Are you in need of your own space and looking to build a man cave but not sure how it should look? It doesn’t have to feature sports memorabilia or deer heads on every wall, and there’s no need for sofas that take up half the room – unless, of course, that’s what you want!
This space can be whatever you make it, and if you can’t come up with a vision, there are tons of man cave ideas on the internet. Today, we’ll help with some of your research and discuss everything you need to know about building the ultimate man cave.
What is the man cave?
The man cave is basically any space or room in a home that’s designed with decor following the man of the house’s taste. He uses the area for his personal hobbies and other leisure activities. So, this is where you’ll find the man kicked back, relaxing, and spending his free time engaged in different activities. For example, some men may include video games and a leather sectional sofa, while others prefer a pool table or foosball table and bar stools.
How do you create the ultimate man cave?
Here are the steps to create your dream man cave:
Choose the perfect location
From shed man caves to garages, no location is off-limits unless your partner says so! Just be mindful that you’ll want to try to choose a quiet area of your home instead of disturbing others or being disturbed. Consider locations such as the basement, garage, attic, spare bedroom, den, or any other unused area.
Go with a theme of your choice
All man cave decor should match your personal taste. So, take some time to decide whether you’ll feature framed photos of sports stars, music memorabilia, a hunting lodge, or whatever else it is that you love.
Some go a completely different direction and decorate their man cave with wallpaper and other decor to promote a positive vibe upon entering the room.
Add insulation
Insulating the room is the best way to keep out noises coming from your neighbors, children, wife, etc. If you’d like to soundproof the entire room for even more peace, then check out our comprehensive guide on how to do it.
Paint it out
Choose a darker, manly color for your walls. Think of colors such as slate blue, charcoal grey, hunter green, and so on. The darker the shade, the more your room will actually feel like a real man cave.
Choose the right seating arrangements
Depending on how many friends you’ll host at a time, you’ll need to ensure you have a good seating arrangement. Some men decide to put a leather sofa or a sectional sofa, while others focus on a bar and matching bar stools. Just be mindful of placement because you’ll want to keep the room as open as possible.
Select the right size TV
Most people agree that an appropriate size TV is the most crucial item in the cave. When choosing a TV, be sure to consider how much space is between you and the device, so you don’t damage your eyes.
Food and beer storage
Let’s be honest; the ultimate man cave isn’t complete without space to store food and beer. The best way to go about this is to install cabinets for items such as peanuts, chips, popcorn, candy, etc. Yet, you can also utilize the space under your bar for storage if you install one.
Other Man Cave Ideas to Consider
The possibilities are endless when it comes to man cave ideas. There are so many decor pieces that fit perfectly, so it’s up to you to decide what you want and then work to make it happen.
Here are some of our other favorite man cave design ideas:
Install a center game table
Is there a certain game that you love to play? Perhaps you love foosball or have always wanted a pool table? Or maybe you were a ping pong champ in your younger years; the point is many men incorporate table-based games into their man cave. This provides the perfect centerpiece of fun when all the guys get together. Just be sure to position the table correctly, so there’s plenty of room for seating.
Man cave bar ideas
The bar section is essential because it’s where you’ll store and prepare your favorite drinks. This is also a great place to store glasses, bottle openers, lighters, beer mugs, salt, and any other drink essentials you may need. There are lots of pre-made bars available for purchase, or you can build a DIY man cave bar and simply buy matching bar stools later.
Install a sound system
If you plan to use your special room for sports viewings, it won’t be complete until installing a sound system. This is also a great way to simply make it more lively and set the mood for fun. Your soundproofing will come in handy here!
Showcase your trophies
It seems there’s never an “appropriate” place to showcase trophies you’ve won; that is, until now! The man cave is a great place to show off medals and trophies you earned in high school or college sports or any other degree of which you’re proud.
Create a workout space
Many men find it stimulating to finish an exercise session. If you are a man who loves to work out, then you can dedicate some of your man cave space to exercising. While large machines take up a great deal of space, dumbbells and other free weights are perfect for maximizing your exercise routine while also saving space.
Top reasons you should have a man cave
There’s a long list of reasons every man should have their very own man cave. For starters, men need their own space too! And the fact is, women tend to take control over more areas of the house than their male counterparts. So, when the wife decides she wants to watch reality television shows, her husband can go to his own “room” and watch sports or whatever he wants. This is helpful to both the husband and wife because very few women care to see sports on TV constantly.
The other main reason to create a man cave is to provide yourself a quiet place to read, paint, draw, write, or do any other activity that helps you find inner peace and acts as an escape from reality. Considering that most people are stressed out these days, a private room allows men an area to relax and chill without chaos. And the best part? You never have to give up control of the television remote! So, you can just sit back with your feet propped up, flipping the channels for hours if you choose!
In the end, there are endless man cave ideas from which you can choose. Ultimately, you’ll just need to decide where you will create it and what elements you can’t live without. Whether your man cave resembles a 1920s speakeasy in your garage, an NFL memorabilia hall of fame in the attic, a bachelor’s pad in the spare bedroom, or a futuristic sports bar in your basement – it’s entirely up to you!
Further reading: How to Remodel a Metal Garage to an Apartment?
