If you’re a male of a certain age, you probably have your own special drawer in the house. It’s the one that contains that valuable little set of screwdrivers that you got in a Christmas cracker, several batteries, elastic bands, superglue and other DIY-based goodies. The comedian Michael McIntyre even coined a name for this particular storage facility – the ‘man-drawer’.
However, a special drawer, although satisfying, isn’t nearly as pleasing as a perfectly formed ‘man-cave’. Note, we refer to this as a ‘man-cave’ but of course, there are plenty of women who equally crave their own special chill-out zone! A ‘man-cave’, by its very definition, is an area where you can relax, let it all hang out, and spend hours playing your games console or listening to your vinyl collection. And, simply put, it’s a worthwhile addition to any home.
Here’s a special guide, detailing how to create one of your very own.
Creating a Man-Cave – Step-by-Step Guide
Identify your location.
Firstly, you’ll need to locate the perfect spot in your home for your man-cave. For many, the obvious choice is the garage. It’s set away from the house, and any noise you make will be muffled – which your family will appreciate. The shed can make a pleasant man-cave, as can a spare bedroom, or even understairs cupboard. If space is at a premium, think creatively. We’d advise against setting up your man-cave under the kitchen table, unless you want your other half to throttle you.
Be considerate.
Before you start seizing the living room as your own private space, pause for a moment. Look at the faces of your other half, not to mention your children. Will your man-cave impact on their leisure space? Will selling the family sofa and replacing it with a single gaming chair be a fair decision? (don’t even think about it buster) Be as considerate as you can. For the sake of your marriage.
Clear out the space.
This particularly applies if you’re basing your man-cave in your garage or shed, because you’ll probably have plenty of clutter in there! Have a good clear-out, throwing away anything you don’t need, or donating unwanted items to charity. If you want to hold on to some bulkier items, such as the lawnmower or DIY tools, rent a self-storage unit.
Get decorating.
Now the fun part – transforming your dull space into a beautiful cave devoted to TV, music and chilling out! Think carefully about your colour scheme. Are you trying to create a place to relax, or a place to spend the night, wide awake and trying to beat your personal best on MarioKart? Do you need curtains, to stop your neighbours from seeing what you’re up to? What about a carpet to keep warm in winter? Make sure you think practically about the available space.
Move your toys in.
Obviously, you’ll need a TV and games console. However, you can get more creative than that. Scour sites like Gumtree for arcade machines, pool tables, mini-bars, neon signs – anything that will make your man-cave feel like
Creating Space for Your Man Cave
One of the biggest obstacles to creating your dream man-cave is space. Often, garages and spare rooms are filled with clutter – such as unused running machines, bicycles, wallpaper pasting tables and spare beds. If your man-cave fantasies are being impeded by your bulky belongings, rent a self-storage unit in Glasgow, and move them out of the way!