College football is back, y’all! The first college football game in Alabama kicks off tonight in between Jacksonville State and UAB, so what better time to talk about creating or sprucing up the man cave. And let's be honest, what guy doesn't fantasize about having his own man cave? 

A man cave is a personal space that reflects one’s unique hobbies and activities. Whether you are a sports lover, a die-hard gamer, an outdoorsman, or a gym enthusiast you can make the man cave reflect your personal interest. But, before you begin designing the ideal man cave in your new home, take a look at these five key items that can turn an ordinary man cave into the ultimate man cave.

1. A Man Cave Needs Comfortable and Functional Furniture

When thinking about furnishing your man cave, remember comfort is key. This is a space for the boys to hangout and unwind, and that is hard to do if you’re not comfortable. Your man cave furniture should also be sufficient to accommodate guests and gatherings. Different forms of seating, such as couches, oversized man cave chairs and recliners, bar stools, and table seating, will provide flexibility in the space, allowing you to utilize it for parties, watching the big game, playing video games, family board game night, or simply sitting back with a beer. Pro-tip, look for furniture with extra storage – sectionals with storage between the seats or ottomans with storage are great options. Check out this wide range of affordable man cave furniture from Amazon.

2. Take Your Man Cave Lighting to the Next Level

Just because it’s called a man cave does not mean it needs to feel like a cave, so be sure you have some room in your budget to turn up the lights. Lighting can make or break the aesthetics of a space and really sets the tone for parties and gatherings. Replace any of the dull lighting in your space with something that both lights and provides ambiance. Overhead lighting is the obvious, but consider other spaces that could come to life with extra light – tv backlighting, bar lights and shelf lighting just to name a few. Mancaveadvisor.com has some great tips for creating the perfect light set up in your man cave. 

3. Install a Built-In Bar or a Refrigeration Area

Imagine this, posted up in your favorite man cave chair, watching a big sporting event on TV, and sipping on your favorite beverage. But wait, your drinks are empty, do you really want to get up and walk to the kitchen on the other end of the house for a drink? Most likely not. That is why including a bar and/or beer fridge (even a mini-fridge) is a must for your man cave. While a full bar is ideal,  such as the one seen above, depending on your budget or amount of space, a fridge is also a great option. 

Your man cave refrigeration will not only be useful when hanging with the boys, but also for family gatherings or parties hosted in the man cave. There are several creative ways to arrange your “bar area” and Pinterest has some great ideas from wall-mounted liquor dispensers to full-on bars and mini-fridge setups. Click here for endless inspiration. 

4. Enhance your Display with a Large TV or Projector

This tip is probably the most essential part of the man cave -- a large TV or projector. There are endless options when it comes to a screen for your man cave, just remember the number one rule – GO BIG! Make sure you mount your tv or projector so it can easily be seen from all angles. 

If you really want to take your cave to the next level, consider adding an LG OLED TV, such as the LG C1. The C1 screen is capable of delivering excellent blacks, strong colors, and great contrasts that bring each spectacular image to life. If you frequently try to keep up with various games at the same time, multiple televisions may be a good option as well.

Projectors have become more popular in recent years and are a great option for a man cave. They typically give you the large-scale image most look for in a man cave. Surprisingly, you can find a large range of projectors under $500 – making it a budget-friendly option. Tailoredcave.com put together a detailed list of the top projectors under $500; check it out here. 

5. Personal Touches

Your passion for sports isn’t generally permitted to influence the interior décor in your new home. However, when it comes to man cave ideas, there is an unparalleled level of freedom for guys who want to show their support for their favorite team. If you're going to watch sports, you might as well be surrounded by them. All we will suggest is that you display your enthusiasm in a tasteful manner; framed antique pictures and autographed memorabilia are considerably more visually appealing forms of fandom. If you've spent the money to build your own man cave, chances are you have one or two legendary pieces of sports memorabilia on your walls. This is your man cave, and anybody who enters should be aware that it is yours. As a result, you should include as many personal touches as possible.

Now that you've visualized your man cave, it's time to get started on your project. If you incorporate the six primary details outlined above, you will have a room that you will enjoy for years to come. Your man cave will be a space in your new home where you can hang out with friends, play games, and simply have fun. Congratulations, in advance on the new man cave – you earned it!