121 Man Cave Ideas for Every Space and Budget

Every great man cave starts the same way. An empty room and a big idea.

The trouble is picking just one. So we've rounded up 121 of the best, grouped by theme, each with a photo of the real thing. Steal one outright. Mash three together. Or use them as a springboard for something nobody's done before.

Before you fall in love with anything, measure the room. A pool table that doesn't fit is just a very expensive coat rack.

Bars and pubs

Nothing says "my space" like pouring a drink from behind your own bar. Whatever style you go for, it needs a fridge. See our best beer fridges.

1. The sports barA long bar lined with red leather stools, a fully stocked back bar and a TV above it. A framed shirt on the wall keeps the team close.
2. The local pubA simple wooden bar, a few stools, bottles on the shelf and a TV for the match. A "Last Call Pub" sign says everything.
3. The Irish barAn Irish flag across the ceiling, a dartboard, a corrugated metal bar front and a guitar ready for a sing-along.
4. The surf barA painted bar with yellow-topped stools, surf signs and souvenirs on every wall. Holiday vibes all year round.
5. Beer keg bar stoolsOld beer kegs topped with seats line a long wooden bar. Cheap to make and a great talking point.
6. The Wild West saloonReclaimed timber built up like a frontier street, with a balcony, swing doors and a turquoise pool table in the middle.
7. The cigar loungeA neon CIGARS sign, glass-fronted humidor cabinets, deep leather sofas and a tufted ottoman under a ceiling of bare bulbs.
8. The tiki barKnotty pine walls, a bamboo bar, carved tiki statues and a tropical-print rattan sofa. Grab a cocktail umbrella.
9. The backyard tiki hutA thatched hut in the garden with rainbow-colored bar stools and hand-painted signposts. Summer parties sorted.
10. The round barA sweeping curved bar with high stools, a glowing back bar and slim lights set into dark walls.
11. The cocktail loungeDark wood cabinets, a stacked-stone backsplash, white leather bar stools and a wine fridge under the counter.
12. The pine lodge barGolden knotty pine everywhere, wine racks behind the bar and a row of wooden stools under hanging pendant lights.
13. The rock barA bar carved into what looks like a cave, with rock walls, high stools and a patterned floor.
14. The ice barCool blue light, a glowing bar with white stools and a sleek pool table under a row of glass pendants.
15. The wine cellarFloor-to-ceiling wooden wine racks around a small bistro table. Pull a cork and stay a while.

Sports fans

For the fan who wants every day to feel like game day.

16. The ballpark shrineA painted scoreboard wall, framed baseball shirts, home plate on the floor and leather recliners for the big game.
17. The sports collector's loungeShelves of balls and helmets beside a stacked-stone wall, round patterned armchairs, a red rug and a TV set into the stone.
18. PitchsideLeather recliners on a raised platform of artificial turf with yard lines, facing a wall of screens.
19. On the gridironCarpet marked like a football field, a wall of screens and memorabilia, a black leather sectional and a pool table.
20. The jersey wallA wall of framed shirts lit like a museum, with leather recliners and a sectional facing a big screen.
21. The locker room cinemaJerseys hung in wooden lockers, helmets on the shelves and rows of tan theater seats facing the screens.
22. The trophy room poker denAn octagonal poker table in front of shelves packed with signed balls and helmets, plus a bar in the corner.
23. The jersey barFramed shirts on dark walls, timber posts and a bar counter with its own beer tap.
24. The table tennis hall of fameA table tennis table in front of a wall packed with framed jerseys, bobbleheads and pennants.
25. The Yankees fan caveA giant team rug, pale blue walls covered in framed photos and memorabilia and a row of real stadium seats.
26. The memorabilia galleryA long white gallery of framed jerseys under track lighting, with a modern pool table down the middle.
27. Chicago baseball maniaA pool table dressed in team colors, a ballpark mural, a wall of baseballs and a big TV.

Games rooms

Every games room needs a hero piece. Build the room around it. Our guides to pool tables, dartboards, foosball tables and air hockey tables will help you pick it.

28. Beautiful blueA blue-felt pool table under a stained-glass lamp, with blue leather recliners and a big TV in an open-plan basement.
29. The Coca-Cola games roomA huge vintage soda sign, a blue pool table, arcade machines and barnwood walls under blue LED lighting.
30. The pool table basementA modern pool table on angled legs, built-in white bookshelves and a cue rack in a bright, clean basement.
31. The plush atticA red pool table under a sloping attic ceiling, with cream sofas and a TV tucked into the eaves.
32. The poker and bar roomA red-felt poker table with armchairs, cowhide footstools and a bar along the back wall.
33. The arcadeBarnwood walls, a skee-ball lane, a foosball table, racing games and a tall prize machine. Hours of fun.
34. The air hockey atticAn air hockey table in an attic room with a stone-effect wall and a Union Jack armchair.
35. Neon nightsA pink-felt pool table, neon tubes on the wall and a glowing display of bottles. Pure glamour.
36. The loft apartmentExposed brick, timber beams, a red pool table under drum shades and a sofa facing the TV.
37. The basement bar and pool roomA blue pool table, a stone-backed bar with high stools, a foosball table and a stained-glass lamp.
38. The play denA jukebox, a vintage gumball machine and a card table with upholstered chairs, plus a row of TVs.
39. The classic pool roomA traditional pool table with carved legs, white-painted brick, industrial pendants and a big window.
40. Pure and cleanA white pool table, cream armchairs and a gas fire in a bright, minimal white room.
41. Putt and potA pool table and an indoor putting green on a polished wooden floor. Two sports in one room.
42. The shuffleboard roomA long shuffleboard table beside a wooden bar with swivel stools, under a beamed ceiling.
43. The attic games roomA green pool table under a sloping ceiling hung with flags, retro signs and colored lights.
44. The colonial games roomA purple-felt pool table, leather armchairs and a bar under a vaulted timber ceiling, with a palm in the corner.
45. The bowling alleyA real bowling lane with a ball return, plus arcade cabinets and a card table. The ultimate flex.
46. The retro red loungeA red sectional, red bar stools, a row of pinball machines and a pool table under a neon sign.
47. Pinball wizardA curved room lined with pinball machines and arcade cabinets on a bold patterned carpet.
48. The darts atticA lit dartboard at the end of a red throwing mat, red bar stools and red leather booth seating.
49. Play for dollarsAn octagonal poker table by a stone fireplace, with a wooden bar and high stools close by.
50. The Vegas atticSlot machines, a Las Vegas sign, a dartboard and party lights in an attic made for late nights.
51. A touch of classA red pool table, a mustard-yellow sectional, red curtains and a TV on a dark feature wall.
52. The fireside games roomA grey shuffleboard table and a dining table in a white room with a plastered fireplace and dark curtains.
53. The pennant roomA pool table, a foosball table and a stone fireplace, with college pennants lining the walls.
54. Dark and mysteriousDeep blue walls, a poker table with glowing edges, screens set into the ceiling and a bar at the back.
55. The brick-walled games roomA pool table, a long shuffleboard table and a bar, all along an exposed brick wall.
56. The stone cellarA small pool table and leather armchairs in a vaulted cellar with rough stone walls.
57. The light wood games roomA sculptural pool table in pale wood, warm earthy colors and a big clock on the wall.
58. The treehouse games roomA grey pool table beside floor-to-ceiling windows looking straight into the trees.
59. The garage table tennis clubA table tennis table in a garage, with a bar, signs and memorabilia covering the back wall.

Cinema and gaming

Dim the lights. Dig in. Don't look at your phone. Start with our projector guide and best recliners.

60. The bright cinemaA huge projector screen, grey reclining sofas and a patterned rug, with a pool room through the doors.
61. Strictly home theaterDark brown walls, soft wall lights and rows of leather recliners. No distractions.
62. The multi-screen wallThree stacked TVs framed by purple light, curved cream sofas and lit niches showing off guitars.
63. The bar and cinemaA bar with high stools behind tiered recliners, so the back row gets a counter for drinks.
64. The big screen caveA giant projector screen, a plaid sofa and director's chairs. Cheap, cheerful and very effective.
65. The red loungeRed walls, a red sectional and red carpet, with a classic film poster on the screen.
66. The movie theaterBlack leather recliners under a red-lit ceiling, with a bar counter and pool table behind.
67. The old traditionalA stone archway, wine racks, a pool table and leather sofas facing a projector screen.
68. Saturday night at the moviesPurple lighting, a white tufted bar, a white sectional and a foosball table in front of the big screen.
69. The bold and bright loungeA big grey sectional, a colorful geometric rug, a projector screen and framed sports photos.
70. The gamer's paradiseA multi-monitor gaming setup glowing with purple and blue LEDs, plus a proper gaming chair.
71. The pit laneRacing simulator seats with steering wheels and pedals in front of a wall of screens.
72. The streaming loungeA projector filling a whole wall, a linear fireplace, a low sofa and a neat log store.

Golf, gyms and wellness

Who says a man cave can't keep you fit?

73. Indoor golfA golf simulator screen on a strip of turf, beside a big grey sectional and a kitchenette.
74. The driving rangeA basement golf simulator with a big screen, artificial turf and a bucket of balls ready to go.
75. The clubhouseA golf simulator next to a wooden bar and a wall of display cabinets. Nineteenth hole included.
76. The climbing wallA bouldering wall built into the space under the stairs. A brilliant use of an awkward corner.
77. The weight roomBare concrete walls, a spin bike, dumbbells, exercise balls and a mirrored wall.
78. The basement gymA multi-gym, punch bags, a boxing dummy and dumbbells in a polished concrete basement.
79. The basketball courtAn indoor half court with a hoop, brick walls, gym equipment and blue mats.
80. The hot tub roomAn indoor hot tub and plunge pool beside a curved daybed piled with orange cushions.
81. The grottoA rock-walled grotto with a hot tub, a TV set into the stone and a view out to the pool.

Cars and bikes

For when the car is the art. Got a garage to work with? See our garage man cave ideas.

82. The rich man's playgroundA pool table and long bar with a glass wall onto the garage, where a supercar and a go-kart are on show.
83. The biker's denA motorbike parked by the bar, flame-painted bar stools, neon signs and a TV in a converted garage.
84. The bike workshopA motorbike on show, orange walls, grey storage cabinets and a bar with stools on a speckled floor.
85. The swanky garageA vintage orange sports car parked indoors, beside red leather club chairs and a red pool table.
86. The checkerboard garageA black and white checkered floor, a car on a lift under a cover and a motorbike on display.
87. The modern garageLeather recliners and white cabinets in a bright garage, with the cars parked just behind.
88. The classic car collectionA warehouse full of shiny red classic cars in front of old-style shop fronts.
89. The supercar garageA red sports car, a black convertible and a lime-green muscle car in front of wooden cabinets and a TV.
90. The glass garageA supercar on display behind a glass wall, right next to the lounge and staircase.

Music, books and hobbies

Make room for the things you love doing.

91. The guitar man caveGuitars hung on an exposed brick wall, a leather sofa, a chandelier and a fridge covered in stickers.
92. Rock 'n' roll BritanniaA leather sofa with Union Jack cushions in front of a wall of framed rock posters.
93. The music studioAcoustic foam panels, a desk with a computer, a guitar and a flight case. Ready to record.
94. The guitar loftGuitars lined up along a vaulted timber attic, leather sofas, a chandelier and a big patterned rug.
95. The bookworm's denFloor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with books and pictures around a leather sofa.
96. The castle studyStone walls, a carved wooden desk, a leather chair, a chandelier and screens built into the cabinet.
97. The model railwayA huge model railway layout with mountains, towns and miles of track.

Style and decor

Pick a look and go all in.

98. Cool and crispA modern white and grey room with a blue-lit wall, a bar counter and a big screen on a dark feature wall.
99. Sheer luxuryA live-edge timber bar table, leather sofas, a pinball machine and a glass wall onto a courtyard.
100. The forest houseTimber beams, a stone fireplace and a pool table beside big windows looking out into the trees.
101. The colonial lookA coffered wooden ceiling, zebra-print armchairs, a bar and a brick feature wall.
102. The retro dinerRed diner chairs, a jukebox, a sofa made from the back of a car and a disco ball overhead.
103. Elegance and sophisticationDark wood bookshelves, a pale pool table, a gallery wall and white armchairs.
104. All mod consA huge basement with timber beams, a foosball table, table tennis and a model fire truck on display.
105. Industrial featuresA brick wall, a black bar with metal stools, a foosball table and a pool table under a giant clock.
106. The spy's lairA ribbed tunnel ceiling, a secret-agent mural and leather seating. Shaken, not stirred.
107. The ranchRustic timber, western film posters, built-in bunk beds, a stone wall and a big dark sectional.
108. Cosy and snugStone walls, a fireplace, leather recliners and exposed log beams. Made for winter.
109. Literally a caveA room carved to look like a real cave, with recliners and lamps against the rock.
110. Slate grayA grey tiled fireplace wall, a pool table and black leather chairs on a dark wooden floor.
111. The craftsman caveStone walls, chunky timber beams, a roaring fireplace, a pool table and leather armchairs.
112. The double-height loungeA double-height white room with purple lighting, a black sofa, white chairs and a kitchen bar.
113. By the firesideA long linear fireplace, a huge sectional, a leather ottoman and a pool table under black beams.
114. The tavern sunroomA tavern sign, arcade machines and cream leather sofas in a bright sunroom.
115. The vaulted ceilingCurved vaulted ceilings, a granite bar with stools and a pool table on stone tiles.
116. The winter lodgeLog cabin walls, a starry ceiling, a mountain mural and leather sofas with throws.
117. Uber plushA red pool table on red carpet, red armchairs and a mirrored back bar lined with glassware.

Small spaces and budgets

You don't need a basement the size of a barn.

118. The backyard studioA modern garden studio with glass doors and a small deck. Your own space, steps from the house.
119. The compact pool roomA blue pool table in a small room with spirits on optics and French doors onto the garden.
120. Nice and simplePainted ceiling joists, a futon, a TV, a foosball table and a dartboard. No fuss, all fun.
121. The trailer caveA toy-hauler trailer fitted out with recliners and a TV. A man cave that goes anywhere.

Five rules before you start

1. Measure twice. Buy once.

Write down the room size, ceiling height, doors and windows before you shortlist anything. Big tables need clearance all round, not just space for the table itself.

2. Sort the boring stuff first

Heating, insulation, power sockets and lighting. Nobody brags about them, but they decide whether you actually use the room in January.

3. Pick one hero piece

A pool table, a bar or a big screen. Build everything else around it so the room feels planned, not cluttered.

4. Get the seating right

Uncomfortable seats empty a room faster than anything. Our man cave chairs guide covers recliners for every budget.

5. Plan for noise

Rugs, curtains and soft furniture soak up sound. Your family and your neighbors will thank you.