Fall. It’s officially here. (Also, football season.) That means loads of time indoors isn’t far off. So now’s a great time to consider where you’ll spend your indoor time in the months ahead.
Sure, there’ll be time with family in all the usual spaces. But everyone needs their own space, too. A place to kick back, relax, and recharge. A place like a man cave, aka a men’s den. A man cave can be so much more than just a spare room with a TV, it can be a place that feels considered, elevated, on-purpose — and yours.
That’s where we’re headed today. Whether you gravitate to an old-school Gentleman’s Club vibe, something sleek and modern, or something else entirely. The idea is to create a space that feels like you and blends comfort, vibe, and functionality to give you a welcome break from the worries of life. Today we’ll talk about how to create your own getaway right at home.
Start Here: Claim Your Style To Create The Ultimate Men’s Den
First, let’s dial in what you’re shooting for. Man caves often reflect a theme or personal particular interest, eg. sports, music, fishing, etc. But any theme can be tailored to fit your design style, so that’s what we’re after here. What’s the overall style you’d like your space to have?
Do you imagine dark wood, leather armchairs, and rich textures like that old-school Gentleman’s Club (think, British not so much bachelor party)? Or maybe modern, industrial, and monochromatic is more your lane. Or roughly a million other styles. There are no rules here. It’s your space so you can throw any combination of styles together to mix up just the right eclectic flavor you love.
For example: That old-school look might mean exposed brick (or faux brick), warm but industrial lighting, and a big vibey vintage Persian rug merging old-world charm and contemporary cool. Set a favorite classic vinyl spinning and kick back in a chestnut brown leather or faux leather Chesterfield sofa or an overstuffed armchair in rich hunter green plush velvet.
Where Comfort Meets Style: Choosing The Right Upholstery
When you’re the largest online furniture upholstery fabric store, you head straight to the role of upholstery in any man cave. Because fabrics often play a starring role in these spaces, setting them apart from the rest of the home’s feel and elevating your style.
- For a Classic Look: Fabrics with texture and rich tones are what’s for you. Think velvet, leather, and woven fabrics like wool. There’s a timelessness, to say nothing of the luxuriousness, to a burgundy red tufted velvet sofa and a pair of chairs in cigar brown genuine leather.
- For a Modern Vibe: Not the first style that leaps to mind for man caves, the crisp simplicity of a modern vibe is perfect for such chill spaces. Try contrasting neutral tones like jet-black recycled leather and an armchair in a classic black checkered houndstooth pattern — bonus points for throw pillows in the checkered for the sofa and black canvas for the chair.
- For an Eclectic Mix: Intentionally mixing patterns and textures adds depth and personality. Maybe keep the color scheme neutral, like a sofa in a steel grey armchairs in pale moonstone silver Crypton tweed, but play with patterns with throw pillows in contemporary geometric pattern jacquard, abstract circle pattern jacquard, and abstract ikat linen. Bold, muted, or both — curate your vibe.
Pro Tip: No need to break the bank. Instead of buying furniture, reupholster and breathe new life into your space and into the furniture you love already. Voilà! What was old is new again.
Man Cave Magic: Creating Zones To Relax, Entertain, And More
Now, you may be thinking you want (or need) a getaway like a man cave, but you don’t have room in your home for an exclusively purposed space. Maybe your man cave room doubles as an office or is limited to a corner of your garage or basement.
To solve that problem, think zones. Creating distinct zones gives the space a cohesiveness but also a sense of clarity of purpose. For example:
The Lounge Area: The place to kick back, watch the game, or whatever, the lounge area is the heart of most man caves. Give it a set-apart feel by positioning your furniture turned away from the space’s typical use. And upholster seating in a standout fabric you love. Like a pair of crisp but comfy lounge chairs in pine green performance leather with warm grey and cream Greek key pattern throw pillows. Simple but set-apart.
Head to the Bar: A well-appointed bar — another men’s den staple — is like your favorite watering hole right at home. Whether a built-in bar, a drink cabinet, or a simple, sleek bar cart, lean into dark wood and brass accents to amp up the old-school or stainless steel and glass to give it a modern vibe. Make it unique with upholstered bar stools, perhaps kitschy and classically clad in a nature-themed tapestry fabric or a simple camel brown microsuede.
The Reading Nook: Sometimes the man cave is just a man’s corner. A place nestled near a window, with bookshelves and a turntable, perched beneath a warm reading lamp. Elevate your reading nook with a lounge-style reading chair and accompanying footrest in a rich, transportive fabric like deep teal velvet and a lumbar pillow in a contemporary abstract rustic pattern in denim beige and blue.
Or All of the Above: A lounge area with a luxurious eclipse blue velvet sofa is flanked by armchairs in saddle brown German leather. On one side of the room, high-backed barstools upholstered in oatmeal beige small-scale herringbone pattern fabric are bellied up to a bar of dark wood with brass accents. Across the room, a slate grey tweed mid-century modern wingback chair and ottoman serenely beckons beside a bookshelf and drink table with a cigar tray awaiting your savored chilltime. Yeah. Like that.
Buzzer Beater: 3 Final Tips For Making Your Perfect Men’s Den
- Think flexibility. To foster the right mood for your cave time, lighting is both critical and an easy win. For overhead lighting, dimmer switches help set the tone instantly. Floor and table lamps with warm light bulbs soften the feel. Pendant lights over the bar and runner lights inside bookcases add a warmer, theater-like glow when you want it.
- Think accessories. Part of how to personalize a space is through the less pricey, more flexible bits. So use a playful touch when choosing things like rugs, fabrics for throw pillows, and other decorative accessories.
- Think personality. Any proper man’s cave or men’s den should feel — and look — like yours. Whether your vibe is minimalist or maximalist, showcase your passions and personality through art, photos, collectibles, or whatever else brings you joy.
And for all the furniture upholstery fabrics you could ever need for whatever men’s den magic you decide to create, we’re here to make all those dreams a reality. Give us a call today.