In March of 1992, a writer for the Toronto Star coined the term “man cave” to describe a decked-out basement where a man could relax in a comfortable retreat to enjoy his collections in his own unique style and personality. Since then, man caves have become a staple of interior design, with many men claiming a section of their homes for recreational activities such as sports and billiards.
You may not know where to start if you’re interested in creating your own man cave when you move into your new home. So here are some tips to turn a basement (or any room) into a secluded paradise.
1. Pick a Focal Point
What is the primary focus of your man cave? Are you hoping to watch sports with friends, play pool, and enjoy a six-pack of beer? By choosing one focal point, you can build your room around that. Then, if you have enough space (and a large enough budget), you can install additional elements like a wet bar, air hockey table, etc. Some examples of focal points include:
- Big-Screen TV – If you want to watch TV solo, you can put a recliner in front of the screen. However, if you’re going to entertain, you can buy a couch with built-in cup holders and trays.
- Poker Table – Maybe your sanctuary is where you and your friends can play cards monthly. So, a table in the center of the room with chairs and a small wet bar makes the place feel like a legit casino hall.
- Sports Table – Air hockey, pool, and ping pong are often games of choice, so pick the one you like to play the most.
2. Prioritize Your Needs
Ideally, you’ll have multiple entertainment and hosting options in your retreat. First, however, you must figure out the essential elements and work your way from there. Write down a list of everything you’d like in your space, then order the list based on must-haves and want-to-haves.
Once your list is ready, you can start measuring the space to see what’s possible within the confines of your room. For example, you might have the budget for a big-screen TV and a pool table, but is the room big enough for both?
3. Set Your Budget
When creating a renovation budget like this, you want to estimate the cost for everything, including installation, furniture, decor, and even minor elements like trash cans and paper towels.
If you’re doing complex renovations (i.e., installing a wet bar), you need to call various contractors to get quotes. However, you may be able to start with DIY elements and save the renovations for later on. Here is also where prioritizing your list comes in handy since you know what to pay for upfront and what to hold off on.
4. Start With Furniture, Then Decor
The best way to convert a room into a man cave is to start with the big pieces. So, if you’re putting up a big-screen TV, figure out which wall it will be against (or mounted to) and start there. Doing this piece first means figuring out any issues and correcting them before it’s too late. For example, what if your ideal wall doesn’t have studs or has reflections on the screen?
Once your furniture is in place, add elements like posters, lamps, paintings, and more. Think of the big pieces like a skeleton and the decorations as the skin.
Get Moving Help!
Finding your personal style is part of the excitement when creating your man cave.
Hire a moving company to handle your relocation. Contact us today to see how we can help turn your dream into a reality!