Turning your shed into a man cave: what will you need?

Ah, the good old man cave. The ultimate sanctuary for guys to enjoy some quiet time to do as they please in a masculine space away from their wives and kids.
While a man cave can be located in any number of places, including a garage, spare bedroom, media room, den, basement, or tree house, perhaps the best is in your backyard shed.
Providing you with separation from the main part of your home, a man cave should be a place where you can unwind, pursue hobbies, watch the big game, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet.
According to Scott Haltzman, a noted author and psychiatrist, it is important for a man to have a place to call his own.
But what if you don’t currently have somewhere to retreat to when you need a bit of time to yourself?
Here is our comprehensive guide to turning your shed into a man cave.
1. Understand what you’ll use it for
Before you pick up a hammer or start shopping for gadgets, it is important to understand what the purpose of your man cave will be.
Will you be using it to watch movies or the big match, to play computer games, work on wood or metalwork projects, or simply to relax with your mates?
You will also need to establish what furniture and items you’ll want to put into your man cave and what your budget will be to cover them.
Once you have worked all this out, you will be able to turn your attention towards setting it up.
2. Get the Basics Right
Presumably, the man cave is something you’ll want to use all year round. So, when setting it up, you should first concentrate on getting the basics right.
Insulating the walls and roof with materials like foam boards, fibreglass batts, or reflective foil will ensure you enjoy comfortable temperatures all year round, which is particularly important if you live in parts of the country that are prone to extreme temperatures.
Additionally, getting a professional electrician to power the shed with lighting, and a HVAC system will enable you to use the man cave any time of the year or night or day.
3. Improve the Flooring and Walls
Often, shed floors are plain concrete, which doesn’t really make for a warm or inviting space. Therefore, you should take the opportunity to elevate the look and feel of your man cave by covering it with another type of material.
Laminate, carpet tiles, or vinyl planks are all great options that are easy to put down and keep clean. However, you should check out Choices Flooring to find flooring options that will suit your space.
For the walls, it is a good idea to line them with plywood or drywall and then either paint them or add wallpaper to create a more polished finish.
4. Furniture and Appliances
With the structure and fundamentals complete, you can then turn your attention to what furniture and appliances you will need.
Comfortable seating is essential in a man cave, and this can take the form of a reclining armchair or a nice, sectional sofa that will enable you and your mates to relax in style.
If you have enough room, you might want to create a bar area and furnish it with bar stools. Otherwise, it is a good idea to put in a fridge for beers and snacks, and maybe a kettle or microwave should you ever fancy tea or hot food.
5. Entertainment and Hobbies
Probably the best part of setting up a man cave is customising it to your hobbies and interests.
For many guys, especially those who love sports and movies, a home theatre system consisting of a large-screen TV, surround sound system, and streaming device, such as Apple TV or Chromecast, is a must.
Alternatively, if you are into gaming, you’ll want to set up a console or PC with a comfortable ergonomic chair and multiple monitors that allow you to really get into the zone.
If you are more into hands-on activities like woodwork, creating art, or fixing electronics, you will need a sturdy surface to build or tinker on, as well as somewhere to put your tools.
6. Smart Tech and Connectivity
Why not bring your man cave into the 21st century with a good suite of smart technologies?
This should include a Wi-Fi extender if your reception isn’t great and varying charging stations for your gadgets.
You may also want to install Google Home and other smart devices to control things like the lighting, temperature, and TV with voice commands.
7. Personal Touches
It is always nice to bring a few personal touches to your decor. So, why not put up some artwork or posters or your favourite sports teams, band, or travel destination?
To complement them, you can also add photos of your family or various bits of memorabilia, such as trophies you’ve won, family heirlooms, or other display collectibles.
Additionally, place a sign at the front door saying something quirky like ‘men only’ or ‘Sam’s Man Cave.’
8. Security
Last but not least, you’ll want to ensure your man cave is safe and secure when you are not using it.
Here are some good options you can use to keep everything in order.