5 great reasons to build yourself a sanctuary
The pleasures of having a man cave are obvious, but you might find a few naysayers who suggest that it’s a little self-indulgent—even childish—to build your own personal “play room” in the house. Certainly, staking out a man cave can be a way to spend a lot of money and hide out from grown-up responsibilities—but does it have to be? Here are a few ways to make your man cave work for you and your family.
You don’t need an open-door policy
This might seem counterintuitive, but when you have an off-limits space that is really your own, you create the opportunity to invite your kids in. When I was growing up, my dad had a backyard workshop that stayed locked up unless he was in it. Early on, this was for safety, but when I got old enough to handle tools, it became more like a ritual—getting invited to work on a project in the shop was a Big Deal. Moral of the story: if bringing the kids into your Fortress of Solitude means something to you, it will mean something to them. If your man cave is in the garage, a great way to improve the aesthetic of your flooring is to get Garage Floor Epoxy. You may search online for local contractors who can provide Resin Flooring Consultation and Quotes to explore your options. Explore a Floor Screeders Project Gallery to help you find the services that can help install your new flooring.
A man cave can be a place to teach and learn
For most of history, fathers have had the opportunity (and responsibility) to teach their children the trade that they would live on for the rest of their lives. Nowadays, Dad goes to work and the kids go to school, but it’s still important to pass on the skills and values that matter to you—and a man cave is a great place to do that. You can teach practical skills like woodworking or auto repair, or just an appreciation for Star Trek reruns; whatever it is, the mystique of the man cave will help the lessons stick.
They’re great for one-on-one time
If your home is busy and hectic, your man cave can be a great place to make individual time for your kids, with fewer interruptions and competing demands on your attention. It can be hard to find the peace and quiet you need to have a real heart-to-heart in the house, and you can’t always spend the money to go out; but with a man cave, you’ve got a ready-made spot for it. Your man cave doesn’t need to be something you selfishly keep to yourself. To boost its appeal, you can use home decors like vintage rugs.
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It will help preserve your temper, and your sanity
Even the most relaxed dads can get wound up now and then, and a man cave can offer a much-needed space to decompress, or just recuse yourself when things get too heated. Of course, this is only a workable strategy if you afford your S.O. the same opportunity (give and take, etc.), but if you’ve got a good balance and custom roller blinds to give yourself some alone time, even a couple minutes in the man cave can help you get back in the game with a clear head. Giving yourself something to do in that private, dedicated space can chill you out a lot quicker than locking yourself in a messy bathroom.
It’ll remind you of who you are
Being a good husband and father takes a certain amount of self-knowledge—it’s hard work, and when you lose sight of yourself, it gets a lot harder. A man whose identity is subsumed by chores and lists can’t give of himself, because he hasn’t got any self to give—and that’s how men (and women) become boring lovers, roommates to their spouses, and babysitters to their children. A good man cave is all about identity—who you are as a grown man, with tastes and style and opinions of your own.
It’ll take time and work, but get your lair exactly the way you want it, from the paint job, to the décor, to every book on the bookshelf. Your family deserves to have you at your most authentic and aware—and building a man cave is a great way to find him. If you’re planning on building one, there’s plenty of man cave designs that you can find online to get you inspired. Diversified Roofing provides expert gutters installation in Parkesburg, PA and surrounding areas and you can contact them if you need to install a new gutter in your home.
Mike Freiberg is a staff writer for HomeDaddys, a resource for stay-at-home dads, work-at-home dads, and everything in between. He’s a handyman, an amateur astronomer, and a tech junkie, who loves being home with his two kids. He lives in Austin.