Most of you are probably familiar with the term “man cave” or at least the idea behind it, which is pretty straightforward. We’re talking about a retreat; a specially adapted room or any available space that addresses the basic needs of the hard-working man. This could be hanging out with friends, blowing off some steam after work — you name it. I’m sure every guy if presented with such an option, would love to have access to a man cave. Anyone who says otherwise is simply untrue to himself (or his partner).
Now that we’ve established the obvious reasons for the undisputed urge to have something like this in our homes, there’s the question of how to design it. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your budget and imagination. The most spectacular examples of well-executed mantuary projects are usually the ones people built themselves or have been custom-made by a professional. Some cool accessories are a nice addition, too. The best man caves will reflect the owner’s character and sum up some of his interests and things that he likes. However, there are some general ideas you can consider as a starting point.
The setting should be really uncomplicated: a big comfy couch, flat-screen TV, and a well-stocked cocktail cabinet, as those are the common needs for a man’s relaxation zone. From there, as your ambitions grow and conditions allow, you can reach higher, choosing from the most popular themes and solutions. For starters, when your cocktail cabinet is not enough, you can make the whole room one big bar. Set up a long counter, beer on tap, and some stools, and maybe a pool table or darts, as you sit back and watch your friends make up excuses to drop by for a visit. More exotic versions of this style would include a Tiki Bar, which is like throwing a great Hawaiian party in your own basement. Speaking of unusual surroundings, consider decorating the room to look like a hunting lodge. Even if you live in the suburbs, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel like a man in the woods, with a fireplace roaring and top-shelf whiskey in your hand.
Many man caves also share the sports theme, as watching sports is one of men’s most preferable activities in such place anyway. Therefore, a huge TV is a must. Decorations would then consist of various sports memorabilia items like posters, jerseys, gaming equipment, and anything autographed by your favourite or otherwise famous athletes. But then again, men have many different hobbies beyond sports like bikes and automobiles. After all, we want to be surrounded by the things we love most. The point is to make your man cave represent your hobbies. You could go with a game cave, where you can have undisturbed gaming sessions or a so-called “nerd sanctuary” with your valuable collections safely stored or displayed. For movie lovers, there is always a classic home theatre conception where you can really go big with a projection screen, huge speakers, and so on.
One theme that never gets old is the Vegas-style man cave. Not only does it look cool but it makes the casino game experience all the more fun and competing with your friends more exciting. Who knows, maybe when you get finally rich and famous from playing cards, you will be able to afford some epic accessories for your man cave like Barry Greenstein, one of the legends in the industry, who has surely one of the biggest houses in the poker business — Rancho Palos Verdes located in California. For now, the good news is that you don’t have to go to great lengths to have your poker buddies appreciate the effort.
As you can see, the idea of adopting a bit of space in your house to your own peaceful retreat can be both useful and a lot of fun. With a little bit of work, the man cave of your dreams can be a great representation of what you are and what you like to do. And there are many themes for that purpose to choose from. The propositions mentioned above should provide plenty of inspiration, or at least be a good start.
