At some point, every man in history has needed a retreat. A break from the rigorous, although rewarding, demands of work, personal, or family life. A way to finally cut loose and be whatever, or whoever, he wants to be… Drugs, you say? Probably a bad, and illegal, idea. Luckily, we’ve come up with something a bit healthier and much more fulfilling.
Clear and overriding vision must be understood by all involved in the project. The setting, aesthetic, furniture, and design must be consistent with this vision. A wide variety of themes, and personal tastes, associated with the term “medieval” gives the designers plenty of creative freedom.
Whether you want a gray and broody Game of Thrones type of aesthetic, or a lighter and party-friendly Beowulf vibe is entirely up to you. The power of the human imagination (and Amazon) will guide you on your quest to flesh out the man escape of your dreams. We have also summarized a brief set of steps to follow, as well as ideas to run with.
Step 1: Establish a vision
Your man cave is exactly that. YOUR man cave.
YOUR escape.
YOUR fortress.
No one can tell you how to design and create your space because the only one with your specific needs and tastes is YOU. External opinions, including this article, should only serve as guiding hands. Otherwise, if you already have a clear and solid vision then, by all means, go for it.
If you are yet to fully visualize your dream man cave, there are many sources of inspiration. What are your favorite medieval-themed films, books, and television shows? Even videogames like Assassin’s Creed have plenty of interesting medieval-style settings that could spark an idea or two.
Your location and surrounding landscape can also help you draw some inspiration. If you live in a mountainous area and have good views, you could opt for an airy design with good natural lighting. The Eyrie, an ancient castle in Game of Thrones, is home to a circular great hall that bathes in glorious daylight. The surrounding mountains serve as wallpaper thanks to the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the relatively minimalist room.
If you are building a standalone structure, check out the TV show Vikings (Available on Amazon Prime) for some interesting medieval Scandinavian huts. There are many more fictional settings and locations that you can scour and emulate for this project.
History shows and museums are also good if you are completely stuck.
Step 2: Location, location, location
Once you have a concrete vision, it is time to determine where exactly the man cave will be positioned. This is determined by several factors. Will it be an existing room in the house or an extension? Will it be an entirely standalone structure? Will it be an ACTUAL cave?
The location of your man cave is entirely up to you and your circumstances. A popular choice is to set up in the basement, perfect for some late-night Dungeons and Dragons. Another choice is the attic, which has developed a clichéd association with memoir scribing retirees. In general, though, most guys tend to set up in some relatively quiet area of the house. Someplace big enough to house a desk and a whisky table.
Find an existing room in your house or apartment that is most consistent with your vision. I would recommend a room with a balcony, or direct outside access, for the indoor/outdoor experience. The balcony, especially if furnished, could be a perfect place to reflect, weigh up ideas, or have a cigar while on a break from your work. Big windows are a good idea if the room is small. Try to install high burglar bars for the balcony, especially if you have kids.
When it comes to the setting, ventilation is extremely important. You will be spending a lot of hours at a time in the man cave so breathability is important. If you are setting up in a basement, ensure there is sufficient ventilation or have a ventilation system installed. A clever trick is to install window fans in windows that are facing each other.
Your man-cave should be the physical manifestation of your “happy place”, so peace is important. If possible, avoid setting up in a place where you will be forced to endure constant noise and interruptions. If your idea of “peace and quiet” is not attainable in your home, you might need to set up elsewhere. You could use a backyard cottage or pool house, if possible. If not, you could rent a space somewhere.
Building a dedicated structure, that will serve as your man cave, is probably the manliest way to go through. Design America Inc’s Build Your Own Sheds & Outdoor Projects Manual is an easy to read guide on how to get started, with clear illustrations, measurements, and an emphasis on using affordable or repurposed materials. The book, available now on Amazon, is an entertaining read specifically catered to newbies. With time, commitment, some helpful friends, and the occasional beer or two, you will soon be king of your own little castle. Please, feel free to (finally) record your Battle of Hastings Military Tactics Review Podcast in peace.
If you are one of those sheer dumb luck types, you could somehow find yourself with access to a real usable cave. Make sure it is vacant though!
Step 3: Stuff and Design
Now that we have a man cave, we need to put some stuff in it, don’t we? The medieval ages, and associated fictional universes, bore witness to some incredible and interesting craftsmanship, invention, and literature. They did spawn minds like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Richard the Lionheart, Francis of Assisi, as well as Genghis Khan and Joan of Arc. And that is just a speck, on a chip of ice, on the tip of the inspiration iceberg.
Let’s handle business first. You will need a desk, some comfy and sturdy chairs, and some stationery. If you already have a desk, you can give it a middle-age feel with one of Blue Orchard’s cool looking cobblestone print tablecloths. You will need a desk lamp or two too. It is advisable to place the desk in a place where it will be the focal point of the room and influence the rest of the room’s design.
No noble lord’s desk is complete without a quill and ink, and classy calligraphy sets and supplies are available on Amazon. After admiring your excellent penmanship, you will have to physically send your letter. Remember, fax machines and email haven’t been invented yet. How will your recipients know the orders are really from you? You will need an official seal to stamp on your letters. Check out a good selection of wax letter sealing kits from Amazon.
The man cave is also a place of relaxation so you will need some home comforts. A set of comfortable lounge chairs and a coffee table would be ideal for you and a few friends. A large comfortable couch, or two, maybe a little off-theme, but probably necessary.
A designated bar area can also be established. For simplicity, you could make use of the aforementioned whisky table to hold your mead mugs or wine goblet set. Above it, you can install a floating wall shelf, which can be found on Amazon. Once secured, the shelf will be ready to hold a few blends and vintages. A cleverly disguised minifridge is never a bad idea either.
Even if you are not a smoker, there’s just something about a badass ashtray that adds a cool factor. Look for beautiful Celtic tribal carving ashtrays from Ain’t It Nice LLC on Amazon. This would make for a sweet centerpiece on the coffee table. CP Cigar is offering a cool-looking zebrawood and stainless-steel cigar cutter. Is there any tool that is as sophisticatedly specific as a cigar cutter? Perhaps not.
One of masculinity’s defining stereotypes, barbecues, cannot be ignored. This is a major reason behind my earlier recommendation of an indoor/outdoor situation. Barbecues are among the easiest ways to bring people over to check out your cool new man cave. Being “King of the Tongs”, during a function your family is hosting, is also a useful way to look busy while gorging yourself. Amazon has a fantastic range of gas and electric barbecue grills that you can check out.
It is impossible to dissociate the term “medieval” with thoughts of clattering swords and shields. Weaponry and armor were a defining part of the period, and our man cave should reflect that. A fine array of swords can be collected and hung on the walls. Shields as well. A fine Viking battle shield, ideal for wall decor, is for sale on Amazon. A full suit of Knights Templar armor is just about the most medieval thing you could ever put in any man cave anywhere. Check out this wearable number on Amazon.
How you approach lighting and heating also has an impact on how medieval your man cave will look and feel. Various lamps, lanterns, and candlesticks can add style and really make your man cave more vibrant at night. A rustic fireplace is also advisable. You will thank yourself later on a chilly night, as you sip mulled mead while leisurely perusing through Machiavelli’s The Prince.
Over time you will come across various trinkets and collectibles and can slowly add them into the man cave. A wall-mounted animal head screams “medieval”, I feel. I would advise a regal looking deer, although a fat ugly boar would be a guaranteed conversation starter. We understand that some people are against using real animal heads, so we suggest this polyresin wolf head from WallCharmers on Amazon.