Above: The well-curated living room of creative director Florian Marquardt, who scored this early Frank Gehry-designed gem in 2022.
The “boy apartment” trend, which has taken TikTok by storm, is introducing us to a shift in how young men are approaching their living spaces. Mattress on the floor? Crusty bathroom? Mini fridge with just takeout and beer? No more. These aren’t just cleaned-up versions of collegiate crash pads—they’re thoughtfully curated homes that showcase a genuine appreciation for personal style and comfort. Unlike a bachelor pad or man cave, the boy apartment moves beyond the bare necessities of bro-dom, featuring clean, neutral-toned sofas, thriving houseplants, and meticulously styled coffee tables (complete with actual coffee table books).
Take Robert Kenon, an engineer and content creator in Atlanta whose “boy apartment” tour surpassed seven million views on TikTok. In the 15-second video, Kenon shares his well-cared for plants, neatly curated vinyl collection, a meditative incense corner, among other spaces in his home. Or Jeremy Guan, a Toronto-based home and lifestyle content creator whose boy apartment videos and home decor reviews have also accumulated millions of views on TikTok—for a good reason. His relaxing apartment is neat, sun-drenched, and personality-filled. “I want a boy apartment as a girl,” one user wrote in the comments section. “This is perfect. Thanks for reminding everyone boy apartments can be fire too,” another wrote.
The boy apartment trend seems to serve as a direct rebuttal to its predecessor, the “boy room” trend. Those viral videos showcased the worst stereotypes of masculine living spaces, complete with unwashed dishes and questionable hygiene standards. Where “boy room” content seemed to revel in and normalize slovenliness, the boy apartment movement represents a sophisticated evolution in how young men approach domestic life.
“We are no longer talking about slovenly, unkempt rooms,” says Jennifer Cohen, owner of JLW Interiors, who has observed an increased interest in thoughtful design from male clients. “Now we are speaking of men’s needs, interests, and styles being included in the design of a home.”
The timing of the boy apartment’s popularity is noteworthy: in a social media landscape recently dominated by female-centric trends—from “girl apartment” tours to “girl dinner” and beyond—this marks one of the first times a male-focused lifestyle movement has gained widespread positive attention on TikTok.
It’s also indicative of a looser definition of masculinity among the Gen-Z generation, whether that’s a new openness towards wellness and mental health, or simply the freedom to revel in domesticity—that taking pride in one’s living space isn’t emasculating, it’s empowering. “These spaces show an appreciation for self-care and personal growth,” notes London-based interior designer Augustine Atobatele, who has designed apartments for young men in the U.K. He has observed an uptick in feng shui practices as well as curated collections of books, plants, and records. It’s a deliberate shift away from both the primitive “man cave” concept and the intentionally messy “boy room,” suggesting that young men are ready to embrace a more refined approach to domestic life.
After all, notes Atobatele, “Our space is a reflection of us.”
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Her eye for emerging styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE Decor’s audience across platforms. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, design, and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
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