So, I’ve recently discovered, or well, realized that since my time has mostly been consumed with work and the other times I spend with my family, I haven’t really gotten a chance to relax.
I’ve asked around and most of my buddies advised me that maybe it was time I created a space where I was allowed to relax and double it as an office to do work in.
See, the trick that I’ve discovered- or may have been told- is that you trick your mind into believing that when you’re in an environment that filled with things that are meant to relax you, the moment you begin to do work, your brain won’t realize that you’re working so that means you won’t be as stress as you’re supposed to be.
But as I’ve began to build the man cave of my dreams, I’ve discovered that there are things for a man cave that can be considered as essential and then there are cool stuff to put in a man cave.
Essentials vs Cool Stuff
Here’s the thing I made about my discovery. The man cave store? They offer tons of stuff and I couldn’t really wrap my mind around what I wanted.
Of course, I was aware of the things that I was supposed to get like a lounge sofa and chairs and a coffee table and a work table that I could do my part-time work in because I intended for my man cave to double as my home office.
Because man cave stores offer a lot of cool things for a man cave, it’s easy to get side-track and purchase items that can’t be considered as an essential for your man cave so that’s why I’ve decided to create a list.
The key here knows how what are the things that are meant to be seen in your man cave and what are the things that can simply be considered as a cool add-on that you’ve purchased because you realize you had an extra budget.
Know how to separate the essentials from the things that are meant to fish compliments from your friends telling you that you’ve done such a cool job in creating your own testosterone filled haven.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I felt so proud when my friends complimented mine.
The Five Essentials
#1 Recliner
I know that it’s a bit surprising that a recliner’s the first thing I put as essential. But if you’ve forgotten what the main purpose of your man cave was, then you might want to re-evaluate.
The reason why you made a man cave for yourself in the first place is so that you can have a place where you can relax.
So, for me, the first thing that I would consider as an essential for my relaxation is a good and comfortable recliner.
Where I can sink into after a long day at work or maybe have a nap to clear my mind and de-stress myself from the toxicity of the world.
#2 Coffee Table/ Work Table
Of course, what’s a man cave without a table? It would be nice to give your recliner a four-legged company where you can put your beer onto or your laptop!
I mean, if you ended up with a small room to turn into your den and you can only fit a recliner and a coffee table and TV, then the coffee table can serve as your work table too.
Or if you’ve turned the basement or garage or built a shed meant to be your man cave, squeezing a work table wouldn’t be a problem.
Oh, and don’t forget to add a swivel chair along with it too if it fits the budget.
# 3 Couch
Now that you have your own space in the house, it’s pretty obvious where you and your buddies are going to hang out in.
This is why I’ve considered the couch as an essential item to be seen in your man cave.
A couch is big enough to provide extra seating for your buddies when you all hang out in your man cave and cheer on your favorite football team while having a few rounds of beers.
Oh, and it can also double as a bed if you’re not feeling the recliner as a pseudo-bed for you.
#4 Tv
To be honest, what’s a man cave without a TV?
I mean, come on, us men have an affinity towards television and having one for our own where no one’s going to demand the channels to be switched is such a blessing from heaven.
Also, isn’t having your own TV one of the many reasons why you built a man cave for yourself?
A television of your own, how can that not be an essential?
#5 Fridge
Okay, so maybe the fridge at the kitchen could be used to put your beers and cans of sodas but do you really want to walk from your man cave and all the way to the kitchen?
There are small refrigerators available that you can buy and put into your den and you wouldn’t have to face the hassle of having to walk from your cave and to the kitchen.
Cool Stuff for your Man Cave
[content-egg module=Amazon template=list] Of course, what’s a man cave without some cool stuff that you can boast to your friends about?Obviously, a TV is an essential but what if you take that bit a little further and get yourself a huge flat screen TV along with a pretty dope sound system and you have yourself your own personal home theater?
That’s pretty cool, right?
But a flat screen TV and an amazing sound system are just two of the cool things you can squeeze in your man cave.
I actually made a list of cool stuff you can add but note that you don’t have to get everything.
If it still fits the budget you have then you’re still obviously allowed to get it but if not, don’t purchase it.
Keep in mind that although this stuff can make your man cave cooler than it is, it’s also unnecessary expense.
That’s why I want you to make sure that you’ve already gotten the essentials before you start venturing on the cool stuff.
- Bar with stools
- Ping pong table
- Pool table
- Foosball table
- Bookshelf filled with every book that you love
- Golf putting area
- Kegerator
- Card table
- Dart board
- A complete home theater with stadium seating
- Video game setup
But think about how much fun you can have alone or with your buddies if you have this cool stuff in your man cave.
Although, I have to remind you again that although these items would be a great addition to your place, it has to fit your budget.
Conclusion
When I was creating my man cave, I’ve come to a realization that I needed to make sure I had the basics and essential items covered before I jumped into purchasing stuff that I didn’t really need and was an unnecessary expense.
It’s great that I’ve discovered how to divide them in two categories, so I was aware of what I needed to get and what I was merely getting for the sake of having fun.
But you also have to note that the cool stuff, as long as they are within your budget, isn’t so bad.
It’s nice to have these things in your personal space because the reason that you got that place made in the first place is so you could have a place to relax and unwind after a long day or week at work.
Having items that are meant for recreational activities and de-stressing isn’t a crime but splurging on these items might not be the best idea you could ever have.
If you’re facing the issue of desperately wanting these items, then you can compromise with yourself. You don’t need to have every game table squeezed in your man cave.
Maybe you can opt to having a foosball table since it won’t take up too much space in the room and a dart board.
Or you can have a card table in your man cave so you can make your space the venue for the poker nights that you have with your friends.
You don’t need to get every cool stuff I’ve mentioned on the list. Having one or two of them is enough. Remember: no unnecessary purchases.