5 must-have man cave essentials for dad

The man cave is becoming popular in many homes, and it seems that if a man doesn't have one, he wants one.

And this shouldn't be a shock because the man cave provides a place of comfort for some men and solitude for others. Still, for others, the man cave is a place for entertainment.

Ladies, don't get upset that your counterpart wants a room all to himself. In fact, this Father's Day, why not help make sure that it has all the essential items.

There are five must haves to truly transform a room from his hangout spot to a bona fide man cave that can provide rest, relaxation or recreation just for him.

The first must-have shouldn't come as a surprise. It's a TV, but what may shock you are the bells and whistles that the TV should have, and even the screen size.

Up First: TV Is Just Not TV Anymore

The right big-screen TV

When it comes to a TV, bigger is better.

There was a time when a 46-inch screen was considered a big TV, but not anymore. A 46-inch has lost popularity to the 55-inch screen TV (or bigger). But it's not just the screen size that should be considered. The TV should have split-screen or screen-in-screen capability so that two stations can be viewed at one time.

Of course, the TV needs to be high definition, but it should also have surround sound. Surround sound can change the entire experience of watching a sporting event or a good movie. Oh, and don't forget a DVD or Blu-ray disc player, along with connectivity to various streaming services.

And because it is a man cave, the TV should always be on a game or a sports news station.

Although having the TV on a guy-friendly station will make the room comfortable, every man cave should have a truly comfortable chair.

Up Next: Comfy, Comfy Chair

A chair to call his own

What makes a chair comfortable? Well, it's likely really comfortable when a chair fits a body perfectly. This means that no one else should sit in "his" chair.

The chair should provide the comfort of a La-Z-Boy, but it doesn't have to be one. Also, it should allow him to kick his feet up. If the chair isn't a recliner, an ottoman can definitely do the trick.

Depending on preference, the chair can be cloth or leather. Leather may provide easier clean up, particularly if the room can be kept cool year-round.

While he is enjoying the comfort of his favorite chair, he should also be able to look around and feel like the space has been customized for him by the decoration.

Up Next: If These Walls Could Talk

Masculine wall decorations

The walls should be decorated with sports memorabilia of his favorite team or favorite player.

If he isn't a sports fan, the walls should be decorated with memorabilia from classic movies. A lot of men like classics, such as "Scarface" or "Godfather," so if you can find any posters with Al Pacino or Marlon Brando, you're on the right track.

And contrary to popular belief, all men are not the same, so there are tons of other ideas that can provide themes for a man cave.

If the man doesn't have small children, the walls of the man cave include posters of scantily-clad women. Most men love the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated, so his favorite or a few of his favorite issues could be nicely framed.

And no man cave would be complete without the games that men like to play.

Up Next: Would You Like To Play A Game?

Man games

A few games that he enjoys are certain to give the space a feel that will make him never want to leave the cave.

A pool table is sure to complete the feel, but not all men like pool or have enough space for a table, so that is when a dart board and video games, such as the Wii, Xbox and PlayStation, come into play.

Even if he isn't a true video gamer, some sort of recreation is needed when he is entertaining family and friends who may like to play.

While he may end up getting a bit of exercise simply from boasting about his skills on whatever game he chooses to play, a weight bench or a few free weights would be a great man cave addition so that he can work up a sweat if he chooses.

But after he works up a sweat, he will likely want to grab something cold to drink.

Last Up: Don't Forget The Snacks

Refrigerator and microwave

A refrigerator is another must-have in a man cave because no man will want to have to go too far from the game or his favorite movie to grab a drink.

And it doesn't have to be packed with beer. It can be packed with juice, soft drinks or water for non-alcoholic drinkers.

A microwave is also needed for the same reason. If something needs to be nuked, this will ensure a small amount of time away from the TV.

This area should include snacks and food that he likes. If he doesn't want to come out, he shouldn't have to, so have a few frozen dinners that he can pop in the microwave.

So, as you plan or look around the man cave, be sure to check for the must-have items. If any of the dads in your life are lacking any of the essentials, Father's Day is your chance to make it right.