Adventure Outdoors Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 22

“You need a TV, some kickass gaming systems, comfy seats, a killer sound system, and plenty of snacks...” If your man cave is more internally focused, then make sure you’re including things that serve a purpose for you. If your man cave is your garage, you’ll need ample work- space for tackling projects and lifting weights, and striking manly poses while no one’s watching! A good amount of shelving for tools and accessories is a must. Storage is key. Without storage, you have clutter, and with clutter, no pur- pose. The point of having a man cave is to spend hours on end in it, enjoying the little things, so keep it stocked! Snacks and beer (preferably a kegerator) are imperative, especially if you ’re in need of some serious peace and quiet. Which brings up the next necessity: soundproofing. When you and the guys are watching the game, you won’t want to have to turn it down for any reason, so make sure you’re soundproofing the room and insulating the space well, es- pecially if you’re in the garage. Any “outdoor” man caves should be prepped according to weather conditions, oth- erwise you run the risk of having all of your things ruined. A man cave is meant to make you happy. You can go there when no one else wants to watch the golf tournament that you’ve been dying to see. You can kick back and relax in that recliner that your wife has been threatening to throw out for years until you moved it out of her sight. You’re able to crank up your stereo and listen to your favorite tunes while staining that bookshelf you’ve been meaning to finish for months. If the space doesn’t make you happy, then it’s not a true man cave. You need a TV, some kickass gaming systems, comfy seats, a killer sound system, and plenty of snacks, but you also need that feeling of relief as soon as you walk in. Make it a place where you can invite your friends and have a good time. Man caves don’t have to be the stereotypically awful, dingy rooms that everyone immediately thinks of. With a little thought put into the design, your man cave will be the best one on the block. Turn awful to awesome by adding a few toys, creating a theme, and making the space – we have to say it – inviting. Pretty soon, your whole crew will be drooling over your prized eight-pointers on the wall and your brand new game table, and they’ll be thinking of ways to build their very own ultimate man cave.