Photo by Doc Handsome You're no doubt familiar with the concept of the "Man Cave" -- a sacred space for men to kickback, relax and entertain friends. While this space might be most closely associated with bad cliches, having a few beers and watching sports, it actually has some serious health benefits. On average, 86% of men and 67% of women work more than 40 hours a week, so it’s important for everyone in the home to have a place they can retreat to at the end of a long day. The man cave is just one example of a space that can be restorative and therapeutic. We’ve put together a list of must-haves when putting together this sanctuary from stress. It's bro-time fellas.
A Streaming System
When setting up your man cave, the first step should be to clean out your old DVD, VHS and CD collection - nowadays it’s all about streaming. Streaming has become wildly popular due to the incredible convenience and space it saves. Streaming has become easier than ever, many new ‘smart’ TV’s have music and video streaming services built in, or there are plenty of inexpensive devices that plug into your TV and stream. Whether you are having a group over to watch a big game or just enjoying music at the end of a long day, all your forms of entertainment will be right at your fingertips. If you aren’t sure where to start, do some research on your options when it comes to streaming and devices.
A Sectional to Sink Into
The heart of your man cave will be the cozy furniture you sink into. For this space, you’ll want something that allows you to lie back and relax, but is also made of material that will be resistant to wear and tear. You can never go wrong with a big comfortable sectional, but if you feel like you want more pieces you can check out full family room furniture sets that will provide everyone with a place to sit. When picking out the color scheme, consider something a little darker that won’t be as susceptible to stains or discoloration. In this space you will most likely be eating, drinking and entertaining guests, so the last thing you want to do is stress about spills or stains.
A Table for Pool or Poker
Whatever your favorite leisure activity is, it’s fun to include a gaming table if you are looking to spend some down time away from a screen. Having a pool table, poker table, dart board or air hockey set-up are all great options that allow you to enjoy a guys’ night in, or to bond with family. These types of games really come in handy during the winter months when you are stuck inside -- and they provide an outlet other than digital media to spend time with family or friends. You can also find tables that easily double as an air hockey and pool table, so that you don’t have to sacrifice one game for the other!
The Trophy Case
While you don’t have to set up a literal trophy case in your man cave, it’s nice to have a place to show off some of your favorite memorabilia, photos and keepsakes. When decorating this type of space, be expressive and personalize your area with posters or memories that really mean something to you. This will make you feel more comfortable in your space and therefore more at ease when you retreat there at the end of a stressful day. Some examples might be a framed jersey of your favorite sports team, a poster of an artist you love or a gallery wall of family photos. These decorative and personal pieces can tell the story of you and act as a natural conversation piece when you entertain in your space.
Hailing from all over the country these bourbons defy the odds with their reasonable price tag and can turn a nightcap into a night you’ll (hopefully) never forget. Here are the seven best bottles of bourbon under $100.
