A “man cave” has long been defined as a refuge for husbands, boyfriends, dads, grandpas and other males who find themselves sharing their living quarters with fellow humans who may not share all of their tastes in entertainment, games, décor and hobbies.
One requirement most men have for their caves is self-sufficiency — they don’t want to leave their sanctuary before they must. A well-rounded floor plan is the key to making this work. Here are the basics:
Supersized seating
Men are most often bigger than their partners, and they like to flop down on furniture. Find a long, sturdy leather or plush sofa, preferably a sectional, and include a deluxe recliner with massage capabilities so you have at least two routes to ultimate relaxation.
Don’t skimp on the features — cup holders, built-in speakers, USB outlets, built-in pockets and reading lights.
Big screen
Whether it’s used to watch movies or sports and/or gaming, this is likely to be a focal point in the room, so get the largest TV or monitor you have space for with the highest resolution you can afford, or plan for multiples if you tend to multitask with your entertainment. Remember that this will make you the envy of everyone in your household and your friends, so be kind and share it … at least occasionally.
IRL games
You’ll want to step away from that screen every once in a while so make sure you incorporate some hands-on pastimes into your cavern, whether it’s a dartboard, basketball hoop or another wall-mounted playspace or a card or billiards table.
Many multipurpose tables are on the market today to let you play anything from poker to foosball. It’s also the perfect place to showcase and play on a collection of vintage pinball machines or arcade games.
Libations center
This can take whatever size and shape works for you, whether it’s a beer cooler, liquor cabinet, standard-sized fridge or a full bar, but you’re going to want something to store your drinks and whatever food you can cram in next to them.
