A man cave is a place for a man to keep all of his favorite things; a place where he can unwind and do whatever he wants. A place intended exclusively for fun and relaxation. Sounds pretty great, huh? While every man dreams of having a space that’s entirely his own, not every man has the space for a man cave in his home.
While a basement is a common location for a man cave, not every home has a basement, especially in areas where flooding is common. What every home does have is a garage, and with a little planning and preparation, you can transform your garage from stagnant storage space to the man cave of your dreams. From getting started to some inexpensive garage flooring ideas, here are a few things you need to consider when building your man cave:
Step 1: Clean & Organize
It should come as no surprise that the first step kind of sucks. That’s right, you’re going to have to clean and organize your garage, because in order to create the best man cave possible, you need to start with a blank canvas. If you need a selling point to help convince your significant other that a garage man cave is a good idea, this is the perfect opportunity. Say it with me, “honey, I’ll clean and organize the garage.” Well done. You’re on your way to having the man cave of your dreams. Worst comes to worst, you’ll have to dedicate a portion or your man cave to storage, which isn’t the worst thing in the world — you’re still getting your man cave.
Chances are, like most American families, your garage is full of things you don’t really need or use. Begin organizing your garage by dividing items into three piles: keep, sell, storage. Keep items that your family uses on a regular basis, sell items you never use, and store items like seasonal décor.
Step 2: Insulate
If you plan on spending your Sundays watching football with friends in this man cave, you’re going to want to make sure that it’s properly insulated. This isn’t exactly a cheap or easy step, but it’s an important one if you really want to make the most of your man cave. According to Improve Net’s insulation cost estimator, the average cost of insulation in the Dallas area is between $901–$1,150. This is the price of insulation for an entire home though, so it’s safe to assume the cost of insulating a garage alone will be significantly less.
If you’re wanting to save money, you can install the garage door insulation yourself. There are a number of resources online to help you do so, and most insulation kits can be purchased for under $100.
Step 3: Paint
Garages are built with function in mind, and thus aren’t often the most beautiful spaces in a home. Man caves, on the other hand, need some wall color and room design to really feel complete. This is why you need to paint your garage. You can choose any color you like, whether it be an homage to your favorite sports team or a continuation of the colors seen inside your home. The only real rule here is paint your garage, even if it’s a fresh coat of white.
This is another step that can be done inexpensively if you choose to do it yourself. If you’re lost for what color to paint your man cave, do some research. Find examples of man caves and other man cave ideas you really like and keep those as a reference while making decisions for your own space. Carrying pictures with you is a great way to help people visualize what you’re going for and help you execute it.
Step 4: Flooring
Chances are your garage floor has endured a lot, and it may need some love if you really want your man cave to come together. Standard garage flooring is cold and unwelcoming. It probably has some stains and cracks from years of abuse as well. This is the perfect opportunity to bring your garage floor back to life and make your man cave the talk of the town. While carpet is comfortable, it can be a risky option for a garage.
We recommend a concrete floor coating, which comes in a range of styles and finishes, so there’s no doubt that one will complement your design scheme. It’s also very durable and can easily transition back to garage flooring in the event that you sell your home and the new owners want a garage instead of a man cave. Clarity’s concrete floor coatings can be installed in as little as 24 hours and will maintain their beauty for years to come. Check out our concrete floor page for more information.
Step 5: Lighting
Most garages only have one light installed, which works fine when used for their intended purpose, but if you’re trying to set the mood for poker nights or your next fantasy football draft party, you may want to up the ante and spring for lighting options that compliment your style. If you’re going for an industrial look, try pendant lights that match your color scheme. For a more modern touch, try recessed lighting.
Installing your own lighting can be tricky, especially if your garage is detached. For this reason, we recommend hiring an electrician to help with the lighting portion of your garage remodel. Keep in mind that you can always just change the main fixture and create the desired lighting effect with lamps and other free-standing fixtures.
Step 6: Decorate your Man Cave
With all the groundwork out of the way, it’s time to decorate your man cave. The hardest part here is picking a theme, but whatever you choose, make sure that it’s something timeless that you will love for years to come. Maybe you’re a Harley Davidson enthusiast, or a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. Whatever you’re into, your man cave should represent you as a person, so don’t be afraid to let loose and have some fun with this step. This is the perfect place to hang that KISS poster your wife hates. It’s your space, have fun with it and fill it with things you love!
Whether you want a place to entertain friends and watch the game on Sundays, or just a place to escape and relax after a long day, garages are the perfect place for a man cave. Now that you know what you need to do, go out and start building or designing your man cave. And if you need any help with flooring in the process, give us a call at (940) 898-9988.