Game room, recreation room, man cave – whatever you call it, who doesn’t want a space at home that is all about having fun? With a little planning and some awesome decor, you can design your very own space for watching sports, throwing parties, playing games, having movie marathons, or simply just hanging out.

Whether you have a dedicated bonus room where you can bring these ideas to life, or you’re thinking of transforming your garage or basement, the key is to make your game room all about relaxation and entertainment. This is your chance to get creative!

Don’t follow along with the rest of the colors and design themes that define your home. Instead, you can make the space entirely one-of-a-kind, adding things like high-tech gadgets, food stations, gaming tables, and eclectic furniture that speak to your inner child.

When it comes to the ultimate hang-out space, here are 4 of the best man cave ideas that will make you never want to leave the house again.

 

Pool table in a man cave.

Invest in high-quality gaming tables

A surefire way to elevate the look of any recreation room is to purchase or build your own high-quality gaming tables that are well-constructed and interesting. From oversized checkerboards and ping pong tables to backgammon and shuffleboard, there are hundreds of fun games you can incorporate into your space, as well as multi-functional tables that offer several different games at once.

With a gaming table on hand, your friends and family will never get bored – even when some of you are glued to the TV every Sunday of the football season!

TV on top of a console electric fireplace in a cozy man cave.

Keep things extra cozy with an electric fireplace

After a long day at work, coming home to your man cave and striking up a fire will have you unwinding in no time. Fire features are not only synonymous with cozy, contemplative relaxation, but many fireplace models available today are incredibly easy to install – like these sleek wall mount electric fireplaces.

If your big-screen TV takes up too much wall space, there’s also the option of an electric fireplace TV stand, which can be placed anywhere in the room. Having a fire feature in your game room will instantly create a feeling of tranquility, which is critical in any space where you want to simply lounge around and unplug.


Make every seat the best seat in the house

There’s nothing worse than uncomfortable seating, especially in a space that’s designed for long hours of movie-watching. Having one super-luxurious Lazy Boy might work for you, but it’s slightly inconsiderate for any visitors to your game room.

To make the space a true hangout space for all, it’s critical to make every seat the best seat in the house – and that means plenty of comfy chairs, loungers, and couches. Choose a material that’s durable and functional but also plush and soft. After all, this space isn’t just for game day; it’ll also become your go-to room for naptime!

Close up of snacks for watching the big game.

Set up a refueling station for drinks and snacks

Everyone knows that a game room isn’t complete without an endless supply of tasty drinks and salty snacks. Rather than trekking to the kitchen every time you want a refill, you can designate a special area of the man cave for a refueling station. Adding a wet bar with high-top stools will not only give you extra seating, but it can liven up the space just in time for happy hour.

If you don’t have room for a full bar, you can create a food-and-drink nook, complete with cabinetry for snacks and a mini fridge for cold beverages.


While you’re at it, why not give some of the other spaces in your home a cozy update as the winter months approach? Here are some of the hottest incoming fireplace trends for every room in the house.

See Fireplace Trends