Roundup: Bachelor Pad Bedroom Decor

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A friend of ours recently finished his bachelor pad bedroom and invited us over for a closer look. We've always been fascinated by traditional bachelor pads (think American Gigolo) for their unifying style and the fact that we usually know when we've entered a bachelor pad bedroom (good taste or not). More reasons why we love a good bachelor pad, after the jump.

For the most part, bachelor pads get a bad rap. We tend to think mirrored ceilings and round beds but in our experience, that just isn't the case. In the past, when we've come upon a bachelor pad bedroom, we've always noticed the hotel like quality of the space. There's usually impeccable bedding (silky, dark and comfy) followed by good lighting (3 to 5 sources of light instead of one overhead light). Artwork and knick-knacks tend to be sparse and often times a mirror (or two) will be displayed tastefully in the space. Bachelor pad bedrooms tend to be painted black, gray or white (no bright, bold colors here). Because we love the staycation vibe of a hotel inspired bedroom, we enjoy bachelor pad bedroom decor.

Apartment Therapy readers, in bachelor bad bedrooms that have been decorated tastefully, what qualities do you like and apply in your home?

Related Bachelor Pad Posts

(Images in order: 2. River North "Bachelor Pad", 3. Blogging the SF Chronicle: Imbuing a Bachelor Pad With a Touch of Class, 4. House Tour: T&T's Ramped Up Bachelor Pad, 5. House Tour: Rajiv's Bangalore Wabi Sabi, 6. The Ultimate Tech Bachelor Pad by Esquire, 7. House Tour: Dan's Art Filled Animal House, 8. Look! Eames Footstools, 9. House Tour: Steve’s Mancave)

Comments (20)

Rajiv got it right.

jungle cat painting = AWESOME!
that painting alone i'm sure has resulted in the majority of notches on that bachelor's bedpost!

Some of these examples are great, but a couple of them are so smarmy that I wonder if they're consciously going for a 'bachelor pad' vibe. I mean, nothing screams 'sexy and classy' like a painting of a naked lady with a panther, amirite, folks?

not into the painting over the bed at all

also not into the waxy-looking black duvet and uncovered box spring

bachelor #5 seems to like his kitten-heeled mules... he left 'em right out in the middle of the floor

The bed area should be simple and without too much fuss. Though it's been almost 14 years since I've been a "bachelor" (and then my pad was a dorm room), my better half seems to like furnishings to have a very masculine vibe.

Oh, and while some risque art can be cool to have around, hide the more explicit artistic stuff in private areas. I keep mine on the inside of my wardrobe doors so it only shows when opened.

I like those (Eames?) ottomans at the end of the bed!

Pic #1 - Are those Teflon sheets?

I haven't visited a bachelor bedroom in quite some time, but the ones I remember had sleeping bags (usually plaid) and clutter everywhere! Beer cans... and this was AFTER college. (I guess it all depends on the bachelor...)

I like #2 the best for it's overall simplicity and modernistic stylings, however, I'm not a fan of gray or black walls in a bedroom and I LIKE color, even in my bedroom. I will agree that a little masculinity does indeed go a long way but I don't go out of my way to make my space be so.

#1 and 6 look to be, I dunno, smarmy, what with those round mirrors above the sofa? C'mon, and that tit painting in #1, ugh. It's just cheap looking no matter the subject matter.

#7 simply has nothing going for it. It's just plain.

I guess bachelor pads HAVE to be painted dark grey??

I agree with Sherry -- the true bachelor pads I've seen were pretty much devoid of style, and were characterized by bad lighting and tangles of wires.

Seems like most prefer dark sheets to save trips to the laundry. I have two sons....they pick the same dark colors.

I agree that most -actual- homes of young single men have zero style. The most "bachelor-paddish" guy's room I've ever been in had a huge bed (a full and a twin pushed together), a bean bag chair, and was lit by Christmas tree lights. And you can't forget the ginormous TV and three game consoles.

So while I -adore- the slick and smarmy style of these images (I really love the panther painting...serious fun camp, plus breasts. what's not to love) this is not an accurate representation of what an actual bachelor's "pad" looks like.

Um, the lady will take the pipe fitting canopy bed. Holy hell is that thing gorgeous.

I'm trying to decide if I would sleep with the person with the panther painting. It's a tough call. I hate it and love it at the same time.

I think the important question about the panther painting is... did he paint it himself?

It's a sexy chick/panther painting in an homage to the style of Patrick Nagel. I can't help but perversely admire whoever did it, just a little.

EEWWWW that whole room screams STD to me!!!

(not to mention bedbugs, fruit flies and nasty unmentionable staining)

What trailer park in what decade is this room from???

Ewww. Have to go take a hot Lysol shower now after looking at it...