There are many different reiterations of the man cave. There’s the sports bar man cave, the basement man cave, the garage man cave, even those shipping container or shed man caves. Regardless of what and where it is, a separate area to entertain, hang out, play some darts or pool, watch some sport, and just kick back and relax is a great addition to the home. Here’s how you can create your own man cave in your garage in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Plan Your Man Cave
There’s nothing wrong with looking online for inspiration and clever ideas others have implemented. The existing space you have will determine your layout for the most part, but if you want to take things further you are welcome to alter the existing structure somewhat. Here are a few dos and don’ts:
DO
- Consider how you’ll use the space. This will help you better determine the layout, as well as furniture, and theme.
- Consider hiring a professional to help with bigger conversions.
- try to keep it away from bedrooms to avoid loud noise and sleep disruptions.
- think about how it can be used for the rest of the family for fun activities so that it is a multi-purpose space.
DO NOT
- try to make a man cave out of a corner of a room in the house that is used for another purpose. For example, don’t use a garage that has a car in it as well as gardening tools as they take up space and there will be no space for entertainment.
- think that you need to spend a lot of money on it if you are on a strict budget. As long as you have space and furniture that can be repurposed just a few accessories can make a space look great.
Choosing a Theme
One of the most fun parts of planning a man cave is choosing a theme. There are a few themes that are considered more popular, but it is all up to you as your imagination is the limit. Your space will likely have a few challenges, especially when it comes to converting a garage. Here are a few ways to make the most out of your space:
Small Man Cave Ideas
Just because the space you have to work with is small doesn’t mean that it can’t be a good space to hang out. Although a less-is-more approach means that you won’t have all of the components you’d hoped for, you can build your space up around some really interesting and creative focal points. Make sure that you have furniture that is comfortable, but not too big for space. Use lighter colors on the walls to make the room feel bigger, and use overhead lighting rather than floor and table lamps. This saves space and makes the room look bigger.
Garage Man Cave Ideas
Garages are a popular choice for converting into a man cave. It’s important that you look at a few garage storage ideas so that things are packed away neatly and don’t detract from the space. You will also need to answer a few questions with regards to the conversion. The first one is, is the garage weatherproof? For this you need to take a look at the insulation, heating, and if it needs AC in hotter months of the year. You will also need to ascertain whether it already has power and if you need plumbing for a bathroom or bar. You will need to find out if you need a permit for anything and must establish emergency exits, windows, and any other legally required features.
Step 2: Choose Your Man Cave Features
Once you’ve settled on your placement, layout, and theme, you can start thinking about what else you want and should include.
Focal points
We mentioned the focal point before, but what can you use as your focal point? If you are a gamer, a big screen, comfy seating, and a good sound system are integral to your space. If you are into the retro arcade scene you could include a standalone arcade game or two. If you are an entertainer, why not consider adding a bar? If you are into working out and you want a man cave for some quiet gym “me-time” add some gym equipment and weights.
It is important that you have a theme before you settle on your focal point because if you don’t you might end up adding more to space than it can hold. Also, don’t buy unnecessary items that take up a large amount of space, such as ping pong tables, if you are only going to use them once. Consider how you can include what is important to you in the space without including everything.
Man Cave Accessories
If you are struggling with having to dial it back, don’t worry. You can include items that are representative of the elements that you are unable to include. Here are a few types of accessories that you can bring into the space to create your dream space.
Art – Art is a great way to set the tone for what space is meant to feel like. You could have modern art to show that it is a sophisticated space, or you could have something more playful and humorous, like drawings, movie posters, or quotes.
Signs – This could be something as simple as a sign that outlines your rules, adding a personal touch to space, or a sign that lights up with a beer, or sports team logo on it.
Wall Decorations – Use decorations as a way to show off your theme and personal interests.
Be sure to tie your décor in with your furniture. If you have retro furniture, make sure that any décor goes with it and vice versa.
Step 3: Build It
Once you have everything planned out and all of your research is done, you are ready to start building. This step does not need to be expensive, or specifically complicated. You will be able to do a lot of things on your own, but if your plans require a permit or two, get a professional to do the work for you. It will go much faster and will be done better.
Conclusion
There you have it. In just a few steps you can design and start building your dream man cave.