DIY Ideas for the Perfect Man Cave

Wouldn’t it be great to have a man cave up the garden? A private sanctuary where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life; a place to relax, unwind and freely indulge in hobbies and leisure time. You don’t even need planning permission for a lot of outdoor cabins, which are a great hassle-free way to start your man cave project.

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One of the greatest things about having your own personal man cave is having complete free rein on the interior design. You can be as creative and unique with your design as you like, but it can be slightly overwhelming taking on such a big project. So, to make it easier – we’ve compiled a shortlist of some features we think are essential in creating the perfect man cave.

TV or Projector Screen

Television showing football

Whether it’s to gather all your mates’ round to watch the footy, an intense gaming session, or even a cosy movie night, a home cinema is a huge statement and essential feature for the perfect man cave. It doesn’t have to break the bank either, you can get cheap projectors and projector screens on Amazon or eBay, or you can just pin up a plain white sheet!

Bar

Alcohol on shelves

One of the most common and exciting aspects of owning a man cave, is the idea of having your very own bar! Building a DIY bar is a very rewarding and exciting project. But, if you don’t have the resources, you could consider buying a ready assembled bar and deck it out with all your favourite spirits and beers. To give the bar a more rustic feel, think quirky wine racks or shelves, bottle openers, chalk boards, beer mats, etc.

Pool Table

People playing pool

I don’t know about you, but when I think ‘man cave’, I think ‘pool table’. I’m not really sure why, they just seem to go hand in hand! Whether you build one yourself, treat yourself to a luxury wooden table, or get yourself a more affordable plastic one; it’ll make a great centrepiece in your man cave, and you’re sure to host countless fun and memorable game nights in there.

Musical Instruments

Guitar hanging on wall

If you’re a musician, a man cave is a great place to hold jam sessions (your neighbours will probably appreciate it too). Hanging guitars on the wall is a quirky way to showcase your guitars, and guitar wall hangers are super affordable and easy to put up.

Neon Signs

Neon sign that says 'game on'

Neon signs are trendy right now and are a great way to light up your man cave. They look beautiful in any bar and are super affordable and easy to find. You can even get custom neon signs to say something totally unique and personal to you.

Vintage Pieces

Jukebox

Vintage pieces of furniture really have that wow factor, so why not invest in one? Online, charity shops, and auctions are a great place to shop for them. Who knows, maybe you could start a collection. Think juke boxes, petrol pumps, popcorn/candy floss machines… get creative!

The Perfect Seating

Car themed sofa

No man cave is complete without the perfect seating. Consider the theme of your space, if you’re going to spend lots of time gaming in there, get yourself a decent gaming chair. If your space is more sophisticated, perhaps a leather sofa would fit in nicely. You could also consider bean bags!

Record Player and Speakers

Record player with vinyl

Music is essential for any man cave – whatever mood you’re trying to set, there’s an album for it. Consider investing in some decent speakers, perhaps surround sound or Bluetooth connectivity. If you’re thinking old school, or already have a hefty vinyl collection, consider purchasing a record player for your new space. There are so many quirky ways to showcase your records.

Cool Lighting

Quirky lighting

There are so many DIY options online for quirky and unusual lighting in your man cave, or you could consider purchasing new lighting from places like IKEA. Lighting significantly affects the aesthetic experience, creates the mood, stimulates, motivates, and calms.

And finally… the perfect cabin to put it all in!

The Brookhaven

The Brookhaven Log Cabin
The Brookhaven is a traditional design log cabin with cylinder locking double door and surrounding windows, all featuring real 4mm glass. The walls are 34mm tongue and groove construction and 19mm tongue and groove floor and roof with the option of felt or shingles covering. The double doorway has a low threshold door sill with stainless steel protective capping and laminated frame. The cabin is supplied unfinished and can be stained or painted in any colour to suit. It has a manufacturer’s 5-year guarantee.

The Cleveland

The Cleveland Log Cabin
The Cleveland is a traditionally designed pent roof log cabin with cylinder locking double doors. The walls are constructed with 34mm tongue and groove cladding and 19mm tongue and groove floor and roof with the option of felt or EPDM covering. The double doors have a low threshold door sill with stainless steel protective capping and a laminated frame the two opening double windows feature real 4mm glass. Also available with door and window bars. The height of this cabin is under 2.5m. The cabin is supplied unfinished and can be stained or painted in any colour to suit. It has a manufacturer’s 5-year guarantee.

The Seattle

The Seattle Log Cabin
The Seattle is a contemporary designed pent roof log cabin with cylinder locking double door and opening double glazed windows. Also available with door and window bars. The walls are 44mm tongue and groove construction and 19mm tongue and groove floor and roof with the option of felt or shingle roof covering. The double doors have a low threshold door sill with stainless steel protective capping and a laminated frame. The height of this cabin is under 2.5m. The cabin is supplied unfinished and can be stained or painted in any colour to suit. It has a manufacturer’s 5-year guarantee.

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5 Best Uses for a Log Cabin

Award Leisure provide a huge variety of luxury log cabins in all shapes and sizes, perfect to transform your garden space into a functional retreat. These premium cabins are built in Scandinavia with thick and durable timber meaning whatever you decide to use them for, they’re built to last! They are also FSC Certified, so you can rest assured that your Cabin is not only renewable, but it comes from forests that are managed responsibly. Award Leisure even have models that don’t require any planning permission, meaning you can begin your garden transformation with complete peace of mind.

log cabin at end of garden
See below Award Leisure’s 5 best uses for a log cabin – staying at home just got better!

Garden Office

Working from home has become much more common since the pandemic. However, many people have struggled to find an adequate spot in their home where they can get on with work undisturbed. It’s not difficult to see the advantages of setting up a garden office – an idyllic commute, a distinct separation between work and home life, and a way to add value to your property. With amazing insulation and tonnes of space, a log cabin may be the answer to all of your telecommuting problems! For the perfect garden office, we recommend the Brookhaven Cabin.

home office

Home Gym

Establishing a workout routine and making time for self-care is more important than ever. Regular exercise not only keeps you physically healthy but also improves your mental health by releasing endorphins, a powerful chemical in your brain that triggers a positive feeling in the body. A log cabin is the perfect way to keep your equipment safe and transform your garden space into a functional place to take care of your physical and mental health. A home gym is also a great way to add value to your property. We recommend the Hamptons Cabin for the idyllic home gym.

home gym
Home Bar

Having a bar at the bottom of the garden is everyone’s dream – your favourite selection of drinks, your own playlist, no last orders, and no need for expensive taxis. What’s not to love? Transform your unused garden space into an amazing home bar where you can make treasured memories for years to come with your nearest and dearest. The Michigan Cabin would make the perfect garden pub.

garden pub

Children’s Playhouse

Every child dreams of having their very own garden playhouse to live out their adventures! However, a playhouse is not an easy thing to build for your little one, make it that much easier with our easy to assemble log cabins. You’ll have a fun family project on your hands, and it will surely make your children happy for years to come. It’s easy for children to become bored and restless, a playhouse may be the answer to your prayers to get your child off their iPad and outside in the fresh air. For the perfect garden playhouse, we recommend the Kentucky Cabin.

children's playhouse

Hot Tub Cabin

Our log cabins create the perfect hot tub enclosures and provide the benefits of a private retreat, protection from the outdoor elements, and a stunning addition to any garden. Enclosures allow you to enjoy your hot tub all year round, no matter the weather, while keeping out of sight of nosy neighbours. Spend time with your loved ones whilst enjoying the benefits of hydrotherapy with an amazing British Hot Tub. The Georgia Cabin makes the complete hot tub enclosure!

hot tub cabin

Transform your outdoor space. With Award Leisure’s log cabin range, you can expect a truly luxurious product with unrivalled service from our friendly team.