How to Create the Ultimate Mancave
It is wonderful to have a place to get away for it all or hang out with our friends. That desire for a space of our own has led to the popularity of the mancave. Whether it’s in a cellar, playroom, or garage, it can be the ideal refuge after a busy day at work or long week of commutes and family obligations. Often it isn’t the size of the space that makes it a great mancave, it’s the details. Read on to find out how to make your own ultimate mancave.
Light
Typical mancave activities are watching the game on television, playing video games, or enjoying a game of pool. These all require special lighting only in the sense that too much lighting is bad. Harsh fluorescent lights will create distracting reflections on the television screen and ruin the relaxing feeling you want for the room. If you can’t replace the overhead lights with something subtler, keep those turned off and buy or install more indirect light. Extra points if your light is a neon beer sign.
Take It Seriously
Honestly a garage with just some chairs is really still just a garage. You need some big items that will practically scream “man zone!” A pool table or table football would obviously be a nice addition. Consider wall art and other decorations that indicate that your visitors have arrived in a place to have fun. Cardboard cutouts of your favourite sports star, video game, or television show can make a statement and help define the room. A cutout or two of actresses or other female celebrities can also increase the mancave vibe.
Artwork on the wall could be posters from televisions or movies. If poker is more your idea of a fun night with the guys, consider the classic image of dogs playing poker. Harley Davidson motorcycle images or the company logo can bring a bit more of an edge.
Seating
Probably the most important rule of the mancave is comfort. This is no place for formal furniture. The look of the furniture doesn’t really matter than much compared to it being conducive to hours of comfortable sitting. You’ll want the television to be in a good viewing position for all the chairs and couches in the room. If you plan to have a number of friends over consider building a platform to raise the seating in the back row so that there will be good viewing from for everyone. If you have a poker table, make sure the chairs are a good height for the table. No one wants to feel like a five-year-old sitting at a table that is too high.
Accessories
Obviously, the more toys the better as long as you have the space in your mancave and the money to buy them. The big television is a must. A sound system that is connected to your tele is a nice touch and can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of action movies. A dart board and darts are a relatively inexpensive way to add a more interactive element to your mancave. A beer fridge is important so that you don’t have to keep running back upstairs or into the main house. Keep in mind this space is for you and your friends to enjoy. Avoid it becoming a hiding place that no one will want to visit by keeping pizza boxes and other debris cleaned up so your friends can walk in and around without personal peril. A mancave should be fun and comfortable so that you and your guests can enjoy it for years to come.