Owning a pad that is attractive and masculine at the same time doesn’t have to mean 50 shades of brown, hunting trophies and a swordfish above the mantelpiece. Not everyone is Earnest Hemingway, though many of us wish we were.There’s no reason a guy can’t make his crib nice, stylish and female-friendly, and still keep some of raw manliness ripping through. Bear in mind that there’s nothing effeminate about decorating and matching colour and style. You don’t need to know fancy decorating words like “wainscot” or became a Feng Shui grand master. These six tips for men really work.
Try vintage
Vintage-themed furniture pieces and decorative wallpapers can save you a lot of money and still look great. Any stylized period piece you buy is going to send the message that you know what you are doing. Scour the classifieds and garage sales for older desks, sofas, shelves, ottomans and dressers. Vintage pieces are simpler to buy, and will probably last longer than modern plywood.
Permanent furniture
The whole point of having a bachelor pad is having a space you where you can comfortably entertain guests. But if you’re still hanging onto folding picnic chairs and padded crates, chances are you won’t see many visitors. Still, having a real, permanent-looking furniture isn’t enough. Aside from the comfort and utility, think of the message that your furniture sends to the guests. Yet, a man’s crib doesn’t have to look like an Ikea catalogue. Mismatching is perfectly fine, even encouraged. As designer Suzanne Kazler once said, “a room should feel collected…not decorated.”
Framed wall art
Although bare walls are the signature of a bachelor lifestyle, having some framed artwork shows that you’ve overcome the basic need of having a roofed shelter and a bed. Framed art is a proof that a guy has reached a final stage of development – now he cares how his place looks like and he’s ready to put some effort into it. Bachelor art doesn’t have to be expensive. Look for pieces that relate to you in some way but also upgrade the overall feel of the place.
Window treatment
You can tell a lot about a man by his window treatment. While you probably wouldn’t cry to your buddy how it was about time you changed your curtains, you must know that window treatments separate the men from the boys.
Having mini-blinds is one thing, but having real curtains shows that you have an eye for detail. After all, if your lady friend decides to stay over, she’ll be more comfortable if your windows are covered.
Books on shelves
Real men read real books. Of course, it doesn’t mean you need a shelf-full of Russian classics and German philosophers. It’s okay to have some glitzy fiction, a few Baldaccis, Kings and a Jack Reacher or two, but it’s nice when you have some real literature to show off.
Of course, owning a bunch of grand titles means nothing unless you are able to converse on them. Check Amazon’s list of 80 books every man must read and pick something you’ll actually enjoy reading.
Solid home bar
Although you may want to hide the good stuff, a well-stocked bar display is something every man must have. A bar cabinet or a cart is nice, but even a simple serving tray on the countertop will be enough. In many ways, a bar is a microcosm of a man’s overall situation and his tastes in life. You don’t need a bar-full of expensive liquor, just a few essentials that, like the bookshelf, hopefully show a bit of your personal preferences.
You don’t need to wait until you make six figures. Start with targeted upgrades like these listed here and you’ll soon realize that even with little time and investment you can do a lot to transform your college pad into a sophisticated bachelor’s apartment.
