One person’s shed is another’s man cave. We’ve got the lowdown on creating a lair for the lads.

Summertime is for relaxing in style – Lisa Salmon reveals how to transform your shed into the ultimate space

The man cave concept might be becoming a cliche but for the male of the species, the humble garden shed often really is their sanctuary – the place where they head to get away from the chaos, stress and strain of modern life.

Converting that shed from an ordinary DIY space into a truly worthy man cave can take a little imagination.

Here are a few ideas to transform your draughty wooden shack into a proper “manctuary”... HAVE A CLEAR OUT Unless you’ve bought a new shed you’ll need to find a suitable place to store the current contents of the existing one. A garage, loft or spare room are probably the best options. KEEP OUT THE COLD Insulate the shed walls and make sure you fill in any cracks – a man cave needs to be warm with no draughts. LET THERE BE LIGHT Get an electricity supply fitted – you’ll need it for your light and heater, but most importantly, for your TV, computer and kettle. SET UP THE BOX Get your cable or satellite TV service extended to cover the shed. ADD SOME COMFORT Buy bean bags, a comfy chair or even a little sofa. Comfort is vital – you could even string up a hammock. DO SOME DIY Add bookshelves – you’ll need plenty of good books to read as you relax on your man-sofa or hammock.

BE PREPARED FOR SNACK ATTACKS

Make sure you’ve got an airtight biscuit tin in there. MAKE A GATEWAY FOR GAMES If you’ve got enough space, buy a pool table. And if you need an ordinary table too, just add a sheet of wood the same size as your pool table top.

Take your computer in, and your favourite video games. Lastly, hang a dartboard on the door. BRING ON THE BEERS Add a fridge to keep your beer cold – or if that’s a little extravagant, a cool box is a cheaper option. BE SIGNAGE SAVVY Put a ‘Man Cave’ sign on the door, so the rest of the family understand this is your territory, and yours alone. SHARE THE LOVE Don’t just have a man-shed, go for a man-bar-shed. Include a simple wooden bar and stools, those games you’ve been storing in your garage and all your favourite booze.

You could even cut an opening in the side of the shed and add a couple of bar stools outside so your pals can share the joy.