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Man Cave Roundup: 5 Must-Haves

Basement lounge with pool table, corner stone fireplace, built-in media cabinetry, and gray sectional sofa - Mom's Design Build
Mom's Design Build

By Mom’s Design Build Team

January 28, 2020

Calling all the man-cave dreamers out there! It’s Super Bowl season, after all. Psst… can you hear us over the interwebs? Would the words poker night at the basement bar entice you? If so, you’re in the right place. We have compiled all of the man cave must-haves if you have some extra space to get creative in your home. Please note, these ideas are also friendly for the ladies at home, so, everyone can utilize these man cave ideas and comfy space recommendations to make themselves at home. Man cave essentials are for everybody folks. Now, start taking notes!

Here’s a list of core furnishings and useful elements you’ll consider and how you can personalize it to fit your own style.

THE POOL TABLE FOCAL POINT

The pool table is a huge focal point in a man cave. To centralize the space even more, give the pool table a stage. Wooden floors, like the image example below, are extremely functional and directs the eye towards the entertainment functionality of the space. Since the pool table is a center object in the room, we love adding black and white photography around the space to class it up.

Basement game room with green felt pool table, wet bar with glass-front cabinets, and cushioned corner seating - Mom's Design Build

Be sure to create a space nearby where people not playing pool can hang out. Whether it’s with a poker table and comfortable chairs, or some lounge chairs scattered near the table – both work! We love the caramel toned, leather, bucket chairs in the photo below. Also, if you’re looking for a cool way to display the cue sticks, hanging them on an old barn door or bold wooden installation is a great solution. It also adds a little extra character.

Finished lower-level lounge with gray sectional, foosball table, pool table, staircase and walkout windows - Mom's Design Build
Wall-mounted wood pool cue rack with three cues beside stained cabinetry and a stacked stone backsplash - Mom's Design Build

THE LARGE SCREEN TV EXPERIENCE

Need extra seating space directed toward your large screen TV? We have the solution! Setting up bar seating behind the couch is fluent and convenient for the space. To add color and dimension to a large wall feature a piece of unique artwork. In this photo, a map of the boundary waters hangs adjacent to the TV. A piece of artwork from a cool trip or baseball display case, for example, would be great options too. If you’re really feeling crazy, replace a large screen TV with a portable, LED, micro projector and really get that movie theater experience. Don’t forget! Speakers add to the experience as well. Powerful, dynamic speakers will make a difference. We love these Klipsch speakers.

THE PERSONABLE BASEMENT BAR

Basement media room with leather sectional, wall-mounted TV, floor speakers and a bar-height counter with stools - Mom's Design Build

The basement bar can be used for so many different reasons. If you’re a collector, it can act as a display area; this space can add a sense of genuine playfulness to show off things you love, like wine, cigars or books. The bar is a conversation starter and a central hotspot to chat and enjoy a beverage (adult or not, we don’t judge). Hanging signed, framed jerseys are a great add-on to any wall space and a centralized shelf is great for featured bottles of wine and booze. Glass cabinets are a great touch to showcase collectors bottles and add a splash personality (no pun intended). If you have collectors items like vintage beer signs or historic collectors items, that’s a great add-on to this space as well.

Basement wet bar with stained cabinets, glass doors, beverage fridge, patterned tile floor and shiplap wall - Mom's Design Build

CONVENIENT STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Storage can be chic! Or should we say, handsome? Anyway, you don’t want to ruin a good space with tons of extra items lying around. We suggest big wall-to-ceiling cupboards that have effortless pull out drawers. That way you can store things like board games, Xbox controllers, ping pong supplies, portable turntables, whiskey rocks… you name it!

Wall of stained wood cabinets with pull-out shelves holding board games in a finished basement - Mom's Design Build

BEER FRIDGE

Let’s not forget about the coveted beer fridge (PSA: don’t worry, we haven’t). This is a crucial element to any man cave, but, where do you put it so it doesn’t look like an eye sore? Specifically the basement bar. We love the warm, cozy space below that seamlessly incorporates it’s own fridge. It blends so well into the counter, almost like a dishwasher. And the space itself has ample storage space for wine, beer mugs and more. The section as a whole flows into the kitchen quite well with additional mood lighting, making it appear functional and natural.

Basement wet bar with cream cabinets, granite counter, undermount sink, mosaic tile backsplash and pendant lights - Mom's Design Build
Basement family room with brown leather sofa and ottoman, staircase, built-in desk and wet bar with stone backsplash - Mom's Design Build

So, which man cave essentials will you be building your space around? If you need more insights, contact us and let our team help you become inspired!

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Mom’s Design Build · Minneapolis, MN

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