The “Man Cave”: A Real Estate Trend

If you grew up with brothers, male cousins or lots of boys in the neighborhood, you knew from long ago that there is always a boys’ club.  From tree-houses to tool sheds, the male gender has always managed to find a place to retreat, where they can read comic books, steal a smoke or a swig of something rot-gut, and celebrate bodily functions at will.

Today, the grown-up versions of the “no girls allowed” set are turning their fondness for such hideaways into a real estate trend, in that “man caves” are finding their way into floor plans for new homes with some architects.  These big-boy versions of forts and clubhouses like those from childhood are meant to encourage “buddy bonding” and give the partakers a place to let it all hang out.

For example, one of my friends constructed a separate “man cave” in his backyard.  It is a two story home, with a full bar, big screen, arcade and pool table downstairs, and what amounts to an efficiency apartment upstairs.  It sometimes functions as guest quarters, but there’s no mistaking that its purpose is to entertain his buddies on a regular basis, away from the main house and the distractions of a large, busy family. 

While such ultimate shrines for celebrating being a guy are conceivable for some, it is not necessary to take out a second mortgage to create a man cave.  A basement, attic, garage, or even a spare bedroom can be a great place to start.  Check out some of the accessories that can turn almost any space into a man cave for him and his boys:

·        Wet bar

·        Mini brewery

·        Refrigerator (stocked with frosted mugs)

·        TV – any kind, but the bigger the better

·        Sports stuff – posters, bats, autographed basketballs, that ball he caught as a kid at the Cubs’ game…any sports stuff will do

·        Foosball

·        Arcade games

·        Pool tables

·        Dart boards

·        Poker table

·        Computer games

There is no limit to the ideas for creating a man cave.  All you need is a space and your imagination.  Need help?  Check out DIY Network’s regular Wednesday night broadcast, dedicated to man caves.  Here’s to being a guy!  Want your next home to include a space that lends itself to designing a man cave?  Call me, I’d love to help 210-325-6962, or www.SheilaMoranTeam.com