Man Cave Ideas to Help You Unwind
A space just for you.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a space in your home dedicated to relaxing? A man cave might be exactly what you’re looking for. When you build your man cave, think about what helps you unwind: Do you love to play video games, watch TV, or have a good-natured game of pool with friends? How about a glass of beer from a minibar? Check out these man cave ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Start with the Essentials
Entertainment Center
For a man cave, you’re going to want to go big on an entertainment center – this space is all about relaxation! Find a center with shelves you can use to fit a large TV, lots of speakers, routers, and gaming equipment. A large entertainment center also gives you lots of storage space for items like video games, ping-pong balls, board games, and decks of cards.
Tip!
If you need extra storage space for video games, consider using gaming storage cabinets or shelves.
When you’re in your man cave, you’re going to want to be comfortable. For that we recommend a recliner. Recliners are adjustable and can ensure you are positioned perfectly to watch TV, play video games, or just take a nap. A recliner is great for a man cave because it gives you your own personal seat to unwind – no more fighting over the best spot on the couch! Recliners can also help you relieve back pain after a long day of work by stretching out and relaxing your back in the reclined position.
Look for a recliner that fits your space, whether you want a small recliner to fit a limited seating area or an oversized recliner for maximum comfort. Think about how you would like your recliner to move – would you like a swivel chair or one that helps you get up? You can also use your recliner to help define the style of your man cave – consider a classic leather recliner for a traditional space or a sleek and streamlined recliner for a modern room. Consider matching your recliner to your couch for a cohesive look.
Tip!
If you love video games, try a gaming chair. These chairs help you improve your posture, minimizing back pain from long hours of gaming. Check out our Gaming Room Ideas: How to Create the Ultimate Gaming Setup guide to set up the ultimate gaming center in your man cave.
If you want to have friends over and host get-togethers in your man cave, you’re going to want a big sectional sofa that can accommodate a lot of people. Make sure the sofa is comfy enough that your guests will want to stay a while. Along with providing lots of seating space, sectional sofas fit easily into the corner of a room. When your friends aren’t over, a sectional sofa gives you plenty of space to stretch out! Some sectional sofas have movable parts that can be used as an ottoman to put up your feet. Leather is a classic material for a man cave sectional – it is easy to clean and maintain and becomes even more comfortable and supple with use.
Think about the lighting you would like to include in your game room. Including lighting at different levels in the room – such as ceiling lights, floor lamps, wall sconces, and table lamps – can help make your space feel evenly lit and inviting. Lighting can contribute to the style of your space as well. Some typical lighting styles for a man cave include modern, industrial, and traditional lighting. Try hanging lightbulbs over a gaming table or home bar for an industrial look or an artistic light fixture over the main area for a modern look. You can use light fixtures as an opportunity to make a stylish statement that will bring your man cave to the next level.
A pool table will help keep your friends entertained when they visit your man cave. Pool is a game of skill and strategy and can keep you busy for long periods of time as you try to perfect your massé shot. Before you purchase a pool table, make sure your man cave can accommodate 5ʹ of space on all sides of the table. You might also consider a rack to hold pool cue sticks when they are not in use and a pool table cover to keep the table’s surface in good condition. For more information about pool tables, check out our Pool Table Buying Guide and Your Guide to Pool Table Sizes.
Foosball is a laid-back game that does not require as much time as a round of pool. Get a foosball table if you don’t have space for large game tables like air hockey, pool, or ping-pong and you like quick games with lots of laughs. Try a sudden-death round during a soccer game commercial break! You should allow for 4ʹ of space around the long sides of the foosball table to provide space for people and the rods.
Game tables can encourage quality time spent with friends and family. If you want to include lots of friends, consider a poker table – you can hold fun Friday night tournaments that everyone will love. You can also host other card games and drinking games on a poker table.
If you’re looking for a quiet and concentrated game for two, consider a chess or checkers table. These tables are perfect for quiet Sundays spent bonding with a child or spouse. A small table will not take up too much space and can be easily pushed against a wall when it is not in use.
Tips!
Want to save space? Consider a multigame table to fit lots of games into one piece of furniture.
If you don’t have the floor space for a game table, consider a dart board. Keep in mind, throwing darts could leave small holes or depressions in the wall surrounding your dart board.
A home bar can really elevate your man cave. Use your home bar as an opportunity to learn about mixing drinks and impress your friends with your new skills. Find a bar counter with plenty of space to prepare drinks, cut limes, and put out snacks. You might also look for storage to keep wine glasses, beer mugs, and cocktail mixers tucked away. If you don’t have space for a bar counter, consider a bar cabinet where you can display and easily access alcohol and glasses.
Tip!
Don’t forget a mini fridge! Keep beer, wine, spirits, and soda chilled and ready to go. Keep your bar cart next to your mini fridge to easily restock alcohol throughout a get-together. You could also keep fruit and other snacks in the fridge for a quick bite. For specialized alcohol storage, consider a wine refrigerator or a kegerator.
If you’re going to install a bar, you should think about bar stools. Give your friends a space where they can sit down and hang out around the bar. You can use bar stools to add style to your home bar, whether you want metal and industrial stools or low-back pub-style stools. When you look for bar stools, make sure you think about your countertop’s height – check out our guide Bar Stool Dimensions: How to Choose the Right One.
Use a bar cart as a minibar on the go. Keep pre-prepared drinks right next to the couch, then move the cart back to the bar to restock. Alternately, use a bar cart as a budget-friendly alternative to a full bar that is sure to impress your friends.
