from. Adding two different perspectives, you and your partner can be additionally stressful and in times such as these, settling on simple designs and colours can be the answer. For example, a chic Scandinavian aesthetic, or a black-and-white format, dominated by simple structures and clean lines, creates a pleasant-looking space. To warm up, the room, including family portraits, accessories that have a meaning behind it, keepsakes from travels, or any other special occasions, can be significant additions.

More of you and less of others
Social media has a solution to (almost) every problem. For example, interior design pages on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are raking millions of followers. And while taking inspiration from others is a great idea, you must be careful not to lose your aesthetic in what the gram says is currently how a home should look. For example, you may like how someone else’s minimalistic home looks and use the style to design your home, but it won’t be long before you crave it to reflect your personality and likes. Let your creativity guide you; it can be one of the biggest and easiest ways to eliminate gender biases while designing. If you share your home with your partner or other family members, understanding what works and what doesn’t can allow you to incorporate styles that are good to look at and welcoming.

Professionals know what works
Designing your home can be fulfilling, but you don’t have to do everything yourself. A foolproof plan would be to seek help from interior designers and decorators. Professional support ensures you have sound advice and someone who can bring your vision board to life. They are also there to advise when unsure how it will all come together. Moreover, having a clear idea of how you want a room to look can not always ensure that everything regarding the gender-neutral aesthetic has been considered. It can be easy to miss details easily detected by a professional.

Gender-neutral interior design is not new it is a concept most homes want to achieve. And as the norm is, the way design and décor are looked at changes every few years however, this concept of gender-neutrality that bypasses colours and styles is here to stay and will reflect in styles over the years.