Coed-Cave: A Man Cave for the Masses
Enjoy March Madness Surrounded by Color, Art, Light — Even Flowers!
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
For me, March means light jackets, leaving the windows open, gratefully uncovering the patio furniture, and all things spring-cometh. For a good percentage of my social circle, however, March means basketball. I confess: I have no interest in this tournament (fellow Spartans everywhere are denouncing me), but the natural evolution of sports, masculinity and general male bonding led me to a thought: man caves. Which led me to another thought: dark, stereotypical, and at times, a bit tacky. If the inevitable happens and I’m dragged along to watch these games, I hope my destination is closer to that of the following. I would prefer to call these co-ed caves. Kinda catchy, right?
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| So often, man caves are drenched in browns, blacks and neutrals. Man cave decorators: fear not the use of bold color! This deep royal blue brings a richness that actually enhances its masculinity; the balance of the ivory and camel modern sofa stops it from going overboard. A co-ed cave is born. |
Finishing this room with wall-to-wall leopard carpet brought this cave from washed-out to insta-chic. Cream or beige carpeting would have gone dead against the yellow walls and sofa, plus the leopard print adds texture. Trade the typical sports paraphernalia for a record collection. Your street cred will go through the roof if guests think you're a rock star.
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| Yes, contrary to popular belief, fine art is welcome in the cave. The piece on the back wall adds cohesion to the rug, sofa and throw pillows; even the books on the shelves work to pull the color scheme around the room. Potted flowers are a nice touch, but don’t forget to sneak them upstairs for much needed sunlight! |
Only in the co-ed cave does pink have a chance of survival. The striped chair complements the deep tones of the sofa, shelving and molding, while adding an air of femininity.
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| Newsflash: Sunlight never melted a man cave. Don’t feel like the cave must exist in a deep, dark dwelling. This spacious setting actually allows for more guests. Plus natural light is uplifting… a benefit you’ll surely appreciate when your team is losing. |
Everyone wins when a cave door is finished in tin: The effect is both masculine and visually appealing. Chairs facing away from the TV may seem counterintuitive; in fact, this placement doubles the use of the room. With the chairs pointed toward the couch, guests can comfortably converse during a cocktail party. Turn the chairs toward the TV, and everyone can enjoy the game.
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| The TV, when on, contains the action. The TV, when off, is a big black box that is less than stylish. A geometric design around the television will hide your technology when the game’s over. |
| This is a co-ed cave everyone will enjoy. It’s an instance where the stereotypical dark brown shade for the walls actually works: It grounds the yellow couch and makes the colorful, patterned throw pillows pop. The white ottoman gives the room its core, doubling as a footrest and extra seating when the neighbors arrive. |
The only problem with this co-ed cave is your guests are never going to want to leave. Black leather couches facing each other make for optimal conversation and the requisite masculine touch. The addition of a round table offers visitors a place to eat or play cards; the purple chairs add a playful pop of color. The coffee tables provide a raw, sculptural detail and create a balanced interaction between the sofas.
If the encompassed cave feel is in fact what you desire, get the ceiling in on the act. By painting it the same color as the walls, you’ll feel comfy, cozy and definitely cave-like. If you decide to use a bold shade, such as this orange-y red, it’s wise to choose neutral furniture to ground the room and avoid visual competition. There will likely be enough battling on-screen.
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All hail a great burst of color in the co-ed cave! With white walls, a white coffee table and dark flooring, this shade of orange saved this cave from dire straits.
Don’t have access to sunlight? Create a cave fake-out by painting the trim bright yellow; it creates the illusion of light. Don’t feel like your cave need be secluded to one room. An open atmosphere that includes the seating area, game corner and bar is much more conducive to social situations.
You can’t beat a city view in the coed-cave! A wallpapered image is a great substitute if the real thing is out of reach. The 3-D feel of the floor-to-ceiling scenery creates depth in the room, particularly because it turns the corner.
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| For ultimate lounge appeal, add beds to the cave. However, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself when snoring interferes with the half-time show.
More: 12 Mega Media Rooms See more photos of media room designs |
Ideabook updated on March 23, 2011.
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@rowens: Better start betting on some winning teams!