To dads who toil away at the office and at home most of the time, Father’s Day is a welcome respite from the fray. It’s also one of those days when you can get away with a lot of things, like finally working on the man cave you’ve always dreamed of.
Not sure how to begin creating your personal lair? Here’s your guide to setting up the perfect testosterone-powered chamber.
A man cave is a guy’s getaway; his own zone away from the fuss and frills of the entire home. It’s the place where he can hole up and hibernate for as long as he can, and is pretty much a wife- and children-free spot where he can do what he wants (within reason, of course).
Sounds like a dream, right? If you think it’s time to cash in your get-away-with-something card and put together your private hideaway, here are five things to keep in mind before you start.
Choose a room in the house
It can be your house’s basement or attic, or even half of (or the entire) garage. Whichever room you want to transform, consider how big it is and what you plan on turning it into. And make sure it’s actually an available space you won’t be using anymore; it’s going to be a hassle when you finally set up your man cave, only to dismantle it because you need the area for storage
Decide on a theme
Are you a sports nut, a gaming enthusiast, or a movie buff? Your hangout can be anything you want—it’s your sanctuary, after all. You can turn it into a sports bar, a video-game arena, a mini-theater, or even an old-fashioned gentleman’s club where you can swill scotch and talk about the weather with friends all day. Picking a theme early on will help you go into the nitty-gritty, from choosing between a pool table and a juke box, as well as the color scheme and furniture.
Map out your idea
Before taking a sledgehammer to your walls, you need a plan of attack. Start by measuring the dimensions of the room and plotting it out on graphing paper. Section off the space and determine what to put or build into each corner or side, and be as detailed as you can. Be sure to create a timeline of the things you have to do so you don’t take too long on one particular step.
Work out your spending
Itemize what your man cave needs and set a certain amount you’re willing to spend for them. Add about 15 percent to that amount to cover any unexpected spending because you can bet there will be. And be realistic; it’s easy to go overboard and lose track of your expenses in the process, so if your budget won’t permit that massive Jacuzzi with a built-in TV, don’t push it. Also, consider second-hand items from friends and family, thrift shops, garage sales, and online selling sites to stay within your budget.
Get help
Unless you’re a true-blue Jack-of-all-trades, you can’t do absolutely everything yourself. And if your design involves electrical and plumbing work and you don’t have the skills for them, Google and YouTube can only get you so far. Contact a professional for each phase of the work you need assistance on. Want to save money? Find friends with construction skills who are willing to work for pizza and beer.
Being able to put your feet up in your home within a home takes careful planning and hard work, so don’t jump into it without a thought-out strategy. Once everything’s in place, you’ll have an escape, a place where you and your buddies can be yourselves and, ultimately, the happiest place on earth.
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