Best of the Week: 21 Man Caves From Around the World
Hobbyist or not, a man needs his own space to express himself (without his partner or kids' input) ...
This one’s for the special men in our lives: a collection of show-stopping spaces that have been designed especially for them, from cosy sheds where Dad can tinker away at his worktop without being disturbed by the kids, to fully decked-out man caves replete with screens as big as tabletops and plenty of space for the Harley.
Remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
Remember, you can get more details of a project and see more of a professional’s work by clicking on a photo.
2.
Location: Nashville, USA
Designer: Bonadies Architect
Why we love it: Plush velvet seating, a graphic rug, a cool charcoal and cherry-red colour combo – and not a single piece of sports memorabilia in sight. What’s not to love?
Location: Nashville, USA
Designer: Bonadies Architect
Why we love it: Plush velvet seating, a graphic rug, a cool charcoal and cherry-red colour combo – and not a single piece of sports memorabilia in sight. What’s not to love?
3.
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Designer: Joe Interiors
Why we love it: The room above the garage in this home has been transformed into a cosy and inviting space, with reclaimed timber on the floor and ceiling, and time-worn leather seating making it perfect for guys’ nights, ladies’ nights and date nights alike – that’s a win in our book.
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Designer: Joe Interiors
Why we love it: The room above the garage in this home has been transformed into a cosy and inviting space, with reclaimed timber on the floor and ceiling, and time-worn leather seating making it perfect for guys’ nights, ladies’ nights and date nights alike – that’s a win in our book.
4.
Location: Atlanta, USA
Designer: Joel Kelly Design
Why we love it: Because what man wouldn’t want his very own home bar for mixing cocktails?
Location: Atlanta, USA
Designer: Joel Kelly Design
Why we love it: Because what man wouldn’t want his very own home bar for mixing cocktails?
5.
Location: Austin, USA
Designer: Sett Studio
Why we love it: An office studio in the garden with a compact deck (built around a young oak tree) where he can put up his feet and wait for inspiration to strike. Working from home never looked this appealing.
Location: Austin, USA
Designer: Sett Studio
Why we love it: An office studio in the garden with a compact deck (built around a young oak tree) where he can put up his feet and wait for inspiration to strike. Working from home never looked this appealing.
6.
Location: Detroit, USA
Designer: Kathleen McGovern Studio of Interior Design
Why we love it: Because with a set-up like this, not even bad weather could put a dampener on Dad’s barbecue. According to designer Kathleen McGovern, the sheltered stone enclosure on the patio of this Detroit home stays wonderfully warm in winter too, despite the wide openings.
Location: Detroit, USA
Designer: Kathleen McGovern Studio of Interior Design
Why we love it: Because with a set-up like this, not even bad weather could put a dampener on Dad’s barbecue. According to designer Kathleen McGovern, the sheltered stone enclosure on the patio of this Detroit home stays wonderfully warm in winter too, despite the wide openings.
7.
Location: Seattle, USA
Designer: SHED Architecture & Design
Why we love it: This architecturally designed structure is the most sophisticated potting shed we’ve come across. It’s practical too; the extra-wide sliding door makes it easy for the gardener to move plants in and out.
Location: Seattle, USA
Designer: SHED Architecture & Design
Why we love it: This architecturally designed structure is the most sophisticated potting shed we’ve come across. It’s practical too; the extra-wide sliding door makes it easy for the gardener to move plants in and out.
8.
Location: Nashville, USA
Designer: California Closets of Tennessee
Why we love it: Richly textured timber detailing, a pair of deep leather armchairs in front of the screen, and space for the motorbike… it’s the stuff of every dad’s dreams.
Location: Nashville, USA
Designer: California Closets of Tennessee
Why we love it: Richly textured timber detailing, a pair of deep leather armchairs in front of the screen, and space for the motorbike… it’s the stuff of every dad’s dreams.
9.
Location: Miami, USA
Designer: Roger Janssen and Decorators Unlimited
Why we love it: Man cave or bat cave? This garage not only has space for the Ferrari, but for a medley of games tables too.
Location: Miami, USA
Designer: Roger Janssen and Decorators Unlimited
Why we love it: Man cave or bat cave? This garage not only has space for the Ferrari, but for a medley of games tables too.
10.
Location: Maine, USA
Designer: Kevin Browne Architecture
Why we love it: A lofted net… just the thing for the little boy inside every man.
Location: Maine, USA
Designer: Kevin Browne Architecture
Why we love it: A lofted net… just the thing for the little boy inside every man.
12.
Location: Connecticut, USA
Designer: TR Design-Build Firm
Why we love it: Because what man cave would be complete without its own urinal? Other mod cons in the bathroom of this luxury man cave include a built-in vanishing television in the mirror and a remote-controlled toilet.
Location: Connecticut, USA
Designer: TR Design-Build Firm
Why we love it: Because what man cave would be complete without its own urinal? Other mod cons in the bathroom of this luxury man cave include a built-in vanishing television in the mirror and a remote-controlled toilet.
13.
Location: Annandale, Australia
Designer: SQ Projects
Why we love it: Because we love a warehouse conversion, especially one where a cosy man cave is the first thing you see when you step in the door. Although this is very much a family home, this space sets a cool, playful tone.
Location: Annandale, Australia
Designer: SQ Projects
Why we love it: Because we love a warehouse conversion, especially one where a cosy man cave is the first thing you see when you step in the door. Although this is very much a family home, this space sets a cool, playful tone.
15.
Location: Austin, USA
Designer: Braswell Architecture, Inc.
Why we love it: With its leather club chairs, timber beams and full-length windows, this man cave manages to balance cosiness with a sense of openness and light.
Location: Austin, USA
Designer: Braswell Architecture, Inc.
Why we love it: With its leather club chairs, timber beams and full-length windows, this man cave manages to balance cosiness with a sense of openness and light.
16.
Location: California, USA
Designer: The Tiny Project
Why we love it: Work, craft, sleep – there’s practically nothing Dad couldn’t do in this cleverly laid-out tiny house on wheels.
Location: California, USA
Designer: The Tiny Project
Why we love it: Work, craft, sleep – there’s practically nothing Dad couldn’t do in this cleverly laid-out tiny house on wheels.
17.
Location: Denver, USA
Designer: Where Wood Meets Steel
Why we love it: A stunning built-in media wall, low-slung leather armchairs and gently filtered light – a welcoming yet sophisticated space that’s all about relaxation.
Location: Denver, USA
Designer: Where Wood Meets Steel
Why we love it: A stunning built-in media wall, low-slung leather armchairs and gently filtered light – a welcoming yet sophisticated space that’s all about relaxation.
18.
Location: California, USA
Designer: CHACOL, Inc.
Why we love it: This bright, minimalist space is proof that heavy furniture and dark colours aren’t the only options for a man cave.
Extra points for the built-in shelves that have been specially designed to showcase the owner’s model vehicles.
Location: California, USA
Designer: CHACOL, Inc.
Why we love it: This bright, minimalist space is proof that heavy furniture and dark colours aren’t the only options for a man cave.
Extra points for the built-in shelves that have been specially designed to showcase the owner’s model vehicles.
19.
Location: New Orleans, USA
Designer: Complete Construction Contractors, L.L.C.
Why we love it: A home cinema decked out in milk chocolate leather and warm timber – the perfect spot for a guy and his pals to sit back and enjoy the big game.
Location: New Orleans, USA
Designer: Complete Construction Contractors, L.L.C.
Why we love it: A home cinema decked out in milk chocolate leather and warm timber – the perfect spot for a guy and his pals to sit back and enjoy the big game.
20.
Location: New York, USA
Designer: California Closets
Why we love it: Whether it’s tinkering away on old cars or building model planes, we imagine a pimped-out shed such as this could accommodate many a forgotten interest.
Location: New York, USA
Designer: California Closets
Why we love it: Whether it’s tinkering away on old cars or building model planes, we imagine a pimped-out shed such as this could accommodate many a forgotten interest.
21.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Designer: Designer Man Cave
Why we love it: Dark panelled walls, black leather and retro mood lighting – we’re loving the understated elegance here.
Tell us
Which man cave can you see your man (or yourself) in? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
Find a design professional near you
Location: Sydney, Australia
Designer: Designer Man Cave
Why we love it: Dark panelled walls, black leather and retro mood lighting – we’re loving the understated elegance here.
Tell us
Which man cave can you see your man (or yourself) in? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
Find a design professional near you
Location: Blackburn, Australia
Designer: Backyard Room
Why we love it: Give him a quiet reading spot all his own with a smart, pre-fab studio in the garden, like this one. If he really needs to get away, he can even sleep here too, thanks to a multi-purpose shelf ladder (a ‘shadder’) that gives him access to a sleeping platform above.