8 Ways to Style Up The Man Cave
Visit inspiring guys' hangout spaces and see the essentials for one of your own
Natalie Myers
14 April 2017
Every guy deserves a dedicated space at home to be himself, relax alone by practicing his chords, entertain his buddies with billiards or TV, or pursue some other passion. With my husband’s help I have put together a list of great examples and top 8 essentials. Take a look and tell me what you think. Did I miss anything?
The idea of a man cave is that it is decorated solely by the man, with no female influence. But if I were to get my hands on a such a space, this is how I would want it to look. High quality wood paneling from floor to ceiling, and organised built-ins to maximise the space (because I wouldn’t want to give away too much square footage to my man’s man cave). Dark, masculine, refined, gentlemanly.
The basement seems like a well-suited space for a man cave. A large footprint that may have been used for sporadic storage can be transformed to a modern and sleek room. The frosted glass, dark stained wood cabinets, and polished concrete floor are quite masculine in feel. Here a long and narrow floor plan allowed for a kitchenette/bar zone and a media/lounge zone — perfect for entertaining.
The man cave should be inviting, masculine, comfortable and well thought out. This room provides a den-like social space for watching TV and references the gaming and musical elements we come to expect.
Another basement room feels relaxed and jocular with the playful chair fabric and display cases of sports memorabilia. The stone wall gives the impression that rugged men hang out in this space.
The ideal man cave need not be dark as long as it is multi-functional. A jukebox and billiard table are just the beginning. The comfortable seating and deep burgundy walls, along with nice lighting and an Oriental rug, illustrate that a man cave can be an attractive room in the house rather than a sloppy and grungy corner.
An attic man cave doesn’t have to be dark — it can be bright and cheerful by utilising daylight in the form of windows and skylights, and using colourful fabrics and a brightly coloured yellow felt billiards table.
Blond wood is not the first stain I would think for the wood I expect to see in a man cave. But coupled with dark furniture, and the requisite billiards table, it looks cool and put together. The blond wood and white walls would make a basement getaway feel lighter and less cave-like.
Now that we have seen a few examples, let's review a list of man cave essentials.
Now that we have seen a few examples, let's review a list of man cave essentials.
Essential 1: A sense of fantasy
So you don’t have to go all out and recreate the bat cave, but infusing your man cave with a sense of fantasy and sharing your passion for the sports legends or comic book heroes that excite you is a nice way to bond with your bros.
So you don’t have to go all out and recreate the bat cave, but infusing your man cave with a sense of fantasy and sharing your passion for the sports legends or comic book heroes that excite you is a nice way to bond with your bros.
Essential 2: The home theatre experience
Viewing a big screen television surrounded by wood panelling from the comfort of a leather recliner — with a cup holder — is the ultimate version.
Viewing a big screen television surrounded by wood panelling from the comfort of a leather recliner — with a cup holder — is the ultimate version.
Essential 3: A small, concise, and well executed wet bar
Essential 4: A billiards table
Is any man cave complete without a billiard table taking centre stage? A round of pool can be played while discussing important things. At the very least, the billiards table provides an explosion of style to the room. Don’t forget good lighting above.
Is any man cave complete without a billiard table taking centre stage? A round of pool can be played while discussing important things. At the very least, the billiards table provides an explosion of style to the room. Don’t forget good lighting above.
Essential 5: Music
Make it easy to pick up a guitar and jam with your friends garage band style. Create a space that will be a rock ‘n’ roll refuge.
Make it easy to pick up a guitar and jam with your friends garage band style. Create a space that will be a rock ‘n’ roll refuge.
Essential 6: Construction materials
Work with some masculine materials that refer to the construction site or rugged spaces. Corrugated steel, concrete floors, exposed brick, and stone are all good candidates.
Work with some masculine materials that refer to the construction site or rugged spaces. Corrugated steel, concrete floors, exposed brick, and stone are all good candidates.
Essential 7: A sense of humour
You have to admit there is something comical about the idea of a man cave in the first place. Let everyone in on the joke with some funny decorations.
You have to admit there is something comical about the idea of a man cave in the first place. Let everyone in on the joke with some funny decorations.
Essential 8: Comfortable lounge chairs
Upgrade to a massage chair to maximise relaxation.
Upgrade to a massage chair to maximise relaxation.
Non-essential add-on: A galley kitchenette
Practice chill cook-offs with an adjoining bar counter where your pals can keep you company while you cook. This sports-themed man cave is a great setup.
Practice chill cook-offs with an adjoining bar counter where your pals can keep you company while you cook. This sports-themed man cave is a great setup.
Non-essential add-on: After all the roughhousing with your friends or a stressful day at the office, a steam room sauna will help melt away all the knotted muscles. The salvaged wood treatment on the outside of the sauna adds to the rustic-modern vibe here.
Read more:
6 Must-Haves for an Ultimate Man-Entertainment Zone
A Bar for Every-Sized Home
Tell us:
If you could carve out a man cave space, no matter its size, what would you put in it? Would it be in the basement, garage, or attic? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
6 Must-Haves for an Ultimate Man-Entertainment Zone
A Bar for Every-Sized Home
Tell us:
If you could carve out a man cave space, no matter its size, what would you put in it? Would it be in the basement, garage, or attic? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Great ideas! Creativity is key. Man Cave 'Essential One' could be also be considered a sense of nostalgia.