Is it time to finally build that man cave that’s been long overdue? As your basement is finished, having your man cave essentials in place can help ensure your private space will be top-notch. If you’re not sure where to start to create your ultimate guy palace, use this list as a thorough guide to get started.
1. Start Looking for a Contractor
Of course, you must be excited about putting together your man cave. One of the man cave essentials to consider is finding the right contractor who can get the ball rolling on building the space out. So do your due diligence to find the right local home remodeling companies that know how to update basements appropriately. One of the ways you can get started is by getting referrals from people in your inner circle. Are there other male friends, family, and colleagues who have man caves that you envy? If so, you can ask them who they used for their man cave building and if they can give you a referral to contact.
As you check your inner circle, you can also look at online reviews. Check which contractors have the best ratings among customers on sites like Reddit, Trustpilot, Consumer Reviews, Google Reviews, and Angie’s List. As you narrow down your choices in remodeling contractors, you can also check out the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints against them. The Better Business Bureau rates companies on a scale of A through F.
Don’t forget to check the pricing. Regardless of how much you may like a contractor, it’s never a good idea to take the first quote offer to you. Contact at least three different remodeling contractors and see what their overall project quote is. That way, you’ll get a good idea of what the general fair pricing would be for such a project. Ask for a written estimate of materials, labor costs, and the general timeline.
2. Have a Consultation
Who says you have to design your man cave on your own? Man caves don’t have to be some haphazard space put together with just a couch, a TV, and a can of beer. After all, you want your hangout to be as comfortable as possible. Whether it’s your solo abode or a place where you can invite your guy friends and family over, you want to ensure it’s the ultimate space that can accommodate anyone.
A local remodeling company can create the ideal layout based on your needs. For example, just because it’s a man cave doesn’t mean it needs to feel like one. In other words, if you’re someone who loves natural light, then man cave essentials should ensure your basement space is as lit as possible. What better type of light to have than natural light? A remodeling company can decide the best way to install a window in your basement space. If as much of your basement is above ground as possible, then it will leave room for not only a small window but an enhanced basement door.
A consultation with a local remodeling company can bring out all sorts of ideas that you may not have thought of. Do your man cave essentials include entertaining? If so, you may want to have a bar in your space to quickly pour a drink. You may want some extra storage for your beer glasses and snacks. During this time, you’ll review a list of things ranging from the type of flooring you should have, insulation, repairs, artificial lighting, storage, sleep space and so much more.
3. Make Sure the Basement Is Liveable
Before you start bringing in additional man cave essentials, you must ensure your basement space is completely livable. After all, it would be a shame if your trophies, knickknacks, and other renovations become flooded out or covered in mold. Luckily, a professional basement finishing contractor will ensure your basement is waterproof and protected from the elements.
Waterproofing is essential in any basement space that you intend to use. Even if your basement was just used for storage, you’d still want to reduce the amount of humidity in that space to protect any items in there. After all, mold can set on anything. Speaking of mold, you should be able to freely relax in your man cave without putting your health at risk. So man cave essentials must include professional basement waterproofing to ensure your basement doesn’t have intense humidity or leaks from rain.
After all, no mold takes only 24 to 72 hours to begin sprouting on a wet surface, according to CNET. Once mold begins sprouting, it won’t stop until the area is remediated. A basement finishing contractor understands the vulnerable points to look for in a basement space. They can reinforce your basement walls and floors to ensure that there are no cracks. They can make sure that the foundation isn’t sinking. To make sure the basement is comfortable year round year finishing contractors will also make any updates to insulation. As a result, you’ll reduce the likelihood of humidity in your home and keep that part of the house at a comfortable temperature. From then on, additional work such as electricity, plumbing, and flooring will also be installed.
4. Make It Functional
As you meet with a home remodeler, think about how functional you want your guy space to be. There is no limit to the man cave essentials that you can have. After all, your space should pertain to you, your personality, and your hobbies.
Do you always want to leave your man cave whenever you want to relieve yourself? The answer is likely no, so why not have a bathroom installed in your space? Whether you want a small half bathroom just to quickly use the toilet or a small full bathroom where you can wash up, go over your needs during the remodeling phase. That way your remodeling project manager can schedule plumbers who can make the necessary connections so you can have a functioning bathroom.
Are you a man who likes to cook? Who says you can’t have a cooking space right in your man cave? If you ever watch the Food Network and think about how much better you could do than Emeril Lagasse, then you should add a small kitchen to your man cave essentials. If you’re not that big of a cook, you could focus on a kitchenette space to make good snacks. Have something as simple as a microwave and a toaster oven on a countertop or you can have remodelers.
5. Have Solid Items
Your essentials should include strong, solid materials that can stand the test of time and emphasize. For example, whether you install a small kitchen or a bathroom in your space, you’re going to need solid countertops. What better countertops should a guy space have than the hardest rock on the planet and that is granite countertops? Granite countertops are a symbol of luxury, are durable, and add value to any home. Even if there are other countertops in other guys’ caves, no two will be the same since each piece of granite is unique.
Building out your man cave for personal reasons. Don’t forget that you’re also adding more value to your home. Because granite is so valuable and a sign of luxury, incorporating it strategically into your finished basement can also help to sell your home faster if you decide to put it on the market one day.
6. Install Quality Flooring
Speaking of adding value to your home. As you’re finishing your basement, the remodeling choices that you make can help to add even more value to your space. Whether you’re using your guy space to lounge in front of the TV or practice your martial arts, you’re going to need quality flooring that can stand the test of time. One of the best choices you can make is hardwood flooring. Why is that? Because quality hardwood can last up to a century with good maintenance and when it comes to hardwood maintenance, it’s pretty simple. A simple sweep and mop along with occasional waxing are the main things you need to keep it up. If your wood panels begin to wear down over time, you can always have them refinished as needed. You can further protect your hardwood flooring with epoxy sealant.
Speaking of epoxy floor sealing, you can use it to protect any solid floor space. Whether you have luxury vinyl, engineered wood, or stone in your man cave, you can have epoxy floor professionals further protect them with the sealant. The sealant is slip-resistant, so it makes your floors safer on top of being protected from stains and spotting.
7. Add Insulation
Regardless of how much of a tough guy you are, do you want to be freezing in winter or sweltering in the summer when you’re trying to hang out in your guy zone? Even with a good HVAC unit, poor insulation in any part of your home can create heat loss. As your basement is being finished, professionals can add insulation that can help prevent that. The way you handle your floors can also add to how well your basement zone cave is insulated. While hardwood adds value and luxury to any space, you may want to install a carpet if you want a more insulating floor material. After all, carpeting is warm in the winter, which can come in handy if you live in an area that tends to be cold to temperate in weather. If you’re not sure how to further protect the comfort in your home, you can always call local insulation companies to help.
8. Have Proper Heating
Most basements tend to be the area where the furnace is at. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you add furnace repair to your man cave essentials. After all, a proper furnace can not only heat your man cave but the entire home. Your furnace is also responsible for making sure you have hot water. To reduce the likelihood of too many repair people gallivanting your finished man cave, try to have your furnace repaired in place as soon as possible. Plus, you don’t want your furnace to leak and cause damage to your beautifully finished basement.
9. Call An Electrician
Part of your man cave essentials will include good wiring. After all, just because you’re in a basement doesn’t mean you want to be in the dark. Plus, you’re going to need as much strong electricity as possible to fire up that PlayStation or Amazon Fire TV. Therefore, you want to ensure your basement wiring is up to code so there are no compliance issues or hazards. In addition, since basements tend to be dark, they can install new lighting in strategic areas so that your basement can be as bright as you like. For energy efficiency and style, your electrician can install LED lighting.
10. Buy Furniture
Do you plan on sitting on the floor while in your man cave? Regardless of how soft your carpeting will be or how nice your hardwood will look, you should probably plan to add furniture to your man cave essentials. Quality furniture is essential to ensuring that you can relax in style. Plus, you want to ensure you have proper back protection whenever you’re sitting in a chair or couch. You should have at least one or more tables to place your beer and snacks. If you’re a reader or you want to store some trophies, don’t forget to add some shelves to your space.
As you can see, there are several essentials your local home contractor can help you with. Once your basement is finished, you’ll need additional help with a new layout, buying furniture, getting electrical services, heating work, and so on. The sky is the limit when building the ultimate man cave of your dreams. Hopefully, this list of man cave essentials will help you build the space that will be the envy of your guy friends in 2024.
