Every hard-working man deserves a place to lay down and relax after coming back from a long day at work. Having a place to be alone, to have drinks alone or with friends, where they can enjoy doing their hobbies and get away from the stress of family members, ranks top amongst the secret desires of most modern men. The way out is what is called a man cave or man space.
A man cave, also known as a man space is usually a room or free space in the house creatively designed according to a man’s taste and personality. Usually, a man cave was originally made out of free space within the house, with garages also included. Although, more recently, men have evolved from not only wanting a personal space within the house, to wanting an outdoor man cave instead of places like a deserted room, dingy basements, and damp garages.
In the course of this article, we shall be showing you a proper step by step guide on how to build an outdoor man cave. Taking into consideration the approaches on whether to convert an existing building such as a shed or old garage or building a new man cave from raw materials, to how to make preparations all in a bid to helping you build your dream man cave.
How to build an outdoor man cave
In building an outdoor man cave, there are three stages involved – the planning stage, the construction, wiring, and fitting (exterior design stage), and the interior design stage. All three stages must be properly followed to get that dream man cave you have always wanted. Let’s roll!
Stage 1: Planning
The planning stage is primarily important in the building of an outdoor man cave. This is because every single step you will be taking in the setting up of the man cave has to be first considered, and planned properly before the execution begins.
In the planning stage, you decide on all materials you will be making use of in the exterior design of the man cave. Also, all the necessary equipment needed to carry out the construction is considered as well as the interior design style or pattern. All furniture and beautification additions needed to achieve the perfect man cave are also considered.
Step 1. Write things down
The first step in the planning stage is to write down all the necessary personal things you would be needing in the man cave, so you don’t forget anything during the building process. This step is important because there is a popular saying that the right plan is all you need to achieve your goal. Your goal in this case is building your dream man cave. So you have to take note of every personal necessity, taking into consideration also, the size of land where you would be building upon. Level ground is important as it makes the building process easier.
Step 2. Determine your purpose
The next step in building an outdoor man cave is having a specific purpose. Therefore being able to know the reason and your desire to set up a man cave helps to prevent future mistakes and disappointments. Always endeavor to ask yourself questions about what you desire to have in the man cave. Will you be having lots of friends over? Will you play video games often? Will you listen to music or probably watch movies? If yes, then you need enough space and a comfortable furniture setting, a large TV, and a sound system (to avoid disturbing neighbors and your family members, you might want to add soundproofing). Knowing the right purpose and laying them out correctly before you begin will help you build your man cave to your taste and comfort.
Step 3. Select a site
The next step is selecting a suitable area outside. The area chosen must be leveled because a leveled ground does not collect water making it the perfect and best location for a man cave. However, if there’s a lot of water in the area, then you have to raise the foundation of the building using the appropriate groundwater protection. Furthermore, when deciding the area to set up, you also need to consider vegetation. If your land area has lots of trees, then that is a huge plus, if it doesn’t, consider picking an area where something casts a shade on; it could be your house that casts this shade.
Step 4. Set a budget
The next step is to set a budget target. Now that you are fully aware of how you want your man cave to be. The next thing to do is to determine the cost of building your man cave based on every single expenditure you can think of. It is in your best interest if you set two separate budgets; the first one would be the cost of building, i.e. the actual physical construction of the man cave, the second would be a separate estimated budget for the decoration of the man cave with things like a TV set, furniture, pool table, and other interior decorative materials.
Proper budget planning places you on the right path to avoid running out of funds as it keeps you conscious of your spending, to avoid overspending. However, your budget must be estimated (i.e. a slight increase from the normal amount) because sometimes, your price calculation of certain materials may be less than the actual market price.
Stage 2: Construction, wiring, and fitting
After the planning stage is the exterior design stage which comprises construction, wiring, and fitting. This stage is an important one because it determines the stability, durability, and functionality of your man cave. In the exterior design stage, you will be focusing on everything that has to do with the exteriors of the man cave. You need to decide on the right external materials to make use of; the windows, wood, frames, outdoor lights, doors, and more. The effectiveness of your exterior also determines the outer beauty of your man cave, and of course, you would want it to be top-notch so when your friends come over, or anyone else sees it, you’d get some accolades.
Follow the steps below appropriately to begin the exterior design process.
Step 1. Prepare the ground
Now that you have actualized your plan and everything needed to be done from the planning stage, the first step in the exterior design stage is to prepare the ground by clearing all the grass and shrubs and removing all debris in the land area to ensure that the land is clean and cleared before work commences. In clearing the bushes and shrubs, one piece of equipment that will play a pivotal role is a Lawn Mower (check it out on Amazon).
The lawnmower is also commonly called a grass cutter, this equipment makes use of one, and sometimes, more revolving blades which cut the grass to a preferred height which is determined by the mower itself but can be adjusted by you. A lawn mower’s blades are powered by a manual force, with its wheels connected mechanically to the blades that cut, that way, when you push the mower forward, it spins. More so, this equipment is powered by a battery which makes it an easy pick when clearing an area that doesn’t have a nearby electric socket.
Step 2. Build the foundation
The next step is the most vital part; it is building the foundation. A proper foundation for your man cave will help prevent the wood from rotting due to water contact from the ground.
In areas where there are little rains and no freeze, a shallow foundation is more efficient. If perhaps you reside in a place where there is plenty of rain and much freeze, then, you need a waterproof foundation. The post and pier foundation is the most common type of foundation found in such areas. So, ensuring you get the right foundation is an important task. You can use either a cement foundation that keeps pests away and is long-lasting or a cheaper brick foundation.
Step 3. Erect the shed
The next step, after successfully setting up the foundation and, the floor is to erect the shed. The walls will require a frame, so importantly, build a frame. Next, fix the wall material as preferred by you, and never forget to leave openings for doors and windows. Now that the walls are in place, install the roof structure, and then the roof plywood. Finally, fix the doors and windows. Also, ensure that all the wooden materials are preserved with wood preservatives like Roxil wood protection cream which you can also shop on Amazon. The essence of using a wood preservative is to make sure that the wood used in erecting the shed lasts long, after all, they are the mainframe of the building, and securing them means a long-lasting building that wouldn’t need frequent maintenance.
Step 4. Dress with polythene
The next step is to make use of polythene to dress up the walls and roof, thereby protecting them from groundwater and air moisture. Before applying a seal, always make sure that the walls and roof are free from dust or moisture. A very strong polythene material ensures that your man cave remains waterproof during the rainy season, giving you stress-free enjoyment and relaxation.
Step 5. Insulation and Soundproofing
If you’re the kind that likes playing loud music, then your man cave needs a layer of insulation and soundproofing. That way, you don’t get to attract the attention of neighbors or family members, creating awareness or even disturbance. Using fiberglass insulation that also acts as a barrier to sound is a way to save money. A soundproofing material like the CM fiberglass insulation which you can also shop on Amazon is a great way to soundproof your man cave.
Step 6. Connect electricity
The next thing to do is getting electricity. Connecting your man cave to electricity is essential regardless of the special purpose for which you built your man cave especially if you intend to watch movies, play music, and play video games with buddies. Even if you are not the gaming type, the importance of having electricity connected to your man cave cannot be overemphasized, because electricity gives your man cave a complete feel. You need lights to move around when it is dark, so you cannot possibly be comfortable without it.
When connecting electricity to your man cave, it is also important you make use of strong electric cable wire like the Tyumen electric cable wire (also shop on Amazon). The Tyumen electric cable wire is the best fit because it is suitable for all your man cave appliances of 12V DC – 24V DC and it’s also flexible which increases its environmental durability. If you are not skilled in electrical wiring, you should contact skilled personnel, that would do the trick, more so, it would also avert any possible electrical hazard such as a fire outbreak or electric shocks.
Step 7. Set the right temperature
The last step in the exterior stage is getting the right weather condition in your man cave by setting the right temperature. The easiest way to do so is to install an HVAC system to keep the temperature in your man cave stable regardless of how the weather outside is. That way, you would have taken a step further in getting your dream man cave building. HVAC is otherwise known as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and it has a multipurpose functionality which is what makes it the best fit for your man cave; it has a solution for all kinds of weather! You can get also get the HVAC system on Amazon. However, do not try to install it yourself as it is illegal, instead consult skilled personnel to help you out.
Stage 3: Interior design
The interior design stage is creative and is perhaps the most important stage because what makes a man’s cave standout and to serve its purpose is how the inside looks – the theme, the color, and arrangement. Whether it’s a man cave for playing games, listening to music, drinking and hanging out with friends, or even working on creative projects, you must pick the right decoration for it depending on your taste and personality while also taking into consideration the general characteristics that make a man cave, as, without it, your man cave could become dull and boring to you. In this section, we shall be taking you through a step by step guide on how to achieve the perfect interior man cave design.
Below are steps to help you create an interior design of your choice:
Step 1. Pick a theme
Pick a theme and stick with it. When starting your design, it is important to pick a theme and stick with it to avoid deviating from your taste. Sticking to a theme will also make things to be more organized. Picking a theme should depend on your primary reason for building the man cave because your theme defines your taste, it defines what interests you as a person. It should not be a difficult task or something you have to worry much about, you just have to let it flow. If you have a football person, then you could use that as a theme, the same goes for if you are a gamer, biker, or ex-military personnel or you are just in love with the military. All these are easy themes that you can design the interior of your man cave around.
Step 2. Paint your cave
After you have decided on the theme to make use of, the next step in your interior design is to paint the room. When painting the room, be sure to let it complement your theme, and more importantly, avoid using darker colors as these will make your man cave look somewhat smaller than it is. You can paint the wall in a light shade of blue, green, or an earthy color like brown. Darker colors can be used to paint the borders and other decorative elements including wooden trims. This would give your theme a better depth and blend. Some of the best paint collections for your man cave can also be found on Amazon.
You may also decide to use wallpapers instead of painting to make it look lively, fun, and of course, in line with your theme. Make it a place well decorated to fit the expected warm nature of a man cave meant for relaxation. You can find an amazing collection of man cave wall arts and wallpapers on Amazon.
Step 3. Add Furniture
The next step is to start adding volume to the man cave space by adding furniture. Depending on the size of your man cave, you can make use of one large furniture piece, like a sofa that will anchor the room’s space, while also providing a good focal point. You can also use multiple sofas if the space is large enough to accommodate them, so long you ensure one of the sofas takes a focal point position in the room space. Also, if the purpose of the man cave is mainly for personal relaxation and for hosting/playing with friends, adding about four other little pieces of furniture, a table (preferably glass), and a bookshelf would be adequate. If the room is not larger than 4m x 4.5m, making use of too many large pieces of furniture would create a clustered feel which will ultimately make your man cave space appear smaller than it is.
Step 4. Install electronic gadgets
The next step is to install electronic gadgets like a home theater, TV, or refrigerator. By now, you should already know the size of your man cave; having a small man cave means having mini gadgets while having a large man cave means you can have large-sized gadgets; you should know what works best.
For a home theater system, an iLive 5.1 Home Theater System with Bluetooth function which you can also shop on Amazon would be a perfect fit for your man cave.
Also adding an audio workshop could be lovely if you are the type that loves composing your songs, mixing and matching audio tracks.
Having all of these gadgets around brings us back to where we talked about waterproofing in the exterior stage design of your man cave, and this is why you have to make sure it is fully waterproofed because you would not want to waste money on repairs or purchasing new electronic devices when they are damaged by moisture from rain or snow.
Step 5. Create your drinking room!
The next step in your outdoor man cave is to create a drinking room. Lots of men love to drink and if you are the type who does not, then for the times where you’d be hosting a company of your friends, a drinking room would come in handy. Since you have already set up a nice audio room in your man cave, having a drink with friends while playing music could light up the place; not only with the company of friends, having a drink while taking a meal isn’t a bad idea either. To perfectly achieve a drinking room, you would need a drink shelf (check it out on Amazon) where you can store bottles and glass cups, preferably the wall-mounted type. Also, you will need about two to four mini stool chairs, and a table possibly.
Step 6. Set up a workspace
Everyone who works particularly from home knows the importance of keeping your working space secluded from the rest of your home. Building and decorating a man cave office to work from home is a great idea. Not only is it enjoyable at times to work from home, but the comfort of working from home in a man cave is another feeling. More productivity could arise which will help boost your outcome.
Creating a man cave with a workspace fitted with a small library is a great idea.
When setting up a workspace within your man cave, you would need a bookshelf (shop on Amazon) of average size and a very comfortable chair that can allow you to move easily. Also, the painting of your workspace can be different from the rest of your man cave; a super light color would do just fine because it would give the room a sense of brightness which is necessary for a work environment.
Step 7. Create a sports/gaming room
If there’s anything that brings men together then it is a sports room! Gathering your friends around with your favorite teams cheering with drinks in a man cave isn’t much of a bad idea. Having a large TV around is needed to watch your favorite sport and enjoy some good times together. In your sports room, you will most likely need to have additional lights and also install good climate control to avoid disturbance when watching a live match.
Alternatively, while some men love sports, others would rather have a gaming arcade room, while others love gaming as much as they love sports. While a majority of people may argue that gaming is for kids, that is not true, men also play video
games. Gaming means much more than playing video games, it gives men time to kick back and relax their stress level. For a gaming arcade room, you will need a 4k gaming TV which you can also shop on Amazon. You also need a gaming console and a comfortable chair. There are several types of video games that can lighten up your mood and make you and your friends have a good time together, some of which might be FIFA 20, Call of Duty, and Need for Speed (get them all on Amazon).
Step 8. Finishing touches
This is the last step on our list, it involves putting finishing touches on several parts of your man cave. For instance, you might need to hang a metallic framed mirror on the wall in your bar area, depending on your budget and taste. Also, there might be a need for a table light in your workspace too. This step is all about adding any necessary item you feel you might need in your man cave, and when you are done, you have your dream man cave staring right at you!
Conclusion
Building an outdoor man cave is similar to having a man cave indoors, but the fact remains that people have their choices and reasons behind building a man cave and their preferred location. However, what is important is that you find a place where you can be yourself, a place where you don’t have to be at your best, a place to relax, enjoy the company of male friends and help keep your health stable without costing you much.
Do you feel particularly fired up to start building your outdoor man cave after reading this article? Kindly like, comment, and share with friends!