So you finally have the time, money, space and permission to create a man cave of your dreams? Congratulations and how does it feel to live the dream of many men out there? Now that you know there’s a perfect man cave waiting for you in your future, it’s time to get to work on actually bringing it to life. With so many different ideas out there, it can be hard to pick a direction for your space, but the Internet is always here to help you come up with great solutions. Here are the best tips for creating the best man cave of 2022:
Preparations
Before you start bringing in your pool table, it’s necessary to prepare the space for renovation. Firstly, measure the space and come up with a layout that includes games, furniture, TVs and bars. Also, you should inspect the wiring and see whether your room needs additional outlets or upgraded electrical solutions. Next, think about whether your space needs plumbing. This might not be a necessity, especially if you’re on the first floor with a kitchen and bathrooms close by, but if you’re planning to install a bar, running water is a great addition. If you want to add plumbing, make this the first thing you do.
Choose a theme
Man caves are all about themes. This is the most interesting but also the most frustrating part because choosing styles, colors and materials can be overwhelming. Some of the interior design styles guys often choose are industrial, minimalist and rustic cabin. Focus on metal and hardwood because these materials are timeless, durable and suitable for all spaces. Glass should be used only for framing and small accents because too much of it can cause glair in small spaces.
Light it up
Bar-style lighting is the best solution for man caves because it’s suitable for all sorts of activities. Make sure to also add a few task lights to certain areas like above the pool table, poker table or bar. To add some color variation, you can use LED strips around your bar, behind your screens and under the pool.
Keep it pleasant
If you’re planning to invite your buddies to your man cave or organize family game nights, expect the atmosphere to get heated. In that case, you’ll need to have proper ventilation and air conditioning to keep the space pleasant. If you’re designing a basement cave, then a small window to the outside is a must. On the other hand, if your cave is on the first floor, feel free to supply it with a large opening to the outside. A great solution like retractable fly screens allows you to open up the space and create a mixture between an outdoor bar and an indoor man cave. This way, you’ll not only get better ventilation but also get extra square footage and natural lighting.
Center the room
Now it’s time to start adding things to your man cave. To create a pleasant and functional design, identify your main attraction and place it at the center of the room (this can be your pool table, poker table, foosball table, etc.) Next, you can dedicate the rest of the space to secondary activities like gaming, darts or arcade. If you want something very modern and high-tech, a VR gaming space is a top solution to consider.
Add electronics
Every man cave deserves a large TV that will make all sports games, video games and movies look lifelike and satisfying. When choosing your screen, opt for something on the larger side, yet not too big so you can’t appreciate all the pixels—you need space between you and the screen. And don’t miss a chance to enrich your entertainment center with 5.1 or 7.1 speakers. Pay special attention to speaker positioning and wiring. Every second you spend on planning speaker positioning will pay off in excellent sound and a top environment.
Keep the seating open
Your man cave needs to be cozy and comfortable, so plenty of seating is necessary. However, try to avoid creating “dead zones” of empty space, which is something many guys end up with when they place seating in the middle of the room. If possible, push all the seating against the wall and keep the setup open. This will clear out a lot of space for activities and minimize any awkward empty spaces.
Install a bar
And finally, what is a man cave without a bar? No matter if you drink alcohol or not, this addition to your space will make it look dreamy. Your man cave bar should be equipped with a few stools for seating, a fridge and display storage for drinks and glasses. If you love a good cigar, equip your bar with a humidor to keep your cigars rich in flavor and freshness for a long time. Not a smoker? Splurge on a whiskey tasting station or any after-food or after-game activity.
Once you finish your man cave and add final personal touches with art and memorabilia, you’ll have a space you can truly call your own. Make sure to share it with your buddies, colleagues and family as well, but don’t hesitate to enjoy it best on your own.
