The perfect bachelor den !!

When you think of a bachelor’s apartment, the first visual that comes to mind is one of bare necessities, clutter and disorganized space. Think again. Today’s bachelor is usually two steps ahead in terms of aesthetic consciousness and indulgence in décor. Today’s bachelor is house proud. Considering that you are only catering to the lifestyle needs of one person, the synthesis and leverage available for design ideas is far more. The thumb rule for a bachelor pad is to stick to what is practical. If it is not easy to maintain and does not fit into a practical arrangement, a bachelor pad is the last place for it to be. I shall outline below some of the design and décor basics that would constitute the perfect bachelor den.
Unless you have inherited a palace, most bachelor homes, are small and compact. The first step is the open plan house. Fewer the walls, the better. For privacy, screens or glass sliding doors are a much better option. The open plan makes a place look much bigger, brings in more light AND gives a very contemporary feel.
Guess what the center of gravity of a bachelor’s home is? The Couch !!!  It is probably where you will end up spending most of your time at home, and also what most of your guests will notice. Make sure it is comfortable and large. Floor cushions can complement it. Make sure the floor cushions are both bright and colourful or in an extremely luxurious fabric.
If the couch makes a statement of how comfort conscious you are, the coffee table in front of it, speaks volumes about how trendy you are. Get a low contemporary coffee table, preferably square. While working on colour for furniture and woodwork, keep the same tone throughout the house. Use paint to accent that tone on the walls. If you are using subtle tones on walls and woodwork, get some bright accents; but if you are using bold colours on the walls, then keep the rest of the stuff muted.
The entertainment unit is usually the be-all and end-all of a bachelor den. Now this is not JUST about the gadgetry, which is usually well taken care of. The unit that houses the gadgetry makes a bigger statement. Whether it is a big screen TV, the latest hi-fi system or even the coolest games and music collection…..put them together and watch the fireworks. It is great to have a music collection that is the envy of your friends. It is even more hip to have it in a neat rack, in the entertainment unit, rather than lying all over the place.
Whether you drink or not, a bachelor den needs a good mini-bar. A man should know his martini from his melon juice, regardless of which one he prefers !! Get the basic stuff. But get good stuff.
Leather makes a huge statement. Use it on furniture or accessories..but use it somewhere. A hardwood floor is a huge investment but it is the best way to created understated luxury. If the flooring is basic then focus on rugs instead. You don’t have to invest in expensive stuff….but it should complement the rest of the stuff in your apartment.
Colour is something that can change the décor of a room substantially. Elegant black with white and beige offset with a daring shot of flaming orange somewhere is for those want the ultra modern look. If you are inclined towards something subtle, go in for taupes and teals with soft accents. A striped paint finish on one of the walls will create some element of drama too.
While you are still near the walls, pay attention to what goes on them. If you cannot afford good art, put up a few advertisement posters….there’s a lot of cool stuff out there, but don’t turn it into a dorm wall !! Family pictures, neatly framed and put on the wall, lend an air of warmth and hospitality. Photos of your travels, will convey the impression of a man who has seen the world.
If you have some money to spare, a little space to accent and a little imagination to carry it through…get a fireplace. It does not have to work…you can place candles in it if you like. A fireplace is the ultimate style statement.
Lighting is the next key element. If you can afford concealed lighting, nothing like it. If not, get some simple straight-line lamps, with adjustable light settings, to create the perfect ambience to complement a mood.
The bathroom is perhaps the most neglected interior space. It should be well lit and clean, even if you cannot afford fancy fittings and fixtures. A shower curtain is an absolute must, as are coordinated towels.
If you can walk down to the neighbourhood nursery and ask for low maintenance plants you would have achieved what most bachelors consider to be impossible. Keeping plants (real ones) in their homes. There are many options that won’t require too much attention, but will considerably turn up the style quotient of your home.
Multi-functional furniture and modular units allow you to store everything without it being an eyesore.
Roman blinds or sheer drapes for the windows work best. Keep it simple, but keep it elegant. Don’t put standard curtains in prints or checks.
A comfortable work space is essential for a bachelor pad. A compact desk which that is well lit and has the necessary file cabinets to keep all important papers handy is a must. Unless there is a separate study room, the table should coordinate with the bed as it is most likely to be close to that area. Bookshelves would be a necessary addition and ideally, should complement the desk.
Now that you possibly have the coolest bachelor pad in town, you could work on the accents. A Queen size bed instead of a single or double. Good quality sheets. A state-of-the-art kitchen. Stenciling on walls. Detailing on cornices. Exterior finish on interior walls. Area rugs that define various sections of the apartment.. A day bed. A wine-rack. An antique or a retro piece that will become a subject of conversation. A plasma TV !!!!