Women are usually the ones to make a house a home (although not always the case!). They put the finishing touches – often feminine in nature – throughout the home, from furniture to décor to seasonal accents. In the process, the man of the house may not feel comfortable relaxing unless they know they have a dedicated space where they can just be themselves. In other words, a man cave!
Here are some tips to creating a comfortable space for the man in your life to hang out with buddies, relax, read, and of course watch the big game.
Entertainment Systems
Every guy wants a place to be able to kick back and watch movies or the football game in comfort. If you have the space for it, dedicate one part of the room to a home theater complete with leather chairs and a 120″ movie screen. Better than that though: Three smaller screens so your guy and all his friends can watch multiple sports games at once. Because guys like to keep a certain distance between themselves, forgo the usual long couch or sectional and try four connecting chairs that recline with remote and cup holders in between each for plenty of personal space.
Recreation and Gaming
A billiards table adds a whimsical touch to any man cave, a gathering spot of sorts for those who love to shoot pool. Instead of the standard green felt, go with a gold colored pool table atop a light colored cork tile floor that’s easy on the feet, suggests HGTV. Hang sports memorabilia on the walls to bring the whole look together. You may even want to add a poker table, air hockey table, ping-pong table, darts, or even shuffle board so no one is ever at a loss for something to do.
Bar Area
A well-stocked bar is essential to any great man cave. Make sure you have the essential alcohols and liquors, plus mixers, wine, and beer. You’ll also need glasses, an ice bucket and garnishes that make a bar complete. Place a full length mirror behind your bar to give the optical illusion of more space. Put your bar on wheels to make it mobile, or re-purpose an old bookshelf or table to cut costs.
Relaxation
Keeping everything in one room goes a long way toward making everyone feel relaxed, including the host. By incorporating a wet bar, sink, refrigerator and dishwasher all in one room, there’s no need to head up and down stairs just to wash out glasses and use the sink. Add plenty of comfy chairs and throws, even a bean bag or two, with a gas fireplace nearby for added ambiance.