Building a Man Room

The television is an essential part of any "man room."

A man's home is his castle -- at least until he gets married and has kids. His castle then becomes a child-friendly, color-coordinated reflection of a unit, rather than an expression of himself. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but from time to time, the man of the house still needs space to be alone -- a place within the home where he can escape the demands of the daily grind while freely and noisily indulging in his own interests. A functional "man room" doesn't have to cost a fortune. Toss a comfy couch, a fridge full of beer and a few high-end electronics together and you're well on your way to creating the perfect hideout.

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Flooring (carpet, tile, vinyl)
• Large television
• Sofa
• Refrigerator

Instructions

1. Find an area to work with. Man rooms can be located over the garage, in the attic, in the basement, or made from an old bedroom or storage area. If all else fails, a simple single room can be constructed in the yard, independent of the family dwelling. Be sure to choose a space that has adequate room for any large items such as a television, sofa, refrigerator or pool table.

2. Measure the chosen area and record the length, width and height on graph paper. In pencil, design a scale model of your man room. For example, use one square on the graph paper to represent one square foot or real space. Use the basic design to determine the best arrangement for the desired furnishings and to incorporate any building details, such as where lights need to be installed as well as where to add shelving and storage.

3. Make a list of any building materials or equipment needed to finish the man cave. If you're not using a room that is already in the home, insulation, drywall and flooring need to be added to make the area comfortable. Batt insulation is easy to install and inexpensive, and drywall is readily available at most home improvement stores. Flooring options include tile, vinyl and carpet, with budget being a prime factor in the decision-making process. Be sure to leave yourself an extra 10 to 15 percent in your budget to cover any unforeseen costs.

4. Choose the design elements. A man room doesn't necessarily have to have a theme, but it will look more pulled together if it does. Envision the finished project. Aside from a large television, a refrigerator for drinks and a comfortable sofa, what do you want it to look like? Sports centers, pool halls, arcades and hunting lodges can serve as great sources of inspiration.

5. Create a step-by-step plan of what needs to be done. Recruit friends to help with the project, if possible, and contact licensed professionals to do any work you're not comfortable with.

References

• Apartment Therapy : Apartment Therapy Salutes Men & Their Man Caves
• Jalopnik : 10 Steps to Creating the Perfect Man Cave
• Apartment Therapy : The Man Room