Can We Talk About Your Outdated Man Cave?

How to drag that relic of days past kicking and screaming into the current century.

Ah, the humble man-cave—the designated dumping ground for all the leftover college décor that’s been banished from the civilized spaces of your adult home. It’s the Island of Misfit Toys, but for all of your vintage neon beer signs, movie posters, and singing wall-mounted fish. Now exiled to the darkest and dingiest corners of your basement or garage, they sit in despair, waiting for you—the king of this garbage heap—to sit atop your throne (an overstuffed recliner) and join them in misery.

What if it didn’t have to be this way? What if you could keep some (but not all) of that memorabilia, and display it in a way that balances comfort with sophistication—keeping your unique style alive while updating it so that it meshes with modern sensibilities? It’s possible, and if you take some of the following tips to heart, you’ll be able to make that man-cave something that’s actually worth bragging about.

FIND YOUR FOCUS

The trouble with man-caves is that they almost always transform into de facto storage spaces for your home’s unwanted items. Childhood toys? Throw them in the cave. Old books? Throw them in the cave. Do that enough times, and end result is the claustrophobic, cave-like situation that earned these spaces their notorious name. The counter to this pernicious pitfall? Find the purpose for your man-cave, then stick to it.

Instead of trying to cram everything you hold dear into one room, carve out a niche that you enjoy. Maybe you want a comfortable gaming/TV room? Perhaps your cave can serve as a shrine to your extensive record collection, or even a reading room where you can get lost in all manner of literary adventures. Your options are almost limitless, but once you’ve settled on a theme, try not to deviate from that focal point—lest you want your man-cave to meet the same overcluttered fate as so many before it.

LOVELY LIGHTING

Natural caves might not get much light, but your man-cave requires it if you want it to feel like anything other than a lonely dungeon. If your man-cave receives any amount of natural light, count yourself as one of the lucky ones, and use that window for all it’s worth. For those relegated to their basements, however, it’s essential to install some warm, atmospheric lighting to make the space inviting and comfortable. 

SUIT THE SPACE

Because the man-cave is often an afterthought, it’s generally situated in a cramped and incommodious part of the home—to your detriment. It’s not impossible to work with limited space, however, and you can make even a smaller area of the home feel inviting if you opt for furniture that fits.

COMFORT FIRST

No matter the theme or vibe, the desire for a man-cave almost always stems from a desire for comfort and relaxation. Wherever your interests lie, a good sofa or set of armchairs will lay the groundwork and allow you to kick back and relax in your space.

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