Listen up, guys—because you’re going to want to know more about the things in your apartment that might be screwing over your love life.
Maybe you’re a charming dude with some nice apartment lighting and a killer playlist, but that really won’t matter much of something feels off when you bring ladies back to your place.
And no, this isn’t just in your head…
For a lot of today’s single women, walking into a man’s apartment for the first time is almost like entering a CSI Miami crime scene that’s full of all sorts of unwanted icks. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your place has to be the peak of luxury or completely spotless, but it does mean that you need to keep ambience, décor and a general effort in mind!
Here are the 7 men’s apartment icks that instantly turn women off, and how guys can fix them!
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Missing or Mismatched Furniture
Folding chairs, deflated beanbags and TVs sitting on the floor don’t necessarily showcase a guy’s long-term maturity level. Women are undoubtedly going to notice when a guy’s apartment looks less like a home and more like a graveyard!
The ick level associated with missing or mismatched furniture can be moderate to severe, but this doesn’t mean that guys have to go all out on designer pieces. Just keep things intentional throughout your décor, including easy touches like a coffee table, a comfortable couch, and a media console that’s not 10+ years old.
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Questionable Bathroom Hygiene
Nothing turns off a single woman quite like nasty bathroom hygiene in a guy’s apartment.
This means things like hair everywhere, no hand soap, damp towels, and all sorts of truth-teller icks that borderline nuclear annihilation for guys wanting to make a good first impression.
The fix for this ick is to keep some decent soap stocked up, always have clean towels in rotation, and clean your toilet and mirror on a regular basis!
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The Typically Icky One-Pillow Bed
We’ve all seen this one, ladies…
The sole pillow, generally flattened, alongside a bed with no sheets, no headboard, and a Target comforter that’s from 2012.
To all the guys out there who haven’t paid any attention to their bedroom décor in decades: she’s going to notice this soul-crushing ick.
The bare minimum for a single guy’s bed is a fitted sheet, a duvet, and at least two pillows. Guys with decent bedding get bonus points!
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Sink Gunk & Crusty Dishes
When sinks smell like a wet dog and are completely full to the brim with nasty dishes, you can bet that your date will be planning her abrupt exit.
The ick levels on a nasty sink are truly astronomical, which is why guys should always do their dishes well before inviting someone over. And while you’re at it, try being a grown up and wiping down your counters for once!
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The “Dead Zone” Living Room (No Area Rugs = No Warmth)
Nothing screams out I just moved in last week like an echoing, cold living room that offers zero soft surfaces.
Area rugs aren’t just cliché home décor elements, because they’re also going to pull the rest of your living room together, add some warmth, and reduce your apartment’s noises.
Way too many guys overlook flooring décor entirely, and this really doesn’t have to be some afterthought that’s considered too expensive to fix. Contrary to popular belief, finding cheap rugs online doesn’t have to be so stressful, and an easy rug investment can save your apartment from coming off like a frat basement.
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Blank Apartment Walls = Blank Personality
A lot of guys don’t care about decorating their apartment walls, but the tough truth is that empty walls make your home feel temporary and impersonal.
Even though this ick can sometimes be subtle, it’s powerful when a guy doesn’t showcase any art or posters in a way that portrays the basic fact that he even remotely cares about where he lives.
Just hang something that reflects your interests, except tapestries. Tapestries need to stay in college dorms, bro!
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Tech Overloads
We’re talking wires tangled everywhere, massive monitors in every direction, RGB lights throughout an apartment—and absolutely no drink coasters in sight.
Although there’s nothing wrong with being interested in tech or gaming, no guy should want their apartment to come off like a residential server room. Although the ick level here can vary on a case-by-case basis, it’s never ideal.
This is why guys need to keep décor balance in mind when it comes to tech gadgets by pairing them with more natural elements like wood textures and plants.
Masculine Apartment Décor Isn’t About Perfection, But It’s All About Presence
Guys don’t have to hire professional home decorators to impress a girl they like, because they really just need to show respect for themselves, their space, and especially their special guests.
Cozy lighting, a decent area rug, and a stocked bathroom can sometimes say so much more than any go-to pickup lines.
So, if you’re wondering why she never texted you back after she came by your place, start with your floors and work your way up!
