Boys wear blue, and girls wear pink. If there was a dollar for every time we’ve heard this, we’d be on the cover of Bruno Mars’ Billionaire. However, times are slowly changing.
We’re becoming more aware of these seemingly subtle gender-biased comments and roles assigned by society. Therefore, causing the rise of gender neutrality. And one of the main branch from this concept involves the importance of gender neutral spaces and designs.
The gender neutral concept: Spaces redesigned
Unisex bathrooms are on the rise in today’s world.
First, what are gender neutral spaces and designs? This concept tackles the biased structure and architecture of common locations shared by everyone. These spaces are then designed to banish any hints of being biased towards a particular gender. A prime example of this can be seen in the colors of kid’s bedrooms.
Neutral themed decor is a great way to solve biased interior designs.
Therefore, gender neutral architecture is needed to ensure these spaces and designs will not favor one gender over another and force society’s rigid gender roles on people. As a result, this concept enables all males, females and the LGBTQ community to feel safe and comfortable in their surrounding environments.
Bedrooms
This is what a modern kid’s bedroom could look like.
The bedroom is one of the most common places to spend our time. However, this space is notorious for being extremely gender biased. For a kid’s room, it’s almost always either blue or pink. And there’s no guessing which color applies to boys and girls.
His or hers?
Likewise, the same goes for adults, as a dude’s bedroom is expected to be finished with a navy wall. This only serves to limit the appeal of an accommodation to one particular sex – a concept that allows subtle gender discrimination to go unnoticed. The solution to this? Go neutral!
Living rooms and kitchens
Gender neutral design does not need to be all plain and boring.
Similarly, the same solution applies to your living room. However, there is no need to stay away from colors. So although neutral tones are great, a space can still remain gender neutral with clever bursts of color.
A navy wall adds a dash of color to the grey toned kitchen.
Offices
The office is well known to be a place where masculinity thrives. And the boardroom is where Jean Claude Van Damme-esque testosterone fills the room. In a bid to build a gender neutral space, meeting rooms need to be redesigned.
A round table offers a less intimidating vibe, as opposed to corporate meeting tables.
Therefore, traditional rectangle tables that favors leaders placed at opposing ends, are swapped with round tables, to promote a more collaborative environment. Additionally, a touch of color also brightens up a seemingly bland, monotonous setting.
Bathrooms
Because there’s always room for equality.
Unisex bathrooms are expected to be one of the hottest trends for the year. Malls in Canada, such as the Yorkdale Shopping Centre are already embracing this change. The whole idea behind this is to do away with the idea of having transgenders being caught in a dilemma on where to pee. Furthermore, with women often caught in ques just to use the loo, a unisex bathroom enables a more level playing field for everyone.
Swap urinals for closed door toilets for a unisex bathroom.
As we move closer to a more inclusive society, the time is now to ensure we lay a solid platform for every member of this society to feel comfortable. Also, do check our 2019 lifestyle trends to stay updated on the year’s biggest hits.