The stereotypical image of a man cave is often cause for shudder, especially for the partner who has to live with it. But this den for dudes doesn’t have to be cave-like at all—or have a lazy lounger in sight.
Man caves are not only good for the male in the relationship, but the wife, or significant other as well. Personal space is important, no matter your marriage status or how old you are.
Man caves can come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is built outside in the garage, behind a secret passageway beyond a bookcase or in the standard basement location. It is most likely the only room in the house where one has complete design control.
If one has the means to do so, take advantage of this opportunity and make it unique. Add as many personal man cave ideas as you can. But there are certain man cave essentials to have. Men ostensibly need entertainment, food and of course a TV. That is not everything man caves need.
Recliner
Not all males enjoy TV and sports. A man cave can be used to just relax and get away. Likewise, it can be used for work or client calls one needs to make later on in the night. In addition, many homeowners know what it is like to fall asleep on the couch and wake up with a stiff neck. Chances are, this will happen at least a few times while hanging out in your unique man cave. Hence, the recliner.
TV
Many males of the household choose to put in a man cave so they can have their own room to watch NBA, PBA, or World Cup and international tennis matches, not to mention Tiger Wood’s exploits in the PGA circuit. A unique man cave will undoubtedly need a large TV to complete the full picture.
If sports are not one’s thing, putting in a large, flat screen TV is also perfect for watching movies with the wife and family. Indeed, sharing one’s man cave once in a while with the people one loves shouldn’t be that far of a stretch.
Bar and fridge
A key purpose of the man cave is so one doesn’t have to walk upstairs, or across the hall to get a cold beverage out of the refrigerator. To avoid this daunting task, one needs to have a man cave bar and/or fridge. Not only will this be useful for when the guys come over, but also during those family gatherings or parties. A full bar would be great, but if one’s means or space is limited, a fridge should do.
Pool table
Other than the television, men need other forms of entertainment (sometimes). One of these is a pool table. In the old days, it was just a means of playing a good old game of 8 ball. Now, men have gone above and beyond to make their pool tables as unique and extravagant as humanly possible.
Dart board, poker table
Sticking with the entertainment end of the man cave, dart boards and poker tables are highly encouraged. Not only are both of these items useful during parties or get-togethers, but they are also perfect for friends of the wife and kids.
Personal touches
Add as many personal touches as possible. Did you snag your country club’s golf tournament one summer, or did your son win the NCAA playoff last year? Highlight those accomplishments by showing off your trophy, or the very playoff medal that enabled your son’s team to bag the championship.
Sports memorabilia
Many males install their own man caves to watch sports. Man caves and sports go together like bars and beer. Chances are, if one is spending the resources to create one’s own man cave, there will be one or two classic pieces of sports memorabilia hanging around. Now is the time to please the wife, and remove that dining room poster of the 1992 USA Dream Team, and put it where it belongs.
Extra seating
We highly recommend home theater seating, but more often than not, a big couch will do. What guy doesn’t love leather recliners, cup holders and a place to put one’s iPad as you track your fantasy team? The answer is no male on earth.
Movie posters
No true man cave is complete without at least one poster showcasing a real man movie. The first ones that come to mind include Scarface, The Godfather or Reservoir Dogs. A man’s favorite movies can say a lot about a person, so choose wisely.
Bar stools
There is no place on earth manlier than a bar, and all bars need bar stools. Therefore, to add even more seating to one’s man cave, all man caves should include a set of bar stools. There are tons of designs to choose from when it comes to these.
Father’s Day surprise
This Father’s Day, when it comes to what dads want in a home, the answer seems clear: their own space. If dads can’t find the ideal space in a home, they’ll make it. Or at least have somebody else do it.
From music to cars to grills
Dads who are into music like, for example, to mount their guitars and have a place to jam. Others wanted the walls of their study knocked out so they could stare at their classic cars, or motorcycles, or mountain bikes in the garage.
In the Philippines, by far the most down-to-earth dad amenity is the outdoor kitchen.
It’s a popular upgrade for dads who not only want a fully equipped, dedicated space where they can show off their skills as family ‘grill master,’ but also have a great area for outdoor entertaining.
Jera Sison, a PR consultant living out in the Quezon City burbs, is one of those. He said any outdoor grill needs to have charcoal/wood, gas and electric power options. “Depending on what you’re grilling, or how much time you have, it’s always good to have them all,” he pronounced.
It’s also important to have the outside grill area connected to the kitchen, he said. “As someone who loves grilled steaks and blackened fish, it’s also great for keeping your house smelling good,” he added.
Sison’s wife, Red, declined to comment.
