A US home improvement show called Man Caves has brought a new DIY concept in to common vernacular and created a growing fad. In the show a team of lively work people visit the home of a couple and set about creating a ‘man cave’ for the male partner who apparently needs his own space. So far the show has focussed on heterosexual couples.

The ‘man caves’, which are also named ‘mantuaries’ in the show are simply a room, garage or basement which the show’s team transform or remodel in to a leisure room aimed at providing a male partner with somewhere to relax, play poker or watch sports.

In one episode of the show, a couple said they needed a man cave because the female partner Elissa taught piano lessons in the main home until as late as 8.30pm on some nights and that the male partner called Steve wanted a space where he could get online or watch TV privately.

A Masculine Space

Popular features of the male oriented relaxation rooms are big screen televisions, sports memorabilia, poker tables, home bars, beer fridges and video game consoles. ‘Man caves’ in the TV show usually have a unifying theme, such as a Texas casino design motif for one man’s poker room.

One expert on the fad, Mike Yost who runs mancavesite.org said that there are some simple attributes which almost all of the new, ‘man cave’ rooms share. He started by saying that food and drink was often integral to their design, with a refrigerator being a must for stashing beer, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. He also said that some men get ‘kegorators’ to keep beer cool and provide it on draft.

Another essential item for almost all ‘mantuaries,’ according to Yost, meanwhile; is apparently a big screen TV. Both he and the show’s presenter agree that a sofa or comfortable place to sit is also essential. Some critics of the show liken the rooms to ‘play pens for men’ and say that they promote ‘un-useful’ gender stereotypes.

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