Man Cave Essentials: Creating the Perfect Personal Retreat

Doesn't every man aspire to have a man cave. It's ironic really when you think about it. Women must have driven men up the wall when they lived in caves together. If they left the cave they'd get eaten by sabre tooth tigers. It would be relentless nagging on smelly feet, smelly breath and unwashed private parts. A man cave is a personal space where you can relax, pursue hobbies, and unwind. While the must-haves for a man cave can vary depending on individual preferences, here are some common essentials to consider:

1. Comfortable Seating: Invest in comfortable chairs, sofas, or recliners where you and your guests can relax. We've all seen how comfy recliners can be in the whitest TV show on earth, Friends. Readily available from most furniture stores, but the unusual ones look to come from Dunelm. Wide range of Recliner chairs available to buy today at Dunelm, the UK's largest homewares and soft furnishings store.

2. Entertainment Centre: A large TV, gaming consoles, and a good sound system for watching movies, sports, or playing games. I spoke about the importance of a good curved 65" in a previous article.

3. Gaming Setup: If you're into gaming, a gaming PC or console, along with gaming accessories like controllers and a gaming chair. I'll admit I like my online poker and it looks fantastic on the right set up on the big screen. Check out this article for the best ten online poker games.

4. Bar or Mini-Fridge: A bar area with a mini-fridge, a selection of beverages, and barware for mixing drinks. Now you are talking. I wish they could invent a fridge with wheels that delivers beer to your recliner like a droid from Star Wars. I love the look of this Subcold Super65 LED fridge, for £200 on Amazon. 

5. Sports Memorabilia: Display your sports memorabilia, jerseys, or collectibles to showcase your interests. You know me, I'm a huge Lewis Hamilton fan. Sadly I've yet to meet the legend, so no signatures yet. But check out A1 Sporting Memorabilia if you fancy stocking up on signed souvenirs of your favourite teams or players

6. Wall Art and Decor: Decorate the walls with artwork, posters, or framed photographs that reflect your style and interests. For me I like photography, I like classic film posters. More so that the classic films themselves. I subscribe to the Newsletter for Iconic Images as they often have new releases and sales.

7. Bookshelves or Display Cases: For showcasing your favourite books, comics, or collectibles. I'm into dark wood, with a rustic vibe. This Treehouse book shelf will be unusual feature that people will be drawn to when they enter your mancave. Available on Amazon for £70.

8. Pool Table or Ping Pong Table: If you have space, consider adding a game table for entertainment. Be warned, make sure you have the space for a pool table. There is nothing worse than a pool table in a cramped mancave. No one likes to play pool with their cues above their heads. Unless you're Jimmy White doing a Masse shot. If you're in the market check out Riley Snooker Tables.

9. Lighting: Install proper lighting, including ambient, task, and accent lighting, to set the mood. I once bought a helicopter light thinking it would be a great talking point. Only no one has ever mentioned how fricking cool the thing looks. But it does look cool trust me. Roast Designs do bespoke chandeliers.

10. Personal Touches: Add personal touches like family photos, mementos, or souvenirs to make the space feel uniquely yours. I like those electronic photo displays that rotate all your phone photos on slides. Just make sure there is no 'revealing' photos on your phone before inviting all your friends round for a mancave warming party.

Cover Photo by Nick Rickert on Unsplash