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| Spring Warm Up Sale |
Though it took men millions of years to get out of the caves and into modern housing, that primal male urge for a cave of his own has never left. According to a survey done by Servicemagic.com, 40 percent of homes contain a man cave; while another 13 percent report that they are building or at the very least planning one.
One of the most popular forms of man cave is the home theater, but they don’t all have to look the same. Making your man cave stand out from the pack is easier than you’d think.
State Your Theme
Whether you’re a fisherman, baseball buff or a tool time guy, shelves shaped like oars, bats or tools add a touch of humor to your manly retreat without adding the cost of a bar made from the front end of a Chevy or a functional rock-climbing wall behind the flat-screen TV.
Serve In Style
Refrigerators don’t have to be square white boxes any more than man caves have got to have stone walls. Small refrigerators come in many colors, sizes and shapes from the hot red enamel and chrome of sports car finishes to fridges made to look like jukeboxes or classic speakers. A working hot dog cart or old-school popcorn machine adds atmosphere and offers hot snacks, for a total win.
Tone it Down
As tempting as it is to go full-on Vegas with strobe lights and a stripper pole, you may eventually want to invite people other than men into your cave. Comfortable seating, good lighting and family-friendly décor may not be as exciting as leopard skin walls and pin-up girl posters, but they are definitely more versatile.
And if you’ve got to indulge your wild side, there’s always room for a small, discreet disco ball.
According to a recent article in “The Consumerist,” a Michigan moviegoer sued his local theater manager for charging too much for popcorn while forbidding patrons to bring their own snacks into the theater. The theater owner replied that cleaning up after messy patrons costs money. Since you can’t charge your friends admission to your home theater – not and expect to have any friends -- how do you keep your home theater fresh and clean?
Size Does Matter
Bite-sized snacks tend to be less messy than larger ones. Smear a little soft cheese on dried apricots and top them with whole almonds. Fresh fruit is also hard to make a mess with, but if you need a bit of crunch, serve mini-pretzels and "goldfish" crackers instead of chips.
Cut the Crumbs
Use flatbread, naan, tortillas or pita bread torn into bite-sized pieces instead of crumbly crackers. Or roll a meat and a cheese – salami and provolone, turkey and Muenster, ham and Swiss – together with a dab of hot mustard and secure them with toothpicks. You can also try training your guests to eat cheese and crackers with the cracker on top, but do you really want to be that guy?
Cover Your Tracks
If you can’t watch the big game without authentic – and messy – Buffalo wings, make custom slipcovers out of disposable plastic tablecloths and painter’s paper tape. Toss sports-themed throws on top and your pals will admire your decorating skills and team spirit without ever realizing that your home theater furniture has been party-proofed.
Tips for Furnishing Your Home Theater
Your choice of home theater seating is every bit as individual as what you choose to watch in it. The biggest, sharpest screen and most awesome sound system won’t hold anyone’s attention if your seating is uncomfortable or awkwardly arranged. Home Meridian offers several models of the most comfortable and appropriate seating to make your home theater experience perfect for you.
Smaller Rooms
Marquee is perfect for smaller screening rooms. Popping up for snacks and drifting off for drinks during intermission shouldn’t involve an obstacle course, so don’t stuff your home theater with furniture that’s too big for it. This space-saving design offers wide, spacious seats with narrower arms, giving you big comfort with a small footprint.
Sturdy Support
Palisades features wide seats and backs that are 42” high to ensure that you are cradled in comfort after a hard day’s work. The extra room is welcome whether you’re a big man, a teen who likes to stretch out or a parent with little ones to cuddle. Lighted cup holders are pretty and practical and the gapless footrest ensures that your entire body is supported by thick padding covered in soft leather.
A-List Luxury
Regal is an excellent choice when getting the most for your dollar is important and only the best will do. Motorized headrests, power recline, gapless chaise styling and lighted cupholders all come together for home theater seating so attractive and luxurious it stands alone, leaving your room design clean, classic and uncluttered.
Once you know what you’re looking for, choosing the appropriate size, style and price of home theater seating is a lot easier than getting everyone to agree on what to watch.
