This Apartment Proves That Bachelor Pads Don't Have to Be Gross

A bachelor pad generally brings to mind bulky furniture (if there is any actual furniture to begin with), giant televisions, and walls decorated with sports memorabilia. But fortunately for Matteo Colombo and Andrea Serboli of Colombo and Serboli Architecture (CaSA), their client, while a bachelor, had loftier ambitions for his 785-square-foot apartment in Barcelona's Sant Antoni area. CaSA's task: creating a space to reflect the client's interests in sports, cycling, and design.

The team's first step was to overhaul the layout. Once the home was opened up, the team installed a bold, black kitchen to contrast with the pale living and dining areas. "The aim was to create a very masculine yet sophisticated home, using a neutral palette and focusing on different textures," said the architects. From the built-in bike rack to the stack of books that serve as a nightstand, the home is full of details that give it a relaxed but polished vibe — just right for a single guy with an eye for design.