Curtain Ideas for a Bachelor Pad

Colors

• Bachelor pads typically evoke a specific type of ambiance. Common curtain colors for a man-friendly environment are rich and saturated shades such as red, blue, brown, orange or green. Contrast is another design element to consider. For example, play up the colors black and white for a bold and graphic look in your curtain decor. For something more muted and neutral, look for shades such as tan, wheat and warm shades of brown.

Materials

• Along with the color of the curtains, the material is also important. Some fabrics are more "masculine" than others. For example, instead of a sheer or tulle fabric for the curtains, look for something more substantial and heavy. Look for microfiber suede or tweed fabrics for the curtain material or choose a heavier cotton blend.

Valances or Cornice Board

• Valances are used to add interest to curtains. In many homes, this can mean a frilly quarter panel that stretches across the top of the window. In a bachelor's pad, valances are simpler and feature cleaner lines. Another option to a valance would be to accent the window treatment with a cornice board, which acts as a kind of wooden valance. To make a cornice board, build a wooden frame out of plywood, similar to a window box but without the bottom or back wall. You can paint the wood or add wallpaper to the frame or cover it with cotton batting and attach your chosen fabric over the frame.

Curtain Alternatives

• Curtains are not the only option for bachelor pad window treatments. Instead of curtain panels, consider roll-up shades. These can be made either of different types of fabric or even wood such as bamboo. Vinyl shades are affordable and you can choose them in a color to match with your design scheme. Peel-and-stick vinyl sheets with a pattern are another option. These vinyl sheets are applied directly to the window panes and can be removed easily. They can give you privacy without the need for bulky curtains.