Man Spaces: Create a Room Just for Him

Because the theater feature is so important, any good man space has got to have one fantastic TV—but one is the minimum. “A great guy space needs multiple big-screen TVs,” says Paul Cormier, owner of Paul J. Cormier Remodeling in Yarmouth, Maine. “Three is a good number.” Cormier has been a remodeling contractor for more than 25 years, and he says Deluxe spaces just for men are the focus of the book Manspace. he’s seen an increase in not only the number of male-oriented spaces but also in their extravagance. Televisions, he says, are usually first on every guy’s mind. “Aesthetics aren’t usually high priority,” he admits. When you’re deciding what HDTV is right not only for your space, but for your needs, as well, do your research. This article on choosing a high-definition television is a good place to start if you’re looking to learn more about the different types of super-sharp TVs available today. If you’re planning on making your man space a true theater room, however, there are more details to consider than just the big screen. Find out how to create your manly home theater on any budget. A Sound Investment: Good Audio After choosing the perfect HDTV for their man space, most guys concern themselves with great audio. In fact, if you don’t have the money set aside for both a high-end television and top-notch audio, Joe Grady, custom system designer at Suess Electronics in Appleton, Wis., says, you should consider thinking audio first. “Good sound creates an emotion that pictures can’t,” he says. “Sounds is also something that doesn’t change as often, so [sound systems] don’t depreciate in value as quickly.” But when you’re thinking about your sound system, don’t forget that unless you’re in a detached garage, you need to be aware of the sound dampening—or lack thereof—in your chosen room. Cormier says you if you’re building an addition to your home and planning to add a man space, talk to your contractor about adding extra soundproofing. But if you’re renovating an existing room that isn’t detached, you can try to remediate the sound issues a bit. “Going with plush furniture and overstuffed chairs can help,” he says. Rugs and other cushy floor coverings will also absorb and dampen sound. Feeding Man Space Hunger A man space isn’t just for the guy whose home it’s in. It’s for his buddies, too. “One of the great things about these rooms is they can be a cheap way to have fun,” Cormier says. “Instead of going to a bar or whatever, you and your buddies and break open a few six packs and watch sports right in your home.”

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