Man caves’ popularity not limited just to men

[attach]5761[/attach]If a man’s home is his castle, then his man cave the keep.

Although the idea of a space catered specifically to men isn’t new, it’s currently being re-interpreted, says interior designer Derek Price.

“Men used to go to the garage or they used to go to the shed,” says Price, of California Closets Toronto. “Now they’re like ‘that’s not going to happen anymore.’ ”

While the garage can be considered a rough and dirty space, Price says the indoor man cave trend allows men to relax in a cleaner and more comfortable atmosphere.

Price’s co-worker, Alexis Fraser, says a man’s space typically contains a home the it does tend to be more of an alienated space in the house,” Price says.

This client’s man cave is a walk-in closet and dressing room that opens up to a bathroom, bar and media room. The cave also has a wood finish which is generally a masculine material, says interior designer Michelle Lavoie.

“Men love natural elements,” says Lavoie, owner of A Man’s Home in Calgary. “Men equate highly polished woods with luxury. Men also know for sure what they don’t want, which are fussy florals, ruffles, lace and scratchy synthetics.”

For Price, no décor rules are set in stone because his clients’ design desires are more important.

“I think it has to work for the aesthetic of the client,” he says. “But it obviously tends to be gender specific. I don’t think I’ve seen a pink man cave yet.”

When it comes to colour, a paint line called Ultimate Man Caves enables the walls to be coated in many manly sounding shades. For the line, released last November, existing paint colours are re-named to be more appealing to men. For example, plateau grey becomes five o’clock shadow and butterscotch tempest is beer time.

“The actual names can be off-putting to men so it’s a great opportunity to have some fun,” says Alison Goldman, spokesperson for CIL Paints. “Paint isn’t thought of as a fun product but it’s something everybody loves the results of.”

The popularity of man caves has not only resulted in a paint line but California Closets Toronto has been increasingly receiving direct requests for man caves.

“Men are actually wanting them,” says Price. “They’re like ‘the guy at work has a man cave, how come I don’t?’ It’s interesting. They’re putting their foot down.”