Attention Guys: How Is Your Cave?
I remember the first home I bought in Ashland, Massachusetts. I was in my twenties and it had three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, was about 1800 square feet and had some really nice views. The thing that I remember the most and probably enjoyed the most was my basement. Back then, my basement was "code" for sports bar. It had two TVs and hundreds of sports pictures, ticket stubs and other memorabilia everywhere in the room. Yes, there was a bar and refrigerator and yes, we had some really fun parties.
Over the years my homes have gotten a little bit bigger, BUT for some reason my sports bar or "cave" has gotten much smaller. In my current home office I have about fifteen sports pictures hanging on the walls and that’s it. In our media room (I wish that was my cave), I have about the same on the walls and according to Trish that is plenty. In fact, five too many. If I want to add another picture, there tends to be a negotiation that may include jewelry as a trade. I do understand her position since we do entertain quite a bit in the room.
Guys, my cave isn’t that great. How is yours? Yes, I have a large screen TV, but frankly in my perfect cave I would have five TVs in it, a nice bar area, pool table, ping pong table, pinball machines, cigar room and many other things.
It would also include beautiful and very comfortable oversized leather chairs and couches.
With the cost of sporting events increasing each and every day (or at least it seems that way to me) and large screen TVs being very common, it seems to be that media rooms will be a code word for "man caves." I wish I had a big and better one.
Perhaps it is time for us to move.
- What about you? How is your "man cave?"
- If you could do whatever you want in your "cave", what would it be?
I look forward to hearing your comments.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:55 am
We just built a new house and moved in November. I have to say that I’m pretty happy with my cave(s), though you mentioned a couple of items I’d love to have. I wish I had the cigar lounge with over stuffed leather chairs. As it is, I have a great game room and a separate media room. My game room consists of a pool table, dart board, wet bar and a table used for card games. It joins a separate media room where I have a 106″ movie screen. For the most part, I wouldn’t change anything, except maybe what I mentioned above. As for decorating, I have some pool pictures in the game room, but for the most part I compromise on decorating. I have to keep the wife happy. I do have a lot of golf prints and pictures in my study, but I always run decorating by the boss to make sure it meets hear seal of approval. At least I’m learning some things as I get older.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
So, in my 600 sq. ft. apartment in Manhattan, my “cave” is also the living room, which the big flat panel tv is. My sports memorabilia is relegated to the office (and I have some really good stuff).
One day, when I bite the bullet and move to the ‘burbs, I hope to have the ability to create the cave of my dreams. But unlike Paul, in the ‘burbs of NYC, land is just that much more valuable, so I’m thinking it’s many years down the road…
Then again, I have 5 great sports bars within a 20 minute walk…
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Hmmm, Not sure if I fit in with y’all in my “cave” selection, but since my move to a 2 bedroom condo, with a golf course, my crib/cave has a gorgeous tree lined, meandering walkway path to the 7th T box, (wish I could post a photo…) where I hang out in my television less condo and eat lunch and dinner on my second floor balcony, while I overhear guys yelling at their ball to get right, left, straight or otherwise!!!!
See you all in NYC!!!
Fee
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
After years of delay, we finished our basement and now I have a proper “man cave.” It’s a lot like Paul’s above. 90″ HDTV with a surround sound system. Two rows of three leather recliners (with electric recline). Oak pool table, card table, wet bar, darts, pinball, exercise area w/TV. In the evenings, I like to hide down there and avoid phone calls and emails. Now I’m turning down tickets to NBA, NHL and college football games because watching at home is a better option. Wife and daughter also like to use, so the inaugural movie was not some big time action or macho adventure movie - it was “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Ug.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Brian,
Great CAVE! Sounds like you need to have a poker game and watch the Longest Yard or The Untouchables to really break it in right.
Enjoy.
Merrill
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Brian - You pretty much summed up reality for most “man caves.” They are ours until our significant others want to share. I also commend you for admitting to that as your inaugural movie, since it pretty much shows the reality of our hideaways.