Transforming
Your
Basement
Into
A Man Cave
The Ultimate Guide With Cost Breakdown
From the dawn of life, there has been a desire in men to have a place of their own. A place they can retreat to, relax and spend time doing things they enjoy.
The Neanderthals had actual caves but today we have the man cave in homes which is considered a safe haven for men. The basement has become an ideal location for a man cave.
It provides ample room, is secluded from the rest of the home, and generally has great acoustics. No matter what type of man cave you want
– a theater, gaming area, bar, or all of them combined
– the basement is the perfect space in your home to it.
So get all those stored items out of your basement and transform it into a man cave with our guide.
Preparing
Your
Basement
For a Man Cave
Converting your basement into a man cave isn’t as simple as just purchasing all the items for the man cave and fitting them in. It requires a lot of planning beforehand and preparation.
You need to make sure that your basement is man cave ready.
This would require a lot of different fix-and-repair processes, but don’t worry, we will cover exactly what you need to do in preparing your basement.
Prepping the floor
The first thing you need to do is waterproof your floor. As the temperature in the basement changes, moisture will eventually seep out of the floor and you don’t want that.
Even if you plan on laminating the floor or cover it with tiles, you need to layer it with waterproof underlayment before you cover it with the actual flooring.
This will ensure that no moisture or water seeps from under the flooring.
As far as flooring options go, we would recommend getting the floor carpeted or at least getting the area with the home theater setup carpeted.
Carpets help absorb the sound while sound reflects and gets distorted from an uncarpeted floor.
Prepping the walls
Like the floor, the walls seep water from time to time. You want to seal and waterproof the walls, especially if there are cracks in Otherwise, in case of a pipe burst in the wall, your man cave will be flooded.
You need to carefully examine the walls and ensure there are no cracks present, and waterproof it.
If you are planning on installing a home theater or a sound system, then we recommend you either have the walls carpeted or get them sound-proofed.
This will ensure that the sound doesn’t travel to your neighbours when you have the system on blast.
Prepping the ceiling
Basements usually have wires and pipes that are not properly covered, running through the ceiling, so you want to make sure those are all covered.
Before you do that, you want to make sure all the pipes running through are properly insulated, no cracks, and that the wires are in good shape.
You can then install any type of ceiling you want.
During this prepping process, you also want to make sure your basement is ready for the man cave, in the sense of electric wiring, plumbing (if you plan on adding a bathroom), and air vents.
If this sounds like too much work or you need some help then hiring a contractor will be the best option. Just keep in mind that it will bump your expenses up quite a bit.
You can use basement remodel calculator to help you with the expenses.
The Theme of
Your Man Cave
The man cave is only as good as its theme. What is the purpose of the man cave? Are you going to be using it for gaming or maybe watching sports? Maybe a spot where you can watch movies or just go down for drinks with the guys?
There are various different directions you can go in. We recommend creating a man cave that caters to all of those needs.
For example, setting up a home theater system will cover watching movies, sports, and gaming all at once. You can also have a small bar and if you have enough space – a poker or billiards table.
Below you can find some theme ideas for a man cave:
THE BAR
This happens to be one of the more popular themes for a man cave.
You can set up the bar with posters of different beer advertisements with beautiful girls in bikinis. Install a TV or two and have some games like foosball table and beer pong tables.
Hunting Lodge
If you enjoy hunting then there is no better place to showcase your trophies than the man cave and build a theme around it. You can have a fireplace installed and have wooden flooring and walls to give it that lodge feel.
Gamer’s Paradise
Enjoy gaming? There is no better place to enjoy it than in your secluded man cave. Install one or multiple big screen TV or a projector and screen with a sound system hooked to your consoles.
Sports Fan
This will be your safe haven to watch all your favorite teams play. For that, you need a big screen TV and a season subscription to all NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, or whatever sports you watch. You can decorate the rooms with sports memorabilia, posters, and equipment.
Movie Theater
If your man cave will mostly be used to watch movies, decorate it like a movie theater. You can frame and put posters of your favorite movies on the wall. Of course, a projector and screen are a necessity with a state-of-the-art sound system. It is highly recommended you carpet the floor and walls too and get theater style seating.
The Tech
You Need
A man cave is nothing without technology. It doesn’t matter what the theme of your man cave is, you need the following technology to truly make it a man cave.
Television or Projector
Whether you are watching your favorite sports team play or movie, you want a visual experience that you can enjoy. The last thing you want to do is bring your 32” LED TV into your man cave.
It’s a MAN CAVE, you want something much more than that. The size shouldn’t be your only concern, you want the latest technology as well.
The latest technology in television and projector is 4K. That is what you should consider purchasing – a TV or projector with 4K technology.
This technology provides a picture that is more detailed, brighter with crisp colors, and image depth that gives it a 3D-like feel.
It almost feels like the screen is just a window which you are looking out of into the world of sports or movies. 4K technology paired with a big screen gives you the optimal viewing pleasure.
Depending on your budget, for any sports or movie lover, you want to go with a minimum of 55” to a maximum of whatever the largest size screen you can fit on the wall.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Projector
Projector screens
Television
SOUND SYSTEMS
Let’s face it – you can’t enjoy sports or movies without surround sound. The sound further enhances your overall experience so you want to make sure you have the right setup for that.
For a home sound system, you have two options the 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. Anything below would be underwhelming and anything above just might overwhelm especially in a closed space like the basement.
The main difference between the two types of surround channels is the fact that the 5.1 comes with 5 speakers and the 7.1 with seven.
Which of the two is a better option depends on the amount of space you have in the basement.
5.1 Setup
With the 5.1 setup, you have two front speakers, two sides/back speakers, and one speaker directly behind the seating.
7.1 Setup
For bigger basements, the 7.1 surround option is obviously better. You get the setup of two front speakers, two side speakers and three speakers in the back.
With a surround sound setup, you get sound coming at you from every angle. While setting up the speakers, you have the option of either leaving them on the ground or mounting them.
By mounting them, the sound comes at you from a different angle with limited interference. Leaving them on the ground may result in the sound bouncing off furniture.
If the speakers are easy to mount then we recommend doing that for a better audio experience. Both 5.1 and 7.1 sound wireless sound setups are available.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Sound system
GAMING
It doesn’t matter whether you are going for a gaming theme or not. If you have a big screen and a sound system, you can shell out a couple hundred bucks for a gaming console. We all have a bit of a gamer in ourselves.
Gaming technology has drastically changed from the initial popular console, the Atari. The console used blocked pixels to form figures and now you have consoles that have graphics that 3D, almost life-like.
Take PS 4 Pro, for example, it produces 4K resolution which provides more detail and depth to the graphics. Same is the case with Xbox One X. Both these console also allow you to the make the most of your 4K TV or projector. Rather than selecting between the two, might as well get both.
However, if you must select then we recommend you check out the exclusive titles on the consoles.
Some PS4 exclusives:
MLB The Show Series
Gran Turismo Series
God of War Series
Unchartered Series
Some Xbox exclusives:
Forza Motorsports Series
Halo Series
Gears of War Series
These are games dedicated to each console exclusively and not available on the other. So pick wisely.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Gaming console
The Decor
You Need
The decor for your man cave really sets the mood. You want to make it aesthetically appealing and welcoming. Being that you will spend a lot of time in it, you want it to be as comfortable as possible.
Seating
The seating is key in having a comfortable setup in your man cave. You want seats that provide you luxury and truly allow you to relax.
Every man loves their Lazy boy which allows them to sit back and relax with their feet up.
So it is only natural that you have lazy boys as seats for your man cave, especially if you have a big screen set up.
Now, if you have a bar or a sports theme, you can’t have lazy boy as the only seating options. You will need bar stools and or chairs.
All in all, it doesn’t matter what the theme is, you want to make sure you have comfortable seats in which you and your friends can spend hours watching movies, sports, or just talking on.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Comfortable seating
Shelves
Shelves can add an element of design while also provide you with a space to showcase trophies, sports memorabilia, and other items.
Being that it is a man cave, you want to keep the shelves simple and not too artistic. You have a decision to make whether to go with classic wooden shelves or other material.
There are numerous different shelving options you have to choose from. We have three types listed with their benefits:
Wood Shelves
Wood is cost effective and durable, so shelves made out of wood are generally a good choice for a man cave.
You can easily paint them any color you want, which allows for customization, especially if you have a theme for your man cave. Wood does require a little extra care, so you will need to give it a bit of attention so the shelves last a long time.
Plastic Shelves
Though plastic shelves may not add any aesthetic appeal to the room, they are the most durable.
For a man cave, plastic is probably your second best option, if you don’t opt for wood. It doesn’t break easily and is easy to manage.
Glass Shelves
Glass shelves give a classy feel. It adds an element of elegance and provide more lighting to the item on display since light can easily travel through glass.
However, they might not be the best choice for man cave since glass is fragile, and they can break easily.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Shelving
bar
A man cave is incomplete without a bar. If done correctly, it will become the main attraction of your man cave because come on who doesn’t love drinks and snacks. You can have a mini-bar but that isn’t a real attraction when compared to an actual bar.
In setting up an actual bar there are different aspects you need to pay attention to. Some must have features of the bar are:
Bar table
Settling for a bar table is not as easy as it may seem. Do you want a marble or wooden top? How big should the table be?
If you want a more classy, formal bar then the marble top would be a better option, note that marble is going to be more expensive also. The size of the table depends on how much room you want to allocate for the bar. Generally, you don’t want a bar that seats less than 4 and nothing more than 8, assuming you have other seating arrangements in the man cave. If you have the option, it’s always the best to go for a custom build bar that will fit your needs the best.
Fridge
You don’t need to go all out and purchase a two-door fridge for your bar.
You do want a fridge that can easily store water, beer, and other drinks you like. If you prefer to pour from a keg then you can even have a mini-fridge for other drinks.
Glasses
We have two words for you, “beer mugs.” That is all you need!
Okay, maybe have wine glasses also in case you and your guests want to have some wine occasionally. Drinking wine out of a beer mug just doesn’t feel right.
Bar stools
You want bar stools that are comfortable, have some sort of cushioning, and tall enough to easily seat someone at the bar.
So the bar stools should be selected after you have decided on the table, so you know exactly how tall it is.
The Accessories
That Add Little
Bit Of Extra
Accessorizing your man cave is important. You want to add different elements of accessories that further enhance your man cave experience. Below are some must have accessories for your man cave.
Dartboard
Darts is one of the easiest games to play. That is why you find them in almost every bar.
While professionals will tell you there is a lot of technicality behind playing darts, for the casual player it is as simple as picking the darts and throwing them towards the board. The game is fun and competitive and therefore a great addition to your man cave.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Dartboard
Memorabilia
A man cave is incomplete without a memorabilia. Memorabilia add a unique touch to your man cave and serve as a great conversation starter. Whether it is sports, game, or comic book related.
Memorabilia is aesthetically appealing and if rare enough, the talk of the town. But get your wallet ready, cause rare memorabilia tends to be quite expensive from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. If you are a true collector than you can even go for some of the rarest which can even run up to millions of dollar.
For example, Babe Ruth’s 1920 jersey sold for over $4.4 million. Shelling out that much money on a memorabilia is of course not suitable for everyone.
Popcorn machine
Popcorn is one of the most liked snacks around the world. You can’t watch a movie without a bag of popcorn these days. However, why settle for a microwaveable bag when you can pop your own corn!
You can make theater like popcorn at home, melting and pouring as much butter as you want on it, bringing the whole theater experience home.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Popcorn machine
An assistant
With technology becoming so advanced it only makes sense to add a home assistance to your man cave. Whether it is Amazon’s Alexa on Echo or Google Home you can easily control different aspects of the man cave from lights to the temperature with the help of an assistant. All while you sit back and relax on your recliner.
Going the
Extra Mile
To truly impress your pals, you need to go the extra mile with your man cave setup. But – beware these suggestions aren’t for everyone as they will certainly put a dent in your pocket.
So if you are already on a limited budget we suggest you tread carefully. We are however certain that adding these items to your man cave will earn you a lot of street cred.
Jukebox
Who doesn’t love music, you can’t have your own space without the music you love. The jukebox will add another element to your man cave. You can play all your favorite music whether it will be through Bluetooth connectivity or CD.
A jukebox will also add to the aesthetics of your man cave. With it, you can easily party to your favorite tunes alone or with friends.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Jukebox
Pool and Foosball Tables
Playing both pool and foosball with the boys is always a fun activity.
If your basement, in terms of space, and budget permit then a pool table is the ideal fixture for any man cave. A foosball table is second to that, unless you are a huge soccer fan then you probably will opt for foosball over the pool. Instead of deciding between the two we recommend getting both.
Having both gives you and your friends more activities in the man cave and if you decide to throw a party, there will be plenty for everyone to do.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Pool table
Foosball table
Home gym
A man cave shouldn’t be all about relaxing. You also want it to be your go-to place for fitness needs.
Setting up a gym in your man cave allows you to bulk up or trim down with your favorite music jamming on the jukebox in the background. For a gym, you need some essentials and we have them for you.
SUGGESTIONS BASED ON BUDGET
Treadmill
Dumbbels
Bench
Bar and weights
Cool Do-it-Yourself
Ideas For Your
Man Cave
Excited about getting work started for your own man cave?
We have some do-it-yourself guides on different furniture and items and equipment that will make your man cave much cooler.
The Jack Daniels Soap Dispenser
We all have empty bottles of Jack Daniel’s lying around. Why not utilize them as a more manly, cool soap dispenser.
Penny Flooring
This simple guide will help you make your bathroom aesthetics much cooler.
Not sure what type of flooring option to go with? Why not use old pennies as a flooring option. You can even make designs and patterns with them. The process may seem complicated but once you get the hang of it, it is actually quite fun.
Bar of Pallets
You don’t need to send your budget overboard with a proper bar table. You can make one yourself with the help of wood pallets.
The best part is, you don’t need extensive experience with tools to do it. Just some basic knowledge of tools, cutting, and this very detailed, step-by-step guide will have you on your way to a cheap yet cool bar.
Pull-up Bar
For those that don’t want a beer belly, you can easily install a pull-up bar in your man cave. This will keep you active and in shape. This guide can help you do just that.
Marquee Lights
The man cave is your place, why not declare it with marquee lighting with your initials in it. If not your initials then maybe the lights can spell out your favorite sports team’s name. The possibilities are endless and this tutorial can help you achieve that.
Sports Themed Pillow Cases
You may not have a lot of pillows in your man cave, but you will have some cushions. Rather than putting basic cases on them, why not have the pillowcase made out of your favorite athlete’s jersey or maybe your own? This tutorial will help you do that.
Tire Foot Stool
Need an ottoman which allows you to throw your feet up and relax, without making your man cave less manly? With this guide, you can use an old tire to make an ottoman which keeps the aesthetics of your man cave, manly.
Magnetic Bottle Opener
Fiddle with bottle openers can get annoying. There will be plenty of drinking going on in your man cave so why not install a bottle opener utilizing magnet to the wall. Opening bottles have never been easier, just be careful not to go overboard with the drinks. You can learn how to do it yourself here.
Golf Club Coat Rack
A coat rack in a man cave? Well, you know for those cold winter nights when you have your friends over. Heck, a golf club coat rack is so cool that you may just want it as a decoration within your man cave even if you live in a location where it doesn’t really get cold. This guide will help you make it.
Golf Club Coat RaBaseball Bat Side Table
If you are a fan of baseball and want everything baseball in your man cave then this is a must-have side table. It does require a bit of work but will enhance the appeal of your man cave. You can learn how to make the side table here.
Concrete Block Shelves
Looking to add shelves to your man cave? You can easily do that with the help of old concrete blocks, saving you a lot of money. This guide helps you make stable and inexpensive shelves.
Beer Coasters
Rather than throwing away those beer cartons, why not make coasters out of them? This guide helps you make coasters for your tables with beer cartons. The perfect accessory for your man cave.
Football Field Rug
With the football season started, you want to decorate your man cave to commemorate the occasion and the season. A football field rug allows you to cover parts of the floor while also get your man cave in NFL season mode. This guide will help you do that.
Tree Stump Side Table
A tree stump can make a very stable table. It will also be a great talking point in your man cave. Here is how you can make your own side table with a tree stump.
Inspiration
Gallery
Okay, now that we covered all the basics and extras you need to get for your basement man cave, let’s look for inspiration! We have gathered here a gallery of fantastic basement man caves, with setups and designs for any taste. Sit back and enjoy
Calculations
And Conclusion
Setting up a man cave should be looked at as an investment rather than a costly expenditure. Even if you are looking to spend as little as possible, you will end up spending a couple of grand in it and upwards of $10,000 for a state-of-the-art man cave.
We have listed suggestions for high, mid and low budgets and compiled them all together in this table.
To avoid confusion and keep things simple, we have included only pieces that are “a must” for a basement mancave, while it’s up to any individual to pick their own type of accessories and extra pieces.
However, the money will no longer matter once you have the man cave setup. You will have your own safe haven, away from all the worries of the world. Just you and all your favorite things in one place.
