We consulted Carrier and Company and design specialist Oliver Furth for tips on how to elevate bachelor spaces.
Man caves and bachelor pads have proliferated pop culture as the woman-free zones guys, dudes, bros, brahs and your average joe can go to hang out, and to let it all hang out. Naturally, that kind of intention doesn't immediately lend itself to grandiose visions of impeccably designed spaces, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't.
That's why we consulted interior design business Carrier and Company and much sought-after design specialist Oliver Furth for tips on how to elevate bachelor spaces.
1. Keep function first
"Furniture layout and function should always lead design," share Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller of Carrier and Company. "How the room is to be used, and how you control traffic flow and create engaging vistas with artwork, a chair with an interesting silhouette, or a tall case-piece can work to create a composed and functional room."
Image source: The FvF Apartment
Oliver Furth echoes the sentiment, stating that while finding trend-driven interest pieces can be great, re-designers should also think about how new additions will affect the overall flow of the room. He says it's also important consider if large investment pieces have the potential to eventually make a space look dated.
2. Don't compromise on the essentials
Regardless of whether you plan to host or not, there are a few essentials that can help turn a house into home. Mara Miller of Carrier and Company says that nice sheets and a comfortable mattress top the list. Of course not all of your bedding has to be top-of-the-line, but it's nice to have a least one outstanding sheet set. Frette's luxury Italian linens are a good place to start if you're looking to splurge.
To Miller's second point, it has become incredibly easy to purchase a high-quality mattress that doesn't require pick-up, transportation help, or even a store visit. Leesa is an excellent example of how click-and-buy online shopping has simplified mattress buying. The company produces high-end mattresses that are flexible enough to fit into standard packaging, and can be shipped straight to your door. They're so confident you'll love the product they even offer a 100-day risk-free trial.
3. Start small
If you're lacking the funds or even the time for a full overhaul, start with minor changes. According to Oliver Furth, the biggest little change you can make is a new paint job. "Nothing can freshen up a room faster than a coat of paint, I tell all of my clients this," he confides.
Miller and Carrier agree, stating, “'soft' stuff can dramatically change the look of a space with less financial strain than a renovation or redesign. Think curtain panels, throw pillows, and area rugs – they can redefine the look of your investment pieces are simple or more classic in design."
4. Try to avoid...
Lastly, Miller and Carrier say that you should always try to resist the following:
"Buying more than one piece of leather furniture (brown is preferable to black; a club chair is preferable to a sofa.)"
"You should resist the urge to “get it done” by buying a suite of matching furniture – or everything from your favorite store. A mix of pieces can move with you in life more easily, and get split into different rooms as you move or co-habitat."
"Don't turn a hobby into the pinnacle of artistic expression. A framed photo or painting of a golf course is really not art, even if you can hang it on the wall."
If you are interested in using your hobby (like golf) as a focal point, Miller and Carrier say, "take a small cluster of your favorite things about said hobby and mix it with personal photographs of memorable outings." You can easily get away with it in intimate setting like a hallway or in a study. However they do advise re-designers not to treat said pieces as "high art," and hang it over the sofa in the living room.
