Good news for bachelors: When it comes to their bachelor pad, simplicity is in. A simple bachelor pad is a clean and organized space—and that’s the impression they want to give to any guests who may be over for the evening (or the weekend). Bachelor’s that take a little time to plan, will have a great looking space that’s functional, too. It’s all about furniture, color and lighting—the biggest bangs for the buck. To help bachelor’s set up the best space possible, the team at SpareFoot.com has put together the three most essential tips on how to decorate. More information and a link to the tips can be found at Sparefoot.
Furniture
Let’s face it: In a bachelor pad, the key piece is the sofa. You’ll spend the majority of your time here, so this is where you want to focus your budget. Spring for something that’s durable and comfortable. A sectional is a great choice for bachelors because it lets the guys watch the game or guests to congregate on weekends. Think clean lines and soft edges.
Your next step is to design the rest of your space around this central piece with other functional and minimalist pieces that are easy to move around. Coffee tables with shelves or cubbies let you store clutter or clear the decks for dinner and a movie on the couch. Finish it off with a textured rug that adds a lot of personality for a small price. For advice on picking the right area rug, visit Sparefoot.
Color
With color, simplicity is still the key, but the good news is you can go bold or go subtle and still keep it simple. Just try to stick to one common color family so that you can include some bursts of contrasting color or texture without overwhelming the room.
On the bold end of the spectrum, blue is the most popular choice for men. However, strictly using it in accents or choosing a deep hue often gets better results than a space completely covered in baby or navy blue. Similarly, a rich, deep brown is a great backdrop in a distinctly male space.
On the subtler end of the spectrum, one of the classic color choices for men is gray. It works well with just about anything and, depending on what it’s paired with, can take on an extremely chic and sleek vibe. A neutral but warm tone is suitable for any room of the home or a general color throughout, and it gives great contrast to white doors and baseboards for a more finished feel.
Lighting
Lighting is where you take your bachelor pad to the next level. The secret key to good lighting is to layer it. An ideal lighting scheme starts with natural light and is supplemented with ambient, task and accent lighting. Step one is dimmer switches in every room; install these for instant effect throughout your space. Any number of fixtures can provide ambient light, but lamps, chandeliers and sconces tend to bathe a room in light and create a base layer of warmth and energy.
Task lighting is vital to assist with the project at hand and also adds some attitude. Pendant lights over a kitchen island look great, but more importantly, they direct the light just where it’s needed. Place table and desk lamps in areas of the house where you work, and remember that after hours, a desk or table lamp provides an effective wash of illumination.
Accent lighting serves as special effect lighting—it gives the most modest of rooms a custom look. A small burst of illumination in a corner or washing over a wall can do as much for a space as a bold accent color on the wall. If you’ve got pieces you’re particularly fond of, such as artwork or a cool collection from your childhood, an accent light does double duty, creating a subtle effect with a concentrated focus.
Bachelor pads tend to host a wide variety of guests: family, friends and special visitors. With just a little effort and planning, your space can make transitions for any situation quickly and easily, and can make a great hideaway for you when all the guests are gone.