Building the perfect 'man cave'
Building the perfect 'man cave' takes planning (and money!) But,
what is the perfect man cave? It depends on who you talk to and
what your priorities are. The perfect man cave to one guy might
be an open space with a huge flat-screen TV. Another guy might
want several separate rooms with specialty areas such as a wine
cellar or cigar bar.
A concert Blu-ray disc is a great way to enjoy your 'man cave'
Here are some things to think about before you ever pick up a
hammer… Decide what is most important to you! Here are some potential
options for your man cave...
Pool table
- If so, you'll need a lot of space. A 4x8 foot table should
have about 6 feet around all sides to have room to maneuver.
You'll also need to plan for proper lighting over the table-
either a separate light hanging from the ceiling, or enough
can lights to properly light the space.
Home theater - Do you want only a big
screen TV with a couch & chairs around it? Or do you want
a true 'home theater'? A separate room with big, comfy theater
seats, an HD projector, and awesome surround sound. Or,
do you want something in between? |
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A multi-use area in part of your basement
with a projector and surround sound, but with traditional
couch and chairs? |
 
A pool table & wet bar are a great addition to any 'man cave'
Wet bar - Building a wet bar in your basement
requires the same planning and plumbing considerations as adding
a bath. You could also opt for just a countertop and cabinets
or a small freestanding 'walk up' dry bar that will offer some
of the convenience without much of the expense.
 Bathroom
- It's great to have a small bath in the space so you don't have
to miss the big game walking up and down the stairs. Just remember,
that it will add a big expense- even if you do it yourself. If
you're building you 'man cave' in the basement (the perfect place
for many of us), trust me- it's no fun busting up 10" thick concrete
to run the plumbing for the toilet and drain for a shower. You'll
also need to plan the location to make it easier to tie-in to
existing plumbing.
Office - Though not really part of a 'man cave',
you may want a separate office space available for when you need
to get some work done without interruption. Make sure you leave
enough space for a computer desk, file cabinets, and any other
storage you may need
Other specialty area - You may need to reserve
space for a craft area, workshop, wine cellar, or poker table.
Think of all these possibilities before you start building your
man cave. Remember - If you're building your man cave in your
basement, you'll want to set aside space for storage. You can
save money by leaving your storage space unfinished too. Remember
to leave enough space to store what you have now, with enough
extra space for room to grow as you get more 'stuff'. You may
want to denote 10-25% of your total basement space for storage.
Tips for building the perfect 'man cave'
Here are some other things to keep in mind as you design & build
a 'man cave'…
- Basement carpeting is a great option for a man cave
because it helps 'deaden' the noise and improve sound
quality of your audio/home theater surround sound system.
Plus, it helps give the room a 'warmer' feel overall.
- Be sure to use a dehumidifier in the summer months,
or whenever humidity is a problem in your area. This helps
get rid of that 'damp musty' basement smell. Maintaining
a lower humidity in your basement will also help your
lower level feel warmer.
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Try to come up with a common theme to tie everything
together. Whether it's your favorite sports team,
all your local teams, or some other interest, sticking
to a common theme helps keep it looking classy.
A sports-themed basement featuring
your favorite team makes an awesome man cave!
- Consider various layouts until you find the best one
for your basement 'man cave'. You don't want people crossing
in front of the screen in a prime TV area on the way to/from
the fridge or web bar.
- When selecting décor for your man cave don't be afraid
to 'push the envelope' with your selections- without being
tasteless or gaudy. Unless you're single, and planning
to stay (or become) that way, be sure to select items
with a high 'SAF' (spouse acceptance factor).
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