Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

Dear Mi-Ling: Several months ago my doctor told me I had to have surgery on my spine and that I wouldn’t be able to walk up and down the stairs for at least 6-8 weeks. This meant I would need to live in my “Man Cave” in the basement.

My basement allowed me to live independently without having to go up and down the steps. I had all the comforts of the main level of my home, which included; a shower, bedroom and my computer the only thing missing was the kitchen.

The small windows and the walkout to the backyard saved me from total boredom while recuperating from my surgery.

Now that I’m fully recovered I want to change up the colors. I realized that the dark grey was perfect for watching TV, but not for living day to day.

Do you have any suggestions on color combinations that will not be depressing just in case I end up back in the cave one day?

Brent Manson

Dear Brent: I agree, grey can be a very depressing color. Of course, it’s a personal choice but I try to avoid using grey in my home.

A few of the colors you might consider are warm tones of cream and beige, or colors of the ocean like corals, blues and aqua greens.

Sherwin Williams has a color called Turkish Tile that offers a nice tone of blue perfect for a man cave in combination with brown, grey or cream.  After you repaint, fill your space with color with artwork, rugs and pillows to create a warm and inviting man space.

In the future you might want to add a wet bar or a small frig to the room to keep those drinks cold for your buddies. Consult with a contractor to find the perfect location to carve out cabinet and a sink.

What’s in your man cave?