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“Man Cave” is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Sometimes, we use a term or phrase so often, we forget exactly what it is. In this post, we will look at what a man cave is, and some of the things you should consider having in your man cave. We will also look at what your overall goal should be for your man cave? This is a great article is meant for those who are either beginning their planning process or looking to rethink their current man cave. A “man cave” is a statement room. It displays what its designer holds closest to them. The man cave is a type of retreat for its designer. When you invite people into your man cave, they should be surrounded by the things you find important and are passionate about. The designer’s personality should shine through. The man cave is where you can be unapologetically you. You may be expecting me to say, “a man cave is where you display all of your manly things to impress others”. Hey, if that’s what you want to do, go for it. However, your man cave should be so much more than that. Before continuing to read this, I want you to take a second take a honest look at yourself and what makes you… you. You do it? Okay, your man cave should be… … A Place You Can Surround Yourself With the Things That Are Important To You: Take a second to close your eyes, visualize what is important to you. Is it family? Hunting? Sports? Video games? Craft beer? Sewing? Knitting? Whatever is important to you, your man cave is the one place you can unapologetically surround yourself with these things. When you invite someone into your man cave, they will see what is important to you. If the family is what is important to you, they would see pictures of them scattered around the room. If hunting or wildlife is important to you, go ahead and proudly show off that massive fish you caught that almost got away. Sports are important to you? Hang up the championship banners of your team, or signed memorabilia. Craft beer is your thing? You will probably spend time designing a bar section that you can have signage from your favorite beer. If you are adventurous, maybe you even have one of your favorites on tap. Are you into sewing? Proudly display what you have been working on! Your man cave is the place you can be unapologetically you. … A Place to Display Your Collections and Hobbies: Do you have a hobby or a collection of some type? Your man cave is the best place to display these things. You have spent a lot of time putting together your collection of cards, shot glasses, guitar picks, golf balls, coins, traveling souvenirs, and/or beer memorabilia. Instead of having them in a box in a closet, proudly show them off! Do you play guitar? Get some wall mounts and hang that thing up! You golf? Display your trophies (no worries if it’s a participation trophy, I am right there with you)! If you are interested in what the best way to display your collections are you are in luck. I have written articles on how to display a shot glass collection, how to display a golf ball collection, and how to display a card collection. … A Place To Retreat To: You have heard me say it a few times now, but I think it is worth saying it again. Your man cave is where you can be / show off your authentic self. I don’t care what others say “should” be in a man cave. It is your choice of what goes into your man cave. Don’t start with what you think others will want to see in there. I say this because your man cave is where you can feel the most comfortable. That isn’t possible if you are worried about what others will or won’t want to see. The example I used earlier is sewing. If you are a male and sew, that's awesome! You have much more patience than I do. That makes you unique. Sewing makes you unique, and it will also make your man cave unique. By surrounding yourself with things you love, you are creating your safe place. The word I like to use for this safe place is your retreat. Your man cave is your retreat. With that in mind, what colors make you most comfortable? What furniture makes you most comfortable? What puts you at ease? Some people say blues are supposed to be calming. I say that dark and rustic browns are calming to me, and those are the colors I use in my man cave. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and at home, that’s what you need to use in your man cave to make it your retreat. …A Place That Shows Your Personality: This entire article can boil down into this one point. The best man cave is the one that shows your authentic personality. I don’t care if you are a sewing musician or a burly hunter that loves beer, show your authentic self in your man cave. When someone comes into your man cave, they should get a good sense of what you are about. Are you reserved? Out there? An entertainer? Do you like energetic colors or calming ones? These are all questions I want you to ask yourself in the planning process of your man cave. If you can ask yourself these questions early in the planning process, your finished man cave will feel homier. It will be a space to be proud of. Until next time,