UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Caving in

When each room of a home has its own function and role to play, it can be difficult to find a space where you just want to showcase all your miscellaneous possessions. Enter the “man cave.”

This room is essentially the one room where a man can arrange the space however he likes. Whether in an attic, basement, or spare room, the man cave can be a great place to hold all your recreational activities and prized possessions.

Do you have a series of signed sports memorabilia, whiskey or wine collection or an assortment of vintage comic books? These displays can unapologetically be shown in the man cave.

“A man cave can come in all shapes and sizes. It can be your typical basement location, outside of the house in the garage, or even behind some secret door made to look like a bookcase,” said local event and designer coordinator Alan Torrado. “One thing is certain: it is a man’s personal space where he can truly express himself.”

According to Torrado, these are must-have pieces to have in a man cave: • a comfortable lounge chair or recliner; • a large television set to watch movies and sports, especially the

Super Bowl; • a mini bar and refrigerator; • a poker table, pool table, dartboard or foosball table for recreation; • extra seating and barstools; and • personal prized possessions displayed on a wall, shelf or bookcase.

These are examples of what one can typically find in a man cave, because of the masculine tone they set. However, this space is heavily dependent on the interest of the person. Some of these spaces can look like sports bars, with fully installed bar tables and shelves to hold alcohol. Other spaces can look like an after-hours office, complete with spacious desks and computers for work. Whichever design is chosen, the room at its core should be a reflection of the person’s true interests.

For colors, man caves typically go for darker colors like maroon, Navy blue, gray, brown and black. However, light-colored accents and trims can add a more regal and upmarket effect, such as gold linings along table or white shelves suspended on the wall. Lighting can warm and dim so that it will not compete with light coming from electronic devices, like TV screens.

And not to worry — despite the name, anyone of any gender can have their own cave.

“It’s your room in the house that you have complete control on how you decorate it,” Torrado said. p