Imagine a space where you can unwind, relax, and indulge in the refined pleasure of a good cigar. A personal cigar lounge in the comfort of your own home is the ultimate man cave that offers a retreat from the outside world, where you can savor the aroma, enjoy the flavors, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of cigars. Years ago when my husband and I built our home, he often fantasized about having this type of haven in our basement. We opted not to finish our basement when we built our home, because I had a vision of what I wanted it to look like, and I knew that my father had the skill and experience to build out that vision with a whole lotta sweat equity and a much lower price tag. About a year after we moved in, my basement project commenced, and yes…my husband’s cigar lounge was included in the design.
If you too long for a space like this in your home, allow me to share with you the some of my tips for creating your ideal vision.
Planning and Design
Before embarking on the construction of your dream cigar lounge, careful planning and design considerations are essential. Determine the available space in your home and evaluate its suitability for a cigar lounge. Consider factors such as ventilation, natural lighting, and privacy. Ideally, you should select a space away from bedrooms and other areas of your home that you’d prefer to keep free from smoke. For me, our basement offered the absolute perfect space for my husband’s lounge. I was able to tuck it away behind the basement staircase, in the corner of the basement that was not exposed to any natural light. Several visits to the model home that we chose to build during the planning stages of our home also allowed for me to plan the full design for our basement ahead of time, giving me the ability to rough-in things like, plumbing, electricity, and the ventilation for my husband’s cigar lounge right through the foundation wall.
Ventilation
Speaking of ventilation…proper ventilation is crucial to maintaining a pleasant atmosphere in your cigar lounge. Invest in a high-quality ventilation system that will effectively remove the smoke and odors. A dedicated exhaust system with fans, air purifiers, or an air circulation system will help keep the space clean and comfortable. As I already explained, I was able to rough-in an exhaust fan through the foundation wall for my husband’s cigar lounge that expells the majority of the smoke directly to the outside of our house. I also installed a ceiling fan to help circulate the smoke in the room, which helps to move more of the smoke to that exhaust fan. My husband also runs an air purifier in the room while he’s smoking.
Seating and Comfort
Your cigar lounge should exude comfort and relaxation. Remember…this is a haven…a retreat! Choose plush, cozy furniture like leather armchairs or sofas that invite you to sink in and unwind. My husband chose two extremely comfortable leather recliners for his lounge. You also may want to consider some sort of side table to rest drinks, ashtrays, the book you might be reading for leisure, etc. My husband chose to use a pedestal ashtray in his lounge, because it was a family heirloom passed down to him by his father.
Lighting
Lighting is key to creating the right ambiance in your cigar lounge. You are going to want to use soft, warm lighting. I chose to incorporate several recessed lights in the ceiling of my husband’s cigar lounge and had dimmers installed on all of them. In addition to them, I chose to install a ceiling fan that had a dimmable light on it. I also added a see-through fireplace, which not only contributes to the ambiance, it also enhances the coziness of the room. My husband then added a standing lamp and some other table lamps to achieve his desired ambiance. It is important to avoid harsh, bright lights, as they may detract from the calming atmosphere you undoubtedly want to achieve in your Ultimate Man Cave.
Storage and Display
A proper storage and display system is crucial for any cigar lounge. Invest in a humidor that can accommodate your collection and ensure proper storage conditions. Additionally, consider installing built-in shelving or cabinets to showcase your cigars, accessories, and any treasured personal or cigar-related items you may have. In my husband’s cigar lounge, I had the perfect alcove to house some recessed shelving and a desktop that my husband now fields all of his daily zoom calls at. I lined the wall behind these shelves with mirrors to serve the dual purpose of enhancing the ambiance of the room by reflecting the warm lighting all around and also making the room feel larger.
Entertainment
After you have worked through the aesthetics of your cigar room, go ahead and enhance it with some entertainment options. You can do this by installing a sound system or an Alexa/Google Nest Hub/Apple HomePod to play soothing music or create a cozy ambiance. Consider adding a television, a bookshelf with your favorite cigar-related literature (or whatever books you enjoy reading in your leisure time), and a small bar area to complete the space.
Décor and Personalization
Let your personality shine through in your Ultimate Man Cave through your cigar lounge’s décor. Incorporate artwork, photographs, or memorabilia that reflects whatever you are passionate about. You can also incorporate textured walls to enhance the character of your lounge. As you can see, I installed a high wainscoting around the perimeter of my husband’s lounge and faux painted the cement board surrounding the see-through fireplace. I chose to utilize dark, earthy tones and warm colors to create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere. I painted the ceiling and wainscoting black, with a dark gray on the top of the walls, and installed dark brown floors throughout.
Accessories and Necessities
To fully enjoy your cigar lounge, stock up on essential accessories. Make sure you have a variety of high-quality cigar cutters, lighters, ashtrays, and humidification equipment readily available. There is nothing worse than setting your mind on some relaxing time and lacking the supplies you need to achieve that.
Safety Precautions
Lastly, ensure that your cigar lounge adheres to safety regulations. Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Also, make sure that you strategically locate your ash trays away from any flammable surfaces, like curtains, blankets, books, etc., and make sure that you outten your cigars thoroughly before leaving your lounge.
Constructing a the Ultimate Man Cave cigar lounge in your home provides a haven where you can escape the world’s demands and indulge in the art of cigar smoking. By carefully considering the key points above, you can create a space that reflects your passion and offers a tranquil retreat for relaxation. So, let your imagination guide you as you embark on this exciting endeavor, and may your cigar lounge become the envy of your fellow enthusiasts and a cherished sanctuary for years to come.
One thought on “The Ultimate Man Cave: Constructing a Cigar Lounge in Your Home”