When it comes to finding the perfect man cave ideas, men of all ages and backgrounds can agree that the hardest part is starting out with the right design and theme to express their individuality. Once you’ve decided on this, the rest is easy: ideas for unique decor, tech, and other features will flow naturally and before you know it, the space will be complete.
This guide offers the inspiration you need to get cracking with an awesome man cave design whatever your situation. From building on a budget to converting an entire garden shed into your personal haven, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover top tips and tricks from our creative director, Patrick Tonks, whose own man cave is the envy of the team here at GreatBeanBags.
Along the way, we’ll cover:
- Picking the theme of your man cave
- Choosing the right location
- Man cave decor
- Designing within constraints
- Next steps
Picking the theme of your man cave
It all starts with the right theme. A particular pitfall to avoid here is choosing a central concept that you’re only into right now. You’ll want to get years of use out of your new man cave, so a timeless favourite makes a much better option for the theme of the space.
As a film buff, you’re unlikely to go off your favourite titles anytime soon, so in this case a movie mogul theme might be the way to go. Alternatively, those who are into gaming – and always have been – could choose a gamer-themed man cave (if this sounds like you, check out our guide on creating the ultimate gaming room setup).
Finding it hard to decide? Many of our customers have designed man caves at home, and as a result we’ve seen a diverse range of other awesome themes that you might want to consider. Some cool man cave ideas we’ve come across include:
- Tiki bars
- Sports themes
- Office man caves
- Billiard rooms and casino-style spaces
- Recording studios
- Home cinemas
Choosing the right location
Bedroom, basement, garage, or garden shed? When weighing up the different areas of the house for your man cave, there are plenty of possibilities. The key lies in selecting a location that offers the right amount of privacy and all the amenities that you’re keen to have.
Read on as we unpick the pros and cons of the different man cave locations you could opt for.
Bedroom man caves
The classic option is to convert a spare bedroom into a man cave – or even a portion of your own room if your home situation allows for this. Many guys choose to go down this road for one simple reason: easy access to a bed you can crash out on.
The key questions to ask yourself when designing a bedroom man cave are:
- How will you divide up the sleeping area from your chill out space?
- Will other members of the house be annoyed if you make noise late at night? (And if so, will you need to soundproof the room?)
- What man cave room decor can you choose to differentiate it from other bedrooms?
Basement and garage man caves
Not everyone has a basement or garage in the first place, but many who do end up converting them into man caves.
Just the right level of sequestered (yet still not too far from the fridge), these spaces can make lovely little hideaways. You just need to equip them with the right gear, whether this is nothing more than a comfy perch and a TV or a full-on bar and entertainment area.
Garden man caves
If you need to shut off completely every now and then for some alone time, then the garden is the ideal spot for a man cave. There are several options open to you.
Simply kitting out an existing shed with cosy flooring, a TV, mini fridge, and a bean bag sofa can work nicely. Of course, you’ll need the room to be watertight and have an electricity supply if this is the way you choose to go. What’s more, this route doesn’t exactly lend itself to the most customisable space.
Aiming for something a little more ambitious? Another potential plan if you have the funds available is to design a bespoke garden bar for your new man cave. This way, you’ll have the freedom to choose exactly where you position the room; you can also pick the layout based on what you want to get out of it.
Man cave decor
From the furniture to the wall art, the type of man cave decor you choose will have a huge impact on the ambience of the room. And there are quite a few points to keep in mind when putting together the perfect man cave.
The first item to think about is the furniture. This is the foundation of the man cave, and should be comfortable and in keeping with your chosen theme. Popular choices include items like recliners and bean bag chairs, but you may also fancy investing in bar stools if you’re designing a space where you can share a drink with friends.
Wall art is also key to creating the right atmosphere. Whether you opt for posters, paintings, photographs, or something else altogether, the right pieces can complete your theme and tie the space together. Think about the type of atmosphere the wall art will create: sports memorabilia, for example, can create a fun and active environment, whilst hanging up masterpieces from your favourite artist can create an air of sophistication.
Finally, don’t forget about the accessories. Pool tables, dart boards, and arcade games are all go-to choices, but that shouldn’t necessarily dictate your decisions. Your chosen accessories can be the ideal way to stamp your personality on the space and nothing is too wild: if you fancy a DJ booth or a tabletop gaming area, then go for it!
When decorating a man cave, the most important thing to remember is to have fun. Don’t be afraid to mix and match items to create a unique look. With the right pieces, the man cave can be the perfect place to relax, entertain, and kick back.
Designing within constraints
So far we’ve touched on some ideas that might not be possible for every soon-to-be man caver owner. Thinking practically, many of us will have to design within space or budget constraints. Read on if you’re looking for small man cave ideas or ways to design a man cave on a budget.
Small man cave ideas
Creating a small man cave doesn’t mean that it won’t be just as inviting and comfortable as others. It just means that you’ll need to be a bit more creative and get the best out of the space.
One of the best ways to make a small room look and feel bigger is by utilising multifunctional furniture. For example, you could opt for a sofa bed, or an ottoman that can be used for storage and seating. This will not only save you space, but it’ll also help you to keep the area looking neat and organised.
Other handy small man cave ideas include shopping around for all-in-one entertainment. Invest in multi-game systems which occupy less shelf room, as opposed to individual consoles. There are tons of retro games console packages out there on the market at the moment, and many of these offer great value for money as well as a way to reduce wasted space.
Lighting is also key to a small man cave design. Zoning the space with different levels of light can make it seem larger, so consider a miniature desk lamp or two in addition to the main light in the room. Introducing mirrors will also help to bounce light around and give the illusion that the space is more expansive than it really is.
Designing a man cave on a budget
If you’re looking to design a man cave on a budget, a seriously cost-effective method is to use inexpensive materials. Reclaimed wood is a great option for creating a rustic feel, as is upcycling old items of furniture that can be picked up cheaply from online marketplaces and second-hand stores. Wherever possible, going for the DIY route rather than buying new is your best bet.
You can add a custom touch to your man cave without breaking the bank, too. Wall stencils and adhesive stickers are a low-cost way to create bespoke designs. An even simpler and cheaper option is simply to include an accent wall that supports your chosen theme and colour scheme.
Next steps
With a bit of creativity and determination, creating the perfect man cave doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. To help turn your vision into a reality, this guide has taken you through some of our top man cave ideas and advice on how to put them into practice.
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