Many people like to have their own space where they can relax and unwind in private, recharge their batteries without having to socialize, and enjoy their hobbies without getting in the way of others.
These factors have all helped to create growth in the number of people building “man caves” and “she sheds” in their homes. These spaces, which are often built in a spare room, attic, garage, or shed, are popular places to play video games, watch movies, read, or listen to music.
For sports fans, man caves are also a great place to watch the game either alone or with friends without disturbing the others you live with that may not share your passion.
If you like the idea of having a man cave in your home, here are some things that are worth considering before you start any work.
Power and Internet
If you’re building a man cave in a spare room, you shouldn’t have too much to worry about here, but if you’re setting one up in a shed or garage, you’ll need to be sure you can actually use all of the electronic equipment that you plan to install in it.
Firstly, you need to make sure there is an electrical supply available. Again, if your man cave is in a spare room, this will almost certainly be present, but if it’s not, you may need to employ an electrician to help you install one.
Secondly, you need to ensure there is an internet connection available to your man cave. Even if you’ll get your TV signal a different way, the internet is still important. Sports fans will often use their smartphones or computers to place bets on sports while they’re watching a game. In fact, it’s such a popular activity that major sportsbooks offer huge promo codes, as competition in the sector is fierce. With so many offers available, some find it useful to check comparison sites like OddsChecker to see which is the best one for them.
Even if you don’t bet on sports, you’ll likely want to check social media or other sources while you watch, so you’ll need to get online in your man cave. The same applies if you plan to play games with other people or stream movies as you’ll need an internet connection for both of these activities.
If your WiFi doesn’t reach, consider running an ethernet cable into your man cave or use a WiFi repeater to bounce the signal into it.
Furniture
You may not care about aesthetics, and if you don’t, that’s ok. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give any thought to the furniture you put in your man cave. An old foldaway chair and an upside-down cardboard box to rest your drink on aren’t going to be very comfortable if you’re sitting down for long gaming sessions or for an afternoon of watching football.
Invest in something comfortable, such as a sofa if you’re mostly going to be watching TV or playing on a console. Be sure to consider what angle you’ll be looking at the screen from as if you have to look up, down, or to the side, you may find you develop a stiff neck after playing for a while.
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in front of a computer while playing games, a gaming chair may be a more suitable option. Gaming chairs offer full support for your back and head and can usually be adjusted in most directions to help you find the most comfortable position.
Experts recommend that you sit with your feet on the floor, your arms bent at right angles, and your eyes in line with the top of your screen, so find a chair that allows you to do this.
Don’t just think about yourself either. Get some furniture for any guests you may invite round to watch the games with you.
Refreshments
Playing video games for hours or watching sports or movies for an entire day is thirsty work. You’ll definitely want to have some food and drinks on hand, but heading back to the kitchen every time might mean you miss something.
Instead, consider getting somewhere to store food and drink. A fridge is great if you want to keep your drinks chilled or you plan on snacking on foods that can spoil if you leave them out too long.
It doesn’t have to take up a lot of room; mini-fridges that fit on top of tables or next to a sofa are very common and can even double up as a coffee table to rest your drink on.
Another thing to think about is having a bin or some other place to throw your packaging and empty drinks bottles or cans when you’re done. Any cheap bin will do the trick unless you want to get one that matches the decor of your man cave.
Lighting
Another thing to consider is lighting. You don’t want your gaming interrupted by the glare of the sun, so it’s a good idea to factor in which direction the sun will be shining through your windows and invest in some blinds or curtains that can help you block out any bright glare during certain parts of the day.
If you plan to spend a lot of time there at night, then you’ll also want to think about artificial light. If you’re building your man cave in a spare bedroom, it’ll already have lights fitted, though you may wish to change this to spotlights or a completely different color. However, if you’re using a shed, basement, or garage, you may need to install them from scratch.
Whatever lighting option you choose, just be sure that you’re not getting eye strain from long hours of staring at a screen. Although it’s not a permanent problem, it can feel uncomfortable
