A basement is one of the best places in your house for a fan cave, and sports fans know how to design the ultimate space to watch their favorite team.
Inspired by the fan caves included in the top 10 NHL-inspired basements, we wanted to take a look at a team closer to home—our own Washington Capitals.
We found that it’s not just homeowners in the D.C. area that are using their basements to create Washington Capitals fan caves. Hockey fans from all over are showing their love for the Caps in their homes. Plus, Caps players themselves are using their basements in creative ways.
As you cheer on Ovi, Backstrom and the rest of the team, get inspired by these Washington Capitals-themed basements.
1. Best Basement to Watch Washington Capitals Games
Attribution: Tarik El-Bashir – Twitter
The focus of this fan cave is the plush leather seating. With two rows of red recliners, everyone has a great spot from which to watch the game. With a screen that’s the size of a wall and a movie theater-style projector, the owners can watch every play with a nearly life-size picture.
The homeowners paneled the sidewall with reclaimed pallet wood. This creates a great backdrop for the backlit team logo cutouts. For a full look at the space, check out the owner’s fan cave video tour.
2. Dmitry Orlov’s Basement Ice Rink
Attribution: @nova_caps – Instagram
It’s not only Caps fans that have hockey-themed basements. ESPN said, “Dmitry Orlov has synthetic ice in his basement, which helped him stay in game shape while isolating.” With such a great practice space, he was equipped to skate while he had to stay at home.
Quarantine is difficult for anyone, and Orlov said, “You miss the team. You miss the games. It was tough.” However, in the Instagram video clip of his morning practice, it looks like he has a cutout of a rival goalie to keep him company.
3. A Caps Cave We’d Like to Hang Out In
Attribution: @qmcsusn – Twitter
This Washington Capitals fan cave has a contemporary style with dark furniture and white walls to offset the framed red jerseys. The owner says this Caps room is smaller than the one he had before a move, “but it works just fine.” We can spot jerseys for Laich, Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Green that made the cut in the new space.
4. A Basement Display of Washington Capitals Memorabilia
Attribution: @DowdenDavid – Twitter
David Dowden may live in Newfoundland, but that doesn’t stop him from celebrating all things Capitals. He’s been a Caps fan since the inaugural season in 1974 and has built his memorabilia collection over the decades. In a video tour of his Caps fan cave, he shares some memorabilia highlights, including a photo with Tony White, one of the original players.
5. The Team’s Basement Recording Studio
Attribution: Washington Capitals – YouTube
For the team’s 2019-20 holiday card, they piled into a basement room for a Christmas singalong. The painted blue walls, ugly sweaters, and holiday decorations are real. But if you look closely, you’ll catch the CGI snowflakes, microphone, and Captain the dog singing.
6. Ultimate Washington Capitals Fan Cave
Attribution: @KellyDuray – Twitter
This Washington Capitals fan may be living in Montana, but she hasn’t given up her commitment to her favorite NHL team. Her basement fan cave has Caps decals on the walls, a big-screen TV, air hockey table, foosball, and bar stools. The recessed lighting keeps the basement airy and bright, offsetting the multicolored wall paint.
BONUS BASEMENT: Nicklas Backstrom’s Play Room
When goalie Henrik Lundqvist visited Washington before moving, he told reporters about an unexpected highlight. He said about the trip, “Best part for the kids was probably hanging out at Backstrom’s house and getting to play in his playland basement.”
We couldn’t hunt down any photos of Nicklas Backstrom’s Arlington, VA, basement. However, the video footage of the first floor of his home shows a makeshift hockey net and a trapeze bar hanging from the doorframe. We can only imagine how much fun the basement game room is. If you’ve seen inside, tweet at us about our home team at @JESWork.
What’s in Your Basement?
Do you want to turn your basement into a fan cave? Start with a free inspection from your local basement waterproofing experts at JES Foundation Repair. By addressing any moisture issues first with quality waterproofing solutions, you can feel confident that your new basement floors and team decor can be enjoyed for years to come.
