How to Make a Room Like a Bachelor Pad

Use a masculine, neutral color palette of light to medium-grays, steel-blues, light mocha or light tans. Add rich creams, ivory and milky whites to lift the color scheme, and incorporate striking black accents to ground the light, neutral colors. In a small room or a room with little natural light, stick to lighter hues and use darker shades sparingly.

Lay a light wood floor such as pine for a funky urban loft vibe. Use white and neutral-colored rugs for a light, spacious effect. Neutral-colored, natural fiber rugs, such as seagrass and sisal, are extremely hard-wearing and the rustic textures work well in a masculine room. Use darker-hued rugs in grays and blacks for a bolder look or introduce a splash of bright color with a vibrant red rug.

Choose simple furniture with clean lines but without elaborate detailing. Use black pieces for a striking, sophisticated effect, white pieces for a clean and fresh feel, or pieces with a natural wood finish for a light, slightly rustic effect. Continue the rustic, natural feel with masculine leather sofas and chairs, or a stylish L-shaped sofa for maximum seating with minimal furniture. Use glass-topped coffee tables and stainless steel accents for a modern look.

Add modern lighting, such as spotlights and floor uplighters, for a minimal, masculine look. Create a really cool entertainment area with a home cinema system featuring a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, stereo and surround sound speakers. For the avid reader, add a funky diagonal bookshelf, and create a reading area with a leather recliner and small glass-topped table with a simple and stylish tabletop lamp.

Accessorize with a few cushions scattered across seating areas and simple window dressings such as black-out blinds. Hang sophisticated black-and-white prints in simple black frames on the walls or opt for an urban-modern vibe with graffiti art. Display collections such as sports trophies and memorabilia, action figures or record collections in modern glass-fronted cabinets or on floating shelves.