A man cave is the perfect retreat right in the middle of your home. It’s a place to unwind, grab a beer, indulge in a hobby, or watch your favorite games on a mammoth-size screen – basically do the things that make you feel rejuvenated and alive. For this, it should be able to house anything, from your favorite collectables to some interesting paraphernalia. The possibilities are endless!
But where do you kick things off?
Turning a basement or spare room into a man cave requires careful deliberation. Luckily, we have some tips to help you set the ball rolling.
1. Consider Adding a Liquor Cabinet or Built-In Bar
Some would say that a man cave is incomplete without a bar. So, if you and your buddies love your spirits and wines, and enjoy indulging on occasion, make sure to include a bar area. Installing a liquor cabinet or a built-in bar should help. We recommend you entrust the job to a custom cabinet maker, though, who can help you design it practically any way you want.
For example, you might want to create space to store your crisps and dips too – it’ll save you a lot of trips to the kitchen. For more luxury, install plumbing for a sink, a kegerator for chilled beer on tap, shelves to show-off your achievements, and barstools for your guests.
Alternatively, a sideboard and a mini-fridge works too. In the end, all you really need is enough space to mix your drinks and store your snacks, ingredients, glasses, and other barware.
2. Don’t Skimp on Storage
Proper storage is at the heart of a well-organized space. Incorporating storage closets, cabinets, and workstations will help you make the most of the available room in your man cave. Apart from cabinets, you should also have shelves to display all the cool things you own.
Whether it’s your huge collection of sports trophies or other intriguing memorabilia, you need shelves to show them off. Apart from that, custom cabinets may be used to store the things that you’d rather people not see, but want easy access to.
In other words, ample storage will allow you to be comfortable in and do as you please when you’re using your man cave. Whether you want to stretch out and enjoy the game or work on your hobbies, you’ll always have everything you need in one place.
3. Stick to a Theme
The best way to decide on a theme for your man cave is to think of the reason why you built it in the first place. For some, it may be all about having a private corner to kick back in. Others might need a space to de-stress from the hustle and bustle of daily life and refresh themselves.
Nonetheless, the theme for your personal space should reflect your taste, preferences, and interests. Think about how to wind down and what things you like having around you as you do so. Once you’ve found your purpose of having a man cave, stick to that concept for the theme, otherwise your space will look chaotic.
Some of the most popular man cave themes revolve around concepts such as:
- The Classic Sports Bar
- The Rustic Home Theater
- The Old-Fashioned Study
- The Quintessential Spa/Gym
- The Gaming Parlor
- The Musical Extravaganza
4. Put Comfort First
When creating a space where you’re going to primarily relax, you cannot compromise on comfort. A brown/black leather couch and a leather recliner can add the necessary touches of masculinity to your man cave while still providing functional comfort.
To maximize the room’s functionality, you’ll need to avoid dead space. Placing the seating against the walls will give you ample space in the middle of the room to accommodate a gaming table or other elements you like.
At the same time, ensure there’s a reasonable distance between your seating and the flat screen TV, so you and your mates can make the most of that humongous screen. Try and keep seating as open as possible. If you want to add a table, place it behind or beside the couch/chairs.
5. Display Your Memorabilia
As mentioned, no room is better suited for displaying prized memorabilia than a man cave. From comic book collections and movie posters to unique internet finds and family photographs, you need to make a place for every item. These are the things that make the man cave yours in the truest sense. So, make sure you install plenty of shelves and/or open cabinets.
6. Light It Up Wisely
Good lighting will not only make your man cave brighter, but it can make a style statement. For instance, if you want your man cave to look sleek and smooth, consider iron floor lamps and a glass pendant lamp right above your pool or other gaming table. Conversely, if rugged and rustic defines your preference, consider using a large vintage brass chandelier instead.
Lighting can transform any space from drab and dull to warm and inviting. We recommend you focus on what you want your lighting to accomplish, and which areas of your man cave you want to highlight.
7. Add the Right Screen
Let’s get real – you’re probably going to be watching a lot of movies and sports events or playing video games in your man cave. So, you need to make sure you get the right TV or projector.
Choose your screen size based on its distance from the seating area. If you’re installing a projector, you’ll also need to think about the length of the wiring.
You might want to go all out and install a surround sound system too. If so, be sure to plan your speaker layout in keeping with the dimensions of your room and the seating area. If possible, get wireless speakers so you won’t have to deal with all that pesky wiring!
Let Holland’s Help You Create the Man Cave of Your Dreams
We all enjoy spending time in our personal space, relaxing and doing the things that excite us. It helps us cut through the mundaneness of daily life. Having a man cave is a great idea to create a space within your home, where you get to spend time in an environment that suits your personal taste. All you need is a room or a small area with potential for revamping and personalization.
Of course, you can choose from a plethora of options to create the perfect man cave. Hopefully, the above-mentioned tips will help you out if you aren’t sure where to start.
At Holland’s Custom Cabinets, we specialize in creating handcrafted cabinets and storage systems to turn your personal space into an organized haven. Our storage systems are crafted with the best materials, colors, and designs. Call 619.443.6081 or fill out our online form to request more information about our custom storage solutions for your man cave (or even your she-shed!).
