8 Tips For Creating An Awesome Man Cave

Your home is your sanctuary. It's where you come home after a long day at work and spend time with your family away from the chaos and stressors of the rest of the world.

But within your home, you need a space just for you! You share your bedroom with your partner, and the rest of your home with the other members of your family. And even those of us who consider ourselves very close to our families need some alone time now and then.

If you find yourself in need of a space of your own, a man cave could be your answer! Listed below are 8 great tips for creating the ultimate man cave, so you can start designing your space today.

Let's get started!

1. Pick a Theme (Or Don't)

The most important thing to remember when designing your man cave is that it's a space for you! Don't let trends or what you think a man cave "should" look like dictate how you design your space.

If you want to stick to a theme, do it! If you want to fill the room with an eclectic mix of all of your interests, go that route instead.

Creating a man cave means doing exactly what you want with the space you have. Creating a man cave means doing exactly what you want with the space you have. For instance, if you love football, why not purchase memorabilia signed by your favourite player from somewhere like Hammacher.com and fill the walls with photographs from epic games? After all, this is the one room that you don't have to compromise when designing, so don't be afraid to go wild!

2. Find Inspiration

Now, it's true that you shouldn't look solely to trends to design your space. But there's nothing wrong with looking for inspiration in movies, magazines, even existing bars and clubs! In fact, doing so can help you come up with ideas you wouldn't have considered otherwise.

Also, if you aren't a skilled designer, looking to professionals for assistance can take your man cave to the next level.

3. Lighting is Key

In any design, the importance of lighting cannot be overstated. There are three basic types of lighting that should be included in every room: ambient, task, and accent light.

Ambient lighting is typically your overhead light. It's always a good idea to install a dimmer switch for your overhead lighting, especially for a room like a man cave where you'll be watching movies or playing video games.

Task and accent lighting are smaller lights that are for more specific purposes. For example, you might install task lighting above a pool table or desk. Accent lighting is perfect for drawing attention to the drinks behind your bar or a beautiful piece of artwork on the wall. 

You can create an stylish bar effect by installing a customized Neon Sign, which can be the perfect centerpiece tour new space. Choose one that best reflects your style, tastes, and interests - maybe even get one that supports your favorite sports team or beer!

4. Less is More

When you're building a man cave, you should include all of your favorite things, but do your best to avoid overcrowding the space. Clutter will make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable, not to mention put a strain on your health. 

The goal is to make the room feel inviting, relaxing, and fun. So, when in doubt, remember that less is more. If you feel that your design is beginning to become crowded, it probably is.

5. Use Vertical Space

A great way to avoid creating a cramped room while still adding plenty of decor and personal items is to use your vertical space. Shelving units are perfect for displaying your prized possessions and can be hung in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Try arranging your shelves in an unusual pattern or using unexpected materials in your design.

You can also display a collection by skipping the shelves and hanging it directly from the wall. Those with an interest in music, for example, can hang their instruments from hooks on the walls in a neat pattern. This frees up floor space and adds a creative touch.

6. Build a Home Theater

A home theater is a must for any man cave, and can be done without breaking the bank! For the ultimate home theater, all you need is a comfortable couch, a projector, and a retractable screen.

You'll be able to watch your favorite movies and HBO TV shows whenever you want, and put the screen away when you don't need it. 

7. Organize Your Tech

If you're into gaming, be sure to add a low entertainment center below the projector screen. You can arrange all of your consoles, movies, games, and controllers in an attractive way on shelves and in baskets, or add doors to the shelves to keep everything out of sight.

You'll also want to organize all of your cords. Nothing makes an entertainment center look messier than cords lying in a heap on the floor. Using electrical tape or cord hooks, arrange your wires so that they're neat and out of sight. 

8. Add a Dry Bar

If it doesn't already exist in the space, adding plumbing can become expensive fast. But no man cave is complete without a bar! Consider creating a dry bar instead of a wet bar to forgo the need to install a sink.

Yes, you'll have to take your dishes into another room to clean them and bring them back when you're done. However, the money you save will allow you to do much more with your man cave than you might have been able to otherwise!

Get Started Designing Your Ultimate Man Cave Today

Everyone deserves a space that they can call their own! Remember, your man cave should be your favorite space in your home, design it how you want it to be!

It's never a bad idea to ask for help or advice, but at the end of the day, the design choices should be up to you. Customize it to you and your interests and you can't go wrong.

For more tips on getting the most out of your home through decor and design, take a look at our blog!