Bachelor pads traditionally fall into two camps: the grimy pits and the clinically cold modernist temples. There’s loads of advice out there, mostly focused on getting the latter and avoiding the former – but what if you want to tread the fine line between? A bit of clutter never hurt anyone – plus it’s no fun having sleek, of-the-minute décor if you’re always stubbing your toes on sharp metal corners and your 15 ft bronze phallic sculpture’s doubled your contents insurance. All you really need is to know what you like and then follow a few simple guidelines to avoid the most basic pitfalls of popular bachelor pad décor. Look at magazines and design websites, get inspiration and go from there. Here are a few don’ts to keep you on track:
1. Don’t overload on earth tones
Browns, deep greens and rich blues: all lovely colours, all a bit dark and oppressive when used in excess. Paler blues, turquoises, reds and brighter greens are clean, fresh and look great with cream and coffee tones. Orange and grey also can be great for a more retro look. Lighten up a bit: you don’t want guests to feel like they’re trapped in a forest.
