Quick links: Definition | Equipment | Dungeon Ideas | Set Up Guide | My Experience | FAQs
Key Takeaways
- The key qualities that you want in a BDSM dungeon are: it should be safe, it should be appropriate for the kind of play you enjoy, and it should be private.
- Dungeons can look very different depending on your specific needs, your aesthetic, and what turns you on. The only wrong way to put together a dungeon is in a way that is actually unsafe.
- If you have a regular partner or partners – working on the dungeon with them and giving them some input on the setup can be both rewarding and fun.
What Is a BDSM Dungeon?
A BDSM dungeon is a permanent space dedicated to BDSM play. Traditionally, it is set up in a basement, both to play on the “dungeon” theme and because basements generally don’t have windows. In modern times, however, not everyone has access to a private underground space like a basement and instead will turn a spare bedroom or similar space into their dungeon.
The idea behind having a permanent play space is to create a safe, private place that not only stores your toys and (usually) a bed but also any large equipment, specialized flooring, or other goodies that you want to use in your sessions. Having a dungeon also helps a lot of people get into the mindset of BDSM play; they know what they’re in for as soon as they walk in the door.
There are public dungeons in many major cities and some smaller ones. Some are members-only, while others are open to anyone who pays admission and follows the rules.
In addition, some in-home dungeons are meant for business, a bit like a dominatrix’s home office. But we’re going to be focusing on people’s private dungeons, and how to put one together for yourself.
What Do You Find in a Typical BDSM Dungeon?
In your typical dungeon space, you will find things that fall into three basic categories:
- Storage and display for your toys and tools;
- Furniture and play spots such as pillories, racks, rubber mats, or sex furniture, and a bed or other soft space for sex and aftercare;
- They often also contain privacy measures such as blackout shades and privacy films on the windows, a lock on the door, and soundproofing;
- They should also contain an aftercare kit including first aid supplies.
How all of this comes together, and which specific items are in the space, depends on what kind of play takes place there.
Example 1: The Leather Dungeon
This is what most people think of when they hear about a BDSM dungeon. Display racks or drawers for whips, manacles, and other gear, a wardrobe for fetish clothing, a bed complete with bondage straps, ropes or chains, racks, crosses, pillories, or other furniture to restrain the sub, and a handy spot with a kit for aftercare usually come standard.
For the atmosphere, the dungeon owner may install a polished wood or leather tile floor and walls, recessed or bare-bulb lighting, and kink-themed art.
Example 2: The Electric Lab
Electricity play has its own requirements as well as, for many people, its own aesthetic. Safety measures including an updated electrical system with plenty of GFCI outlets and industrial rubber mats on the floor can add to the aesthetic as well as help ensure safety.
Wooden or rubber-covered furniture plays double duty as well. Unfortunately, metal furniture’s out in electricity play, but you can add to the mad-scientist aesthetic with goodies like Edison lighting, medical-themed display racks for your toys, and a wardrobe for your lab coats, elbow-length rubber gloves, and other costuming.
Example 3: The Primal Playspace
Primals don’t need a lot of goodies to make their playspace special; most of them use a minimum of toys or specialized restraints. Instead, they need room to wrestle, stalk, pin each other, roll around and have sex. An entire floor of crash matting or other padding is ideal for this purpose.
Read More | Primal Fetish, Explained
You can pair it with faux fur rugs, dim lighting, primitive or nature-based art, piles of pillows, and other soft-to-firm surfaces such as beanbags and foam sex furniture.
Setting Up Your Dungeon
The most important thing you can do while setting up your dungeon is to talk with your play partner(s) about what should be included. Ask yourself and them questions like these:
- How many toys/gear do we need storage for?
- What kind of furniture should we have in there?
- How do we handle soundproofing and other privacy concerns?
- Should the space be themed or general-use?
- How much can we afford to spend to outfit the space, both initially and over time?
- Should there be an aftercare space as well as a kit?
- Should we have a bed in there?
- What should we say if someone we don’t want to discover our dungeon?
Sourcing your dungeon equipment can look different depending on what you’re into, how much money you have, and the size and configuration of the space. Some items, like rubber mats, can be ordered from industrial supply stores. Sex furniture can even be found on Amazon. Toys can be ordered from local stores or online. Medical supply stores can provide both everything for your aftercare/emergencies kit, and some kink supplies, like an electroconductive lubricant.
Safety and privacy are always important concerns when you’re creating a permanent play space. The lock on your dungeon door can be just as important as the gear stored within-especially if you have visitors, kids, or vanilla housemates. Those soundproofing, light-and-sight-blocking curtains can be important nosy-neighbor insurance. Having an aftercare kit, bandage scissors for emergency release from restraints, and a handy phone can help keep submissives safe in case of mishaps.
“Good BDSM is a flirtation with danger, never dangerous. It’s an unloaded gun, with the safety on.”
by Chris Belcher; Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 2022
from Pretty Baby: A Memoir
Personal Experience With BDSM Dungeons
I rented for a long time while still maintaining a BDSM dungeon in my home. At first, my bedroom had to play double-duty due to lack of space; I had my own dedicated chest of drawers for gear, kept my box of restraints in a roll-away under the bed, and added privacy film and soundproofed light-blocking curtains.
Later I was able to graduate to a two-bedroom, and the second bedroom became a general-purpose playspace. Rubber matting helped make my electrosex sessions safer; a wooden and rubber “exam table” and matching rack could be used with every type of toy, and as a bonus, the rubber was easy to clean. The lock on the door really helped when nosy friends.
These days, I have a genuine basement dungeon large enough for multiple themed spaces, including a spot for electrosex and one for primal play. The old toys and gear were moved in, and I have added to them bit by bit since then.
It’s not the BDSM equivalent of Better Homes and Gardens, but it serves my needs and those of my play partners.
BDSM Dungeons FAQs
What Is The Most Common BDSM Equipment I Could Use In My BDSM Dungeon?
- Hooks and eyelets for suspension ropes and bars
- Massage tables
- Spanking Horse
- Saint Andrew’s Cross (BDSM)
- Whipping bench
- Sawhorse
- Bondage chair and bench
- Padded floor and walls
- Chains and torture racks
- Beds with built-in restraints
- Sexual stimulation equipment
- Physical stimulation equipment
- Sensory deprivation equipment
- Restraints
Does a dungeon have to be a big, expensive setup?
No. It would be nice if everyone could afford a gorgeous and extensive personal dungeon with specialized furnishings and racks of lovely toys, but that’s not the reality.
Income shouldn’t be a barrier to having a dungeon; many setups are much simpler, and start out bare-bones, slowly building up over time. Being particularly handy with construction can help you out here.
What should I do if I rent my space?
The problem with renting your space is that your landlord, maintenance people, etc. can and will invade it, and many are less ethical and will do this without warning.
If you can’t get away with putting a lock on your dungeon door, you may need to create a “stealth” dungeon, where all the toys are hidden away until it’s actually playtime.
A lot of kinksters double-duty their bedrooms for this purpose, deliberately buying or making things like an extra-sturdy bed frame that can be used with straps, ropes, or manacles.
I want to make sure none of my neighbors know about my dungeon. How do I do this?
This is yet another reason to use blackout shades combined with privacy films on your dungeon windows and to have a lock on your dungeon door. Soundproofing the room if you’re in an apartment situation helps too; it is both better at improving your privacy and polite to your neighbors. There are plenty of ways to do this with relatively little money.
What’s Next?
Give yourself and your partner the gift of a permanent playspace by putting together a BDSM dungeon. Enjoy the many advantages of a private, dedicated space to plan, play and cool down. Be confident that all your toys are close at hand when you want them, and that nobody will be walking in on you at the wrong moment.
Learn and talk with your play partner about creating a BDSM dungeon that you can enjoy together. And, as always, with all BDSM activities, make sure you trust your partner and use a safeword for all play within your new space.
Notes
This article was initially published in January 2022 by Sexologist Robert Thomas. In October 2022, Oliver K rewrote the article to improve its truthfulness, depth, and accuracy.
