Man turns empty basement into a luxurious man cave in just 6 weeks

It’s no secret that life gets busy. Some homeowners facing the hustle and bustle of the daily grind can find great relief and relaxation within the four walls of a man cave. This small yet significant retreat within a home or garage is designed to cater to the taste and style of the man cave’s primary inhabitant. With the addition of essential items, it’s easily transformed into an oasis of peace, tranquility and, sometimes, a place to simply hang out with friends.

Although man caves have long been a wonderful idea, it’s not always easy to picture how to design such an important space with a small budget. That's exactly what Dennis Martin did, however, when he turned an unfinished basement into his private retreat. He spent a little more than $100.

One way to save money is to upcycle old material into something better instead of buying new supplies. For instance, obtain several planks of rough-cut pine crate wood used for shipping from a metal company. This reclaimed material can generally be acquired for free. When all is said and done, you’ll be left with a basement man cave that keeps money in the wallet, feels like a rustic cabin and provides everything you’ll need to enjoy a cozy getaway space.

Materials
- Rough-cut pine crate wood
- Draw knife
- Natural stones
- Ceiling beam
- Wood glue
- Nature picture
- Backing lamp
- Reclaimed wood planks and panels
- Plywood strips

1. Select an unfinished room in the basement.

2. Break apart the rough-cut pine crate wood to create boards of equal dimensions measuring 1-by-8s 12 feet long.

3. Texture one side of the boards with a draw knife to create the appearance of hand-cut planks.

4. Secure the wall boards in place throughout the room.

5. Collect enough natural stones to create a false fireplace frame on one wall.

6. Age and stain a center beam to run across the ceiling.

7. Use leftover rough cut pine crate wood from step 2 to create a collection of floorboards. Ripping the boards to 3 inches wide and cutting them with a tongue and groove works well to create a rustic, yet finished look. Consider gluing the floorboards together but not attaching them to the foundation to give the man cave a floor that creaks like a cabin floor might.

8. Design covers for steel beam supports using leftover lengths of reclaimed wood. Add a lock joint for an aesthetic appeal if it’s preferable to the final look.

9. Take time to create visual details that give a basement man cave the look of an outdoor cabin. Frame a false window and light it from behind with a nature picture to back the frame.

10. Craft a table from reclaimed wood and add rustic-looking chairs.

11. Attach 1/8-inch plywood strips to the interior of the man cave door to create the look of a cabin entryway.

12. Enjoy spending time in a man cave that’s customized to personal taste and style. This version requires three weeks of gathering and preparing reclaimed wood and three weeks to construct.