After years of planning, dreaming, and some serious bargaining, you’ve finally been given the go-ahead to create your man cave. 

You definitely want it to be absolutely perfect — but you’re a bit stuck on what you should include, and the items that you can probably afford to live without. 

Now that the possibility is finally becoming a reality, it feels like you’ve frozen up!

Don’t worry. We’re here to help.

In this post, we’ll fill you in on the 8 man cave essentials that no guy should go without. 

No matter what you and your buddies like to do, if you have the items on this list, everyone will be happy.

1. Seriously Relaxing Furniture 

You might not have had much of a say when it comes to the furniture in the rest of your house, but when it comes to your man cave, it’s all about what you want. 

This means furntiture that’s classy, utilitarian, and above all, comfortable. 

Look for awesome recliners, gaming chairs with a 360-degree swivel, and leather couches that are big enough for all of your friends to put their feet up.

If you want to go a bit more old school (or just prepare for a larger guest list than you’re used to) you should also pick up a few beanbag chairs to make sure everyone always has a seat.

2. The Right TV

When it comes to the best TV for your man cave, don’t settle for anything less than high definition. 

Your TV will likely be the room’s most important feature, so don’t be afraid to splurge here.

Make sure that the size of the TV you choose is a good fit with the rest of the room. The bigger your TV and the smaller your room, the more you’ll be able to replicate the movie theatre experience. 

3. Competitive Games

Next up on our list of man cave essentials? 

The right games — both large and small. 

If you’re looking for arcade-style entertainment, check out this air hockey table, consider picking up a vintage pinhball machine, or even try things like a pool or ping-pong table. 

Board and video games are something to consider, too. 

4. A Killer Bar

Of course, no man cave would be complete without a bar. 

Stock up on the essentials like whiskey, (check out this post) to make sure you’re getting the right kind for your bar) gin, and vodka. Also add things like simple syrup, lime syrup, olives, cherries, tonic water, bitters, and organge/cranberry juice. 

Make sure you have the right accessories, too. Think about things like martini and whiksy glasses, coozies to keep drinks cold, and an ice bucket with tongs. 

You could even add a cool craft cocktail book for when you and your friends feel like trying something a bit more unusual than your standard martinis and gin & tonics. 

5. An Enviable Sound System

Whether you’re watching the game, listening to your favorite music, or indulging in a TV show or movie marathon with the guys, one of the most important things for a man cave is an excellent surround sound system. 

Now that you have the right TV, make sure you have th sound system to match. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of installing speakers throughout the room, look for a sound bar/subwoofer to give you the same effect (often, it’s a more affordable option, too.) 

6. A Cigar Humidor 

Even if you don’t smoke, an old-school cigar humidor stocked with even modestly-priced cigars is a huge part of creating the ultimate man cave experience.

It’s also a wonderful conversation piece, which is a huge help if you’re entertaining people that you really don’t know all that well. 

We suggest that you look for a humidor that houses about 20 cigars, or 50 if you’re more of a serious collector. We strongly suggest looking for a scratch-resistant option, especially if things tend to get a little rowdy in your man cave. You can even have it inscribed with your initials or a favoirte quote. 

7. Your Own Mini Fridge 

At some point during the night, you and your boys are going to get hungry.

But especially if you’re watching a close game, or even having a personal conversation, you might not want to have to get up to get something to eat or drink. 

That’s why one of the most important man cave essentials is a mini fridge. Store your favorite snacks in it, and consider looking for a fridge with a wine rack so you’ll always have few chilled bottles ready to drink.

If you just want a place to store your beer, invest in a kegerator. This is a specially-desigend mini fridge that will keep your beer totally fresh and ensure that it’s always at the right temperature. 

8. Age-Appropriate Decor 

Let’s face it — the right decor might not initially make it on your list of man cave must-haves. 

However, especially now that you’re out of college, you do want to have a semblance of class in your space. 

In other words? 

It’s time to take down those neon beer signs and centerfolds and replace them with framed posters of your favorite films, chic hunting-lodge style accessories like antlers, mahogany end tables, and even sports memorabilia. 

You want to feel relaxed and comfortable in your space — and have it make a good impression on any business associates you may be entertaining in your home. 

Try These Man Cave Essentials

Whether you’re a serious gamer, a sports fanatic, or a fan of cigars and whiskey, we hope that this list of the best man cave essentials will help you to make the most out of your space. 

Of course, this is just a starting point for your space. 

You also need to think about paint colors or wallpaper, flooring, hiding electrical outlets, and even making sure that you have a strong WiFi signal at all times. The, there are the guys’ night ideas, conversation topics, and foods that you should prepare. 

We’re here to help with all that and more, so bookmark our blog to score the latest updates about how to have the best “boys night out” ever — in your own home.