Decoding the boy apartment trend

Bachelor pads aren’t necessarily lacklustre spaces with basics such as a huge TV screen, mismatched pieces of furniture, a tiny fridge and the (in)famous messy mattress thrown in. This ‘man cave’ stereotype is fast becoming a thing of the past with the latest boy apartment trend redefining the narrative with chic, thoughtfully curated spaces that prioritise style, comfort and class. 

“Bachelor pad design today focuses on functionality and personalisation,” begins Harshita Parekh, Principal Designer, Harshita Parekh Designs. “Clean lines and neutral colours often take centre stage and is paired with smart home technologies for convenience and efficiency. Open layouts are popular, combining living, dining, and kitchen spaces to promote fluidity and easy entertaining. Industrial style, with exposed brick and steel, creates an edgy, masculine vibe, while multifunctional furniture maximises space.” The design language often veers towards a minimalistic or industrial aesthetic but there is a firm focus on functionality. “Technology is given a lot of importance and there is a great demand for smart home automation,” adds Shreya Porey, Founder and Chief Architect, Osaya Architects.

Tech-forward entertainment zones, comfortable furniture, smart lighting and plenty of indoor plants help create relaxed, inviting spaces. “Reflecting the home owner’s personality is key to the overall design. This is achieved by infusing elements like exclusive artwork and distinctive artefacts. Textures such as leather, metal, and wood lend a sophisticated vibe and bold lighting fixtures serve to enhance the overall look,” observes Shilpa Samtani, Founder & Design Principal, The Good Life Interiors.

Here are four bachelor pads that check these boxes:

1. Rust red flooring, customised columns: The Good Life Interiors

Spread across a compact area of 575 sq.ft., this Pune apartment is an ode to the home owner’s South Indian roots. The space that consists of living room, kitchen, balcony, bedroom and bathroom has been done up in an earthy palette and is filled with traditional elements. Think cement tiles, terracotta lamps, brass fittings, wooden jharokhas, ceiling rafters and customised columns crafted in wood. “The showstopper has to be the two wooden columns in the living room; they tie the entire space together and are a distinctive design element. The rust red micro concrete flooring is also big on conveying the design language instantly adding to the old-world charm,” says Samtani.

The platform multifunctions as a breakfast table finished with sprightly cement tiles reminiscent of Athangudi tiles.
| Photo Credit:
Hemant Patil

The house has an open plan with the kitchen and living area seamlessly connected. The modular kitchen features a Satuario stone platform that doubles as a dining and work table. The living room opens into a balcony that is done up in vibrant yellow. The highlight of the bedroom is the bay window that has a garden view; the vintage wooden four-poster bed and cane wardrobe shutters complement the overall design ethos of the apartment.

Price: ₹20 lakh upwards

2. Industrial style and accents from ship site: Harshita Parekh Designs

Rough concrete wall with a reclaimed anchor in the living room.
| Photo Credit:
Harshita Parekh Designs

This 900 sq.ft. bachelor pad in Mumbai has a striking industrial style, inspired by warehouses, converted lofts and factories. The space features bare brick walls, exposed steel columns and electrical piping giving it a raw yet sophisticated look. The dark hardwood flooring, matte tiles in the kitchen, comfortable furniture and open shelving add warmth and contrast against the colder industrial features. Bold decor elements like the wall-mounted metal anchor reclaimed from ship wreckage and the port hole window crafted in brick in the bedroom serve well to reflect the personality of the homeowner, who is a marine engineer.

Circular window in brick with glass designed like a cabin in the bedroom.
| Photo Credit:
Harshita Parekh Designs

“Rugs in tones of grey, black and white soften the harder edges of the industrial elements, adding a sense of comfort. This design concept results in a space that is not only visually striking but also functional and inviting, setting the perfect balance between style and liveability for a modern bachelor,” says Parekh. It is key to note that the wooden floor has been reclaimed and restored from a ship site, adding to the sustainability factor of the design. The rugged elements have been further balanced by layering and textures in the form of leather sofas, soft sheer drapes and greenery galore.

Price: ₹35 lakh upwards

3. Ash timber flooring meets white marble staircase: Architecture Discipline

Light filtering in from the upper floor cascades along the steps, joining forces with the white marble tones to spotlight the staircase.
| Photo Credit:
Jeetin Sharma

This 5,900 sq.ft. penthouse designed for one of India’s leading technocrats in Delhi was born with the intent of creating a comfortable home that could lend itself to intimate gatherings, while also functioning as a repository for his extensive collection of art. The home is organised around a central sinuous spiral staircase crafted in white marble that portions the shared space into a large living area, a dining space, a semi-private study, and a piano nook.

“The interior scheme follows a monochromatic theme, adding warmth through the use of wooden flooring. The different sections of the living room are oriented around statement pieces of art including a contemporary brass lamp by Beyond Design. They act as a soft transition between the formal and informal living areas. The dining area features a circular monolithic marble table, rounded chairs, and a Smithfield pendant light,” says Akshat Bhatt, founder, Architecture Discipline. 

The piano nook acts as a transitional space between shared areas and the private quarters.
| Photo Credit:
Jeetin Sharma

The piano nook is adorned with a striking red monkey sculpture by designer Arun Kumar, which, along with the Binic lamp by Lonna Vautrin, contrasts sharply with the glossy black piano, making this corner stand out. The house has a British-style, glass box conservatory on its terrace, which serves as a recreational area. Thermally insulated ash timber flooring is set in a herringbone pattern, creating a smooth transition of the home’s material palette into the conservatory. The lower level of the residence showcases a blend of contemporary and vintage furniture, while the upper level features an eclectic selection of repurposed and reupholstered pieces.

Price: ₹85 lakh upwards

4. Just grey, black and white: Osaya Architects

A sleek yet stylish brass linear pendant light complements the oak table and black butcher block.
| Photo Credit:
Suryan and Dang

This 6,000 sq.ft. apartment in Mumbai is a lesson in subtle sophistication with clean lines and uncluttered spaces. This design forward, smart, bachelor home has been crafted per the needs of its well-travelled owner who loves having people over. “I was given a brief to use only three colours in the house: grey, black and white. While it initially seemed like a restriction, it soon made me realise so much can be done when you focus on textures, lighting and quality to achieve something different from the ordinary. This modern minimalistic masterpiece is a place where luxury seamlessly merges with functionality and comfort making it a chic home by day and an upscale social hub by night,” says Porey.

The sleek, monochromatic living room is adorned with minimalist furniture and styled with carefully chosen artefacts. The grand master bedroom and bathroom serve as luxurious retreats, boasting spacious layouts and opulent finishes. Expansive windows and towering 12-feet-high ceilings expand the space, while limewash paint delicately textures the walls giving it an organic charm. 

The jacuzzi on the deck overlooks the Mumbai cityscape.
| Photo Credit:
Suryan and Dang

The highlight of the home is the jacuzzi nestled on the balcony, offering breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and Mumbai’s Sea Link.

Price: ₹1.5 crore upwards

The Bengaluru-based freelance writer is passionate about all things design, travel, food, art and culture.