Father’s day is here once again, and it’s time to let Dad know just how much we appreciate him. There are many ways in which we do this: family barbecues, gifts, shopping sprees to his favorite outdoor or tech store, or even a fishing trip. But as much as Dad loves going out and living life on his special day, there are also times he wishes he had a place of his own to retreat and relax. The concept of the Man Cave has become a popular dream for many men, and the escape they offer for the twenty-first century male are plentiful and rewarding. If you are thinking of giving Dad the greatest gift ever; or dads, if you are hoping to ask for a Cave of your own this year, here is some advice to help you out when planning a Man Cave of your own.

First and foremost, pick your theme. Are you a sports guy or a car guy?—or both? Do you want to feel at home, or away from home? There are a lot of questions to consider planning the layout of a Man Cave, and a lot depends on your budget and available space. A tight budget may require you to work with an existing floor plan and layout—which is perfectly fine, as decoration can enhance the existing area (men talking about decorating…weird). If you have more resources and a locale completely at your disposal, I would recommend bringing in a professional to help you out. I know, we are independent men, but this is your Man Cave, man, you want her to be the best Cave possible.

Once you have a theme and layout in mind, here are some elements you will likely want to include in your Cave.

King-size Couch: If extreme couching were a sport, you would hold the world title. The Cave is—first and foremost—your place to relax and get away. This cannot be done on some little hand-me-down print couch. Find something that can support you and all your responsibilities as a man. As far as material, leather is great, but be sure you it’s a material you like. The size of the couch may dictated by the available space, but when you begin planning, think of how many people you will hope to have over during the big game. If you can get the full wrap around, go for it; if not, the prospect of a smaller couch to give room for extra smaller chairs as needed might be a good idea if entertaining is your goal.

Kegerator: Let’s face it: nothing takes the sting out of a long day like a cold one. But why stop at one?—or risk having to stop at all? Woe to the man who approaches the ice chest, only to discover there is only a couple long-necks left. Options at that point are limited. Do you run to the store for more and risk missing the best play of the game? That is an amateur move. A wise man will eliminate this issue all together with his own kegerator, and keep a spare keg in the closet just—in case. The kegerator can be free standing, or built into other accessories; all that matters is the beer remains cold and plentiful.

Bar: Ideally, you’d like a have a noble place where you can drink and hang with your buds without having to linger around a table, or in your nice leather sofa. The bar is a must, and really, the main reason you need a Man Room is because you are unable to live at the bar to begin with. Your bar can be as complex as you want it, from a simple place to set your drink, to a fully refrigerated unit; complete with ice wells and a place for your kegerator. Glassware can bare the label of your favorite beer brand, and it won’t be long before your place is the most popular bar in town.

Flat Screen: How big of a TV should you get? How big of a TV do they make! This is your command post—your outlook on the world, and primary source of entertainment for you and your friends. However, beware that there is a balance between size, price, and quality. Do your research and ask around for the best balance of the three. The last thing you would want is for your TV to fritz-out an hour before the fight. Also research ahead, look to where the industry is heading and try to anticipate the moves. You’re a hunter, don’t underscore the prey and buy technology that might be obsolete in a year.

Walls: No man worth his weight will waste anything, and space is no exception. You will want to make the most of your Cave, leaving no stone unturned. The floor area may be limited, between your couch, bar, and potential pool table. The best way to really shape the look of the Cave is to use your walls to your advantage, and keep the floor space open for the party. The walls are the best place to keep the memorabilia, such as sports jerseys, movie posters, plaques, and neon. Custom wallpaper is another great way to go. You can use a picture from your favorite fishing lake or hunting ground or stadium, have it made into wallpaper, and transform your Cave into a true escape. You are here to get away, so get as far away as you want.

Whichever way you go with your Cave, remember that this is your space. In the end, the only one who needs to be happy with your Cave is you. However anxious you may be to get inside and roar, take the time to really plan things out. Look into your needs and wants, but try to be flexible if things don’t go exactly how you want them to; sometimes, the back-up plan is better than the first run. Remember to stay calm and positive during the creation of your Cave. This is your room to relax, if the process of building her was a terrible experience, then the Cave might not end up being the escape you were hoping for. This Father’s day, don’t be afraid to ask for something special. Get in touch with your roots, and finally get that Cave of your own.

Author Bio: Chris Garrett is an online publisher for the large format printing experts at megaprint.com, and blogs on the topics of design and printing.

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