5 DIY Must-Haves for a Personalized Male Retreat

Having a personalized space is psychologically necessary for everyone.

Whether or not your home is dominated by guys, having a “male retreat” or “man cave” is always a good idea. Oftentimes, men prefer having a separate area for game days, barbecue Sundays, or for social commitments in general. They want a room where they don’t have to worry about filth, maintenance, or too much noise.

Male Retreat: Good for Everyone

Although not all men need a “cave,” often a person dreams of having a place to unwind and do whatever he or she desires. Having a space to escape is healthy because all of us need alone time every once in a while.

In fact, according to University of Texas at Austin psychology professor and author Sam Gosling, a private space is also important for regulating emotions. Whether it’s a “man cave” or the kitchen, a room you chose and decorated on your own can have positive effects on you. A personal space does not mean you want to escape responsibilities. It’s a necessity for relaxing after a long day, keeping us focused, and helping us stay happy.

Make sure this space is as comfortable as it is inviting. In order to create an ideal “male retreat,” some extra space is necessary. Some choose to utilize unused bedrooms, the basement, the attic, or the garage.

To personalize this room for yourself (or for the man in your life), here are five simple projects you can do yourself:

1. License Plate DIY Lamp

A personalized male retreat cannot be without creative lighting. Illumination can determine the appearance and ambiance of a room. Bring out the road-trip or garage junkie in you by reusing old license plates as light bulb shades. These are sold individually or in bulk for under $10. As vintage as they may look, make sure they’re long expired before you tamper with them. Bend them into squares and mount your light bulbs in the middle for an eye-catching light.

Make sure you install it strategically. If incorrectly positioned, the rest of the room can look dull and boring.

2. Old Tire Turned Ottoman

You’ll definitely need flat surfaces to hold beers and food.

Don’t throw away your worn car wheels just yet. If you need a table — but don’t want to shell out ridiculous amounts of money for a table set — repurposing an old tire into furniture is a clever way to lengthen its service off the road for a few more years.

There’s a handy tutorial at Instructables showing easy, step-by-step instructions if you want to get started on this project during the weekend. Basic materials include a sheet of plywood, assorted wood screws, threaded rod, washers, stain or paints, and an old tire. For a stable but unique look (especially if you have uneven floors), opt for a tripod instead of the regular four-legged ottoman. Putting on a plywood cover lets you double this project as a coffee table with a secret compartment.

Quick and easy, yet eye-catching.

3. Pallet Sofa/Couch

If you’re going to spend most of your time lounging around, rough-housing, or aggressively watching sports, spending money on an expensive couch doesn’t seem very practical. Instead of spending exorbitant amounts on a leather sofa, why not make your own out of inexpensive pallets? 101palletideas.com has dozens of ideas on all types of pallet DIY projects. From outdoor benches to indoor sofas, pallet furniture can be easily assembled and add a personalized feel to your male retreat.

(Image credit to SoniaT 360. via Flickr.com, some rights reserved)

The best part is that pallets can usually be obtained for free or for a low fee. Plenty of small businesses want to get rid of them, so you’ll be doing these companies a huge favor by taking some off their hands. After you get your pallets, simply clean and paint them, attach caster wheels (optional) to make them movable, and add cushions or a foam mattress for the perfect lounge couch or sofa.

4. Customized Refrigerator

Forget plain refrigerators. Make your snack corner stand out with a fridge that doubles as a chalkboard. Now you can jot down notes and other reminders for yourself, as well as guests. It’s easily visible yet out of the way. Another idea is to transform your refrigerator into what beer enthusiasts might call a “kegerator” — a fridge designed to store and dispense kegs of beer. For full, step-by-step instructions, visit Popularmechanics.com to make your own.

5. It’s “Beer O’clock”

Not sure what to do with your collectible beer bottles? Show them off with a DIY beer bottle clock.

Stanley Clockwork’s beer bottle clock (Image credit to Chris Waits via Flickr.com, some rights reserved)

Simply get yourself a clock kit available online or at many hardware or craft stores for less than $10. Prepare a pallet or sheet of plywood for the base, then attach your 12 beer bottles (emptied and cleaned) using a reliable adhesive. With help, you can finish this project in under an hour. Wine bottles can be used as an alternative. This personalized time piece makes every hour feel like happy hour — literally.

All these DIY must-haves share one common trait: they’re practical. More than simply looking pretty, they have special uses, which can make your male retreat or man cave project a true success.

When people are given space for themselves, they can fulfill their roles better. After all, you can’t be effective if you’re stressed or worn out.

Having no spare room is no excuse. After basements or attics, garages are your next best bet. Even if that’s where you park your car, there are plenty of ideas to still make it work. Hire firms that specialize in transforming garages from a plain, dark concrete space into something more functional and unique — not just for the man in your life, but for your family and friends, too.

Aside from turning extra rooms in your home into a male retreat, these spaces can be great venues for your next holiday or Super Bowl party. There are no set guidelines for this home project.

Which of these DIY projects will you do first?

Featured photo credit: Jolene Hardy via unsplash.com

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