How to Decorate Your First Bachelor Condo

Create storage. Before you move into the condo, walk through with a tape measure. Note the size and dimensions of existing storage spaces, and make a list of places to add shelves or bookcases. Purchase double-duty furniture. Shop for items with built-in storage, such as an ottoman that opens and a bed with enough floor clearance to add storage bins beneath.

Assess your current needs and interests. Your bachelor pad is an expression of you, so design it around the things that mean the most to you. If you are a sports fan or movie buff, invest in the largest flat-panel HDTV you can fit into the living room. If you are an avid reader, find a way to display your most treasured books. If you collect vinyl records, make an easily-accessible home for your turntable and record collection. It is difficult or impossible to fit everything you might want into a bachelor pad, so focus on your top interests.

Create a comfortable work space. Most employers expect workers to perform at least occasional tasks from home. Whether you find room for a work desk and office chair or reserve a corner of the dining room table, create a work area that gives you quick access to the items you regularly use.

Choose small decorative pieces. Whether you prefer sleek modern lines or Victorian elegance, a typical bachelor condo does not leave much room for personal expression. Instead, give a hint of your personal style with a travel chess set, a few half-size posters or a tiny sculpture.

Rent a storage unit. By definition, a first bachelor condo is not a lifelong home. Rather than trying to sort through your entire life and make it fit into the condo, pack away things that you simply do not have room to keep for now. Revisit the storage unit at least once a year and throw out things that no longer matter to you, but keep the important items for your future home.