Are you tired of your screaming kids or grandkids? Maybe you’re getting bored and realizing that retirement is not what it’s cracked up to be. Or maybe you are just tired of looking at the miserable old shed wasting space in your backyard. Whatever your reasons, this article will help you as you convert your old shed into the man cave of your dreams.
To turn your shed into a man cave you first need to know what kind of man cave you want, and if the shed can provide that. If the existing structure does not meet your requirements, then you have to consider renovation or demolishing to rebuild. Utilities, furnishings, and security are just some of the other concerns.
The task of converting your man cave may appear daunting at first but fear not, we’ve aligned a few pointers for you. You’re going to need a pen and paper, a helmet, a few amigos, and a 6 pack of Corona. Oh, and don’t forget that good old imagination…and Amazon.com.
How do I turn my shed into a man cave?
Many men around the world have taken to converting their existing sheds into full-on man caves. This idea tends to be much cheaper than constructing a whole new structure or extension. If costs aren’t your concern, then the stringent zoning laws in certain areas are bound to trip you up. So shed man cave it is.
What’s the plan?
Your man cave, your rules. Whatever is built or implemented will ultimately be your decision…and your money. Turning your shed into a man cave will be time-consuming and, to some extent, expensive. It is imperative that you know what you’re doing, otherwise you will spend much more time (and much more money) revisiting and fixing ill-conceived ideas.
You also need to know what your budget is, and that can only be found through planning out your needs and the overall scope of the project. A budget will help reign you in, especially if you are the impulse-buying type. When it comes to outdoor man caves, you realize that less tends to be more. This is especially true when it comes to furnishings and other things, as the appeal of a shed conversion is more about how the structure fits within the immediate environment than what is actually in it.
However, that doesn’t mean you should go all out with the minimalism. By all means, go ahead and equip all the bells and whistles to your dream sanctuary. However, try to always keep the general aesthetic (and budget) in mind. Of course, if money is no object, disregard the whole budget bit and go bonkers, my friend.
Knowing the purpose and design of the shed conversion in advance will also spur you on and give you that extra bit of passion required. I mean, let’s face it, it is a passion project after all. There would be nothing sadder than failure to follow through and finish construction, especially when you had been harking on and on to anyone who would listen about your “new” man cave.
What’s your occupation? Perhaps the man cave could help you with that. If you are a mechanic, you could use the man cave as a home workshop for your favorite clients. If you have an office job, you could use the man cave as a home office. Having an annexed place to work can be a lifesaver if you have too many distractions in the main house. If you need inspiration for shed man cave ideas, your occupation is often a good place to start.
Another place to draw inspiration from is your hobbies and leisurely pursuits. What kind of sports are you into, if any? What are your favorite films? Characters? These are the sorts of things you need to be looking at to help spark your creativity. If drinking and cigars with your buddies are your favorite pastimes then you might want to build a bar of some kind in your shed, maybe a pool table too. If you are into fitness then you could use the shed as a mini home gym, with an exercise bike or two. There’s always the classic shed studio if you are an aspiring, or accomplished, artist. The shed conversion should also provide a fun opportunity to express your artistry.
Perhaps you and the missus will be sharing the conversion as a sort of backyard honeymoon retreat. In that case, a classy wine rack would not go amiss and a lawn swinging seat would be a killer touch. If you have kids, make sure to incorporate some fun activities for them. Ping pong is a fun activity for the whole family and it also gives the body a fair bit of exercise. There is a great selection of ping pong tables and equipment available on Amazon.
Whatever your inspiration, don’t be afraid to be creative and put your twist on it. Naturally, you must constantly run any ideas past a trusted contractor so you can establish if they are plausible, physically, or financially.
Know the land
As we touched on earlier, some countries, states, and local municipalities have differing land-use laws. It is important to know the lay of your land, so to speak, and get to grips with the regulations in your area. Some places have limits on the number of structures you can build one property. Some have limits on the purposes of additional structures. Some places have several variations that fall under both.
To save yourself the money, the time, hassle, and potentially heavy penalties, please familiarize yourself with what’s required. It’s often best to start at the local level. Learn the zoning and construction regulations from your city or town municipality, and get your plans vetted by someone well versed in that field. It can be a painstaking process, depending on where you are, but getting your shed up to code is the best way to avoid any future headaches from the government.
Salvage or scrap?
Now, onto the existing shed itself. You have to assess the shed in its current state. Is it perfectly ready for you to move in as it is? Does it need a little touchup or extension? Or are we demolishing the whole thing? The answers to these questions, like most, often depend on what you want the man cave to be, as well as the budget and availability of materials.
If the existing shed is still in good shape, then you might want to consider sprucing it up a little to make it presentable. A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference sometimes. Some roof repairs, changes in lighting, and replacement of broken furnishings are just a handful of the smaller changes you can make for your shed to transition into your man cave.
In some scenarios, the existing shed may be way too small to house the proposed man cave. In such a case, you will have little choice but to commission an extension. Remember to ensure that you have a clear scope of the space you will need in your man cave. Large extensions will demand more materials and a bigger budget so you do not want to build a structure that is much larger than necessary.
Oftentimes, the backyard shed can get neglected and that results in its decay and total dilapidation. In such situations, you will have no choice but to partly, or entirely, demolish the shed and rebuild your man cave from its ashes. This choice is often the most expensive one you could make, but it also offers you the room to fully customize the structure from the ground up.
If you’re anything like me, then your shed will probably be full of old junk. Tools, furniture…shoes. Anything. Some of the stuff might still be useful, so take your time to dig through it so you can avoid throwing away something you’ll have to buy again later. See if you can find salvageable furniture, such as chairs and desks, as well as various lost collectibles and trinkets that could be of decorative service.
Remember, any opportunity to ease pressure on your budget is worth its weight in gold. If you, or anyone you know, can salvage a chair or a bar stool on the cheap, then that’s what needs to be done. If you can repurpose any timber or roofing materials from the old shed, then repurpose away and watch the savings pile up.
Time is money
Now that you have your idea, requirements, budget, and a shed ready for conversion, it would be advisable for you to set up some sort of work schedule timeline. This is beneficial as it gives the project team a mental timetable for the project’s milestones. With passion projects like these, it is best to strike while the proverbial iron is still hot. A timeline will also help to keep you motivated to get the work done faster and more efficiently.
The timeline will break down the project into smaller and more clearly defined tasks and milestones. This break down is proven to be a great benefit to some people who may be daunted by the overall project. Breaking down the jobs also facilitates the delegation of tasks to employees or the aforementioned amigos. This makes the whole project easier to digest and, if you are working in a group, multiple project tasks can be done simultaneously to help you breeze past your milestones.
Insulation
Once your shed is finished, you will need to equip it with protective insulation to shield yourself, and your staff, from the cold. Insulation is also a great barrier to outside noises such as traffic and sirens. Head to Amazon.com today and check out the variety of insulation solutions that you can use for your man cave.
As far as insulation goes, you will have to determine the best for you and your local area. There may be building codes that pertain to insulating sheds and other secondary property structures so, once again, find out about any regulations in your local municipality. If you opted for an open gazebo-style shed for your man cave, your insulation options will naturally be limited.
It is recommended that you insulate the floor and walls at the very least. The roof may also be insulated if you live in an especially cold or noisy place. Double-glazed windows are a wise addition to the cooler climes. Window insulation kits might also come in handy to keep out the chill. Have a quick scroll through Amazon and find the best deals for your budget.
If you are of boundless frugality, there are a few tricks to make your man cave a little toastier. The “door snake” is a time-honored trick that has been keeping households warm for generations. The door snake is so-called because it is made out of materials like socks or towels that are lined up along the bottom of the door to minimize drafts. Continue the tradition and use this tool to keep your man cave warm come winter.
You can also line up reflective foil-like materials on the man cave ceiling to keep warm air from escaping. Blackout curtains are also good at deterring the cold air. Head to Amazon for stylish and heat preserving thermal curtains from Yakamok.
Ventilation
It is all well and good being nice and warm in the winter and at night. However, there is also the small matter of ventilation and cooling, especially during summertime. Air has to be able to freely move in and out of the man cave as, and when, required.
Doors and windows will usually be the main facilitators of ventilation so it is important to get as many as reasonably possible. If possible, opt for large windows that can be opened as far as you wish. I would also recommend that you install at least two entry/exit doorways in your man cave. Not only is having two doors better for ventilation, but it is also a wise safety move, in case you ever need to escape the man cave.
Fans and air conditioning will serve you well in the sweltering heat. Check out the ROLLICOOL portable air conditioner from Rollibot. This device is simply awesome. It is a voice-activated room air conditioner and dehumidifier that can easily cool down an indoor area of over 270 square feet. The ROLLICOOL comes with a smartphone app that you can use to issue voice commands. The air conditioner is also programmed to work with Amazon’s Alexa, and you can issue voice commands that way as well. The perfect ventilation solution for you and your man-cave.
Weatherproofing
Insulation and ventilation may be very big stages in the conversion project, but these are mostly concerned with the direct well-being of the man cave’s occupants. The well-being of the building itself, however, must not be neglected as it could spell trouble for you.
Yes, your outdoor man cave might blend in well with the environment, and serve as a haven for you to be “one with nature”. However, remember that nature is as unruly as she is beautiful. You may co-exist, but nature is not your friend. Protecting the man cave from the weather and other environmental hazards is a TALL order, and requires a thorough analysis of the potential threats your structure faces.
Waterproofing is arguably the most important protective measure you can make use of. This is especially true for the roof. American building supplies company Mfm Building Product has a great waterproofing solution for you on Amazon. The product is known as Peel& Seal and it is a self-adhering waterproof membrane that you simply roll onto your roof. It is also good for covering simple leaks in your roof.
In some situations, the water from above might be the lesser of your concerns. Groundwater is also a severe threat that needs to be addressed. The simplest way to minimize the danger posed is to avoid building the structure directly on the ground surface. Instead, build on top of concrete blocks, or some other elevated and water-resistant platforms.
Both rain and groundwater are equally capable of bringing about a whole other set of problems…fungi. Mold is better prevented than cured, and failure to address the dampness that brings about mold will cause more of the scourge. Mold can cause health problems in some people, and the last thing you want is for your man cave to make you or anyone you know sick. You are advised to make use of special anti-mold paints to treat the inside of your man cave. You can also use paints to protect the outside of the shed from the mold.
Utilities
Now, depending on the kind of man cave you wish to create, it may be time to install some utilities. Will you have electrical appliances and tools in your man cave? Will the man cave also feature sinks or a bathroom that will require running water?
Of course, some people like to use their man caves to completely disassociate from the rest of the world. This “unplugging” may include a refusal to set up the man cave with utilities or the internet. An unusual approach, certainly, but still a valid one.
Most people will probably want their man caves to have electricity at the very least though. Luckily, there are a few approaches to setting up a shed with electricity. The first way is to simply hook your shed up to the main house power. Ensure that your local authorities approve of the wiring and get an electrician to get you up and running.
The use of solar is now in full swing worldwide, and man caves are not missing out on the love. Check out the wide range of solar kits you can use on your man cave. Choosing the solar option will help with your overall power bill because your shed will not be connected to the grid along with your house. Solar is clean, renewable energy. The batteries often last for years, and the panels are virtually indestructible in the face of the changing seasons. Just be sure to dust the panels off every-so-often to maximize their sun-soaking magic.
You can also use a generator to power your man cave. Running a generator is hardly the best long-term strategy though, especially if it is one of the smaller ones that is suited to running a man cave. The cost of fuel, as well as noise and air pollution, might put off most people as far as a generator is concerned. I would still advise that you keep a fully equipped and installed generator on standby as a backup to the grid or solar power.
Water is another utility that you might want to consider for your man cave. Because of the water-borne threats we discussed earlier, I would strongly advise that you hire a plumber or two to do any installations. Running water in your man cave is a game-changing convenience. Constantly running back and forth between your shed and your house for water is bound to get boring at some point. You also risk passing on that inconvenience to your man cave guests, which is less than ideal.
Internet
You’ve got the beers, the snacks, the team jerseys, and the pay per view is all paid up. It’s a few minutes until the game starts and you remember you forgot to set up your fantasy team. You quickly grab your phone and attempt to open the setup page before immediately being greeted by three words that are tantamount to a modern slap in the face…
“NO INTERNET CONNECTION.”
Need I say more? A reliable internet connection is almost a must in a modern man cave, especially if you work from there as well. Much like the water situation, you will soon get annoyed at having to walk back and forth to and from your house just to send an email or download a song. Stream music, movies, and shop online from the comfort of your modern man cave.
The Netgear Nighthawk is an awesome smart wifi router that you can use to link your man cave to your main house wifi router. Check it out on Amazon today and get connected.
What to put in your man cave?
Construction is finally done; the utilities are hooked up and your internet is up and running. Now, it’s time to furnish, decorate, and accessorize your man cave. There are, almost, no rules as to what to buy or add because taste is as big a deciding factor in this category as it is elsewhere.
The first thing we will need is furniture. Regardless of whether your man cave is a leisure lounge, a fitness factory, or a workaholic’s workshop, you will need somewhere to sit as well as a desk or table. Go through Amazon and find the furnishings you desire.
Before you start buying expensive goodies for your new man cave, you need to consider the man cave’s security. Ideally, you want the shed to be encompassed within the main house’s security systems. However, several security features can be equipped on the man cave specifically. Security lights, CCTV cameras, and video doorbells are just a few high-tech solutions available to you. A trusty guard dog and (legal) firearms can also be utilized by those of a more old-school persuasion.
Between you and me, we both know the REAL reason you built and moved into your man cave…you want to watch TV in peace. Maybe your girlfriend/ wife talks constantly during re-runs of The Office, which causes you to miss one knee-slapping punchline after another. Maybe you always get out-voted when the family decides what to watch. Leave that misery behind you, and begin your pixelated quest towards total remote autonomy. The Insignia HD Smart TV is a great affordable television for your man cave. It has a 32-inch LED screen, which is decent, and it is supported by Netflix, Pandora, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus for streaming content. Not a bad choice.
Despite all the hard work you do in and around it, the man cave is also a place where a lot of gentlemen go to recapture some lost youth. Drinking games, billiards, darts, and all forms of “pong” are just the tip of the troublemaking iceberg. Boys will be boys after all.
One item that is almost guaranteed to ensnare said youth in a vice-like grip is Sony’s incredulous PlayStation 5 (PS5). A lot of guys who grew up on the very first PlayStation, and its sequel the PlayStation 2, are now adults and some of them even have kids of their own. The PS5 provides subtle nostalgic reminders of the mega-brand’s history, while it sits on roaring technology that is straight up from the future. Next-gen graphics, rapid processing, and quicker loading times (compared to PS4) await you from the king of consoles. Crown your man cave with this superbly designed console by ordering it from Amazon.com.
A toolkit is always handy, especially if you are always involved in DIY projects. Having a good set of tools in your man cave might not prepare you for the worst things that may happen, but it may prove useful in the odd jam or two. Check out Dedeo’s cordless hammer drill tool kit, a varied set of tools that is ready to hit the ground running.