How to Build a Man Cave Here in the UK
Introduction
If you're a person looking for your own little slice of heaven building in your garden, you're in the right place! A man cave is a dedicated place where you can escape from the outside world and relax in a space (potentially filled with alcohol) that's all yours. In this article, we'll take you through the steps of creating your very own man cave, complete with a DIY wooden bar, décor, and lighting.
Choosing the Space for Your Man Cave
Inside? Outside? Finding the right spot for your man cave is crucial. Ideally, you'll want a space that's private and away from the rest of the house to keep the noise down for everyone else! If you're fortunate enough to have a spare reception room, or unused cellar/basement, or outside building you're in luck! But if you don't, don't worry. You can always convert a garage or garden shed into the ultimate man cave. Failing that - build your own!
When you're evaluating the size of the space, make sure it's big enough to fit everything you need, from a comfortable seating area to your DIY bar. You'll also want to consider lighting and ventilation options to ensure your man cave is as comfortable and inviting as possible. So plan what you want in it and then measure out the footprint to make sure it will work.
Designing Your Man Cave
When designing your man cave, there are several factors to consider, including the space available, the theme you want to create, and the essential items you'll need.
Choosing a Theme for Your Man Cave
The first step in designing your man cave is to choose a theme. Do you want a sports-themed man cave, a retro-themed man cave, or a rustic-themed man cave? The options are endless, and the theme you choose will set the tone for the entire space.
To help you choose a theme, think about your hobbies and interests. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are your favourite sports teams? What era of design do you enjoy the most? By considering these questions, you'll be able to narrow down your options and choose a theme that reflects your personality.
Determining the Layout of Your Space
Once you've chosen a theme, it's time to determine the layout of your man cave. You'll want to consider the size and shape of the space, as well as the items you'll be including, such as a TV, furniture, and décor. Be sure to measure the space and make a floor plan before making any big purchases.
When designing the layout of your man cave, think about the flow of the space. You'll want to create areas for different activities, such as watching TV, playing games, and relaxing. You'll also want to consider traffic flow and ensure there's enough space to move around comfortably.
Tip – plan for the bar and bespoke seating to go into a corner of the room to maximise available space
Making a List of Essential Items to Include
To create the ultimate man cave, you'll need to include several essential items. Some items to consider include:
Comfortable seating: Choose seating that's comfortable and fits with the theme of your man cave. Think about adding a sofa, recliner, or bean bag chair. Although lets be honest is a home bar a home bar without barstools?
Entertainment system: A TV or a projector, speakers, and gaming consoles are essential for any man cave. Be sure to choose a screen size and audio system that works well with the size and shape of your space and you’ll be enjoying the football in no time!
Lighting: Good lighting is crucial in any man cave. You'll want to consider ambient, task, and accent lighting to create the right atmosphere. Be sure to choose fixtures that fit with your theme and style.
Décor: Adding décor that reflects your theme is key to creating a cohesive and unique man cave. Consider adding posters, signs, memorabilia, or artwork that reflects your interests.
Storage: Storage is often overlooked in man caves, but it's important to keep the space organised and functional. Consider adding shelving, cabinets, or storage ottomans to keep items organised and out of the way.
By making a list of essential items, you'll be able to ensure that your man cave is functional and meets your needs.
Overall, designing your man cave is an exciting and creative process. By considering the theme, layout, and essential items, you'll be able to create a space that's both functional and fun.
Building a Bar Out of Wood
A DIY wooden bar is an excellent addition to any man cave, and building one is easier than you might think. With a few basic tools and some wood, you can create a unique and personalised bar that will impress all your friends.
Materials Needed for Building a Bar
Wood: Choose a wood that's sturdy and looks good, such as oak or pine. You'll need wood for the bar top, frame, and shelves.
Screws and nails: You'll need a mix of screws and nails to attach the wood pieces together.
Saw: You'll need a saw to cut the wood to the correct size.
Drill: A drill will be useful for drilling pilot holes for the screws and drilling holes for plumbing and wiring.
Sandpaper: Sandpaper will help you to smooth out rough edges and splinters.
Step-by-Step instructions for creating the garden pub building
Create the base
Clear and flatten the area of ground you intent to work on. This can be done using a concrete or creating a timber frame for the base, sinking posts, very much like fencing posts to keep the wooden frame for the base sturdy. Even if you have a concrete base already it will still need the building mounting on a wooden framed base, to avoid the wood of the actual building being in direct contact with the cement, which would allow moisture to effect the building more rapidly.
Insulation & Flooring
If you don't want to freeze in the UK winters, we would recommend putting down a thick insulation under the flooring you intend to fit. Also there will need to be a waterproof membrane below your flooring, to avoid water rising into the building.
Walls
Using a good structural grade timber (6 x 2 lengths of wood should be good) plus osb boards for the internal cladding of the walls, cut to fit in panels. Put a layer of waterproofing membrane between the inner and out layers as well as once again putting insulation inside. You can use plaster board on the interior once it is made water tight and then think about whether you want the outside to have a cladding effect (cedar and composite cladding are extremely popular now) on the outside of the building.
Roof
Using two 5 x 2 boards nailed and bolted together you can make strong roof beams. Include a steel beam to help support the roof, like a lintel in your home where the doors/windows will go. If you're creating a flat roof with boards, then you might want to consider an EPDM rubber roof
Internal Doors & Windows
Depending on your preference you can go for wooden framed windows and doors, but more likely you will want double glazing or potentially bi-fold doors for additional protection and insulating properties.
Consider where you want the sockets and lighting and plan this in before the first fix (the time when the building is made watertight and the internal boarding and carpentry work is to be done)
How To's
Here is an excellent video detailing the sections above in more detail - how to build the garden bar/home office
Or a step by step video guide for building a more simple homemade tiki bar in your garden.
Step-by-Step Instructions for building the bar inside your Man Cave
Planning the Design of the Bar
Before you start building your bar, it's crucial to plan the design. You'll want to consider the size of the bar, the height of the bar top, and the number of shelves and storage you want to include. You'll also want to plan for plumbing and electrical connections if you're including a sink or fridge.
Create a Frame
The first step in building a bar is to create the frame. Cut the wood pieces to size, and use screws and nails to attach the pieces together. Make sure the frame is sturdy and level.
Attach the Bar Top
Once you have a solid frame, it's time to attach the bar top. Cut the wood to the correct size and attach it to the frame using screws. Make sure the top is level and secure.
Adding Shelves and Storage
To add storage to your bar, you can create shelves or cabinets. Cut the wood to size, and attach it to the frame using screws. You can also add a wine rack or a mini-fridge for drinks storage.
Cladding and Finishing Touches to Make the Bar Unique
Use pre-stained wood to clad the outside of your bar to really add a touch of class and you can then even add mirroring
Finally, you'll want to add some finishing touches to make the bar unique. You can add a foot rail or a decorative front panel. You can also sand down the wood and add a finish or paint to match the theme of your man cave.
Overall, building a bar out of wood for your man cave is a fun and rewarding project that's well worth the effort. With a little planning, some basic tools, and a bit of creativity, you can create a bar that's the envy of all your friends.
If you’re still not sure – here is a really useful video on how to make a bar that takes you through it step by step. Or you could just buy one of our man cave bars!
Decorating Your Man Cave
Once you've got the basics of your man cave sorted, it's time to add the finishing touches. Decorating your man cave is where you can let your personality shine through. You can incorporate your favourite sports memorabilia, posters, or even a pool table if you have space. Choose colours and artwork that reflect your personality, and don't forget to include comfortable furniture and storage solutions.
Most man caves or home bars need their own sign. We have an amazing collection of unique neon bar signs and man cave signs to choose from.
Choosing Lighting
Lighting is an important aspect of any man cave or home bar. The right lighting can create the perfect atmosphere for shooting pool, watching the big Premier League match or having a nice romantic late night vino! There are several options to consider when choosing lighting, including ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.
Ambient lighting is the primary source of lighting in a room. It provides overall illumination and sets the tone for the space. In a man cave or home bar, ambient lighting is often used to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. This type of lighting can be achieved with ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, or floor lamps.
Task lighting is focused lighting that's used for specific activities, such as reading, playing games, or working on a project. In a man cave or home bar, task lighting is often used for game tables, bars, or seating areas. Examples of task lighting include desk lamps, reading lamps, and under-cabinet lighting.
Accent lighting is used to highlight specific features or areas of a room, such as artwork, a collection, or a bar area. It can be achieved with spotlights, wall-mounted fixtures, or strip lighting. In a man cave or home bar, accent lighting is often used to create a focal point, such as highlighting a collection of sports memorabilia or a home bar area.
When choosing lighting for your man cave or home bar, consider the style and theme of the space. If you have a rustic-themed man cave, for example, you may want to consider using pendant lighting with a metal or wood finish. If you have a sports-themed home bar, you may want to use accent lighting to highlight your favourite sports team memorabilia.
Another important factor to consider when choosing lighting is the location of the fixtures. In a home bar, for example, you'll want to ensure that the bar area is well-lit, while also providing adequate lighting for seating areas. Wall sconces or pendant lights can be used to illuminate the bar area, while floor lamps or table lamps can be used to provide additional lighting for seating areas.
In a man cave, you may want to consider using dimmer switches to create different lighting levels for different activities. This will allow you to adjust the lighting to suit your mood or the activity you're engaged in, whether it's watching a movie, playing games, or socialising with friends.
In summary, choosing the right lighting is an important aspect of creating the perfect man cave or home bar. By considering each of the various lighting styles individually alongside the theme of your space, as well as the location of the fixtures, you can create a space that's both functional and stylish.
Conclusion
Creating your own man cave is a fun and rewarding project that's well worth the effort. By following these steps, you'll have your own private sanctuary where you can escape from the world and relax in a space that's all yours. Then when you're ready to fill it with man cave accessories then why not shop with us here at Mancave Superstore