Best of the Week: Man Caves From Around the World
To celebrate Father's Day, we've gathered together a selection of fabulous spaces Dad is sure to love
Georgia Madden
1 August 2017
This week, we’re celebrating the special men in our lives with a collection of show-stopping spaces that have been designed especially for them – from cosy sheds where Dad can tinker away at his benchtop 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. We hope all the dads out there enjoy this collection, and Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Houzz.
1. Location: Blackburn, Victoria
Why we love it: Give Dad a quiet reading spot all his own with a smart, pre-fab studio in the garden, like this one designed by Backyard Room. 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.
Why we love it: Give Dad a quiet reading spot all his own with a smart, pre-fab studio in the garden, like this one designed by Backyard Room. 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.
2. Location: Nashville, USA
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?
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
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.
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
Why we love it: Because what dad wouldn’t want his very own home bar for mixing cocktails?
Why we love it: Because what dad wouldn’t want his very own home bar for mixing cocktails?
5. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: An office studio in the garden with a compact deck (built around a young oak tree) where Dad can put up his feet and wait for inspiration to strike. Working from home never looked this appealing.
Why we love it: An office studio in the garden with a compact deck (built around a young oak tree) where Dad can put up his feet and wait for inspiration to strike. Working from home never looked this appealing.
6. Location: Detroit, USA
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.
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
Why we love it: This architecturally designed structure by SHED Architecture & Design 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.
Why we love it: This architecturally designed structure by SHED Architecture & Design 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
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.
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
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.
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
Why we love it: A lofted net… just the thing for the little boy inside every dad.
Why we love it: A lofted net… just the thing for the little boy inside every dad.
11. Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Why we love it: For its unexpected and utterly appealing colour combo of navy and eggplant.
Why we love it: For its unexpected and utterly appealing colour combo of navy and eggplant.
12. Location: Connecticut, USA
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.
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, NSW
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.
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.
14. Location: Woodford, UK
Why we love it: A games room in the rafters of this Edwardian semi in London is the ideal spot not just for Dad to chillax, but for the whole family too. Metal pendants and exposed brickwork and beams give the space a cool, industrial edge.
Why we love it: A games room in the rafters of this Edwardian semi in London is the ideal spot not just for Dad to chillax, but for the whole family too. Metal pendants and exposed brickwork and beams give the space a cool, industrial edge.
15. Location: Austin, USA
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.
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
Why we love it: Work, craft, sleep – there’s practically nothing Dad couldn’t do this in this cleverly laid-out tiny house on wheels.
Why we love it: Work, craft, sleep – there’s practically nothing Dad couldn’t do this in this cleverly laid-out tiny house on wheels.
17. Location: Denver, USA
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.
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
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.
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
Why we love it: A home cinema decked out in milk chocolate leather and warm timber – the perfect spot for Dad and his pals to sit back and enjoy the big game.
Why we love it: A home cinema decked out in milk chocolate leather and warm timber – the perfect spot for Dad and his pals to sit back and enjoy the big game.
20. Location: New York, USA
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.
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, NSW
Why we love it: Dark panelled walls, black leather and retro mood lighting – we’re loving the understated elegance here.
Tell us
How are you celebrating Father’s Day? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
More
Best of the Week: Modern Country Homes From Around the World
Why we love it: Dark panelled walls, black leather and retro mood lighting – we’re loving the understated elegance here.
Tell us
How are you celebrating Father’s Day? Tell us in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
More
Best of the Week: Modern Country Homes From Around the World
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Love number 2. Aside from the hanging bike.
love 5 and 6!
We have renovated our garage to be a workshop and bench, storage (for camping gear, fishing gear, lawnmower and lots of bikes) and exercise space for all. Our son tinkers with all his bikes there, my husband assembles furniture there and I exercise there in the exercise space. We hot desk for the workbench/desk. It’s a man, woman, teenager space. We all have our own spaces in the house with two living spaces in the house for the different generations and a covered patio with bistro blinds. Hubby has his own office. There’s plenty of space for everyone. No need to carve out an exclusive zone.