Creating the ultimate man cave involves designing a space that reflects your personal interests, provides comfort, and offers a retreat for relaxation and entertainment.
SHOP THE MAN CAVE COLLECTION
So whether you are designing a man cave for yourself, or your loved one, here are some of our top styling tips:
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Man Cave Decorating Tip #1
Define the Purpose
The first step is to determine the primary purpose of the space.
Will it be a space for gaming, watching sports, hosting friends, or pursuing hobbies?
Knowing the main function will help guide your design decisions.
For example, if gaming is a priority, you may want to create a dedicated gaming zone.
Install shelves or storage units for your game collection and set up comfy armchairs, a gaming desk, and proper lighting to optimize your experience.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Man Cave Decorating Tip #2
Choose a Theme & Colour Palette
Once you have determined the purpose of your man cave, select a theme that aligns with your interests and hobbies. This could be sports, movies, music, gaming, reading, or any other passion you have!
The theme you choose will set the tone and influence your decor and furniture choices.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Here are some ideas to inspire your man cave colour scheme:
- Neutral tones: A classic choice for a man cave is to use neutral colors like grays, browns, and beiges. These colors create a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.
- Bold and vibrant: If you want to make a statement, consider using bold and vibrant colors. Reds, blues, greens, and yellows can add energy and excitement and can be introduced as accent walls or in furniture and decor pieces.
- Industrial-inspired: Industrial style often incorporates raw and rugged elements. Colours like charcoal gray, matte black, chrome, and deep navy blue can evoke an industrial feel. Combine these hues with exposed brick, concrete, and leather for an urban loft feel.
- Earthy and Traditional: For a cosy and traditional atmosphere, consider using earthy tones like warm browns, deep greens, burgundy, reds, and deep blues.
Lastly, consider adorning your walls in evocative and moody wallpaper designs such as those by Ralph Lauren Home.
Man Cave Decorating Tip #3
Plan the Space
Next, consider the available space and create a layout that maximizes functionality, style, and comfort.
This starts by determining where the entertainment area, furniture, art, soft furnishings, decor, electronics, and any other key features will be placed.
Some key elements to keep in mind are:
- Comfortable Seating: Invest in comfortable seating options that accommodate your needs. Some of our recommendations include a comfy leather armchair, sectional sofas, or any other ergonomic and stylish occasional chairs and seating options.
- Primary Furniture: Make a list of other key furniture pieces, such as free-standing floor-to-ceiling bookshelves for all your favourite reads, a generously sized coffee table or games table, and a sideboard, console, or display cabinet to display your collectables.
- Artwork: Display your favorite memorabilia, photography, posters, old oil portraits, or artwork related to your theme and personal style. Ideas include vintage-inspired artwork or photography that reflects your taste, whether it's related to cars, motorcycles, musicians, animals, travel, or old-timey aesthetics. Alternatively, if you prefer a more modern aesthetic, consider incorporating contemporary and large-scale abstract art pieces into your man cave.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
- Flooring: Man-cave flooring ideas include traditional hardwood floors, raw concrete, luxury vinyl, or wall-to-wall carpeting. Create warmth and comfort underfoot with generous area rugs made from wool, sisal, jute, faux fur, animal hide, or any other sumptuous and inviting textures.
- Soft Furnishings: Layering soft furnishings will add textural warmth and comfort to your space. Consider incorporating decorative cushions or blankets made from linen, cotton, chunky wool knits, faux fur, sheepskin, velvet, or micro mink.
Man Cave Decorating Tip #4
Layered Lighting
As always, we recommend you incorporate a combination of ambient, task, accent, and mood lighting to create the desired atmosphere. This may also include dimmable lights or smart light bulbs that allow you to adjust the brightness and colour according to different activities and the time of day.
Hamo Ceramic Jug Lamp Base | Brown/Black | W30cm x H40cm
$540.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Rovigo Wooden Floor Lamp Base | Grey/Black | XXL
$1,570.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Ideas include:
- Metallic wall sconces.
- Industrial metal or glass pendant lighting.
- Table and floor lamps made from iron, carved wood, or ceramic in moody and earthy neutrals.
- Adjustable desk lamps and wall lamps on arms.
- Rustic floor and table hurricane lanterns.
- LED strip lighting positioned within bookshelves or along architraves.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Man Cave Decorating Tip #5
Home Bar or Bar Trolley
Consider adding a bar area or a bar trolley to keep drinks, barware, and snacks easily accessible. Display your favorite bar tools, cocktail books, and glassware to enhance the bar atmosphere.
For a closer look at how to style a bar cart and select bar tools, glassware, and accessories that suit your decor theme, we recommend our ultimate bar cart styling guide here.
Carafe | Hexagon Bar IV
$227.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Man Cave Decorating Tip #6
Man Cave Accessories
Incorporate decorative elements that add character, personality, and luster to your man cave.
This may involve items like model cars, decorative yachts, guitars, or any other collectibles from your travels or hobbies that showcase your interests as well as any items that hold sentimental value.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Other ideas include old leather or paperback books, leather photo frames, magnifying glasses, leather desk blotters and storage boxes, metallic candleholders, evocative room sprays or candles, industrial-style mantel clocks, old globes, Eldvarm fire tools, and vintage-style trophies and sculptures.
You could also include a range of board games such as playing cards, chess, backgammon, and more.
Living energy is another important element in any room design, and will add freshness, vitality, and energy to your man cave. Ideas include large-scale indoor plants such as fiddle leaf figs, fiscus, and rubber plants, or fresh foliage such as ruscus or buxus.
SHOP THE MAN CAVE COLLECTION
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Man Cave Decorating Tip #7
Comfort and Convenience
Lastly, enhance the overall comfort and convenience by adding features like a mini-fridge or coffee maker. You could also incorporate smart home technology to control lighting, sound, and entertainment systems with ease.
Remember, the ultimate man cave is all about creating a space that caters to your preferences and allows you to relax, unwind, and indulge in your favorite activities.
It is important to prioritise comfort, functionality, and personalization to design a space that truly represents you.
If you are interested in learning more about how to create a space of your own, we recommend watching our video below to learn more.
