Oh, the bachelor pad. That phrase alone connotes milk crates for seats, jumbo televisions that take up entire walls, massive sectional sofas, and posters of scantily clad women advertising alcoholic beverages. In short, the bachelor pad fails miserably at interior design.

Guys, I’m here to tell you that you don’t need “a woman’s touch” to make your space both inviting and attractive. Simple additions can make your home stylish yet still manly. Don’t worry, throw pillows aren’t involved.

1. Stick with a color scheme: It seems that guys have either one color they use predominantly throughout their home, which can be drab or many colors, which doesn’t allow your home to look cohesive and put together. Pick a color you like (I love hunter green, navy blue, grey, or black and white) and use this as the color for your walls and accent pieces (lamps, frames, etc.).

Photo from La Dolce Vita

2. Limit the amount of sports memorabilia you display: I’m sure that as every man read that statement there was a collective gasp of disbelief. I understand that your sports teams are important to you (Go Yankees!), but there is no need to have it plastered in every room of your home. My boyfriend is a huge Gator fan and has done quite well at tastefully displaying his love for the Gators by hanging nicely framed memorabilia in specific areas of his home.

The key is to make sure that anything you display (posters, jerseys, etc.) is tastefully framed and not scattered throughout your home. If you can’t bear to put all of your beloved team’s gear in storage, I’d suggest creating a gallery wall of all your framed memorabilia. This will be both pleasing to the eye and create a cohesive, tasteful place for your items to be displayed. 

Photo from Millionaire Gallery

3. Get a real couch: A sofa is a fantastic investment as far as furniture is concerned. If you find the right sofa, you can build your entire design scheme around it and it will last you for many years. That being said, PLEASE get rid of your futons, bean bags, stadium seating sofas, and lumpy Lazy boys. I’m sure they served you well in your college days, but it’s time to let them go. If a sofa is a bit out of your budget, you can always purchase a used couch and place a slipcover over it (slipcovers are everywhere! I love the ones at Target). You’ll be amazed at how this addition of a nice sofa can make a room appear pulled together and sophisticated.

Photo from Urban Living Furniture

4. Get a real bed: The time has come for you to have a real “big boy” bed. No more mattress on the floor or just a mattress and a box spring, but a real, honest to goodness bed. I know beds are super expensive, but you can mimic the appearance of a bed by having a headboard and something at the foot of the bed to serve as a footboard. For example, I love tufted headboards with nailhead trim (definitely manly!). Adding a trunk or bench at the end of the bed can act as a footboard as well as provide extra storage for blankets, DVDs, and other miscellaneous items.

Photo from Her Blog

5. Have great bedding: It’s important that your sleeping space be both comfortable and attractive. Pick a duvet coverlet that will serve you well during both the summer and winter months (for temperature adjustments) and have great looking pillows. I’m not suggesting throw pillows, but European shams (the kind for square pillows) really dress up a bed and make it look pulled together.

Photo from Wayfair.com