My hubby is a very lucky man. He doesn’t just have one man cave; he has two ;-) Yup, two!! The garage and his pub. And while I know that I’m not really allowed to have a say in how he decorates his “me time” space, I do enjoy making things that he can, hopefully, use there. He sure didn’t mind when I revamped some office storage and turned it into a toolbox. This year I thought I’d make him a rugged and manly message board. Is there even such a thing?
Isn’t it cool? It probably took about 2 hours to put together, including waiting for the paint to dry. So if you want to make one for your hubby, here’s how I did it.
What you need
- Drill, screwdriver and masking tape
- A piece of wood 40 cm x 65 cm (14,5″ x 25,5″)
- Paint. I used blackboard paint and a bright red
- Galvanized pipe fittings and screws
How to make a Man Cave message board
Connect all the pipe fittings to form an “L-shape”. Sorry, I don’t know how else to describe it, but hopefully, the piccy below says it better than I can. Give the L-shaped thing a good wipe with some engine de-greaser before spraying it black.
I wanted to use the L-shaped thingy to hold garage wipes, but I was a little worried that the wipes would slip off. So I sneaked into the hubby’s garage man cave and found the tap portion of a gate valve. Sshhhh, don’t tell him ;-)
What happens in this garage stays in this garageScrewing it onto the end cap created a much better stopper. Ugh!!!! Why can’t I think of the right words today?
Now for the message board. After sanding the piece of wood to a nice smooth finish, I gave it a coat of fire engine red spray paint and then painted the inside portion with blackboard paint. I found this adorable sign for Sinclair Motor Oil that I added on top. That’s the hubby’s surname. Unfortunately, he’s not related to the Sinclairs from the oil company, though.
To make it easier to tear the garage wipes, I just used one of those serrated metal strips that come on the box when you buy cling wrap or freezer paper and screwed it onto the message board.
Before screwing on the L-shaped thingy, I covered the board with white chalk to cure it and added another 90-degree elbow to hold the chalk pieces.
And the valve tap is a great stopper :D
I’m guessing the hubby likes his man cave message board since he’s added it to the decor ;-)
What do you think? Does it work for you?
If you like the idea of making a message board for a man cave, don’t forget to pin it for later.
Have you made anything for a man cave? I’d love to hear about it. I’m always looking for new ideas to make for my hubby.
Oh, before I forget, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of finding some of the materials we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more crafty ideas to share with you ;-)
Or how about these super cool signs?
Until next time, be safe, and I hope you have a beautifully creative week.
90 comments
Wow! You are amazing.I love your craft ideas.Thank you for sharing them.
You’re welcome Vickie, I’m so glad you like our projects. We enjoy sharing them with everyone
This is really great, would go into any man cave. We must be on the same wave lenght because I am doing a galvanised pumbling project now. Lol
Ooooooo, I can’t wait to see what you’re up to Anita. Those galvanised pipes always come in so handy
That looks great, thanks for the idea!
Thank you so very much Sir ?
This is so fabulous, I love this idea. I went out in Hubs garage and spent hours organizing it, but it has absolutely no style because he doesn’t see the need. I bet he would like this idea though. Awesome work!
Thanks so much Leanna. I would love to organize my hubbies garage but I think we might need to go for marriage counselling afterwards ? He has this amazing ability of knowing exactly where everything even in all that orgabized chaos, so it’s probably better to leave it as is.
Your creative mind hit again! I love the industrial look and I think it is perfect for my husband’s office in the lab! He loves everything made of spare parts… thank you again for sharing such wonderful ideas Michelle!
It’s a pleasure Christina and thanks so much for always leaving such lovely comments. It just makes my day
You did a great job of making this message board, Your hubby might be very happy to get that wonderful gift. You are very talented dear.
Thank you so much Sadhna, I really appreciate that
My hubby generally likes me to stay out of ‘decorating’ his man cave, too, but I think he just might be into this kind of project. I’m sure yours was happy for the interference ;) You did an amazing job, Michelle!
? Thanks Jelica and yeah it’s probably best we respect our hubbies men caves
Michelle, what an awesome gift you made your husband for his man cave! The message board looks fantastic! Wonderful job!
Thank you my friend ?
Wow, I love this- what a great idea! I’m pinning this to my Man Cave board for ideas for my husband’s in-progress man cave.
Thanks so much Melissa and for the pin too ?
Stunning, Michelle! Super! Kisses, my friend.
Thanks so much Mia xoxoxox
Wow, I love that Michelle! Another successful DIY! It’s enjoyable b/c it’s colorful, but handy too with those wipes and the chalkboard. And the valve thing holding the chalk. I love the red “stopper” too. My man would like it I’m sure.
Thank you Florence, it was a fun one to do and those wipes really do come in handy
This is so creative and still manly! Your husband must love it in his space. Now it’s easy to leave him honey-do lists like pick up bread or take out the trash..LOL Darling & pinning!
? OMW I will be in sooooo much trouble if I do that Wendi, but it’s worth a try ?
This is awesome! I love the roll of wipes and serrated strip. I need that for my garage. Pinned!
The garage roll wipes are so useful right?!! Nothing better for dirty greasy hands ?
Love this!
#sweetinspirationsfridaylinky
Thank you Shandra ?
This is awesome and so very creative, you have a real talent. I hope your husband really enjoys it :)
Thanks so much Elizabeth, I believe he does like it ?
THIS is so awesome and impressive! Great idea for valentine’s day too!!
Thank you Ellen, I really appreciate that ?
That man cave message board is amazing Michelle! It is manly. I bet the hubby loved it. I’m sure he loves everything that you make for him. I like how you added the tap thingy to hold the paper on, and the pipe thing that holds the chalk. Super cool message board!
Thanks Linda. That tap thingy is my favorite part too. It works so well to hold the garage wipes on and it looks “manly” too ?
I do really like this man cave message board. I bet my dad will be amazed on this. Will show this to him.
Thanks so much Agnes ?
That man cave board is really cool. I bet my husband will really like this so much as if he won the lottery. You are so creative Michelle. I really adore your works. Awesomeness
? Wow Shubhada, thank you so very much. That makes my heart super happy
This is super cute and crafty! I love the humor behind it too. I also love that you called it “the L shaped thingy” because I don’t know what that is either!
LOL, I agree Amber, let’s go for the L-shaped thingy it’s way easier to remember ?
That’s awesome that you think of different things to help decorate his spaces. The paper roll looks like fun.
That paper roll is the best thing ever. He can use it to clean his hands or tools and it’s thick/strong enough to write little messages on too ?
Such a great idea Michelle. I’m sure Shaun must be thrilled. And that idea with the edge of the cling wrap to make it easier to cut is very clever. Now you two can write notes to each other all day.
? Thanks so much Mary and I think Shaun is real happy with his message board ?
This is so amazing, I really like the idea of the manly message board. You are so creative, the black and red looks so perfect! Looking forward to more of your ideas for your hubby :)
Thanks so much Preet ?
This is so totally creative and super cute!!! Oh wait… am I not supposed to say cute in reference to a man cave ;) seriously though this is such an awesome project!!
LOL Shell, I think cute would be one of those words us girls are banned from using when it comes to man cavey stuff ?
How creative is this! This is deffo one for my partner, literally just emailing him the linkie x
Oh that’s so cool Melanie. Thanks so much
You know what’s better than two man caves? Three man caves! Shaun deserves another!
? ? ? ? ? Nope, I need a She shed first. Oh wait I’ve got a messy workshop, darn it!! ?
Now this is a really good idea. Thanks for sharing this . I know some guys who would really appreciate this post.
That’s so cool Sue Tanya, thanks for sharing
This is incredible Michelle! I love this Message Board, it is so creative and it looks amazing! Really well done :)
Thank you Bea, I’m really glad you like it
This is really cool and creative, well done. Wish I could handle the tools as nicely, it would be a disaster if I tried it :)
Thank you Shruti. ? Some of the power tools still scare me a little but I do love playing with them
Wow! I can’t even imagine if I could do something like that, but I should try… very inspiring! Your hubby is really a lucky man because he has such a talented wife!
Ahhhhh Tania, thank you for that. But I think I’m the lucky one, he’s a really awesome guy
Two man caves? Lucky guy! This is such a unique idea! I really like it. It’s functional and decorative. I’m sure he loves it.
Thanks so much Samantha, the hubby does love it ?
You are uber cool to be creating such fabulous stuff for him. Meanwhile, I must hide this post from my husband. :)
LOL, thanks Rachna ?
You are so creative! I love the “manly” message board!!
? Thanks so much Liz
What a creative project. My husband would love this! All the details really came together beautifully
Thank you Karrie, I’m glad you like it
I love this DIY and I think it fits perfectly for the bar my uncle has!!
Glad you like it Josselyn, thank you
I just love this manly message board, Michelle! The black and red are perfection! Wow, two mans caves huh? That’s one lucky dude!
Thanks so much Carolann. The little Sinclair sign was the inspiration behind the red and black color scheme ?
That is such a great idea, Michelle! I bet he ends up keeping all your creations, I don’t know how he couldn’t! I love how masculine and cool this turned out, I’d love to see a ladies version, something more delicate. I actually need to stalk through your posts, I always like things and way of taking up less space on my desk.
Thanks so much Ithi ? I would really have loved to make a more feminine version for our kitchen, but we don’t have the wall space. Maybe one my friends needs one ?
OMG my husband would love this, and the thing is that even with my limited DIY skills I am more of an engineer and a repair person at home than he is … so if it were ever going to be made, it would have to be me. I love how it turned by the way. All tough and macho :D
? Thanks so very much Tanvi. You always make my day when you pop in
We are looking into taking one of the garages & making a space for husband. He will love the ideas you’ve shared. Thanks so much!
Go for it Hunter, hubbies need their space too
Aw so amazing Michelle! I’m sure he’s in love with it! How you come up with this kind of awesomeness… I don’t know, but it’s super unique and fun!
Thank you Katrin ? As long as he’s happy with it then I’m good
I love the idea behind this message board for the man cave and oh yes, your husband is definitely lucky to have 2, especially the second one being a pub. The pipe with the tap thingie (no idea how it’s called, probably only a man would haha) is brilliant as well!
I’m with you on that thingie bit Joanna ?
Your hubby must have won the man cave lottery, lol. Additionally he’s got a sweet wife who creates cool stuff for his place. Tell him that he’s a very lucky guy! The message board looks great and is so practical. What a wonderful gift for your hubby, Michelle!
? He sure did Julia ? Fortunately he doesn’t have terribly strict rules when it comes to his man caves as long as I don’t mess with his special tools
This is such a unique idea and would definitely make a great gift! Your hubby is a lucky man! :)
? Thank you Holly
This is hilarious and adorable. I feel a DIY christmas gift for my brother or father coming on! Thanks for sharing this Michelle!
Thanks so much Amy-Lynn. The men in our lives need message boards too, right???!! ?
So easy and beautiful! My father will definitely love this for his home workshop! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hey there Katerina, so lovely to hear from you again. Thanks so much