Let me guess. You’re a new dad. Or you just moved in with your girlfriend and her ludicrous shoe collection. In fact, your reasons are not even important. The point is you’re finally parting ways with an important piece of you.
Turning a man cave into a bedroom is a process that, firstly, involves the removal of any irrelevant furniture and items. The second part of the process involves repurposing and furnishing the room with items more suitable to the envisioned bedroom.
This process is not just a ruthless gut job though. Sentiment abounds, and we need to respectfully, and gracefully, deconstruct the man cave. Fear not, though, my brother. From the ashes of your fallen sanctuary rises a sweet new bedroom, if you choose.
Step One: Visualize
Whoa, put the sledgehammer down, Handy Andy. Do you have a plan? A real plan?
If not, let us sit down and strategize. The easiest way to start the conversion, is to simply ask yourself what kind of bedroom are you trying to create? This is the first, and probably most important, part of seeing the big picture. Without a vision to work toward, you will always be working in the dark. This will cost you time and even money as ideas are hashed and rehashed.
What specific purpose will the bedroom serve? A guest bedroom? A nursery? Perhaps you are planning an en suite extension to make it your new master bedroom. This consideration is necessary before you start demolishing walls or giving things away.
Step Two: Budget and Planning
Money matters, I’m afraid. How much cash you have will, unfortunately, or fortunately, have a direct impact on the scale, and overall achievability of the conversion. If a contractor is needed, consult with one for the overall cost. If you are completely clueless about construction and renovations, it is recommended that you consult with several contractors to avoid being ripped off.
Compile a neat little spreadsheet of all the costs you will incur. Things like the cost of a new bed or baby crib, paint, plastering, and so on. You will be surprised to see how simple some of this stuff is once you see the data in this format. Carefully cross-check all the costs you can afford, and that is your budget. If need be, leave out the things that can be added later such as a few décor pieces. Over time you will know the figures like the back of your hand and will be quick to realize when the budget is in danger of being exceeded.
If you have any friends or family who has recently undertaken a remodeling or conversion job, it may be a good idea to speak to them and get recommendations for reliable and honest contractors and decorators. Unfortunately, some dishonest members of the construction industry are always on the lookout for clueless customers they can later overcharge.
Step 3: Clear out
The official beginning of the conversion job is the moment when the furniture, memorabilia, and your beloved ping pong table are hauled out of what was once your man cave, and towards an uncertain future.
This is a rather emotional time for some guys, as they let go of things that may have helped shape their identities as men. If you are too attached to see certain items dumped in the trash or given away to strangers, I suggest that you give them to a close friend, or take them to your parents’ house. If all else fails, you might want to put your sentimental treasure trove in a lockup storage facility.
Selling your unwanted things at yard sales and online is a good way to recoup some of the money you spent on them initially. This money could also be injected into the project’s budget to cover costs. If you are lucky, these proceeds could help you budget exceed your total costs, putting you “underbudget”.
If you can, donating certain items to charity is always a noble cause. In the case of a guy outgrowing certain things, i.e. collectible action figures or baseball cards, donating to orphanages or child group homes is a rewarding way to give back to society and, hopefully, spread the joy of the items gave you. Churches and homeless shelters are always ready to accept donations of any kind.
However, some man caves are little more than glorified storerooms for useless junk. It is probably better to just throw out most of the stuff in these. No one has used a Betamax (exactly) in decades.
Of course, man caves and bedrooms do have some items in common. Small coffee tables and chairs can also have a purpose in a bedroom, for example, so salvage what you can. Stools, televisions, and computers could also be kept, depending on whether they would be consistent with what the owner envisioned in step one.
Step 4: Demolition and construction (optional)
Now, this step here is optional, and it depends on whether you want any structural change to the building itself. In other words, whether you are physically adding to, or removing from, the man cave. If the conversion project only involves repainting or changing out furniture, then feel free to skip this step.
If you plan on building an extension or demolishing a bit of wall, or two, you are in the right place. You can finally pick up the sledgehammer and get busy. Be conscious of using correct form when swinging the hammer, though, as swinging and striking the wrong way could lead to serious back injuries. Naturally, we advise you to hire professionals for this, as you never know the kind of trouble you could get into. Demolition often requires an understanding of where support beams within certain walls are located. Striking the wrong wall at the wrong point could end up costing you much more than just a man cave.
Extensions, though exciting, can be pretty stressful. This is especially true if, in their minds, owners perceive a disconnect between their vision and the unfinished project. Little can be done at this stage, and owners are advised to trust that the contractors fully understand the original vision. Seeing an unfinished structure or room, devoid of paint or furniture, can skew perspectives and easily play tricks on untrained eyes.
Do not panic during this process, and it is advisable not to overly demand changes once the work on the ground starts. Doing this could cost you time and even more money.
Step 5: Painting
Once the removal of unwanted items and, if any, construction jobs are complete, you might want to think about re-painting the room. If the room was already a neutral color, like white, you could opt to skip this step. However, if you are planning on turning it into a child’s room, for instance, you might want to paint over the illicit graffiti your drunk poker buddies tend to leave behind.
A fresh coat of paint is also a good way to christen a new room. New beginnings, and all that. Amazon hosts a wide range of paints and painting equipment that you could even use yourself.
Step 6: Refurnish
At this point, the room formerly known as your man cave is ready to be furnished. Again, the items you procure must be consistent with the bedroom’s intended purpose.
Regardless of the room’s purpose, though, every bedroom needs a bed. Budget and space will likely be the biggest influence on the quality and size of the bed. Plenty of beds, sheets, duvets, etc. are available for you to explore on Amazon.
If you are converting the room into a nursery, the first thing you need to get is a baby crib. Amazon has the best collection of these, and you should be able to find some that suit your specific tastes.
A nice headboard and nightstand set can really bring a room together. Nightstands are also a handy place to keep items such as phones, keys, and books within arm’s reach. Some even have drawers and shelves for additional storage capacity. These sets are available on Amazon and are a good choice for potential guest and master bedrooms.
A bedroom will also need some storage solutions for clothes, footwear, and personal effects. Portable closets are a hot new development that is affordable and easy to set up. A chest of drawers is a classic storage medium that would complement any bedroom. A sturdy bookshelf is not a bad idea, and neither is a floating wall shelf.
Bedside nightstand lamps will also go hand in hand with your headboard and nightstand. These are recommended for a most master or guest bedrooms. However, children can also make use of these lamps for their school readings. Find your favorite on Amazon.