Long gone are the days when retreating to the shed was the perfect way to find sanctuary from a busy home. Today’s retreats have been rebranded as man caves and are more likely to be plush spaces than wooden huts - think garden rooms, garage, and converted lofts - which have been kitted out to the nines.
As Surrey estate agents, we have seen our fair share of man caves, and we’re delighted to share our advice with you. Here are 6 ideas to set you on the path to man cave heaven.
Make sure they’re not cave like - despite their modern moniker, the best man caves are not dark, damp and cold. A man cave should be comfortable, with heating, light, power, and wifi, and it goes without saying that space should be watertight too.
Don’t use the cave for storage - while it’s tempting to use a man cave as temporary storage or as a dumping ground, this goes against the very grain that man caves provide a space to relax and unwind. Keep out junk or, at the very least, install some storage if your man cave is also an overflow room.
Have a clear purpose - recreating a pub is a popular choice, and adding a dartboard, pool table, and even a bar instantly earmark what the man cave is for. Why not up the ante and commission a display cabinet or fridge for your favourite tipple - champagne or whiskey bar anyone? Other ideas include a gaming room, with consoles, gaming chairs and a bank of multiple screens; a sports zone, with memorabilia, trophy cabinet, and a table-tennis table; and a cinema room with reclining chairs, popcorn machine, dimmable lights and an HD, 4K projector with the sound system.
Use accessories to add personality - the internet makes it easy to personalise a man cave, with access to all manner of weird and wonderful items. Browse vintage, retro and reclamation sites for everything from old-style vending machines and neon signs to salvaged dodgem cars and pinball machines.
Create a mini health centre - some of the most well-used man caves contain gym equipment, a shower cubicle with massage jets and even a sauna cabin. It’ll provide the perfect place to escape to when you can’t get to the gym or health club.
Go for golf - as Woking, Cobham, Claygate, and Hinchley estate agents, we know Surrey men like their golf, and if you have enough room to swing a cat, you can probably swing a club too. Virtual golf simulators are the ultimate man cave addition and can be used whatever the weather.
If you’d like examples of Surrey property for sale where a man cave has already been created, or where man cave potential exists, contact Grosvenor today. We also have a wide range of Surrey lettings.