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The Making of a ""Man Cave""

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When it turns cold outside we tend to redirect our thoughts to the inside of our homes. This is the busiest season for basement and room remodeling. Hey Guys, what about that man cave you always wanted?

The floor space doesn't have to be large to truly enjoy a little "Guy Time" and a place you can call your own. Here are few tips I have learned in my own remodeling projects that have become the “envy” of anyone with a "Y” chromosome. Now, first remember that you are the King of your Castle, the Master of your Domain.......lol…So go ask your wife's permission and let's get started!! Believe me that's how my project got started, I am NOT the boss in my house, I am just the tallest one who lives here.

Let's start with a few simple concepts, first size "Does NOT Matter." Some people can afford to add a new addition, blow out a wall or two and really dream big. That's not what I am talking about here. I do all my projects on a budget; hardwork and pre-planning can cut costs dramatically. When conceptualizing your space… think about that spare bedroom after the kid goes off to college, a corner of the basement or even a part of an existing room can become "Guy Space" and fully enjoyed.

Now let me begin by saying I was lucky, the living room of our 18th century farm house was the last room of our home here on the farm to remodel. We rarely spent time in that room because the heating ducts don't reach far enough from our civil war era furnace to warm that room past 50 degrees in the winter and the wood stove was our only heat in there. My wife is not big on building a fire and the mess and work so that room was somewhat abandoned during cold weather. PERFECT man cave material.

You will see some photos of the finished project but believe me we did no structural changes and the entire project other than hanging French doors and we kept to our budget of under $6000, (And that included the man cave size TV that my wife still rolls her eyes over). The beams you see on the ceiling are cosmetic only and came from an old barn that was being torn down. I do a lot of recycling in terms of construction materials and that saves a fortune compared to buying new. Plus it gives the place a nice old feeling to it.

First define the main purpose for the room, is it TV time, a place to watch sports, read, nap...what do you like to do and build the space around those thoughts. For me it was a place to hang out with buddies and watch a race or a movie and just sit and relax. We entertain often and it was also nice to have an overflow area other than just the kitchen for people to congregate. I know it is hard for us guys to get in touch with our emotions but what do you want the room to FEEL like?

I wanted a place that felt like a lodge setting, lots of wood, comfortable and homey. Conceptualize the space as finished and picture yourself in it. The whole idea is to make this space your own. We will talk about "construction" and I will share with you many money saving tips in later blogs, but for right now let's plan and prepare. What do you want to surround yourself with?

Sports memorabilia, music stuff, automotive, crochet, (ok just kidding on that last one), but what makes you happy? For me it was things that reflect on me as a person, I have some QVC stuff in there because that had been a part of my life for the last 26 years but this was not about work, this was about who I am.

I have two old saddles in that room from my riding and roping days. As a writer I love my old 1920's type writer I found at a flea market and paid $10 bucks for and took it apart and cleaned it, and it sits proudly on my counter top. My Grandmother's favorite chair sits in the corner along with a few accolades that I have been fortunate to have received over the years. Make it a space that pleases you, a place to reflect on the good things in your life and the things that make you who you are.

Deep thoughts I know and my head hurts now but that is the whole goal of a "Man Cave". If a stranger walked into that room would they get a good idea of what makes you different from everyone else? Will they understand your passions in life and feel like they somehow know you better by just having been there? Set that as your goal and next time we will talk about how to make it all happen.

Enjoy the pathway.

Till next time.