How to pimp up your man-cave

Want to escape the nagging and the hoovering and the nuisance that is taking the rubbish bag out?

Do you want your own space to relax and do more manly things in, like a… man?

Do you have a spare room (or garage) you’ve claimed as your own but never got round to sorting out as a man cave?

Well, now is the time, men. This is your moment.

First, you need a theme for your man cave. We aren’t going to judge you if you support Wolves and we don’t care if you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan. Basically, it’s your space so decorate it how you wish, lightsaber nightlights and all. But if you really want to get back to your manly roots get the finger paints out and draw what you caught and cooked for dinner on the wall – breaded chicken definitely counts.

When it comes to keeping your new space cosy, and if you want to feel like some hotshot billionaire, then underfloor heating really is the only way to go. We would suggest lighting a big fire in the middle of room, using only sticks and pure manliness, but that’s not very safe. Talk to an expert floor heating company and get some swanky underfloor heating installed.

You need to also create some manly ambience in your man cave too and that energy saving lightbulb isn’t going to cut it. What you need is some neon bar signs and some low red lighting to set the mood and make your manly space feel like one of those really cool bars you see on any American show. Pick up some Harley Davidson memorabilia to hang on the walls too. Even if you have no interest in motorbikes, it’s great for boosting your macho levels.

You like beer, right? Of course you do, you are a man. That’s why you need to install some sort of beer dispenser in your man cave. Whether it’s a big old keg, a bar tap or a kegerator (basically a fridge and keg combo, here’s a tutorial and an excuse to get your power tools out) it’s important that you always have the good stuff readily available. 

Besides your open bar you also need a mini fridge – or a regular sized fridge, we don’t know you – and it needs to be filled with cooked bacon and other various meats. Eat these whilst drinking beer. Revel in your manliness.

A man cave wouldn’t be complete without a pool table, no matter how cliché it might seem. If you don’t have much space pick up a foldaway version and bring it out when you’re having a ‘bromantic’ evening in with your friends.

You also need to stick a big old TV in there, hook it up to a sexy sound system and pair it with your games console of choice. We’re not getting into the Xbox vs Playstation debate right now (obviously you should only buy a PS4), just get one in there, along with the latest Fifa and COD games. 

And if you’re going to have a giant TV and console set up you need the perfect seating to go with it. La-Z-Boy armchairs are an obvious choice but we think you should really opt for a couch pit. We’ll just leave you with this round up of some of the best ones out there to take inspiration from. Oh, you didn’t know such things existed? You’re welcome.