This is a guest post. I agree with these tips for designing the perfect man cave. The concept of a “Man Cave” can seem kind of silly, or even old fashioned. But once you get past the name, it’s a pretty appealing idea, and not just for men. The idea is to set up a retreat within your own home. It’s a place for relaxation, entertainment, and social activity set aside from the rest of the house to provide a more comfortable atmosphere.
We could all do with a little more leisure these days, so why not consider designing such a room in your own home? You can call it whatever you like, but for the sake of convenience I’m sticking with man cave. More importantly, here are my tips on how to make it perfect.
Go With Soft Carpeting
Let’s be honest. You’re going to the Man Cave because you want to relax, not because you want to show off your beautiful hardwood floor to your guests. That’s not to say it shouldn’t look nice, but this is one area in which you should prioritize comfort. Opt for a soft carpet that will help to encourage relaxation. You’ll be happy about it when you’re burrowing your toes into the material on a movie night.
Get Smart
Yes, I’m talking about “smart home” elements. You don’t need to go crazy with these, but it’s a good idea to pack a few of them into a modern man cave. That might mean a smart thermostat that learns and acts on your preferences while conserving energy, or it may mean light bulbs that can change color and brightness. You might even consider a smart refrigerator that can alert you when you’re running low on things you might want in the room, like beer.
Whatever the case you should think about getting a speaker/assistant pod that can help you operate smart features. Amazon and Google already have these devices (Echo and Google Home), and Apple is coming out with one. There’s already debate over which home pod is best, and you may want to read up before you make a purchase. But having this kind of setup in your man cave is a nice way to keep it modern.
Avoid The Poker Table
A poker table is a popular addition to a man cave, and if you’re a major poker player by all means go ahead. But these are tacky furnishings, and they tend to take up a lot of space also. Plus, they kind of limit your activity! Even if you like to play cards, it’s blackjack that’s widely considered the world’s most popular game in casinos.
And what if you want a table to play different games on? It could be Monopoly, Risk, or Settlers of Catan. I’d recommend opting for an ordinary table that looks nice and fits in with the room. It’s more versatile and a little less gaudy than a typical poker table.
Mount A Flat Screen
This one is pretty straightforward. If you have a TV on a stand, the room is going to look more like a dorm room. Mounting your TV makes for a cleaner look, and also gives you more options when it comes to the actual design of the room.
You can have it on a wall by itself, inside a cabinet where it can be shut out if it’s not in use, or even placed among shelves and other decorations such that it simply blends in when it’s not on.
Paint The Walls Strategically
You want this space to feel comfortable, uncomplicated, and relaxing. The paint job you choose for the walls can go a long way toward accomplishing that goal. Believe it or not, people have actually written about specific colors for man cave walls, generally pointing to dimmer tones. It doesn’t need to be dark or dreary in the space, but you do want at least a mild den-like aesthetic. There should be a slightly insulated feel to the room.
Seating Is The Most Important Thing
Finally, and I can’t stress this enough: get comfortable couches and chairs! The whole point is to relax (in case that wasn’t clear already), and you can’t relax in stiff chairs or uncomfortable couches. Usually you don’t even need to spend large amounts of money to find cozy furniture. You just need to be diligent about the search. At any rate, this is the most important part of any modern man cave. The rest is more about personal taste.
Do you have tips for designing the perfect man cave?
