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8 Ways to Style Up the Man Cave
Visit inspiring guys' hangout spaces and see the essentials for one of your own
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
Every guy deserves a dedicated space at home to be himself, relax alone by practicing his chords, entertain his buddies with billiards or TV, or pursuing some other passion. With my husband's help I have put together a list of great examples and 8 top essentials. Take a look and tell me what you think. Did I miss anything?
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The idea of a man cave is that it is decorated solely by the man, with no female influence. But if I were to get my hands on a such a space, this is how I would want it to look. High quality wood paneling from floor to ceiling, and organized built-ins to maximize the space (because I wouldn't want to give away too much square footage to my man's man cave). Dark, masculine, refined, gentlemanly.
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| The basement seems like a well-suited space for a man cave. A large footprint that may have been used for sporadic storage can be transformed to a modern and sleek room. The frosted glass, dark stained wood cabinets, and polished concrete floor are quite masculine in feel. Here a long and narrow floor plan allowed for a kitchenette/bar zone and a media/lounge zone — perfect for entertaining. |
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| The man cave should be inviting, masculine, comfortable and well thought out. This room provides a den-like social space for watching TV and references the gaming and musical elements we come to expect. |
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| Another basement room feels relaxed and jocular with the playful chair fabric and display cases of sports memorabilia. The stone wall gives the impression that rugged men hang out in this space. |
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by Gramophone
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| The ideal man cave need not be dark as long as it is multi-functional. A jukebox and billiard table are just the beginning. The comfortable seating and deep burgundy walls, along with nice lighting and an Oriental rug, illustrate that a man cave can be an attractive room in the house rather than a sloppy and grungy corner. |
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An attic man cave doesn't have to be dark — it can be bright and cheerful by utilizing daylight in the form of windows and skylights, and using colorful fabrics and a brightly colored yellow felt billiards table.
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| Blond wood is not the first stain I would think for the wood I expect to see in a man cave. But coupled with dark furniture, and the requisite billiards table, it looks cool and put together. The blond wood and white walls would make a basement getaway feel lighter and less cave-like.
Now that we have seen a few examples, let's review a list of man cave essentials. |
by elitehts.com
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Essential 1: A sense of fantasy. So you don't have to go all out and recreate the bat cave, but infusing your man cave with a sense of fantasy and sharing your passion for the sports legends or comic book heroes that excite you is a nice way to bond with your bros.
| Essential 2: The home theater experience. Viewing a big screen television surrounded by wood paneling from the comfort of a leather recliner — with a cup holder — is the ultimate version. |
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Essential 3: A small, concise, and well executed wet bar.
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| Essential 4: A billiards table. Is any man cave complete without a billiard table taking center stage? A round of pool can be played while discussing important things. At the very least, the billiards table provides an explosion of style to the room. Don't forget good lighting above. |
Essential 5: Music. Make it easy to pick up a guitar and jam with your friends garage band style. Create a space that will be a rock 'n' roll refuge.
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Essential 6: Construction materials. Work in some masculine materials that refer to the construction site or rugged spaces. Corrugated steel, concrete floors, exposed brick, and stone are all good candidates.
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Essential 7: A sense of humor. You have to admit there is something comical about the idea of a man cave in the first place. Let everyone in on the joke with some funny decorations.
Essential 8: Comfortable lounge chairs. Upgrade to a massage chair to maximize relaxation.
| Non-essential add-on: A galley kitchenette. Practice chili cook-offs with an adjoining bar counter where your pals to keep you company while you cook. This sports-themed man cave is a great setup. |
by Birdseye Design
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Non-essential add-on: After all the roughhousing with your friends or a stressful day at the office, a steam room sauna will help melt away all the knotted muscles. The salvaged wood treatment on the outside of the sauna adds to the rustic-modern vibe here.
Tell me: If you could carve out a man cave space, no matter its size, what would you put in it? Would it be in the basement, garage, or attic?
More:
Why Men Really Do Need a Cave
Tell me: If you could carve out a man cave space, no matter its size, what would you put in it? Would it be in the basement, garage, or attic?
More:
Why Men Really Do Need a Cave
Ideabook updated on May 22, 2013.
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Seriously though, I think that all the above is good. Sound proofing would be a nice addition. My husband plays guitar and produces music in his spare time. It can get noisy!
Is that a bidet in picture 6? Definitely a no go in my man cave!
Also, downtown living has killed the space available for a pool table... Any ideas to replace that activity centre?