What You Should Know When Making A Man Cave

Hey guys! My name is Jonathan.

Recently I’ve purchased my first home and it’s been keeping me insanely busy. My days are full of renovations and fixing things up. My latest endeavor- Building a Man Cave.

I’ve always considered myself to be creative, and I’m pretty handy when it comes to building, renovating, and fixing things. Yet, for some reason, I found myself at a loss.

I had no idea where to start. So, I started to look into how to build a man cave and gathered new ideas for inspiration.

New Ideas for Location

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I had originally planned on using the garage to make a man cave, but during my research I discovered a few new ideas.

The garage was no longer the only potential space where I could build my man cave. In my home, I had three potential zones for my man cave.

  • The Garage
  • The Basement
  • The Shed

Your home is likely very different from mine. I came across a few other potential spaces during my research that may work for you.

  • An Attic
  • A Spare Room
  • A Sunroom or Covered Patio

When selecting a location, you will want to consider size. You will need to decide how big you need your man cave to be. How many people will be in it at one time? What do you need to fit inside pf it?

Inspirational Ideas for Decor

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The other question I had was, how to decorate a man cave? I didn’t understand how I could create the atmosphere men love. Man caves should feel manly, sporty and free.

There is a sort of freedom that comes from knowing that you’re in a sacred space for men. Complete with the freedom to sit back, put your feet up, relax, and enjoy a beer.

How can that feeling be conveyed through decorations? How to decorate a man cave so that the sweet feeling of freedom envelopes you, the moment you walk through the door.

I discovered the following ideas during my research.

  • Build A Bar
  • Create Commonalities in Decor
  • Use Comfortable Furniture
  • Find the Perfect Fridge for Beverages

How to Build A Garage Man Cave

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByHlE8BJt3P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

This was my first thought when I considered building my man cave. Probably because it’s one of the most common places for man caves to be found.

Before you can move on to decorating your man cave or furnishing your man cave, you have to build a garage man cave. Your garage did not come man cave ready.

The following steps will get you there.

  1. Clean the Space- Starting with a clean space will allow the building process to run smoothly and efficiently.
  2. Build Walls- Place insulation, then attach drywall. Keep in mind where the studs are.
  3. Update the Floors- Insulate, then place floorboards.
  4. Create A Ceiling- Create a drop ceiling, by utilizing available beams.
  5. Utilize Wood, Tiles, Carpet, Paint or Panels- Personalize the walls and floors to your preferences.
  6. Reclean- There will be dust and debris everywhere, clean it up so you can begin decorating and furnishing.

How to Build A Man Cave in Your Basement

An option I was seriously considering. Unfortunately, my wife wants to use this space for a family and rec room.

My basement would have been convenient to transform because it’s already finished. The steps to make your basement man cave may be different though.

These are the steps I found in my research.

  1. Clean-Starting with a clean space will allow the building process to run smoothly and efficiently.
  2. Build Walls- Place insulation, then attach drywall. Keep in mind where the studs are.
  3. Update the Floors- Insulate, then place floorboards.
  4. Create A Ceiling- Create a drop ceiling, by utilizing available beams.
  5. Cover Any Pipes, Water Heaters, Heaters, Etc.- You can do this with drywall or paneling.
  6. Utilize Wood, Tiles, Carpet, Paint or Panels- Personalize the walls and floors to your preferences.
  7. Reclean-There will be dust and debris everywhere, clean it up so you can begin decorating and furnishing.

Skip steps two through five if your basement is already finished.

How to Build A Man Cave Shed

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I have yet to mention this, but I have four kids. That is the reason I plan on pursuing this option.

Using the shed for my man cave will allow for an optimal amount of living space for my kids. I will still have the basement for a rec, or family, or play, room. The garage will still be able to store their outdoor toys and our cars.

I will build a man cave shed with the following steps.

  1. Build or Buy a Wooden Shed- Find a design to build your own or visit a local home improvement store to purchase one.
  2. Update the Floors- If the floor is wooden, all you need to do is place floorboards.
  3. Create A Ceiling – May or may not be necessary. Depends on your design.
  4. Utilize Wood, Tiles, Carpet, Paint or Panels- Apply your personal tastes.
  5. Clean- Before decorating or moving furniture in, you will need to clean.

If your home came with a shed substitute step one with cleaning the shed, you have.

The Space Is Ready, Now What?

Well your space is ready to be furnished and decorated! The hard part is over, or is it? Now come all of the questions.

There are so many different things you can do with your man cave; it can be confusing and hard to make decisions.

These are the questions that I found myself asking.

  • Should I build a bar?
  • What should I do about decorations?
  • How should I furnish my man cave shed?
  • What kind of fridge will I need?
  • Are there other appliances that are necessary?

My research wasn’t over. I had to look into decorations, furniture, and appliances. I had to figure out how to build a bar., as I never had built one before.

There was still so much to do. I was able to find the answers to all of my questions though.

How to Build A Bar

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The key element to any man cave is the bar. Picture the bar you want in your man cave.

What does it look like? How big is it?

Most importantly, what will you be serving from it?

These are the questions you’ll need to know the answers to, before you begin to build a bar. It will be the focal point of your man cave, so make sure it’s perfect.

The following steps walk you through the tasks you should complete when building a bar.

  • Take Measurements

You’ll need to know the desired height, length, and width.

  • Write Down Preferences

Do you need shelves behind the bar? Shelves under the bar? Space for a fridge?

  • Find A Design You Love

Search for a design that works for you. The perfect design would meet your measurements and apply your preferences.

  • Buy the Supplies

You will need tools, lots of wood, and nails. You may need a specific counter top. Maybe a sink and faucet.

  • Get Started Building!

How to Decorate

How many decorations have you seen? Decorations that you’ve thought about putting in your own man cave? A lot, right? Imagine your man cave’s appearance with all of those decorations inside of it.

The decorations probably clash with each other and don’t really flow together. Don’t put all of the efforts into building a man cave, without making the decorations look put together.

Themes to Follow

  1. Sports
  2. Automobiles
  3. Motorsports
  4. Speakeasy/ Alcohol

Types of Decor

  1. Signs’
  2. DIY
  3. Posters
  4. Jersey’s

Man Cave Furniture

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If, like me, you are a married man, you understand that your wife gets to choose your home’s furniture.

That rule doesn’t apply to the man cave though. You can finally buy that big, plush, brown couch that your wife wouldn’t let you have.

What other kinds of furniture would you need for your space?

  • Couch
  • Bar Stools
  • Pool Table
  • Card Table
  • Television
  • Game System
  • Stereo
  • Entertainment Stand
  • Recliner

What Appliances Should I Consider?

What will you be using your man cave for? Parties, hanging out with friends, or just relaxing by yourself? I plan to use my man cave shed to relax and occasionally hang out with my friends.

Now, what will you be doing? Drinking, definitely. Do you plan to eat in your man cave?

I’m thinking that I would definitely like to warm up some pizza and eat it while drinking an ice-cold beer.

So, what will I need to do that, and what other appliances should I consider?

  • Refrigerator/ Mini Fridge/ Beverage Cooler- For your beer and icy drinks.
  • Microwave- To warm up hot snacks.
  • Griddle- Make a burger or sandwich.
  • Ice Machine- You’ll need ice for the bar.
  • Blender- To mix drinks.
  • Coffee Maker- This is a personal choice of mine.

Your man cave should be built around your needs. It’s your space to relax and let go. Include your interests when decorating and designing your man cave.

Incorporate items that bring you comfort. You want to make your man cave representative of your individuality.  That’s how you build the ultimate man cave.

Here are some great man cave decor ideas…