Guy's Apartment / Bachelor Pad
Can someone help me find decorating ideas for my single male apartment anywhere from color of walls (i'm thinking something dark colored not sure though) to artwork and random items that say I am a straight man with taste
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I suggest to anyone, male or female, setting out to furnish a living room to buy a sofa and two chairs and not a loveseat. The sofa and two chair combo is much easier to arrange and rearrange than a sofa and loveseat. A black leather sofa will be fine if you mix it, as mentioned above by Interiors Int'l, with two fabric covered chairs, possibly in gray.
Okay, on to the accessories. First locate a nice multi colored rug, preferably something that is modern in design, with more than one color in it. Crate & Barrel or West Elm or CB2 are good sources, as are dedicated rug stores. Online, I like www.rugstudio.com . One of the reasons you want multiple colors in the rug is that you will now be buying pillows in the rug colors. You'll want to Buy 3 pillows, two in muted colors and just one bright one.
For artwork, you can select black and white photography or colorful pieces of art. Z Gallerie is a good source.
Paint a couple of walls dark gray. There is nothing wrong with being a man with good taste. Your friends will know you're straight.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
Just remember that it shouldn't all match -- don't go for one of those "specials" where you can get sofa, two chairs, coffee table, lamp and big-screen TV all for one price. And please don't opt for the oversized, slouchy "beer and pretzels while the game is on" kind of sofa and chairs. You know the kind -- seating that is impossible to sit up straight in and looks like you moved it from the college dorm.
Artwork and accessories should reflect your interests: black & while photographs of places and faces are always good, modern art or old posters, collected objects or pottery displayed on shelves. Books reflecting your profession or your interests -- cars, travel, finance, computers, whatever it is that means something to you. Photos of family and friends and vacations are okay, too, within reason. Remember that it's your place and needs to reflect your life. You don't want it to be an impersonal magazine spread, no matter how stylish.
If you like to cook and have friends over, don't neglect a comfortable table and chairs, and kitchen paraphernalia, from the blender to the wine opener. And be sure to get a large, sturdy coffee table for snacks and drinks with friends. Find a box or a basket to hold all those remotes. And make sure you have more than one source of lighting. Lamps should have three-way bulbs, and other sources of lighting should be dimmable.
Most of all, don't stress; it may not be perfect for a while. Enjoy the process. Find pieces you really like and can live with for a long time.
Hi everyone,
Well I have already updated a little my profile, and I will begin say a bit more about myself in hopes that this discussion can grow into building my "bachelor pad" or apartment to not sound so cliche. I am just graduating from my undergrad in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, Whoop! (This is just something we Aggies say) I will be moving to Dallas, but only for 8 months since I am doing Technical Sales then I might be moving to another city either in the Bay area or Cleveland, or Boston (basically a big city). I enjoy NCAA football, I occasionally watch NBA and NFL but not much. I love to grill! I like to also entertain my friends in my house like parties or with cookouts. I do also enjoy the finer things, since I will be starting as an engineer and in sales I believe I may start wearing suits for work or at least dressing business casual all the time except on the weekends. I also do enjoy the occasional 59fifty hat which does not make me look fancy mostly "hood" (lol). I have a dog (miniature schnauzer which I adore and I love my mom and sister, I like technology and I intend on buying a huge tv. As far as technology I mean I like a lot of home theater and music entertainment so I will have a lot of tech from that area as well as a few computers (desktop, laptop, tablet). I do like to keep my electronic cables organized and out of sight as much as possible (apartmenttherapy.com has helped a lot with ideas to hide wires I definitely suggest it). I also like to entertain guests so I am looking for large living room for my apartment. I like to play bartender and dj with my friends. These are most of my interests if any more need to be said let me know.
As far as what I will be furnishing well everything technically, but I ill be taking few things with me to start which I intend on replacing further on in the future. From the living room I will be taking a coffee table and two wooden tables (pictures shown below), for the dining and kitchen I will be taking a dinning table of 6 chairs. For my room I will be taking the dresser with the mirror shown below and the two side tables (only is shown below). I am looking into a place with a large living room since it is where I will be spending most of time at.
I have begun already to brainstorm some things that I would like to have in my apartment and they are as follow: I like wood furniture, but not sure if I should color the wood from all the furniture I have black or something really dark to go with any black or grey furniture I may consider purchasing considering all the suggestions I received from y'all (right now all the furniture I have to take is different shades of brown for the wood). I have been thinking of chaining my coffee table to something as seen below but with a darker color.
The colors I like are black and grey and silver also dark blue or blue not really sure if they are good colors I just know I like them. I have thought of buying some iphone docks to have around the house and they mostly have them in matte black or silver or polished black or polished silver, but I do think black goes with a lot of colors (not sure about dark brown wood color though).
I have been looking at two different apartment complexes, but I only have the floor plan of the complexes which are shown below. I do intend on chaining each room sequentially and enjoying the process. I would like to first start with the living room then the kitchen and new dinning table (the current one is kinda of lame and almost dying lol), then my bedroom. BTW I have also looked at lighting, and I liked some small tripod spotlight lamps I saw but they are very expensive lets all keep in my mind I am barely starting out by myself and would like to not spend around 3 grand for something as absurd as a lamp.
I appreciate all the help everyone has giving me I hope this discussion can grow into what I envision my apartment will look like.
On the other hand, I love the sleek coffee table in the photo with the black sofa. Wood tones are more or less considered neutrals and go with any color of sofa and chairs. There are things on which to spend money and things on which to save money. Here's a chrome office lamp I've used in $3 million dollar homes and in vacation condos. It costs $29.99 at Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80146777/#/60146764
So don't discount Ikea as a place to shop for lamps, rugs, and artwork. They have wonderful things...even in bedroom chests, such as the one below. I suggest you buy two of these to use as night stands. With 4 drawers, you won't need too much more clothing storage besides your closet. That will leave more money for your living room. However, if you want to spend some money on a bed, I love the Portica bed from Room & Board, below. Put a couple of those Ikea Forsa lamps on the Ikea night stands, and with this bed, you'd have a super looking bedroom.
For your living room, you'll need a sofa. Look for one with narrow arms, 84 to 90" long and no more than 39" deep. That should fit in most apartments when you make your next move. More later...
My first goal is to start with the couches. So far I think, based on all the ideas here, I have gotten suggestions that extend from getting something leather (either the sofa or two separate chairs), to not go with a lazy boy recliner type chair since i think it might take too much space. I also have gotten from you to be narrow in its arms and 84 to 90" long with no more than 39" deep. The rugs I really like the first rug to posted in your earlier post (Modern Rug Collection Miami) but I couldn't find it and I think they might be a bit pricey not sure though since I have never shopped for a rug before in my LIFE! lol
I like the engan chest drawers by IKEA, I am seriously considering those when I do move to refurnishing my bedroom. The portica canopy bed seemed not really my style I like beds that are lower I do not really use the space at the bottom and I like a big bed maybe queen not sure about a king. I was reading this article on GQ (http://www.gq.com/how-to/rest-of-your-life/201303/best-mens-bedroom-interior-design?mbid=social_twitter_gqmagazine#slide=2) they mentioned to kinda of spend money on a good mattress which I do intend on that.
Before I move back to talking about the living room I want to say I for my bedroom I do have a lot of clothes I mostly hang my shirts (including tees) since I do like to fold them and have a creasing on them so I have seen on apartment therapy some people who make shelves and go crazy with their closet to accommodate everything, and add more hanging space somehow. I think if this is possible it would be something worth looking into. On a last note, I also find myself mostly using a dresser (not like the one I will taking in the meantime i am referring to the one with the mirror up above) the ones with only drawers they seem take less space, but I think I would like to have a desk inside my bedroom or maybe in the living room not sure yet (depends on which one has more space i think the living room will have since my bedroom seems smaller when I visited the apartments)
For the living room i think you mentioned it would be best to not take my furniture I took pictures of up above, unfortunately I think in the beginning I will have to have them just until I buy the rest of theliving room (tv, center console for all the media devices, lamps, sofas of course, and maybe the side chairs I have heard about from Interiors International, Inc.) I do intend on replacing everything in the end but I need to take it step by step as I have already mentioned before. I also would like to see if you, Carolyn, or anyone could help me with some ideas for the center console cabinet. BTW I have contemplated making a center console design of my own. I would want the design to look like the venice picture below (the long cabinet that hides everything but with a twist to have my electronics be as the second picture shows that they are racked and you can not see any of the back) this would more than likely take some time to build as I would need to grab a hold of a carpenter, but in the mean time I would still to buy a simple one like the first picture maybe with just shelves. Keep in mind I do intend on making one but I need first one to use in the mean time that resembles a design that fits the room so that when I build one (or simply modify the current one) it fits already with the room.
Carolyn I think you mentioned end tables arent used anymore. Then what are used instead of them. Is it now that living spaces look like the picture I posted above with the wooden coffee table and black or brown sofa with the sound picture hanged up above? (Also what do you about that picture that is actual hung up there? I kind of like it its called Resonant decor)
Sorry to rant I like your ideas a lot just want to put my input. I really appreciate you, Carolyn, and everyone who is taking time out of your day to help me out with my first home/apartment. THANK YOU ALL!
Will post some ideas for you later today, and then when you get to Dallas, maybe we could talk on the phone. Have a good day.
I've never seen a recliner that is actually as good looking as a nice armchair, so if you can live without a recliner, you could consider a chair similar to the one below, in leather or fabric.
Then if your chairs are black leather, you could use a fabric on your sofa in gray. The first one below is what is called an apartment size sofa and is from Crate & Barrel and the second is from Room & Board. The apt size sofa is probably only 78" long. The R&B sofa comes in 3 different sizes.
Before you buy the sofa, it might be good for you to look online at apartments in the Bay area and Boston to see how big the living rooms are. That might help you decide if you may want to buy a sofa even smaller than 84".
Regarding end tables. I prefer to use floor lamps or sofa tables. Floor lamps would go at the side or behind a sofa. A sofa table goes behind a sofa to hold lamps, etc. Coffee tables hold drinks, etc.
If I am using two chairs opposite a sofa, I would place a round (not square) table between them. If I am using a chair at each end of the sofa, then I would place a small drinks table beside each chair.
Sometimes I will use one end table beside a sofa and place a table lamp on it, then at other end of sofa I'll place a floor lamp.
Look at Ikea for a media center to use until you can have a custom one made. They have some very nice looking ones.
For affordability purposes you can get black or chocolate leather looking pieces for your living room. Very easy to clean and can be so comfortable. Just keep them streamlined in size sometimes they get way to puffy or you could go with microfiber furniture in a deep khaki or gray, the microfiber is durable and less likely to get rips from little dog nails. If you go this route you can get black leather ottoman in place of a coffee table, use black as an accent color for tv stand and in your toss pillows and rug- this will give you extra storage too - I am trying to suggest on a budget ;)
I am an artist, so I will also tell you to look around and go to some art events, street fests, a local college for student works.....anywhere there is art. Only buy pieces that you love. I'm sure there must be a lot of cool art in the Dallas area.
1. First, you should probably find the apartment, before you make any decisions.
2. I think you should bring with you what you can, so that you can live for a while -- you mentioned you have a headboard, but if you need to buy a mattress, that should probably be your first purchase. It's hard to get up and go to work if you've been sleeping on the floor!
3. Start an ideabook -- either here on houzz or with pages torn out of magazines in a notebook you keep -- make notes of prices and stores and styles you really like.
4. Because you plan to move again, don't buy anything that has just a single use or purpose. Think multi-use, multi-room functionality. A chest that would work either in the bedroom or the dining room. A table that could be used as a computer desk. A sofa table that could live in a hallway. A coffee table that also is a storage unit (as in one picture posted here). A group of cubes that could be a coffee table or pulled apart for extra seating. Get the idea?
5. Choose a basic color scheme -- if it's black and grey, that's great -- then if everything you buy fits that scheme, it can all be moved from room to room in Dallas, or Boston, or Cleveland, and should all work for you for the next 10 years or so.
6. Don't worry about the details, until you see the space you will be in -- then it will all come together.
7. Make a budget -- and stick to it. Buying furniture and decorating takes time; but it's better to plan and find good things that you love and that will last than to buy things on impulse that you will wind up replacing or hating.
8. Shopping can be fun. And finding bargains can be even more fun. And finding things at really low prices that might take a little work or redoing to make perfect can be really gratifying. If that is not your thing, however, plan to save your money and wait to find the perfect piece to buy at a price that is within your budget. Never settle for something that is not what you want.
Now -- some off the wall random thoughts -- take whatever your mom and sister offer, whether it's a piece of furniture, or a rug, or a picture frame, or a tablecloth. Seriously, in the beginning, learn to love the things that other people give you. That is probably the best way to figure out what your personal style really is going to be.
Visit all sorts of places, even if you don't think that's what your style is. Check out antique malls, flea markets, design centers, modern furniture, cowboy rustic unpainted wood furniture, modern design, retro, mid-century -- the world is big and you should check it all out.
You said you like blue -- so that might be a starting point for you in looking for art and accessories. And there are a lot of shades of blue that will go beautifully with grey and black. Very sophisticated.
Can't think of much else to say right now. Just remember that good design is always evolving. And the best design is functional as well as pleasing to look at. And there really is no "wrong" as long as it pleases you. Later.
I have much to do in respect to finding and piecing together some nice furniture and table pieces. I do also have some questions, but can't really think of many right now. Except I can think of one: Carolyn I did get a bit confused or more like I could not picture the 3 or 4 scenarios with the coffee table (rounded or square) the sofa table or end tables or the placements of the tables in general I think this paragraph I didn't exactly follow. I did follow the last scenario I think maybe if with some pictures that would help (sorry don't want to ask for more as you have already given me soooo much :) )
"Regarding end tables. I prefer to use floor lamps or sofa tables. Floor lamps would go at the side or behind a sofa. A sofa table goes behind a sofa to hold lamps, etc. Coffee tables hold drinks, etc.
If I am using two chairs opposite a sofa, I would place a round (not square) table between them. If I am using a chair at each end of the sofa, then I would place a small drinks table beside each chair.
Sometimes I will use one end table beside a sofa and place a table lamp on it, then at other end of sofa I'll place a floor lamp."
But seriously I will do research on my own this week and will try to post pictures of the items I find maybe get some consensus going. Carolyn btw i love the sofas you picked they are exactly what I wanted of course different color but yes what I wanted.
HomeCheckDallas Thanks for congrats. I have found some apartments and gone to look at them. I only posted up above the floor plans.
Everyone: I have actually looked (very briefly though) for apartments in the Bay and seen I could find a similar sq footage for 1200 which is more than Dallas but I think I prefer space above price. I think once I go for a 750+ sqft. I will NOT want to go lower.
michigammemom: thanks for the picture I do like that setup think I would go for a smaller couch that one looks bigger than 89" but not sure. I would also like to add the two end chairs on the either side of the sofa much like the trend that has been going around here.
Susan: Thanks for the advice since I mostly move my stuff myself with some of my friends ( I am kinda of strong since I workout :) ) That is excellent to know.
mpoulsom and Amy I will be SURE to take a look at IKEA seems like I had a misconception of that store after all.
Carolyn back to you I forgot to mention I do like the idea of using a floor lamps seems real neat and a sofa table (not sure besides lamps what you mean etc for?) I think I would like one end table and one floor lamp on the side since I plan on having an iPhone dock on the side. (I do like to keep my phone docked it looks cool instead of having a cable running through the table. :)
finndian thanks for the advice I will be sure to keep that in mind. :)
Thank you Everyone!
BT curve bluetooth handset
1. Sofa plus 2 floor lamps and coffee table.
2. Sofa plus 1 floor lamp, 1 end table with lamp and coffee table.
3. Sofa plus sofa table, with 1 or 2 lamps on sofa table, and coffee table. Be aware that you may not have space in every apt. for a sofa table, but as HomeCheckDallas pointed out, a sofa table can be used as an entry table in another apt.
Of course, lots of people only watch TV and don't need lamps. Others read books on their Kindles or iPads and don't need lamps. But lamps with dimmers do wonders for the ambiance of a room at night. And they're inexpensive at Ikea.
If you flank your sofa with chairs, and you have one end table, then if the end table is close enough to be easily reached by the person in one of the chairs, that chair will not require a drinks table of its own. The other chair will need a small table beside it. I prefer round ones.
I have attached a board for you with the link. Just a few things to consider that I found for you. Maybe you will like some of it. I have included many options so I am not suggesting all of it. Just a cache of possibilities. Good luck! Susanna
http://pinterest.com/angelr91/bachelor-pad/
Susan: Thanks so much for the compliment, we I am the one that is grateful for all the help.
finndian: I actually do have a good iPhone dock in mind its called the Elevation Dock. This dock was a kickstarter project I really like the design. http://www.elevationlab.com/
Carolyn: Thanks for the explanation I get it now completely, I must say I do like all those choices. I really need to think about which one I like best, and also compare it to when I see the final apartment I choose also it will depend what furniture pieces I find, and which ones go best with each other. would a bookcase go with the living room or how about a desk? I did see the right picture uses a sofa table and adds chairs which I am thinking they are using this for a desk substiture not sure though. But since I am thinking of later replacing my coffee table with the one with storage maybe a black one to go with dark colors. I am thinking of staining the ones I ahv eright now with black and chainging their bronze handles with nickle what do you think?
Susanna Artistea: Thanks for the pinterest board I began following it. For some reason I can not see your link anymore, however. Yes, I do believe girls like the mystery look too.
David: Wow great suggestions. What stain color for the wood furniture do you believe is best for the dark colors I have chosen to go by? Just as an FYI I think I have chosen to go with black (of course), gray, and maybe a dark blueish color?? does this go? I know sherwin williams kinda of helps you choose 1 color and find others that go with them and they also go more specific to tell you what walls have to go a certain color. I do want to point out my apartment does give me the ability to do an accent wall, but I am not sure what are all the colors for the accent wall. I will email the prospected apartments and ask and I will put them here. But if I do an accent wall that means that the other walls will remain the color that they are which again I have to make sure what color that is. I am a bit skeptical on using an accent wall if the walls are dark already since that would look white (even though the walls aren't white more like beige) but that is not the look of dark walls, but I am having trouble picture the walls painted anyways, so I could be wrong and I may like the turnout afterall.
I also like your idea to make basically my own stained art using Home Depot pretty slick! I do like the bottom left image with the chair. It looks like a good chair to have in my bedroom. What do you think?
yvonnecmartin: Thanks yea I think I will be sure to check craigslist in Dallas for furniture. Since it is a big town I am sure that the rich will be selling good stuff lol
MODE Painting: Thanks!! there is a store in Dallas actually! Thanks alot!
You could also combine them with your media system.
I see you have a kitchen bar cart on your pinterest board. Ikea has those too, with butcher block top, in several sizes, all at good prices. But I doubt that you'll really need one and might not find space for it in Boston.
The chairs in the second photo I showed you in describing different table choices showed two club chairs, plus in the background were some dining chairs which is probably what you thought were for a desk.
Check out www.zgallerie.com
Susan I am good thanks for asking. I am little behind on choosing ideas but with this spring break I hope to get caught up. I will be sure to post pictures of what I like. I think I am thinking of a space with dark woods (maybe black or dark brown) and colors that are gray, black and white, maybe some dark blues. I don't know if these four colors go well together, but I think they might. Check out my pinboard if you'd like
http://pinterest.com/angelr91/bachelor-pad/
Susanna Artistea thanks for the link again I think the last one I saved didn't work since there is a different name now. I got already all the pins I liked and then some.
So I was looking at the floor plan I have posted above, and I was wondering if the living room sofa with two chairs (the chair would be similar to the one below) were going to fit. The arrangment I am trying to imagine is the apartment sofa and two chairs on either end. I have two end tables already and do not know if I should use them to create the way I want the living room to look. Also does a loveseat work instead of an apartment sofa?
What are you thoughts Carolyn?
I like the both arrangments you posted above of how to arrange the living room, and i am wondering which one would fit a 11 x 16.5 space with a tv. Not sure if this will mean that the TV will be either viewable with a 90 degree angle, not viewable to some people if the chairs are across each other. Also would it look good to just have an apartment sofa and a single chair like the one below?
My sister pointed this out to me, and well I am worried that if I go with the initially idea of having apartment sofa two chairs on the side two end tables and a coffee table it would be too long and not fit anywhere. I have considered not using the end tables and using a sofa table not sure of this either. I need to go back and look at the apartment, this i know.
Thanks!
Let me know any arrangments I can have just in case its a smaller living space since this is a 1 bedroom.
Thanks so much!
A sofa table has flexibility in that it can be used behind a sofa or in an entry, so that's an option depending on what you really need in your first apt. Keep us posted. We're interested in what you do!