Everyone needs a space they can call their own. In this day and age, private spaces have become such a huge necessity for most people. We constantly have a desire to be in a room that is decorated to match our personality and character.
Psychologists argue that a private space allows individuals to have a personal conversation with themselves which is essential for emotional well-being. Not many of us get a chance to do this. That’s why man caves are so important. Man caves provide a chance to revel in our own solitude.
Complete Guide to Making the Best Shipping Container Man Cave Ever
Man caves come in all shapes and sizes. Most people these days have gone the extra mile to create their man caves using shipping containers. Container doors are built to offer protection and would take some extreme force to bring them down. The last thing you need to worry about is the security of your valuable assets, which is why containers make a perfect choice for a man cave.
These days’ people build all sorts of things out of shipping containers such as entire homes, roadside kitchens, prison cells, restaurants, cafes, storage facilities, offices, and temporary emergency housing. So if you think about it, building a man cave from a shipping container is actually a good idea.
In this article, we are going to give you a comprehensive guide on how to build the best man cave out of a shipping container. So sit back, relax, and read on to find out more on this topic. This will certainly be an enlightening piece for you.
Where Can I Get a Shipping Container?
If you are stuck on how you can get yourself a shipping container then you are probably looking in the wrong direction. Depending on where you reside, buying a shipping container should be easy. If you live by the port, it should not be difficult to find one for your man cave. You can find shipping containers in the local warehouses. Dealers typically have access to inventories and you can get one such shipping container from them without a fuss. You can find used containers here that can cost you as little as $500. You should have an idea of how big you want your man cave to look before purchasing the container. The container size matters.
You could also find yourself a container deal on an auction site. Auction sites often sell new and used containers cheap where buyer protection is adhered to. You should note that some auction sites do not include delivery.
Is It Illegal to Bury a Shipping Container?
You are probably thinking of building an underground man cave by burying the shipping container. Well, it’s possible- a building permit from the relevant authority is crucial for such an installation. These shipping containers have code enforcement competencies that you may need to consider when building your man cave. If a permit is offered you will certainly be required to ensure there are proper ventilation and sanitation to make the man cave safe to occupy. So to answer the question, no. It isn’t illegal to bury a shipping container if you have the right permits.
How Long a Shipping Container Will Last Buried?
If given the go-ahead to bury the shipping container for your man cave you will now have to consider how long it can last underground. A buried steel container can corrode and eventually collapse, leaving a hazardous pit that can trap anyone in the man cave.
A shipping container would normally last 30 years above the ground (under the right conditions). The container is likely to last considerably less if buried and if the soil around it is very damp. For the perfect man cave, it’s best if you reinforce the sides of the container with relatively inexpensive Gabion baskets. The cages provide a barrier between the backfill and the container sides. You could also resort to using welded steel angle irons.
How Do You Secure a Shipping Container to the Ground?
It’s quite simple to this. You should, however, seek professional help to do this perfectly. Ground plates with twist locks will make it easy to secure the container to the ground. You should bolt the ground plates into the concrete and ensure that the corner castings line up with the twist locks as you lower the container. Once lowered, you can pull the levers on the twist locks.
Imagine your man cave collapsing after just a few years of securing it in the ground? You should ensure that the ground is soft and stable and may want to consider supporting the container with a concrete footing, railroad ties, or a bed of gravel to ensure even distribution of weight.
How Do You Insulate a Shipping Container?
You should consider customizing your shipping container to realize your perfect man cave before securing it in the ground. If you think that a medium temperature will be crucial to you then it will probably be a good idea to request a lined and insulated container.
The beauty of making your man cave is that you can customize it to your liking. If you intend on doing it yourself you could opt to use spray foam insulation. It can be sprayed both onto the exterior and interior walls of the shipping container.
Are Shipping Containers Safe to Live In?
It takes a lot of considerations to weigh whether a shipping container is the best for building your man cave. You have to be prepared to make the necessary adjustments for guaranteed safe living.
It’s always important for you to understand the important aspect of home containers to determine if they provide what you need. Yeah, shipping containers are safe to live in. They are reinforced with high levels of steel and can provide the ultimate security for your valuable man cave assets.
Shipping containers, however, often have harmful chemicals applied to them. You can always consider preferring purchasing new shipping containers and order the manufacturers not to treat the floors with hazardous chemicals. You don’t need to worry about your safety- these containers can withstand natural disasters. The containers are built to withstand cargo loads up to 26 tons.
So technically, shipping containers are safe to live in. The only thing you need to be careful about is the chemicals applied to them. Before using the shipping container to make your man cave, consider cleansing it and having these chemicals removed. Alternatively, you can get a brand new one that hasn’t been coated with these chemicals.
Do Shipping Containers Need Ventilation?
For a relaxed state, you will need some free flow of air in and out of your man cave. While shipping containers are built with small pressure vents to allow the units to breathe, they are not sufficient to create the required functional ventilation. For this reason, you have to ensure that you have adequate ventilation in your man cave. The shipping containers are often a build-up of moisture and lack of airflow, hence both moisture and air is trapped.
If you decide to do ventilation on your own, then the cheapest way of doing it is by installing vents or a whirlybird into the container.
Few customization options could do a great deal for you. Window units can be fitted wherever you want them. Doors can also be fitted and can be left or right hinged.
10 Need to Have Things for Your Shipping Container Man Cave
You probably have a lot of man cave ideas. Here, we take a look at the certain shipping container man cave essentials that you should have.
1. Wall Art
If you are a lover of art then this is a must-have. Art will help you to relax because it can be an expression of the anxiety and stress from your body. Walls are some of the most conspicuous elements of a room. So hanging art on the walls of your shipping container man cave is a good idea. They will create an ambient atmosphere that is calming and relaxing.
Many researchers argue that having an art gallery can help you lower the body’s concentration of the stress hormone cortisol. The pleasure hormone instead is released. Besides art will help boost your confidence and make you feel more resilient and engaged. Wall art is therefore important for your man cave. It will help you alleviate stress, anxiety, depression thus safeguarding your mental health.
Not many of us get the chance to have some alone time to think for ourselves and listen to the voices in our heads. Having art puzzles will possibly activate the brain’s time travel machine hence allowing you to get in touch with the time-lapse of your life.
You can find Wall Art on Amazon.
2. Bookshelves
You should add a class of touch to your shipping container man cave with some eye-catching books. Whether it’s lifestyle books, BBQ recipes, magazines, or educational books, it doesn’t matter. You can imagine using the bookshelf as a hidden door into your shipping container man cave.
There is always a strong relationship between how people feel and react within a certain environment. Most of the time it’s the women that have a say when it comes to the home environment. This makes it difficult for men to themselves. Having bookshelves within your shipping container might help you deal with that. You can decide to read some books that would make you forget the hostile environment you are in.
You can always find yourself some little space by the corner for a small study room and office where you can finish your job assignments away from the kids’ noises. Think of a man cave office where you can escape the house and still work from home. You will only be required to commute from your back door to your custom design office.
Besides, books are often educational and insightful. Nowadays most men are caught up in our daily activities such that we hardly get the chance to realize who truly we are. Reading books in the shipping man cave will make you try to relate to the various book characters. The man cave will offer you an opportunity, time, and space to be alone and have some time reconnecting with yourself. You can always reflect on the past and the desired future version of yourself hence acquire an orientation of self-importance.
You can find Bookshelves on Amazon.
3. Entertainment
Entertainment comes in all sorts of forms. You can decide to install a Jacuzzi within your shipping container man cave for recreational purposes. In case you are wondering how that’s possible then worry not. Timber is cladded with a separate and secure area that is fitted with electrics. Just like that, you have your external hot tub.
If you are going all out on your shipping container man cave, you will need a large TV with A 4K resolution. However, you will be better off adding an Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV to your man cave. You wouldn’t want to miss watching your favorite stars play on the weekends with your mates. If you are not into sports, then movies could also be a thing for you. Nowadays televisions come with a wide set of applications including Netflix and Showmax apps.
Having a reliable internet connection will be a boost to your ultimate experience. You can always stream the shows and channels you like. As much as it is a man cave, sharing it once in a while with your mates or family shouldn’t be a problem. You could play video games with your mates while reminiscing on the good old times.
Better still, your shipping container man cave can be designed like a movie theatre or a monochrome media room. Lightweight TVs can be mounted on the walls. You will need additional decorations of posters from your favorite movie stars or sports players. There can also be an assortment of elevated TV dinner style tables that is perfect for enjoying food and drinks from the comforts of the couch.
4. Man Cave Bar and Fridge and Bar Stools
What other places other than the man cave would you want to take a cold drink? We can both agree that a home bar adds life to your shipping container man cave. Here are some of the ideas that you could adopt.
- A bar cart – If you have several zones around your man cave where you fancy enjoying your drinks then a vintage bar cart would be ideal.
- A simple tray – If you are running out of space, this could work for you. The tray can be simply upgraded with faux marbles or leather handles.
- Occupy tight corners – Empty corners are always not very functional but can be a perfect place to organize a minibar within your shipping container man cave. You can always make use of wall-mounted cabinets or shelves.
Having a classy beer fridge can also be an excellent option. Go with a classy wooden fridge. However, if still you have space in your shipping container why not build a whole bar? You can have fun creating your cocktails just like from the local pubs and having a collection of the latest brews and wine or beer bottles.
You need bar stools for you and your friends. There are a lot of designs that you can choose from to meet your man cave expectations. You might even want to build a replica of a bar you once visited with your friends.
Having a wet bar in your man cave makes it easier to serve and prepare drinks to your colleagues while all of you kick back, relax, and have a great time. Home wet bars are different from dry bars in that they include running water and a sink.
You can find Fridges and Bar Stools on Amazon.
5. Sports Memorabilia
Before adding pictures of your family members, you should consider adding pictures that made your childhood amazing. Or a picture of you and your buddies going out fishing/ camping. Did you win a school championship in your youth days? This man cave can be an area to show and highlight your accomplishments.
Chances are that if you are spending resources to create your man cave from a shipping container, you have two or three pieces of sports memorabilia hanging around your home walls. Now might be the time to go digging through your college stuff to find these sports memorabilia. They can be anything from jerseys to bats, to balls. And they will work well as an aesthetic element to your man cave. Whatever your choice, you can never go wrong with these elements. You may also want to buy some, in which case, you can find Sports Memorabilia on Amazon.
6. Dart Board or Poker Table or Pool Table
Yes, you can have all these within your shipping container man cave. Not only are they useful during reunions with your friends, but also they are perfect for both your wife and children. Once in a while, it’s great to make the family bond stronger. Your man cave might be just the right place for exactly that.
Not a lot of people were allowed to play cards in their childhood. Now, however, you have the freedom to do so. Having a poker table would be another fantastic addition to any man cave. You could put the table at one side of the corner of your shipping container man cave. Social bonds are a necessity in our normal lives. Between a busy work schedule and a busy family life, it’s quite easy for most men to lose track of events and relationships with other men. It gets difficult to arrange meetings with your colleagues. That is why having a pool table, dartboards, and poker table would do the trick. Your colleagues most likely would take a rain check on a chance of meeting them for lunch but would relish a chance to meet up and play poker or darts.
It’s all fun and games here! You can add a ping pong centerpiece to keep the energy of your man cave high. The table not only encourages guests to get up on their feet but also adds a sports element without overwhelming the space with paraphernalia.
7. Gym Equipment
These days, men rarely get time to keep fit due to their busy work schedules. People tend to be caught up with other activities and end up forgetting to exercise our bodies. Exercises are a stress reliever. One thing that you were probably not aware of is that your shipping container man cave can be an excellent place to get physical.
You can install various gym equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes, dumbbells, power racks, and other working out equipment. Some exercise and cool music will give you some physical health boost and also relieve stress.
Your ultimate goal should be to build a gym within your shipping container man cave. The gym should reflect your fitness goals. However, you should be cautious to stay within your budget and available space. It wouldn’t make sense to have a gym in your man cave yet you go there only once in a blue moon.
You can find Gym Equipment on Amazon.
8. Recliner/Couch
If you do not have seats and accessories needed to turn your shipping container man cave into a relaxation spot then you wouldn’t get the most out of being there. A man cave recliner ensures that you have a soft spot that is welcoming whenever you want to kick your feet up.
Every good man cave requires a throne for its ruler. You will need somewhere to relax after a stressful day, to read a decent book, watch or enjoy a cup of coffee. So you should find yourself the best recliner money can purchase. You could still opt to find one of those ridiculously expensive chairs present in shopping malls with the vibrate function and massage the day away.
Technically, men carry a lot of expectations both from home and workplaces. They are required to fulfill their roles as providers and as parents. This can be quite overwhelming. To get away from these demands you can consider taking a rest at your man cave recliner. You will be able to take a breather for a while before you organize your thoughts. Finding a recliner that fits your budget is crucial. Prices can range from $250 to $5000.
For your shipping container man cave, trying out a home theater seating would be a good idea. However, a big couch can also do. Besides, which man on earth won’t fall for some cool leather recliners?
The cornerstone of your shipped container man cave should not be about the entertainment elements you have installed. A good relaxation spot requires somewhere you can kick back and chill. After all, this is your chill zone so go get that comfy chair you wouldn’t want to get out of. The manly furniture, leather couches, and chairs, metal, and wood cabinets all convey masculine energy. You will feel manly putting up your manly feet here.
You can find Recliners on Amazon.
9. A Decent Hi-Fi System
This is no–brainer. You should consider a decent Hi-Fi system for your shipping container man cave. Try to think of the high-end speakers and a decent turntable. You can consider purchasing a whole new audiophile system that will cost you approximately $1000 or recycling some vintage components into your man cave. Sports, movies, and the occasional weekend screening not only requires a large screen but also an audio system to back it up.
If you don’t have a large budget, there’s no need to worry. You don’t have to break the bank to get a new Hi-Fi system. You could search for reputable brands especially those from the 1980s when quality was key.
You can find Hi-Fi Systems on Amazon.
10.A Sophisticated Descent
The descent to your shipping container man cave can just be as exciting as space itself. If your man cave is underground, you can have a custom glass, walnut, and a steel staircase that leads to a verdant hangout area. You could add vintage club chairs to complete the unique setting.
All in all, shipping containers can make for good spaces to create your man cave. It’s all about having some personal space where you can do your stuff without annoying or interfering with the rest of the household activities. Man caves will give you space and privacy and also a room for distressing. Using shipping containers to build a man cave will save you money. Shipping containers are durable for the most part, and quite a unique idea if you think about it. Hopefully, this article has enlightened you on how to make a man cave out of shipping containers.