16 Man Caves That Aren't Just For Men

The term man cave is a cheesy cliché that conjures up visions of dank rooms where good taste and décor go to die. But the concept of carving out a sanctuary in your home designed to celebrate your passions and to help you to unwind and recharge is something we can all embrace. Check out these stylish takes on the concept of a man cave that are inclusive enough to make people of any gender feel at home.

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Game Night

Studio Life/Style

This sophisticated game room in a Laurel Canyon, CA home designed by Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl of West Hollywood, CA-based Studio Life/Style is a study in burnished metal, soft shades of brown leather, and warm medium-toned woods, with black accents to ground the space and add polish.

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Warm Neutrals

Studio Life/Style

In this lounge area in a Laurel Canyon, CA home designed by Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl of West Hollywood, CA-based Studio Life/Style, a weathered wood accent wall and wood-clad ceiling create a warm canvas for a comfortable, oversize chunky gray sectional that invites relaxation and togetherness. A woven natural rug and soft textiles in black and white complete the elegantly low key, comfortable space.

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Fun Zones

Rae Duncan Interior Design

Chicago-based interior designer Rae Duncan of Rae Duncan Interior Design created what she calls the "ultimate man cave" by breaking up the large space into zones. Here, a cozy sectional anchors a built-in bookshelf and media wall for reading, movie nights, or watching the game. An adjacent pool table area is anchored by warm bronze-toned pendant lights that contrast nicely with the rich blue paint on the walls; additional built-in ceiling lighting helps players keep their eyes on the balls.

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Bar Lounge

Rae Duncan Interior Design

In this "ultimate man cave" from Chicago-based Rae Duncan Interior Design, a generous U-shaped leather sectional is positioned with its back to the stylish, fully stocked bar space nearby, creating zones to drink and relax.

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Custom Touches

Rae Duncan Interior Design

In this "ultimate man cave" from Chicago-based Rae Duncan Interior Design, details like custom millwork, rich wood floors, and a playful wall of trophy heads elevate the man cave concept.

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Rustic Chic

Analicia Herrmann / Chairma Design Group

This rustic chic spin on a man cave from interior designers Cindy Aplanalp and Christi Petty of Houston-based Chairma Design Group combines classically masculine and feminine elements to create a gender-neutral entertainment spacee. A warm neutral palette of beiges and browns includes wood ceiling beams, a cowhide rug, and classic cognac leather club chairs. A sparkly chandelier hung in the center of the room gives the whole design a lift.

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Industrial Chic

Analicia Herrmann / Chairma Design Group

Houston-based interior designers Cindy Aplanalp and Christi Petty of Chairma Design Group added industrial chic touches to this elegant game room to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, from the barn doors to the cluster of Edison bulb pendant lights.

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Moody Blues

Lori Dennis

This sophisticated man cave from LA-based interior designer Lori Dennis has it all: designated areas for games, relaxing, playing music, and preparing refreshments. The palette of dark blue and shades of caramel and brown create a soothing atmosphere; a dramatic black ceiling grounds the space and contrasts nicely with the large windows letting in plenty of natural light.

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Design Details

Lori Dennis

In this sophisticated man cave from LA-based interior designer Lori Dennis, wall-mounted guitars double as décor, and a flatscreen TV, hallmark of man caves everywhere, is both reasonably proportioned and blends into the dark navy wall paint to make it disappear when not turned on.

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Basement Entertainment Center

Pizzale Design

This spacious finished basement in Burlington, Ontario "was designed to be the ideal entertainment hub with a touch of masculinity," says Canadian interior design firm Pizzale Design. Warm browns, cool blues, and bright brass accents create a clean, streamlined design with plenty of seating for the whole gang.

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Finished Basement

OreStudios

This finished basement oasis by Seattle-based OreStudios is a convivial place to hang out with close friends and family or to spend some quality alone time. A large piece of art with a boxy built-in frame creates a focal point that distracts from the tiny basement window. Wall-mounted industrial lighting and textiles make it an inviting spot for solo reading.

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Karaoke Room

Forbes + Masters

This glossy, sparkling karaoke room is a high glam take on a man cave that doubles as an all-purpose entertaining space. "This detailed karaoke lounge proves you can still receive the V.I.P treatment even from the comfort of your own home," say designers Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of interior design firm Forbes + Masters. "Lacquered walls and mirrored ceilings set the stage for one's moment in the spotlight."

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Music Lovers Lounge

Forbes + Masters

This entertaining space designed by Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of interior design firm Forbes + Masters is painted in a rich, earthy brown, with plenty of personal touches that reflect the tastes of the owners. "This music lovers lounge is moody, with sleek black leather Chesterfield sofas, a modern plaid rug, wall-to-wall red velvet curtains, and warm brass metals," say the designers. "Steel shelves cantilever through a stone wall which introduces a natural element at the room's center."

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Dark and Loungey

Christina Kim Interior Design

For this Manasquan, New Jersey basement renovation, interior designer Christina Kim of Christina Kim Interior Design created a space for a young family who wanted plenty of seating and TV screens to watch college football games and host movie nights. "Because basements are inherently dark, we decided to go with it and paint most of the walls black," Kim says. "Ceilings and floors were clad in wood for warmth. We added some picture frame molding, the most comfortable velvet sectional sofa, and moody lighting throughout. What we came up with was an upscale man cave that looks a little like the backroom at your favorite lounge."

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Grown Up Rec Room

T Wilkins Photography / Gray Space Interiors

For this "high-end family recreational room and man cave" in Mount Laurel, NJ, the designers at Gray Space Interiors stuck to a grown-up neutral palette and added design details like a coffered ceiling with built-in lighting, rich wood floors, a built-in bar, a comfortable screening area, a ping pong table, a built-in fireplace, and plenty of framed art on the walls.

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Multipurpose Converted Garage

My 100 Year Old Home

"Our garage doesn't store cars," says blogger Leslie from My 100 Year Old Home. "It’s one-half man cave and one-half storage and laundry room. Our boys wanted a man cave and slowly our garage has become a great space for entertaining." It includes a built-in bar, a TV to watch games, and a ping pong table.

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16 Man Caves That Aren't Just For Men

Game Night

Warm Neutrals

Fun Zones

Bar Lounge

Custom Touches

Rustic Chic

Industrial Chic

Moody Blues

Design Details

Basement Entertainment Center

Finished Basement

Karaoke Room

Music Lovers Lounge

Dark and Loungey

Grown Up Rec Room

Multipurpose Converted Garage

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