Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner with March Madness following close behind ... will you be watching from your "man cave?"
The man cave - a place where boys can be boys, a special refuge in your home tailored to the specific interests of the man of the house. Is he a sports fanatic? A cigar smoker? A movie buff? A recent poll by ServiceMagic.com, found that 40% of respondents currently have a man cave in their home, while 13% reported that their "mantuary" is in the planning phase or under construction.
Although the man cave originated in garages, basements and sheds (anywhere men could huddle together for some quality guy time), in recent years they have become much more sophisticated, from classic rooms with a country club-like atmosphere, to comfortable hangouts with theatre seating and the all-important widescreen. So what should you consider when designing your man cave?
Man Cave Design
• Will you invite the guys over to watch the game? If sports or movie watching is the plan, you’ll want to make the TV the focal point of your room and surround it with comfortable seating. When planning your layout, make sure the screen isn’t directly facing a window or you may get a glare from the outside light.
• Do you have stereo components, a DVD/Blu-ray player, gaming or computer equipment to store? There are all types of entertainment centers available, from small, compact pieces to enormous wall-size centers full of shelving and cabinetry, depending on your storage needs.
Flat screen televisions fit nicely atop a stylish console. Or, if you really want to wow the guys, a hideaway console with lifts will give you the "now you see it, now you don't" effect - the flat panel TV is concealed inside the console when not in use, but with the touch of a remote control, the TV raises up for viewing.
Stately home theater wall units provide a custom-built-in-like setting, accommodating flat screen televisions as large as 73", plus all of your components and speakers, giving you a movie theater surround-sound experience from the comfort of your home.
• What kind of seating do you want? A traditional recliner? A sectional for maximum occupancy? Or maybe theatre seating? Regardless of your choice, you should consider whether your "man time" will include chips, dip, popcorn or drinks. If so, you may want to consider leather or a fabric that's best suited for potential spills.
Recliners have come a long way in recent years. From vintage, push-on-the arm designs and elegant reclining wing chairs, to sleek contemporary styles, there’s a recliner for every taste.
Home theater seating can range from traditional movie theater seats with beverage holders to plush reclining club chairs and loungers with endless options and configurations. If you're planning on having a single row of four or more seats for movie watching, a curved seating arrangement centered with the screen works best. This configuration comes closer to simulating the center seat for each viewer than a straight row does. If your configuration will be made up of multiple rows, make sure you have room for your guests to sit comfortably - you should space rows at least 3 feet apart.
• Do you want a game table or billiard table? Don't forget to measure! Take precise measurements of the room and its doorways to ensure that the furniture will fit and that there will be room to play. A standard pool table is 8 feet and measures 44 by 88 inches from bumper to bumper. It's important to consider the length of a pool stick also. Typical sticks measure about 57 inches.
Personalize It
Finally, make it your own! Man caves are often designed around themes: a particular sport or a favorite team, a hobby - like vintage cars or motorcycles - or perhaps movies or music. Whatever your style may be, our experienced Sales & Design Consultants can help you find the perfect furnishings and accessories to create your ultimate man cave!
Click here to contact your Sales & Design Consultant or call 866.436.8056 today.