How to Make a Bachelor Pad Feel Like Home

The Heart of It All

• Your kitchen may be the heart of your home, as the old proverb says, but the typical bachelor pad kitchen has minimal cooking utensils and old pizza in the refrigerator. Bring the kitchen back to life by stocking the pantry with easy ingredients -- like pasta, garlic, olive oil and spices -- and outfitting your kitchen with essential cooking tools. Start with a good saute pan, stockpot, cutting board and chef's knife. Use those ingredients in the pantry by cooking at least one meal a week at home. A small pegboard stores new utensils and creates instant wall art, while a potted herb like rosemary or basil brightens the space and adds freshness to your home-cooked meals.

The Real Deal

• If you are still using a futon for a sofa or a bed -- or both -- it's time to upgrade. Spend as much as your budget allows on a high-quality sofa with a solid wood frame and durable microfiber upholstery. For a more sturdy sofa, choose authentic leather. If your sofa budget is limited, look to local antique stores and estate sales for vintage sofas in good condition; they are typically well-made and long-lasting. Purchase a bed or headboard and dress the bed with linen or Egyptian cotton sheets. Invest in down or down-alternative pillows and use a pleated bed skirt or box spring cover, if necessary.

The Softer Side

• Bachelor pads are sometimes plagued by cold, hard finishes like leather, tile and metal. While these materials can work together, they work best when paired with cozy textures, like wool and cotton, and neutral-warm colors, such as brown and beige. In the living room, add some softness underfoot with a plush pile rug in a neutral color like brown or gray to define the seating area. Bring in a few coordinating throw pillows in shades of blue or beige as well as a small blanket to curl up with on the sofa. Choose a mix of wood and metal furniture: If the media cabinet is metal, use a wood coffee table.

Deck the Halls

• Wall art makes a space feel personal and "finished," so don't forget to decorate the walls. Wall art can be anything from clocks to family photos to personal artifacts. Framed pictures of family and friends make the space feel like home. Arrange a collage of personal photos on a focal wall for a more artistic presentation. Floating shelves display your antique camera collection, and your surfboards serve as both storage and wall art. Avoid tacking posters right on the wall; instead, buy inexpensive poster frames for a more finished look. Or, have your posters professionally framed for a polished, high-end result.