Guys, if you recently moved in with a girlfriend or purchased your first home after getting married, you've probably noticed a few upsides and downsides to living with your significant other in terms of interior design. Sure, it's great to have a feminine touch when it comes to picking out colors and patterns for accents and furnishings, but sometimes that woman's intuition can make you feel like an outsider in your own home. If you're looking for a place to call your own, you might want to consider the benefits of creating your own bathroom (image from I See Cubed). Here are a few decor tips for creating a manly bathroom retreat.

Keep it simple
Guys tend to have a more simplified approach to home decorating, and your private bathroom should be no exception. There's no need to go overboard with a room that is mainly built for practical purposes like showering and brushing teeth, so stick with an attractive yet subtle scheme. For instance, contemporary wall lights are perfect for a sleek aesthetic while also providing warm illumination for getting ready before work or going to bed. You can match this modern appeal with stainless steel faucets and matching towel racks.

Emphasize storage
Ladies like to accuse guys of being messy and disorganized, but how can you keep your personal hygiene products in order when you're competing for shelf space with 10 different kinds of soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, makeup and hair products? Now that you have your own bathroom, make efficient storage a priority with modern industrial shelves that can keep your shaving supplies, comb and oral hygiene products in line.

Class it up
Just because you're opting for a sleek and simple design in your bathroom doesn't mean you should completely neglect decorative accents. In keeping with the contemporary appeal of your bathroom, consider putting up a few black and white photographs that will class up the space. Cityscapes or portraits of your favorite musicians are perfectly suited to your private retreat.