Building The Perfect Man Cave
Building The Perfect Man Cave
A man often thrives on having a separate space in which to relax, veg out, or even devote himself to the big game, with a few buddies if he’s allowed! Here are some ways to allow that to happen, assuming your family has given you the green light.
Studio
If music’s your thing, then your man cave could virtually become a recording studio. Turntables, soundproofing, guitars, even a drum-kit, could take up the lion’s share of this space. Of course, comfortable seating is a must. Platinum record templates can be hung on your walls, and a mammoth CD selection can take up a lot of the remaining wall space. These days vinyl is making a huge comeback, so you may consider purchasing plenty of old records at second-hand stores; record-players create that authentic, grainy sound. You might like to add an even more retro appearance by purchasing a jukebox from an online auction site, creating that Happy Days vibe. Surf boards on the walls might re-create a West Coast Beach Boys feel. Why not branch out further, purchasing a replica gramophone and even a range of musical orchestral instruments, even a grand piano! If it was good enough for the Beatles, it’s good enough for you.
Bat Cave
If you’re a car lover, then you might consider converting your actual garage into a man cave, so that it becomes your bat cave. If you have a spacious twin-garage already then this is much easier. If you don’t, then consider knocking down a wall to an adjoining room (seek a local builder’s advice) and start planning. You can keep it open plan, so that La-Z-Boys and a widescreen tv take up one half of the space, and your car and various car-related products take up the other half. You could also consider keeping your real car outside, then installing the replica car of your dreams. Replica cars can be purchased inexpensively, and you can literally have any car you want; a Maserati, Lamborghini, Corvette, Mustang, or whatever. Your furniture can be car-related, and various design features can add to the overall effect.
Sports
Sports style man caves are the most popular, and the choice is yours; basketball, football, hockey, baseball, the list is endless. A fairground basketball game, hoops and all, can be purchased on an auction site, and can be great fun. A pool table is a must, while there is a whole range of interactive video games which allow you to indulge in motor sports. The Sports insignia and memorabilia that you can find online is quite staggering. Depending on the dimensions of your property and depth of your wallet, it is possible to install a modest bowling alley in your man cave. Meanwhile, for those on a budget a Foosball table can easily be purchased, and there are certain models that double or even triple up as a pool table and table tennis table. A dartboard is also a source of many hours of fun, and if you insert some form of bar or refrigerator, you can enjoy some cold beverages along the way. A very large flat-screen tv or perhaps two or three modest-sizes screens can replicate that Sports-bar effect – perfect for watching those Monday-night games with a few friends.
Tropical
You might live in one of the colder parts of the world, and so turning your man cave into a tropical hideaway could help get you through those brutal winter nights. With the right selection of wallpaper, some kind of juice bar, colorful displays of beach settings, some replica palm trees and maybe a Hawaiian hammock or two, you can turn up the central heating and bask in the neon glare of a lava lamp, maybe even an aquarium with some tropical fish, and while away your time after a busy, stressful day. Music of course can add to this mood, and the particular documentaries or movies you might select can help your man cave to become an oasis in those dark winter nights.
Rustic
If you’re a city-slicker or suburbanite you might have a penchant for the Wild West or Deep South. Why not create a rustic refuge from your normal life. The basement is an ideal area which can be transformed. Your local farm-shop or farm will be able to sell you bales of hay, odd wagon wheels, tractor memorabilia, and vintage rural signs. Antiques dealers will also tend to be well-stocked with old signposts and symbols of Americana. You can replace your regular door with saloon doors (‘batwing doors’), which can be paneled, louvered, or planked. Music is another key to transforming the ambience, and there are even line dancing interactive video games which exist, and which are great fun for you and your ‘pardners’!