Home InspirationTips AU

43 Most wanted man cave ideas

By Gianna Huesch

Updated: January 3rd, 2024

Is a man cave all about being a burping, beer-swilling caveman? Sure, but the attraction doesn’t stop there...

It’s an American invention that has taken hold in Australia, this idea of a “mancave”, “mantuary”, “manland”, or the more widely used “man cave”. It’s a place exclusively dominated by the man of the house, whether he sets up in the spare room, the basement, the shed or the garage.

Find a Tasker

Need help with your home project?

Get more done with Airtasker.

Wherever the man cave is located, it’s a place a man can be himself, get some much-needed me-time and indulge in his favourite hobbies and activities. But there are many more reasons why men love man caves. There are some AMAZING man cave ideas out there, and here they all are in the one spot.

mancave-ideas-mancave
Source: Photo by Krystal Black on Unsplash

Part workshop, part car repair, part home brewery. A man cave is a man’s retreat or sanctuary, but at other times, it’s somewhere to spend time with mates and watch sport, play games and chew the fat.

Experts now believe having a man cave is more important for a man than we think, and may even make them better husbands and fathers. “Mancave spelunking” (meaning: hanging out in your own space by yourself) is a healthy way for men to unwind and have an outlet for all the life-related stress they experience. Having a place to decompress, get away from it all and be allowed to be anti-social helps men regulate their emotions and therefore is very beneficial to their mental health.

Men also enjoy the freedom they have in decorating their man cave in whatever way they like. For many men, this means their favourite hobby becomes the theme, whether it’s Formula One racing, AFL or skating. For others, it’s music, film, or fishing.

Choose an overall theme or just start compiling items ad-hoc according to what you like. Either way there are certain elements that all good man caves seem to share. So in no particular order, here are our favourite man cave ideas to steer you in the right direction.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Man cave design ideas

1. The skateboarder

Your man cave is your space and needs to reflect your true self. It’s all about you, so feel completely free to add as many personal touches as you could possibly add. Your man cave is the place where you can unabashedly show off accomplishments. Your trophies, that prized photo of you with THAT barramundi, your old sports jerseys. And all your other memorabilia and knickknacks.

2. The rev head

Is it even a man cave without something to show off? Of course, a lot will depend on your available amount of space and the dollars you have to funnel into creating your fantasy man cave. But it should impress, right? Who doesn’t want that wow factor from their mates? After all, poolrooms and man caves are repositories of treasure, not trash…

3. The sports fan

Styling your man cave to reflect your love of a sport or all sports is tried and true. You can’t go wrong with the old school look of framed sports memorabilia or jerseys and trophies on the wall.

4. The serious gamer

There’s a bit of crossover between the mancave and the media room these days. Increasingly sophisticated home theatre solutions are being installed as the man cave evolves. The no-brainers are the biggest TV you can afford, a wicked surround sound system, the latest consoles and streaming devices. Many modern man caves also routinely come with dishwashers, microwaves, wine fridges and humidors.

man cave gamer

5. The movie buff

Your man cave will be as luxe as your pockets are deep. But if you’re setting up a home theatre, for starters you’re looking at luxury recliners, home theatre projectors and a rear projection screen. (Some of these are fairly easy DIYs to install, but if you need a hand, try a home theatre specialist).

6. The good times guy

Install a complete bar for when you plan to entertain in your man cave, or just because you want one. You don’t have to spend a fortune and you’ll get that instant man cave vibe.

7. The musician

If music is more your thing, you might be looking at sound mixers and DJ booths, or at least a digital jukebox. Top tip: if you’re going to want to enjoy your music at a decent sound level, think about adding soundproofing for peace of mind. Likewise, if you intend to play instruments or have the boys over on game days.

8. The gentleman

How about a sophisticated cigar room? Dark walls, copious leather and brass accents give a mancave all the ambience it needs. A n dwhile you’re at it, set up a wet bar in there as well.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Man cave door ideas

9. Have an impressive entrance

Ideally your mancave has an appropriate door that suggests what lies beyond. For example, a vintage vault door adds loads of atmosphere.

10. Conceal your mancave

On the other hand you might like to add a sense of mystery and adventure by hiding your mancave entrance, such as behind a bookcase.

Man cave wall ideas

11. A feature wall

This can act as the focal point for the room and also provides another way to personalise the cave and give it added character. Choose a solid accent colour, textured or patterned wallpaper, or use a wall of shelving for your collectibles.

12. Gallery wall

Alternatively, create a feature gallery wall full of your favourite band or movie posters or a cool set of prints.

13. Turn musical instruments into a wall feature

A great way to make use of battered and broken instruments that you can’t bring yourself to part with.

14. Wild wild west

It’s a different look for a man cave idea but if rustic, rock’n’roll, and old skulls are your vibe then a Wild Wild West theme might be something that you want to explore.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Man cave seating

15. Decide on your perfect throne

Even if you don’t like watching TV or gaming, you still want the comfiest possible place to get away from it all and relax. The recliner is the universal man cave piece for lounging, chilling, making private calls or having a snooze.

16. The comfort zone

Having extra comfy seating for your guests and potential bromantic sleepovers go without saying. If you want to give off big man cave energy, choose leather with wood and metal accents. Or go for the luxe new home theatre recliner sofa options with handy features like the cup and device holders.

17. Side tables and ottomans

A simple and inexpensive way to add colour pops and bits of your personality around your man cave.

18. Comfy bar stools

Offer your guests that authentic bar vibe with extra comfy bar stools, such as adjustable air-lift stools.

19. Quirky seating

Don’t intend to have a bar, but still want a few casual spots for people to sit? Aside from the couch, think about how you’ll seat guests and whether your spare seating can become a feature in itself.

20. Tree stump seats

It’s a great DIY project if you can find someone giving away some large tree stumps. They are super versatile as they can be used as a side table as well.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Food ideas

21. A snack stand

The essential concession stand, snack stand or candy bar. Keep your fridge stocked with choc-tops, or offer guests freshly-made popcorn, chips and a lolly bar.

22. A statement fridge

Whether or not you drink alcohol, you’ll want to have a cold beverage handy for yourself and your visiting mates. And a boring little white bar fridge just doesn’t cut it when compared with a Smeg or a Darth Vader.

But if space is tight, install a Murphy bar that you tuck away against a wall.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Man cave light ideas

23. Upcycle the empties

Yes, you can recycle the empty bottles, but you can also turn them into some really awesome DIY projects around the home such as light decorations.

24. Musical instrument lights

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but in this case, if they are broke… turn your musical instruments into something cool but also useful such as lights.

25. Light-up bar counter

Another impressive DIY lighting idea is to create a light-up counter by installing a sheet of glass over flat neon lighting.

26. Create a light-up display

Put in special lighting for your collections if you want to really showcase your items.

27. Create a wine chalkboard

Adding a chalkboard designed to hold wine bottles is a simple, attractive DIY and means you can show off your wine buff credentials.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Man cave games and activities

Nietzsche said, “In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play”. So go ahead, indulge that child with all the toys it could possibly want to share on (grownup) playdates. A pool table is the obvious choice. Other retro faves include dartboards, board games, table tennis, football tables, air hockey tables and chess sets. Or you could set up your own vintage arcade gaming system. Others just have to have a poker table – so let’s take a look at some awesome man cave ideas for games.

28. Make it a place you can be physical

Many a man cave is inevitably part-gym. But there’s nothing wrong with setting up a space for getting on your treadmill or weightlifting, being active, rocking out to music. Getting physical is an easy stress-buster.

29. Bowling alley

Well if you can afford it, why wouldn’t you put your very own bowling alley in your home and up your strike rate!

30. Virtual golf

Improve your drive when you’re not on the course with your own personal virtual golf set up. At least when you’re at home you won’t have to queue up at the tee.

31. Have a pool table

If you want your man cave to be taken seriously, you must have a pool table. It’s like wearing a tie with a suit. But at least you can pick the colour and these days they come in every colour and finish you can imagine.

man cave pool table

32. …or maybe a foosball table

If pool ain’t your thing, maybe a foosball table is a better fit for your man cave. It’s probably a more accident-safe game to have as well with the maintenance costs a little lower.

man cave foosball table

33. Darts

It’s the most budget-friendly game to add to your man cave.

Find a Tasker for your next home project!

Extra styling

34. Posters

Another easy way to showcase your interests is to put up prints from your favourite classic films or album covers.

35. Talk the torque

A motor vehicle theme never gets old for man cave décor, whether or not you include a classic car converted into a couch or bar. It may just be a recycled tire that has been repurposed for storage or as a coffee table or car-themed memorabilia. For example, a steering wheel can be turned into a huge analogue clock on the wall.

36. Wanderer wall

Passionate about travel, history or a particular fantasy series? You could make it the theme of your man cave with a focal point of a huge map on temporary wallpaper. A framed vintage or topographical map also always looks impressive on the wall of a man cave. Document where you’ve been on the globe, your favourite cities, or an imaginary map from your favourite fantasy novel.

37. The detritus of a life well-lived

Offcuts of wood, bits of fishing rods, half-full paint tins kept just in case, random fasteners and brackets. All that ‘useful hoarding’ that’s in fact a legacy from caveman days. That instinct to fix and provide that fuels the apparent chaos of tools and equipment that surrounds many males of our species. Whatever. You have to find an attractive and functional method of storing all your stockpiled odds and ends. Spruce it up with your collectibles and memorabilia, and keep your overall theme in mind.

38. Bring in the greenery

Any room looks better with a bit of greenery but make it man cave approved by being a bit creative with the choice of a planter.

39. Key steward

Don’t forget the details. Whether your man cave is car, sports or music-themed each little element of your man cave can still show off your personality. Every man cave can use somewhere to store everyone’s keys when they visit. You can easily create a key holder/steward out of old junk.

40. Rod steward

If you’re a keen angler, you might like to make a feature out of your equipment, by storing them in a visually pleasing manner.

41. Vital signs

There needs to be some sort of sign that this is your zone. So the rest of the tribe doesn’t mistake it for a rumpus room (understandable, given the many similarities and time-wasting temptations). They can have their playroom elsewhere; this is your man cave.

Vintage-style signs add to the character of a man cave and give it a little touch of added humour.

42. Head outdoors

If you don’t have enough room indoors, perhaps you have some space outdoors that you use for your backyard man cave.

If you think this is the idea for you, take a look at how to get more from your backyard with these patio ideas. Makeover your backyard and turn it into an awesome space for all of the family.

43. A smart man cave

Finally, make sure you’re living in a smart home operated by digital personal assistants like Alexa and Siri. Install it in your home for a few hundred bucks. Then just walk around your man cave nonchalantly issuing instructions. Adjust your lighting, regulate the temperature, control your home theatre system and more, all with your voice. Definitely worth the investment, and smarter than a smart TV because you get a better user interface and more processing power.

Get a professional to help you out

Finally, so you’ve decided you’ll need remodelling or fit-out work to achieve your dream man cave ideas. But don’t have much building and construction experience yourself? Find a local handyman to help you.

Do you have any other man cave ideas? Let us know in the comments below!

Find a Tasker

Need help with your home project?

Get more done with Airtasker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gianna

I'm an interiors writer living in coastal Australia and discovering all the joys of DIY renovating.

Enjoyed reading this? Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Cheryl Mishio

    Some really great ideas to spruce up the man cave here! Surprising my hubby has incorporated a few (he has even made a table out of old ice hockey sticks similar to the small chair posted in this article!)