Top 60 Best Master Bedroom Ideas – Luxury Home Interior Designs
For hundreds, if not thousands, of years the master of the estate enjoyed his own lavish bit of privacy in the form of the master bedroom.
Here was where he could rest and restore his spirits away from interruptions, in a space created entirely for his pleasure and just as suited to his tastes.
Today’s master bedroom hardly strays from this blueprint, but thanks to a few modern conveniences and carefully updated details the 21st-century gentleman can truly savor the full potential that is his private bedroom.
The master bedroom is more than just a place to lay your head, but a space to dream in. This chamber reflects what you hold dear in the way of taste and personal interests, and likewise lets the esteemed guest know what true renaissance man their host is. From breezy beachfront retreats to the more lavish quarters of the Victorian gentleman’s study, and onward into the sparse sophistication of the Scandinavian abode, the master bedroom is truly a stage upon which one can display their true inner aesthetic.
Canopied beds and comfortable chaise lounges evoke a sumptuous estate hideaway, while bold colors and bespoke furnishings echo the modern man’s savvy. Whatever you ultimately choose and matter where your desires lie, these top 60 best master bedroom ideas are no less than your personally appointed palace.
Few things in life compare to the moment when your head hits the pillow after a long day at work or the stolen hour behind closed doors. Our bedrooms play host to our most intimate pastimes and rituals and are as unique to the individual as the man himself. This is your chance to embrace your true nature and at last, bask in the landscape of your dreams.
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1. Master Bedroom TV Wall Ideas
A man’s private getaway is not complete without a place to relax and watch the game or cuddle up with someone in front of the newest movie release. While it is perfectly acceptable to simply hang your widescreen on the wall across from your bed, designing a media area can make that side of your room a pleasure to look at even when the TV is off.
If your master suite includes a seating area, position the TV where you have an unobstructed view from both your bed and your sofa or chair. Most TVs look best positioned over a long, low dresser or credenza. However, this is not a must.
One factor you should always consider is eliminating glare on your flat screen. Try to keep windows behind the TV so they cannot reflect on the screen. If this is not possible, use an adjustable wall mount that allows you to tilt the screen away from any glare. Of course, make use of stylish blinds and curtains to block natural light during daytime TV viewing.
If your master bedroom has a fireplace, a logical spot to mount your TV is over the mantel. Extend your brick or stone fireplace surround to cover the entire wall for an impressive bedroom accent.
2. Master Bedroom Fireplace Ideas
Fireplaces have always been a welcome feature in bedrooms. In the past, they primarily served a practical purpose: keeping the bedroom warm at night. Today, fireplaces serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose in the bedroom. While most homes have central heating, nothing can replicate the romance and warm ambiance of a live flame.
If you are a traditionalist, you may insist on a real, wood-burning fireplace even in the bedroom. However, many men find it burdensome and messy to tend to a real fire, especially in an area designed for relaxation. Today’s gas fireplaces can replicate the look of an authentic wood fire, but you only need to press a button to power it on or off. When surrounded by an impressive stone or wood mantel, they look the same as traditional fireplaces.
Modern ventless linear or landscape fireplaces can be mounted at any height and provide all the benefits of a traditional fireplace with a smaller footprint. They are available in gas and electric versions and come in a wide range of designs. Some include faux logs like other gas fireplaces, while others have flames rising from a plain or gravel-covered base. If your TV is not mounted above your linear fireplace, be sure to accent the area with a favorite piece of art.
3. Headboard and Bed Ideas for Master Bedrooms
Considering that most of us will sleep one-third of our life away, our bed needs to be comfortable and inviting – a soft place to land at the end of each busy day. When choosing this most important piece of furniture, you must consider decorative and practical aspects alike. Thankfully, headboards and bed frames come in almost limitless styles to fit every preference.
Padded fabric headboards are not only attractive, but they are also comfortable to lean against while reading or watching TV. These luxurious headboards can be covered in a variety of materials, from buttery soft leather to plush velvet. Check out the video at the end of this category for a tutorial on making your own DIY upholstered headboard. You can also apply the same effect directly to the wall behind your bed. When carried to the ceiling, this feature makes a dramatic statement, especially when flanked by floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
Wood or metal headboards can be softened by choosing one that includes a fabric-covered section to rest against. A heavy, carved wood headboard brings an old-world charm to your traditional décor and can often be purchased with coordinating nightstands and dressers. Metal beds come in every possible finish, from mirror-like chrome to wrought iron to brass. Metal bed styles may feature the sleek lines of modern décor or include every curve, embellishment, and finial that makes Victorian design so grand.
4. Master Bedroom Lighting Ideas
Don’t just settle for your builder’s basic overhead light fixture when it’s so easy to replace it with a magnificent focal point. You may not use your overhead light often in the bedroom, favoring nightstand lamps that cast a softer glow at night. However, both types of lighting are important to creating the right atmosphere in your master bedroom.
While lighting should complement your overall design scheme, it can be OK to step outside the box when designing your own private hideaway. Sometimes an ornate crystal chandelier is just what’s needed to add some Hollywood glamour to a monotonal bedroom. Consider shopping for fixtures designed for other areas of the home. For example, if you have high ceilings in your bedroom, a fixture intended for an entryway may fill the space more beautifully than a smaller-profile bedroom fixture.
Bedside lamps are handy in the wee hours of the night and should be a standard element in every bedroom. Not only are they essential, but their colors, materials, and shapes also add so much to a room’s ambiance. Ideally, each nightstand will have a lamp, but it’s a myth that they have to match. This is particularly true in a shabby chic or eclectic setting. That said, a traditionally-designed master bedroom will almost certainly have matching lamps to remain true to its elegant sensibilities.
5. Master Bedroom Ceiling Design Ideas
Your master bedroom is the perfect place to install an interesting ceiling. Given the amount of time you gaze up while lying in bed, it’s nice if you have something other than plain or textured plaster to look at. Many traditional and contemporary homes include a trey ceiling in the master bedroom. This raised design feature may include two or more levels and adds a sense of height and spaciousness to your bedroom.
Textured panels are another option to embellish a boring master bedroom ceiling. From antique embossed metal tiles to modern geometric designs, these panels come in a huge assortment of styles. You can also apply textured wallpaper to the ceiling to obtain a floral or natural texture. If you prefer the classic look of a coffered ceiling, you can create this effect yourself by installing slats or beams in a grid pattern. For a bold look, paint the areas between the slats a dark or contrasting color.
Beams add a rustic or midcentury feel to a master suite and can be painted black for a strong statement. A combination of shiplap and beams is an ideal ceiling for farmhouses and cottages. Shiplap’s tightly-fitting boards provide just enough texture without going overboard. Even if you currently have unattractive popcorn ceilings, you can learn how to cover them yourself with a plywood shiplap effect by watching the following video.
6. Modern Master Bedroom Ideas
If you’re a fan of modern design, you already know how a simple color palette, clean lines, and a mixture of materials can create a space filled with peaceful simplicity. The absence of clutter and excess accessories is necessary to project the beauty of modern design, and perhaps in no other room is this more appreciated than in the master bedroom.
It’s a common myth that modern spaces must feel harsh or unwelcoming. Wide, pane-less windows allow tons of natural light and decorate your bedroom with the beauty of your landscape and view. A splash of your favorite colors can be added with a few pieces of framed modern art and a luxuriously upholstered headboard. While too much metal can make any bedroom feel cold, the right metal modern accents achieve the opposite. Look for plush chairs with metal legs, curved chrome light fixtures, and perhaps a glass-topped iron dresser or end table.
7. Master Bedroom Wood and Rustic Accent Ideas
Admiring rustic décor doesn’t mean settling for a log cabin in the woods. You can stay true to your rustic roots by adding the right wooden and natural accents to your master suite. Ceilings and floors are great places to get a little rough in the bedroom. Cover a plain plaster ceiling with stained wooden shiplap or beadboard, or opt for a wide-plank farmhouse hardwood floor to anchor the space. If you really enjoy the look of natural wood paneling, you can create a wood accent wall behind your bed.
Look for accessories that bring the spirit of the woodsman inside. For example, buy faux fur pillows to nestle among your high-count linens. Hang a white plaster mounted deer, moose, or elk head over your fireplace to give a contemporary nod to classic lodge décor. Look for a chandelier with arms that resemble animal antlers or tree branches. On your nightstand, place a colored mason jar filled with tall decorative twigs instead of flowers.
8. Master Bedroom Flooring Ideas
Your master bedroom floor shouldn’t only look appealing—it needs to feel utterly luxurious under bare feet. If you go with carpet, it should be the thickest, softest pile you can afford. If you prefer hardwoods, be sure the seams are sanded evenly and the finish is satiny smooth. Keep in mind that using a satin finish instead of a gloss will help to hide footprints, dust, and other noticeable dirt between cleanings.
Use an area rug or throw rugs to soften the appearance of your bedroom and give your feet a soft place to land in the mornings. Fluffy flokati or solid shag rugs go well with modern or midcentury themed rooms, while classic Oriental or Persian rugs look great in more traditional spaces. Consider jute or other natural fiber rug if your bedroom has a beachy or cottage design scheme.
9. Master Bedroom Wall Texture Ideas
The simple addition of wall texture can be the one thing that takes your master bedroom from average to extraordinary. As with every detail you add to your home, the wall texture you choose should be representative of your overall style. Wallpaper is a classic solution for wall texturing and can be found in muted or dramatic designs. For a softer effect, choose an embossed solid color wallpaper. You can create a more rustic accent by covering one wall with woven textured wallpaper.
You can easily mimic the look of exposed brick by purchasing manufactured masonry veneer to hang on the wall behind your bed or around your fireplace. These panels come in finishes that look like natural brick or stone or can be painted to coordinate with your bedding or flooring. If you are lucky enough to live in a loft or home with exposed brick walls, they can be left as-is, whitewashed or painted.
Master Bedroom FAQs
I know that a higher thread count equals softer sheets. What else do I need to know when shopping for high-quality bedding?
Thread count is definitely not the only factor to consider when shopping for luxurious bedding. In fact, any thread count over 1000 can actually signify lower quality if the manufacturer used a thinner thread to bump up the count. Look for 100 percent cotton sheets made with long fibers. These labels will include the words “pima,” “Supima,” or “Egyptian long-staple” as indicators of these high-quality fibers. If you suffer from sensitive skin or allergies, look for pure-finish sheets that have any chemicals used in the manufacturing process removed.
What kind of ambient lighting is good in a master bedroom?
Proper bedroom lighting means making the most of available natural light in the daytime and adding fixtures for adequate illumination at night. This usually means relying on more than your bedside lamp and overhead light. Place a mirror across from your windows to double the power of daylight. Install recessed ceiling lights and place recessed lights in dark corners to eliminate any unlit zones. If you like to read in bed at night, install reading lamps over your headboard. Dimmable wall sconces are also a nice way to warm up your master suite with just enough light in the evenings.
The Best Tequila Under $50 To Try in 2021
The growth and depth of quality tequila make it the most interesting spirit of 2021. Cool brands, famous faces investing, and strong Mexican regulations in production and distillation have helped fuel the spirit’s popularity.
There are three main types of tequila; Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo, although you’ll find Joven (in between Blanco and Reposado), Cristalino (filtered clear), and extra Anejo tequila (matured longer) online as well. Blanco tequila is unaged tequila that tastes more of the agave plant, while Reposado (rested tequila) and Anejo (aged) tequila are recommended for those looking for more intense flavor, depth, and complexity.
The following 10 best tequilas under $50 to try this year represent the growing range of options for quality, affordable tequila. They can be used for sipping, shots, or kick-ass cocktails, representing brilliant value for the tequila aficionado looking for cool brands and great tastes to add to their collection.
Best Buy
1. Tequila Partida Blanco
Tequila Partido Blanco is top drawer. It’s one of the smoothest tequila options at the perfect price point for the novice tequila drinker or the regular connoisseur.
The Partida tequila brand is known for taking their agave flavor seriously throughout the distillation process and it really shines through in this crisp and flavorful Blanco (the Partida Tequila Reposado is also a great expression). The Partida distillery cooks its agave within 24 hours of harvest, giving the agave spirit a freshness and earthy tone other unaged tequila varieties struggle to match.
The nuanced Weber agave and citrus combine on the nose, while the palate offers tropical fruit, vanilla, grapefruit, and white pepper spice. It’s a favorite tequila for complete novices or veterans and will be on the shortlist as a favorite tequila for many cocktail makers and mixologists.
2. Tequila Fortaleza Blanco
Tequila Fortaleza is a small-batch, handcrafted tequila made with the same production methods used in the family operation from nearly 150 years ago.
Each agave is selected for ripeness before it’s harvested and steam-cooked in a small brick oven. From there, a two-ton tahona stone wheel slowly squeezes the juices from the agave. When fermentation is complete, the distinctive tequila taste is achieved by being distilled twice in two very small, copper-pot stills.
Fortaleza Blanco is a classic unaged tequila with a creamy texture and a tasty finish. The Blanco’s flavor includes cooked agave, vanilla, butter, citrus, black pepper, along with herbs.
3. El Jimador Anejo Tequila
El Jimador Anejo is crafted from the finest hand-selected blue agave and then double distilled and aged in American Oak. The dark amber-aged tequila blends the classical taste of agave with smooth, buttery notes of caramel and walnut from the 12 month cask maturation, plus a hint of cinnamon and spices at the finish.
While one of the cheaper tequilas on this list, the El Jimador Anejo is a bottle you can buy with confidence to enjoy. It’s a rare aged and affordable tequila that’s perfect for slow sipping or as a simple mixed drink with lime and soda.
4. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
Casamigos Reposado Tequila is distilled from blue agave plants from the Jalisco Highlands, the heartland of Mexican tequila. Each agave is hand-selected for flavor, then slow-cooked.
This Casamigos Tequila expression is aged for seven months in white oak barrels, which gives the Reposado a chocolate woody taste, which makes it a great option for sipping or drinking neat. The Casamigos Reposado offers an aroma of vanilla, maple, spices, and peanut shells, with the customary tequila heat balanced by sweet tropical fruit and oak.
5. Espolon Blanco Tequila
Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico’s art and history, and the story of Espolon – the spur of a rooster – is great for starting conversations.
A nice, simple tequila is useful to pour liberally than a more expensive Blanco tequila with a similar clean agave taste. Crafted in Jalisco from 100% blue agave plant, Espolon Blanco is a good tequila at a bargain price.
Buying a tequila with versatility like Espolon Blanco can sometimes be the way to go – a party may break out after a quality tequila shot, mixed drink, or when a cocktail loosens things up!
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6. Herradura Reposado Tequila
Herradura Reposado is rich amber with copper color highlights, the result of resting eleven months in American white oak barrels. While many cocktail makers endorse the use of silver tequila only, a good Reposado tequila like this Herradura can kick your margarita or classic tequila cocktail flavor up to a new taste level.
The aroma carries light lashings of anise, fruit, and spices around cooked agave, with a surprisingly smooth vanilla and butter flavor that extends to a smooth, sweet finish with a hint of spice and heat. The Herradura Reposado comes at a nice price point for a good quality 750ml bottle, and the brand also markets a nifty agave nectar (aka agave syrup) that you can add as a non-sugar sweetener to your cocktail mix.
7. Patron Silver Tequila
Patron Silver is a premium tequila that every tequila lover makes a beeline for when traveling through duty-free on their way through a new country, or on the way home. Patron tequila is a no-nonsense, top-quality drop that you can mix into your classic margarita for warmth and the crispest taste of citrus, and when downed as a tequila shot, it’s almost second to none, lacking the fierce aftertaste of some other, less smooth expressions.
It’s a premium tequila that your home bar can rely on when entertaining, but if the silver is not your thing you can stretch out and try the other varieties, which range from the standard Reposado and Anejo bottles through to the ultra-premium Patron Tequila Platinum.
8. Corralejo Anejo
Described by the brand as a “tequila to be passed around the dinner table, to share at a party, or to order a round at the bar.” Featuring hand-harvested estate-grown 100% blue weber agave, Corralejo Anejo is double distilled and aged for 12 months in charred American oak barrels.
Corralejo Anejo tequila is a great expression to introduce to tequila drinkers looking for a more complex flavor, or for passing around between a group of friends during a night of Mexican food.
9. Cazadores Anejo Cristalino
Another 750ml bottle right on the upper limit of our price threshold, Cazadores Anejo Cristalino owes its sheen and transparency to the time-consuming thorough filtration process. Its foundation is first achieved through the slow and harmonious processes of fermentation and distillation in wooden open-air tanks, then sent to mature for 24 months in American white oak barrels, making it one of the longest aged tequilas on our list.
The tequila is then filtered to remove the color while conserving the sensory qualities of a top-quality Anejo tequila, including the wood notes absorbed into the spirit during aging. An affordable tequila, especially compared to other Cristalino expressions, Cazadores is a great option for the experienced tequila drinker looking to sample a different but still extremely smooth drinking experience.
10. Hornito’s Black Barrel Tequila
Black Barrel starts as a premium Anejo tequila, then spends four months in deep charred ex-bourbon barrels to give it a rich, smoky flavor and golden amber color. Before bottling, Black Barrel spends an additional two months in specially toasted oak barrels for more depth and distinct complexity of woody oak and smoke notes.
Hornitos Black Barrel is likely to become a favorite tequila for the whiskey drinker moving into sipping tequila, as it offers bourbon and rye notes but still tastes as a tequila should. Mellow and well balanced yet full of intense flavor, it also makes a good tequila for a premium margarita or mixed drink.
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The 10 Best Band T-shirts of All Time
Music fans everywhere know the easiest way to show your support for your favorite band is to wear their merch loud and proud. Nowadays, it’s easy to get your hands on clothing items from your favorite musical acts, especially if they’re currently active, making music, or touring. In fact, there’s no need to even attend a show if you want to score some coveted merch from your music icons, as you had to decades ago, thanks to the internet and a lovely thing called worldwide shipping.
Luckily, fans of classic rock and punk bands who may have missed out on seeing their favorite groups perform live decades ago can still cash in on some seriously cool, vintage-inspired logo tees that’ll add a bit of edge to their wardrobe. Whether you pair these comfortable t-shirts with destroyed denim and Chuck Taylors, casual joggers and sneakers, or fitted chinos and Dr. Martens, there’s a classic band t-shirt that’ll fit anyone’s unique style – and music taste – from our list of the 10 best band t-shirts of all time.
Best Buy
1. Led Zeppelin 1977 American Tour T-shirt
Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and their 1977 tour is in the history books for a reason. After all, it was the band’s eleventh and final North American tour after a two-year touring hiatus and was wildly profitable for the group, as they sold a whopping $1.3 million tickets at the time. They also broke the world’s indoor attendance record at their show in Detroit, where they performed for over 76,000 people at once.
And while we all wish we could go back to the golden days of rock concerts, the harsh reality is we can’t. But what we can do is sport a Led Zeppelin 1977 American Tour shirt, which showcases all the 1977 tour dates on the back, comes in classic black, and is available in sizes S-XXL. Throw it on for any casual occasion and you’re guaranteed to be the coolest dude in the room.
2. Nirvana Smiley Face T-shirt
Nirvana is a band that will never go out of style, and neither will this classic Nirvana Smiley Face t-shirt featuring the iconic smiley face logo the band has become synonymous with over the last three decades. According to Forbes, the logo can be traced back to 1991, when Nirvana and their record label, DGC Records, hosted a record release party for the band’s album, Nevermind.
Apparently, an invitation to the party featured the “X-eye smiley face,” and the logo stuck with the band ever since. The Nirvana Smiley Face tee comes in classic black and can be paired with destroyed/ripped denim or joggers for a casual yet edgy look.
3. Rolling Stones Classic Tongue T-shirt
It’s hard to believe The Rolling Stones have been around since the 60s and are still making music to this day. The group has had one of the most successful runs in rock history and has been using their classic tongue logo ever since it appeared on their album Sticky Fingers for the first time in 1971.
“It’s a universal statement, I mean sticking out your tongue at something is very anti-authority, a protest really… various generations have picked that up,” the logo’s designer, Jon Pasche, said in an interview. And no matter what generation you’re from, you’ll look seriously cool rocking this Rolling Stones Classic Tongue t-shirt anywhere you go – whether it’s a concert, the grocery store, or even on a date; plus, this shirt comes in either black or green, and is available in sizes S-XXL.
4. Ramones Presidential Seal T-shirt
The Ramones are often considered one of the first punk rock groups in America, and their logo is one of the most recognizable ones in the music industry – even though they split in the late 1990s. The band’s creative director, Arturo Vega, who passed away in 2013, revealed how he came up with the logo, which is a play on the seal of the president of the United States.
“Instead of the olive branch, we had an apple tree branch, since the Ramones were American as apple pie,” he shared. “And since Johnny was such a baseball fanatic, we had the eagle hold a baseball bat instead of the arrows.” While The Ramones are obviously no longer together, you can still show your stellar taste in music by sporting a classic Presidential Seal shirt, which is made of 100% cotton, comes in black, and is available in sizes S-XXXL.
5. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures T-shirt
Even if you don’t know Joy Division, you’ve likely seen the logo from their iconic debut album, Unknown Pleasures, at some point in your life. And although the band started performing under the name New Order after lead singer Ian Curtis tragically died by suicide before their first US tour, the impact of Unknown Pleasures and the band’s innovative user of a synthesizer lives on in music history to this day.
This t-shirt, featuring the album art created by Peter Saville from the band’s first album, will add depth to any casual t-shirt collection and is available in a wide range of sizes for a perfect fit unique to your personal style. Pair with ripped skinny jeans and some Chuck Taylor high tops to complete the look.
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6. Guns N’ Roses Logo T-shirt
If you don’t have a Guns N’ Roses t-shirt in your closet, are you really even a classic rock fan? The logo, which aptly features two guns pointing east and west and a rose underneath each gun, was actually first designed by Slash himself. “I designed the first Guns N’ Roses logo, all our flyers – and my tattoos,” he revealed during an interview.
“Most of the time it was born out of necessity: it served my musical career.” And what better way to honor the legendary frontman than wearing the classic logo on a t-shirt? Available in a classic black color and sizes XS-XXXL, fans of all ages and sizes can easily show their love for Guns N’ Roses with this comfy cotton tee.
7. Wu-Tang Clan Logo T-shirt
The Wu-Tang Clan logo is one of the most recognizable in hip-hop music to this day. The group, which formed in the early 90s and has been a staple in the scene ever since is responsible for mega-hits like C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), Protect Ya Neck, and Method Man.
Show your support for the hip hop group with this iconic Wu-Tang Clan Logo shirt, which you can snag in sizes XS-XXXL, is made of 100% cotton, and comes in black. The best part about this shirt? There’s a toddler version of it, so you and your little guy or girl can show off your stellar musical tastes together wherever you go. Because as we all know, Wu-Tang is for the children.
8. Black Sabbath Purple Logo T-shirt
Black Sabbath is responsible for producing some of the most well-known rock songs in history. Even if you’ve never voluntarily listened to a Black Sabbath album, there’s a 100% chance you’ve heard their most popular songs, like Paranoid, Iron Man, or War Pigs on the radio, in TV shows, or in films.
And whether you’re a diehard, longtime fan or just starting to get into their music, the Black Sabbath Purple Logo tee is a must-have in your band t-shirt collection. Made from 100% cotton, this band tee is super-comfy, makes a statement with the bold purple logo featured across the chest, and comes in sizes XS-XXXL.
9. Black Flag Logo T-shirt
Black Flag is one of the most popular punk bands of its generation, and its iconic four-bar logo makes a statement wherever it’s seen. The logo was actually designed by guitarist George Ginn’s brother, Raymond Pettibon, who never went to art school and once said that the design was meant to represent the “abstract movement of a waving black flag.”
If you’re a fan of the band and don’t have this classic Black Flag Logo t-shirt already in your drawer, then honestly, what are you waiting for? According to reviews, this affordable t-shirt is made of high-quality material, is extremely comfortable, and fits true to size.
10. Sonic Youth Goo Album Cover T-shirt
New York City is the birthplace of many famous rock bands, and Sonic Youth may be one of the most well-known groups to originate out of NYC in the 80s. The band is responsible for hits like Teen Age Riot, Bull in the Heather, and Kool Thing, and performed together for a whopping three decades until their 2011 split.
And even though it’s been 10 years since the breakup devastated fans across the globe, you can still show off your great taste in music by sporting this Sonic Youth Goo Album Cover t-shirt, which comes in a crisp white, has a black logo, and features the words, “I stole my sister’s boyfriend, it was all a whirlwind, heat and flash, within a week we killed my parents and hit the road.”
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Top 10 Glute Exercises To Build a Great Butt
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a good butt these days? While much of the focus for men has long been on a ripped chest and massive arms, the world is beginning to wake up to the importance of having a sculpted bum. Not only does it look good (like, really good), but a firm, muscular butt is essential for your overall health and fitness success.
If you’re a self-proclaimed gym-goer, then you probably already know that your glutes are the largest (and most powerful) muscles in the body, generating enough force and momentum to constantly move you through the ups and downs of life – literally. So working them out is not just about aesthetics (though that’s important too), but you gain so much more added strength and power by really burning those glutes out a few times a week.
To help narrow down the list to the 10 best exercises for those great glute gains, we’ve chatted with Danny Kennedy – founder of DK Fitness and The Fitness and Lifestyle Podcast, who helps men and Olympic and professional athletes all over the world to get in their very best shape. He’s let us in on some of his favorite exercises for targeting the glutes and how you can get the most out of each exercise by putting your mind to muscle. Let’s get it.
1. Barbell Hip Thrust
How to perform: To get in position, rest your upper back on a bench with a barbell across the hips. Ensure your hands have a firm grip underneath the bar and place your feet directly below the knees about a shoulder-width apart. Once you’re set, push your hips into the air while keeping your pelvis tucked under and your heels driving into the floor. Squeeze the glutes at the top of each rep.
What you gain: Hip thrusts of any kind are one of those exercises that will make your glutes strong as hell because they isolate the gluteus maximus (the largest bum muscle), meaning that all of the power is coming from the glutes and your strong hip drive. Putting your weight in the back of your heels, rather than your toes, activates and isolates the gluteus muscles even more if you’re looking to up the ante.
2. Sumo Deadlift
How to perform: Place your feet awkwardly wide outside of shoulder width, with your hips just above 90 degrees. Keep your arms long with scaps retracted and back flat to protect your spine and help you lift the bar. You’ll pull through the heels, similarly to a hip thrust, finishing with your hips all the way into extension and your glutes fired on.
What you gain: The sumo-style wide stance with toes and knees slightly pointed outward allows for greater glute activation than a typical deadlift. The sumo deadlift is also one that builds tension through the flexing and thrusting of the hips, which is perfect for building a better booty.
3. Walking Lunges
How to perform: You can perform walking lunges with a weight (dumbbell or kettlebell) in either hand or opt for using your own bodyweight. To perform this exercise, take long steps (aka lunges), keeping your chest slightly forward. Place all of your weight through the front heel and squeeze the glutes at the top of each rep.
What you gain: Walking lunges are an intense lower body exercise that should definitely be on your to-do list when glute day comes around. These lunges don’t only heavily target the glutes, but they also activate the rest of your lower body (calves and inner thighs included).
4. Squat
How to perform: Set your feet up slightly outside shoulder-width apart and rotate them outward. Push your hips back, forcing the knees out. Put mind to muscle, and think about spreading the floor and finishing with your glutes contracted and hips in full extension at the top.
What you gain: I mean, what kind of booty-building recommendation list would this be if we didn’t include the iconic glute exercise: the squat. But squats really are worth the hype. They target the glutes, hamstrings, adductors, core, and back while improving your overall coordination and mobility. Squats may even boost your testosterone levels, so there’s really no reason not to give them a try.
5. Step Up
How to perform: Step up onto a bench or box that’s at knee height or slightly above. Forcing the heel down into the bench (or box), stand all the way up. Make sure you squeeze the glutes at the top of each rep with your hips in full extension and find control as you go back down.
What you gain: This staple glute exercise targets the gluteus maximus with incredible accuracy. Not to mention, this cross-fit-like exercise will make you better at doing everyday things like walking up flights of stairs and give you the control to make the most out of every movement.
By now, you’ve probably caught onto a significant theme with the bulk of these exercises, and that’s squeezing your glutes at the top. This is crucial for activating and isolating that muscle group and getting the full effect of each exercise.
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6. Kettlebell Swing
How to perform: After putting the kettlebell in front of you, take a slightly wider than hip-width stance. Bend at the hips and knees, getting a good, tight grip on the bell because you really don’t want it flying out and breaking some mirrors or windows. Or both. Tighten your upper body by engaging your core and lats. Then, hike the kettlebell back through your legs and swing it up, squeezing your glutes at the top.
What you gain: Talk about explosive! This fiery movement requires a whole lot of hip and glute power. This exercise involves a triple extension – from the ankles, knees, and hips – that targets those glutes in one fluid motion.
7. Bulgarian Split Squat
How to perform: Load up a barbell and hold it on the backs of your shoulders, similar to a weighted squat position. Rest the top of your right foot on a bench or box behind you, with your back knee bent to 90 degrees. Keeping your core straight and engaged, bend your hips and left leg, lowering down until your back knee almost touches the floor.
What you gain: When doing a proper Bulgarian split squat with good form, your glutes don’t take a break. They support your knee, hip flexor, and help engage the rest of your lower body. Plus, since you’re focusing on keeping your core nice and tight, it’s an effective ab exercise as well.
8. Barbell Glute Bridge
How to perform: Lie on your back with your legs extended, roll the barbell up to your thighs until it’s sitting on your lap.
Tip: Try placing a towel or pad underneath the bar to protect your hips. Engage your core and drive your heels into the floor, extending your hips up until they’re in line with your torso. Squeeze glutes at the top and control yourself on the way down.
What you gain: Like a hip thrust, the weighted glute bridge will target the glutes without arching and overextending the back. Glute bridges can be used in conjunction with hip thrusts on glutes day. But if you’re new to working out, bridges may be better to start with since they have a smaller range of motion.
9. Side-Lying Clamshell
How to perform: Start by lying on your side with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Put your heels together and open your knees as wide as you can without rotating in your back or pelvis. Lower back down with control. Clamshells can be done as a bodyweight warm-up, or you can turn up the intensity by using resistance bands or weights.
What you gain: You may have seen your girl doing clamshells in her at-home Pilates workout, but they’re not to be slept on – she’s onto something. Side-lying clamshells primarily target your gluteus medius, which you can think of as the muscle on the side of the butt. While it might not be the biggest part of the bum, an inactive gluteus medius can cause lower back and knee issues, causing you to struggle with even the most basic of movements like walking.
10. Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift
How to perform: Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold a kettlebell or dumbbell in one hand and raise that same side’s leg off the floor. Flex your supporting leg slightly to engage the glutes, holding that bend as you hinge at the hips and lower your torso until it’s nearly parallel to the floor. Squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward, and return to your starting position.
What you gain: Split or single-leg exercises are ideal for getting more functional movements out of your training day. By focusing on a single leg, you work on your balance and ability to keep your center of gravity, strengthen vulnerable areas of the body like the ankle and knee, and become more adapted for quick performance in sports.
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