Thinking of adding a dedicated man cave to your home? The possibilities are endless – from flashy, electronic setups to the ultimate in comfortable décor and furnishings. Every guy needs a getaway, even if that getaway is at the end of the hallway. Before you put together a shopping list, here are some absolutely essential elements to incorporate into your princely palace. And don’t forget – it’s not a true man cave without a gnarly set of speakers, so just keep that in mind…
Here is a list of the top 10 mandatory man cave must-haves:
1. Karaoke
A karaoke setup in your man cave is an absolute must! You’ve already created an entire space to keep to yourself, so why not rock out and let loose with a premium audio setup and a catalog of killer tunes? Adding a home karaoke set-up to any room in your house provides hours of guilt-free entertainment designed to keep you and any friends or family engaged.
Best of all, it’s incredibly easy and cost-effective to add a professional-grade speaker system, regardless of how much space you’ve got. Simply invest in a few accessories – microphones, a mixer and sound amplifying system, or just connect your mobile or laptop to your existing TV screen. You will also need a karaoke app like Singa, to get access to all your favorite songs. Either way, you’re guaranteed a good time. Discover even more ways to seamlessly add a karaoke corner to your cave.
2. Entertainment Center
What man cave is complete without a solid speaker system to crank to the max? As far as entertainment centers go, the details are in the eye of the beholder: do you want a widescreen TV that syncs with surround sound subwoofers? Or would you rather have a heavy duty stacked system that blasts tunes head-on? Whatever your layout, and whatever your budget, as long as the sounds coming out of your unit are crisp and clear, you’re golden.
3. Leather Sectional
Can it even be called a man cave without miles upon miles of comfortable seating? Not only is leather the ideal material for boys who may or may not end up behaving badly during game time (beer, crumbs, and just about everything else can be easily wiped down), but a sectional is just the ticket for a room that is devoted entirely to comfort. Line up a heavy duty sofa that captures the corner of the room, creating a closed-in seating effect that feels ultra-luxurious but every bit as manly. Go one better and opt for some casual models that feature built-in recliners and armrests with cup holders to create the ultimate comfy snacking sports station.
4. Billiards Table
If you’ve got the space for it, adding a pool table to the man cave is like pulling a Rolls Royce into the garage. You’ve truly made it as a connoisseur of style and comfort. Contrary to what you may think, a high quality billiards table does not have to break the bank. You can find plenty of reasonably priced models of all sizes and configurations both online and at dedicated retailers like Costco or Wal-Mart – where you know you’ll be spending your next Saturday morning anyway. Think about the felt colors and base materials that will work with your layout and décor scheme and do some comparison pricing before committing.
5. Beer Fridge
Essentially, the difference between a man cave and a living room is that, in a man cave, it’s perfectly acceptable – actually, it’s practically expected – to have a refrigerator packed full of cold ones within reach at all times. Escape to your he-man hideaway to crack open some cans with the boys and you’ll always be satisfied. Depending on the size of your space, you can add a mini option or a great big grandaddy size cooler.
6. Video Game Setup
The online gaming world is wild. And its popularity shows no sign of slowing down. If you are one of the many who gets a huge surge of energy from blasting away zombies or shooting down enemies in Call of Duty, then a dedicated desk space for your computer monitors should feature prominently in your sanctuary. Or, if you’re more of an old-school gamer, adding some vintage arcade games (complete with neon lights and those audible bleeps and bloops) to a corner of the room can really make it pop. And, like pool tables, they can be very easy (and affordable) to source.
7. Poker Table
Sometimes, a man cave truly needs to be experienced by many men. And what better way to host a group of guys (whenever football isn’t on the TV) than by gathering them around a professional-grade poker table, complete with cards and chips? Make this seating arrangement as comfortable as possible so that you can withstand hours of play.
8. Recliners
A massive sectional sofa is nice, but if you’re short on space and funds, a couple of premium lounge recliners perfectly positioned in front of the big screen can be just as effective. Take a load off in any one of many leather models available – determine your seating configuration and position those bad boys where they’ll get the most use. Again, go for the gold and find some options that have built-in cup holders, lumbar support, heating options and massage features. It is, after all, meant to be a room designed for relaxing.
9. Hidden Entry
This might be a niche element, but it is arguably one of the coolest features on our list. If you are setting your cave up from scratch, or you’ve got the tools and know-how to pull it off on an existing room, turning a simple doorway into a hidden passage feature creates a design element that REALLY makes a man cave feel like a man’s cave. Whether that doorway looks like a bookshelf or a blank wall to the untrained eye, however you manage to personalize your dedicated space is up to you. But few things are as cool as a relaxing room that only you know about.
10. Tech Gadgets
In today’s tech-heavy world, the electronic gadgets that make our lives easier, safer, or just plain cooler, are everywhere. So why not add them to your man cave? From Virtual Reality simulation headsets, motion-activated security cameras to keep out the kids, to remote controls that can change the channel and order you pizza with the click of a button, these tools can protect and entertain for hours.
There you have it! Ten of the most essential man-cave elements to add to your space. If you’re thinking about putting together your own special in-house sanctuary, these are the pieces to grab first – in order of importance.
If you plan to host a karaoke night in your new man cave (or if just love singing on your own), you'll need reliable karaoke software like Singa. Our user-friendly interface seamlessly connects with TVs, phones, and tablets – so you can get the party started in any room in your home.