A man needs a place to call his own. Hanging out in the garage with your friends might be okay for a while, but eventually you’ll want something a bit more grown up. But not too grown up.
Creating a man cave in your home helps everyone by giving you a place to embrace all things sports and manliness without cramping the style of the rest of your household.
And a man cave doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Whatever your personal aesthetic — from upscale to understated and comfortable — this is the place to let your manly freak flag fly.
Read on for expert tips from the dudes at The RoomPlace for designing your man cave in modern style.
Watch This
The television is the focal point of many a man cave. Whether you’re obsessing over every game to make your fantasy football team picks or arguing Ant Man vs. the Avengers, the entertainment center in your space is paramount.
A wall unit creates a massive statement with ample room for all your TV, surround sound system and gaming equipment. Choose rich wood tones for a homey feel or go sleek and modern for a minimal look.
Fire, Good
The ultimate symbol of masculine power, fire adds a dynamic element to any man cave. If your space already has a fireplace and mantel — awesome! Line up your high school trophies, sports paraphernalia or keepsake liquor bottles on the mantel and haul in the firewood.
If a fireplace isn’t already there, get the look and feel of fire with an electric fireplace that avoids all the hassle of venting and ashy messes. Many models mimic real wood and stately woodwork, but linear wall units can create intense showy effects while keeping your space warm and cozy.
Dial in Your Aesthetic
For those about to rock, we salute you! Blast you tunes in style with audio equipment that looks old-school but keeps the techno up to date. A jukebox that plays your vinyl collection adds a fun vibe to your man cave. Or set up a turntable and speakers that let your buddies play DJ all night.
Whatever music you rock out to, opting for a retro-look sound system adds an instant cool factor to the space. Link it to your television for an integrated effect or pair it with a midcentury bar and glassware for more of a “Mad Men” atmosphere.
Chill Out
No matter what kind of aesthetic you want in your man cave, you’ll need somewhere to sit. Throw out that ratty sofa and bring in a faux leather sectional for flexible seating options that accommodate your entire crew.
Create a home theater effect that works for both long gaming sessions and movie marathons by opting for rocker recliners with adjustable features. Many include USB ports, cup holders and hidden storage, making them the Swiss Army knives of man cave seating.