How to Add Natural Stone to a Man Cave

Man caves, those living spaces where masculinity can be expressed through function, productivity, and leisure, have been around since ancient times. In the past, families would reserve a section of the home dedicated to non-culinary activities for productive and entrepreneurial pursuits such as metal forging, woodworking, masonry, and others. Since such activities were mostly in the purview of men who spent most of their lives in these spaces, the incorporation of masculine design elements in terms of style, comfort, and leisure was inevitable. Modern man caves are not limited to leisure spaces. They can also serve as offices, studios, and workshops, but manliness is their common factor. Many people would agree that natural stone is the perfect material for man caves, and since natural-stone care is fairly easy to manage, stones such as granite, marble, and slate should be at the top of your list. Here are a few ideas for incorporating natural stone into your man cave. Rustic Man Caves The rustic look has been invading American living spaces over the last decade. Members of the millennial generation love it, and it so happens that man caves have been built using this particular style for decades. A rustic space calls for natural materials, which means hardwood and stone. It is only acceptable to use laminate materials and faux beams on the ceiling. A neat idea for a rustic man cave is to decorate an accent wall with flagstone pieces if hardwood planks are already on the floor. 1970s Rec Room Man Caves Similar to the rustic look, the rec room look also favors wood paneling, and it can be improved upon with natural-stone floors. However, they should not feature a polished finish, particularly if you intend to place a foosball or ping pong table in the room. Slightly dark-toned slate and travertine are good choices for this look. Arcade and Media Room Man Caves Video game arcade cabinets, neon bar signs, dark furniture, home theater systems, and bright primary colors are the elements of style that define this type of man cave. You have two options for using natural stone in this look: floor tiles and back splashes. Make sure to frequently use a granite sealer and cleaner on your tiles to protect them and keep them looking great for many years to come. British Pub Man Caves The ultimate man cave has to feature a bar, and the best decoration ideas in this regard can be taken from British pubs, which means a lot of dark wood paneling and a natural-stone countertop. This look is not as difficult as it may seem. The bar can be made from salvaged wood as long as it is resurfaced, stained, and polished. The metal fixtures can be made of aluminum that resembles brass, and installing a granite countertop does not cost too much these days. As for the British pub paraphernalia, you can find Bass Ale and Guinness wall signs on eBay for less than $40. If you’ve been thinking about adding some stone to your man cave, make sure to use the stone-safe products from Granite Gold® to maintain it properly. All of our stone care products are safe to use on granite, marble, travertine, and other types of natural stone. To learn more, give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE.