How to create the ultimate bachelor pad, from the experts
Words: India Gladstone
Every gentleman will understand the importance of having his home as perfect as his wardrobe, car or watch. The space you choose to live in, entertain in and invest in needs to be a reflection of your style; a place that you’re happy to be associated with and somewhere that you’re proud to call home. A bachelor pad needs to not only cover the basics, but go above and beyond expectations.
“By its very nature a bachelor pad is about seduction,” says Tim Murray, Interior Design Director at LINLEY, “so no matter what, the space needs to be impressive. The style can vary from white modernism to dark and moody, but a home bar fully stocked with cut crystal and specialist cocktail accessories is essential. Whether free-standing or in-built, the interior of a LINLEY bar is usually concealed from view. That way the room looks tidy, alcohol is hidden away and there is a real sense of theatre when, at the pressing of a secret button, the inside is artfully revealed. A carefully considered audiophile grade sound system and home cinema discreetly integrated into the fabric of the building are two other must-haves for the modern man.
Fitted cabinetry completed by LINLEY in a private residence in Oslo.
Make a decision
First things first; you need to decide what kind of home you want. Do you want a minimalist open space with room to entertain or do you want a space that’s filled with furniture? Do you want a home filled with modern gadgets or vintage pieces? As soon as you’ve decided what type of place you want to live in, you can start to design it accordingly. Start to get mood boards and ideas together long before you start searching for the perfect home. Yes, this is time consuming, but it will genuinely save you time and money in the long term.
Go bespoke
One of the greatest pieces of worthy advice we can give is to create a space that no one else has. Going to IKEA for the generic kitchen that 10 other gentlemen you know also have is no good – not when you’re trying to give people the impression that you’re a real gentleman who’s serious about his style and the bachelor pad that he’s created. While choosing to go bespoke is undoubtedly an investment, it’s one that’s definitely worth it. It’s also important to add features in every room in your house that show off your taste. Every decent home will have the owner’s touch in each room; nothing too intrusive or obnoxious but something subtle and quiet.
Rupert Bevan, owner of Rupert Bevan LTD, says: “Every bachelor by definition is bespoke. He is unique and confident on his own. He is not content with just getting in line for marriage; he is exactly the type of person who is self assured enough to pick out his own style and create his own interior. Bespoke is the ultimate bachelor. No drumming down or diluting an idea – you get exactly what you want!”
Lighting is key
There’s absolutely no point in investing time, money and effort into a home if you’re just going to kill it with horrendous overhead lighting. Fluorescent lights or anything similar will just look obnoxious and will play a part in making your home look tacky and classless rather than the opposite. Invest in something gentle and more luxurious; something that will add to the aura of your home rather than take away from it. Let Tom Dixon become your go-to: they create some of the best features a home could hope for, and they certainly won’t let you down in the lighting department.
Gadgets are key…
… but be sure to stay away from anything too gimmicky. You’re a gentleman, not a child, and it’s essential that you get the gadgets right. It’s a common misconception that all bachelor pads need to come complete with a lift that recognises your voice, a TV that flicks to your favourite channel via your thumb print or a coffee machine that automatically makes your espresso at 6am every day. While we’d highly recommend investing in the likes of a home cinema and impeccable surround-sound system, avoid the pointless junk – no matter how attractive it may seem.
Dusk, The Cocktail Console by LINLEY. Cost is approximately £90,000.
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