How To Set Up a Man Cave at Your Home?
Is the basement or garage of your home under-utilized? Or perhaps there is a room that serves a little-to-no purpose? Then this could be the perfect opportunity to create your own personal space, watch movies, listen to music, or just a place of general escape and relaxation – Your own ‘Man Cave’ can be whatever you want it to be.
In this article, we will walk through everything you will need to consider with a detailed guide on setting up the ultimate man cave, even if you have no DIY experience.
Assess your available space
Of course, a man cave doesn’t need to be huge, but it needs to be big enough for you to be comfortable, fit furniture in, and generally be a place you want to spend time in. This is why a basement or garage is a good location as they both provide ample floor space, so the cave does not feel claustrophobic.
Measure the room to plan where you will place your furniture and gadgets so everything is close enough to an electrical socket without the room being littered with wires. You may decide that additional sockets would need to be installed, which we will discuss in the next section.
Try not to ‘wing it’ and plan each detail to avoid any disappointments or having to downscale your initial plans. Whether you are remodeling the garage, basement, or spare room, you need to look at your man cave as you would any other home renovation project and consider every detail.
What are your plumbing and electrical requirements?
In most cases, additional plumbing will probably not be required, especially if the kitchen or bathroom is just a stone’s throw away. However, if you consider adding an extra bathroom or perhaps a sink for a fully working bar, this should be installed at the very start of the project.
This is also the case for any additional electrical requirements that may need to be fitted, as walls will need replastered and repainted.
Think about ventilation and heating
Ventilation is another important consideration, especially if your man cave is situated in the basement where fresh airflow is limited. Mould build-up and dampness are possible for enclosed, under-ventilated rooms, so investing in a good-quality dehumidifier is highly recommended if there is no available window.
If you plan to have numerous friends over for a gaming night, poker, or just a catch-up at the bar, then this will result in a large amount of body heat, potentially turning your man cave into a makeshift sauna! Assuming the room is not connected to the home’s overall HVAC system, then an air-conditioning unit should be installed to help control the room’s temperature.
The garage, in particular, can lose heat very quickly, so if you require additional insulation and the installation of a new heating system, it is recommended to use a garage building and renovation specialist rather than attempting this yourself.
If you do not currently have a garage but would like to extend your home to include a man cave, then follow this link to read about the benefits of ADU.
Decide on an overall theme
The fun part of designing the ultimate man cave is creating a theme, whether you’re a big sports fan, a comic book obsessive, or a bit of a Sci-fi nerd! The man cave gives you the perfect opportunity to stamp your personality on a room.
The man cave can be a great place to show off memorabilia that you have collected over the years, rather than it being stuck in the loft – the best decoration may be the things you already own.
Alternatively, you may want a classier, modern look, focusing on comfort and style rather than a specific theme. If you’re going to center the room around a bar, then heavy-duty materials such as metal and wood can help achieve an authentic, high-quality finish.
Plan your focal point or main purpose
Will your man cave be specifically for gaming? Poker nights? Or just a multi-purpose space? Below is a list of ideas to center your man cave around.
- Central board game/ card table
- Fully-fitted bar area and seating
- Pool table, foosball, and darts board
- Projector for gaming, sports, and watching movies
- Jukebox or record player, with surround sound
- Retro arcade machines
- Workshop or crafts space
- Library
Pick the right display and sound system
Based on available space, it is likely you want to install the largest screen possible for the ultimate gaming or movie experience, combined with top-quality audio. However, it is important to be sympathetic to the rest of the room so the screen does not dominate the cave entirely and you can arrange seating at a suitable distance to enjoy the screen.
Consider the seating arrangement
If you plan to invite a group of friends to enjoy your new pride and joy, then they will need somewhere to sit. Corner seating can be a great way to accommodate numerous people while maintaining a social atmosphere, while bar stools can give the room a traditional feel.
Having seating in the middle of the room can take up far too much space and make areas of the man cave redundant. Custom seating can also be built to incorporate additional storage, maintaining a clean and spacious look.
Lighting is very important
If you plan to spend a lot of time in your new man cave, the lighting is one of the most important considerations, as poor lighting can result in health problems and cause migraines.
You also need ample lighting if you plan on hosting any tabletop games, this can be achieved with LED spotlighting, which not only provides great illumination but is also energy efficient. You could also install accent lights which can create unique color variations.
The Bar
Not everyone will want to add a barm but for those who do, you will need to consider things like access to water and refrigeration. The bar will most likely be the main undertaking of the room and would require additional plumbing in most cases.
This is why it is advised to let a professional home remodeling company take care of this for you to avoid any costly mistakes and ensure a quick turnaround.
Will I need to hire a remodeling contractor?
There are many aspects of the man cave that you may be able to complete yourself but any major remodeling work could be a step too far for a novice, dragging out the project indefinitely and resulting in mistakes that could cost a lot of money to rectify.
California residents looking to build their own ultimate man cave should consider the services of an experienced and trusted home remodeling service from San Jose for a high-quality and affordable build that they can love for years to come.
