Even a simple shed can be turned into a man cave masterpiece. A space to retreat, get some peace, or spend time with friends and enjoy the finer things in life. If you’re planning on creating your own garden man cave, here are our top 10 must-haves for your new space.
1. The right space
Before you get into the detail of your man cave, the first thing to start with is the space. Your building could be anything from a basic shed to a full-on combination summerhouse with an extended canopy. Size matters, so think about the space you’ll need. For example, if you plan to include a pool table, you’ll need a sizeable building to accommodate the table and that all-important cueing room. But if a comfy chair and a mini-fridge are all you wish for, then a standard garden shed will do the job just fine. Don’t forget to plan for things like electric supply and wifi if you’re planning to include fridges, lighting, sound systems etc. We highly recommend brilliant electrician Mike at Probyn Electrical who can get these important details in place.
2. Bar area
A bar area makes a focal point for your man cave. Choose from ready-made or bespoke, made-to-measure options. Go traditional with a wooden bar or select high gloss, bright colour furniture to make a real statement. Home Bar UK has an amazing selection of hand-made wooden bars that can be personalised and come with fridges and lighting already built-in. https://home-bar-uk.com/collections/shop-bars-birmingham
3. Comfy seats
From sofas to bar stools, you’ll need to be able to relax in your space. We love these quilted effect faux leather bar stools from Cox & Cox for old-school armchair meets modern bar style. https://www.coxandcox.co.uk/new-twist-counter-stool/. Bench seating can also be a great use of space and can be custom-made by a carpenter, like this stylish option from the brilliant acbespokecarpentry or even a DIY job if you’re feeling skilled.
4. Giant TV
If watching sport’s your thing, you’ll need a decent wall-mounted screen or a projector to bring the magic of the big match to life. This is also a must if you’re a keen gamer. Don’t forget to mention this when designing your actual building, as additional wall or ceiling supports may be needed to keep your tech safely on the wall.
5. Cold drinks
No one wants a warm beer, right? There’s a vast selection of mini and full-size fridges and drinks coolers of all shapes, sizes and designs available to suit your space. Man Sanctuary has a great range, including branded mini-fridges and wine coolers. Add some retro colour with this Rubik’s mini-fridge https://www.mansanctuary.co.uk/product/husky-rubiks-mini-fridge/
6. Snacks
Peckish? Apart from the obvious crisp and nut stash, why not sneak in a toastie machine or have your pizza oven or BBQ to hand to rustle up some decent grub. Check out the smart Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven that will have your pizzas cooked in just 60 seconds, or the tech-tastic Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill that lets you monitor and adjust the temperature at any time with just your phone!
https://www.stewarts.co.uk/ooni-karu-12-multi-fuel-pizza-oven
https://www.stewarts.co.uk/traeger-pro-575-pellet-grill
7. Entertainment
A dartboard is a must-have, surely? Such a simple game to while away the hours in peace, whether it’s practising your skills or playing with friends. Darts Corner has a great range of dartboards and accessories, including dartboards that you can personalise and electronic options https://www.dartscorner.co.uk/dartboards-c122. We’re also huge fans of the Basketball hoop – another simple but brilliant form of entertainment. If you’re splashing out, Home Leisure Direct has a great selection of pinball machines, arcade machines, pool tables and more https://www.homeleisuredirect.com/ for the ultimate home pub experience.
8. Statement wall art
Make your walls your own. Whether it’s stylish prints or neon signs, put your own stamp on the walls around you. We love this neon option from The Man Cave Project https://themancaveproject.co.uk/collections/all/products/man-cave-neon-led-sign/. Law & Moore has a wide range of framed prints available, including movie, television, and music-inspired options like this stylish Lost Boys-inspired movie poster https://www.lawandmoore.co.uk/product/the-lost-boys-movie-poster/. If you’re a footie fan like our director Martin, a signed and framed team shirt will take pride of place. Up the Cherries!
9. Music!
Take your playlist to the man cave with a simple smart speaker like an Amazon Echo Dot https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084DWCZXZ/. Or, for something a bit more substantial, combine your man cave music with garden sounds using a complete outdoor sound system, including ceiling and outdoor speakers. https://www.smarthomesounds.co.uk/speaker-ceiling-outdoor/shop-room/garden
10. Light up your space
A neon wall sign or under-counter LED lighting on your bar might look fun, but they’re unlikely to give you sufficient light for late nights. If you’re going with a pool table, you’ll need some down lighting over it. This Pool ball lighting bar from Liberty Games is pretty epic https://www.libertygames.co.uk/store/pool-and-snooker-accessories/pool-and-snooker-lighting/pool-ball-light/. For softer lighting, this multifunction lamp from Not On The High Street will not only give you light but can also charge your phone and be your wireless speaker too https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/mysmarthomehub/product/white-led-lamp-bluetooth-speaker-and-wireless-charger
Feeling inspired?
It all starts with the right building, so why not pop into our show site next to Stewarts Garden Centre in Christchurch and look at our display buildings. We have a man shed onsite, as well as lots of other garden buildings that you could transform into your new space, tailored exactly to what you want.
From traditional garden pubs to modern music studios and stylish chill-out zones, we’ll help you create your space, your way.
