Have you always dreamed of having your own man cave, but you have limited space in your house? You don’t have to settle for a less than perfect man cave.
If you don’t have a spare room in your house for a man cave, your backyard could be the perfect place to set one up. Whether you don’t have space for a man cave inside your house or you would just rather spend your time outside, building your man cave in your backyard can be a great idea.
Depending on where you live, your backyard retreat might be a seasonal thing or it could be used all year long.
No matter why you want an outside man cave or where you live, here are 22 backyard man cave ideas with pictures to inspire your own outdoor oasis.
Golfers, be sure to check out number 6 on the list.
1. Outdoor Home Theater
A lot of man caves double as home theaters and you can definitely install an outdoor home theater in your backyard!
Outdoor movie projector technology has advanced to the point that the picture looks just as good as an HD TV – at a fraction of the cost.
You can get an outdoor movie screen projector package with screen sizes over 100″ for just a couple hundred bucks. Whether you want to watch the big game outside or host a movie night in your backyard, having a movie projector set up is a perfect addition to your outdoor man cave.
Here are some helpful hints to pull this off right!
- If you can find a blank space on your house to project the movies on! This can save you time because you never have to set up a screen. This can save you money because you don’t have to buy a screen. More money for beer!
- Utilize your comfiest outdoor lounge chairs or bring in a giant blanket and all the pillows your can find in your house! To make it soft use some camping mattresses or many blankets!
- Before purchasing a projector screen make sure it has Bluetooth capabilities so you can connect it to your Bluetooth speakers. This provides sound right where you are just in case your projector is far away. It also helps avoid issues with your noisy neighbors (or just invite them over!)
- Make sure you know when the sun sets. Projectors do not work the best in daylight hours.
- Bring all the food you want but be sure that you aren’t too messy because you don’t want to watch a movie with a bunch of insects!
2. Outdoor Bar Area
There’s nothing better than sitting on some bar stools with friends and knocking back a few beers at an outdoor bar on a warm summer evening.
Incorporating a kick-ass bar into your backyard will ensure that your house is the summer hangout spot for all of your friends. This will make your backyard man cave elevated to the next level.
The backyard bar below looks like it could be in a tropical paradise. If you need some more inspiration, check out our article on how to build a man cave bar.
Here are some tips to pull off the backyard man cave bar:
- If you have it in the budget make it a wet bar! A wet bar will have water and sewer services to it so that you can prepare drinks with ease and clean up in style! Also, power is great to have there as well so you can have ice and cold drinks at a moments notice! No need to go back inside for anything this bar will be self-sufficient!
- Your backyard bar doesn’t need to serve a ton of people. Typically a bar with 4 to 5 feet of surface is all you need. You can have chairs or maybe you will just hang out on your loungers after the drinks are done. If you ever hire a bartender they will have enough room to create anything you want.
- Since most bars start popping off at night be sure to have some lights available. No power close by? Utilize string lights from the closest outlet to reach your bar. String lights are today’s cheat code for making a place look amazing at night!
3. Outdoor TV
Every man cave needs a TV – even outdoor ones. Sports fans are going to want to watch the game no matter where they are. This setup in Ann Arbor, Michigan features an outdoor TV perfect for watching some football in the fall.
What makes an outdoor TV different from a regular flat screen? Well, the main difference is they are weather-proof. Regular TVs aren’t built to withstand extreme heat, cold, snow, and rain. They also aren’t meant to be watched in bright sunlight. Outdoor TVs are much brighter and have features like anti-glare and anti-reflective screens.
If you’re going to put a TV outside, make sure it’s an outdoor TV. Trying to skimp by with a TV meant for indoor use will not end well.
4. Outdoor Ping Pong and Pool Tables
Remember the Drew Carey Show where he had a pool table out in his yard? Well, there actually are billiards tables that are made to be left outside.
The same goes for table tennis tables. While these games are usually thought of as indoor activities, there’s no reason you can’t have these popular man cave items in your backyard.
If you want a game table in your backyard, check out our article on the best outdoor ping pong tables to get started.
5. Cornhole and Other Lawn Games
As the host of the man cave, you want to make sure that you provide entertainment for your guests. Being outdoors gives you a lot more options than being indoors.
Cornhole, lawn darts, horseshoes, ladder toss, and bocce ball are just a few games that are better played outside. Another game that is great to play that just started getting popular is kubb! Never heard of kubb? Check out our article about what is kubb. We wrote that article to help people understand this fun game.
6. Putting Green
Of course, if you’re a golfer the best lawn game is a putting green. Bring the course to you and work on your golf game while relaxing in your backyard.
The green pictured below was custom made for a homeowner in Portland. In my area, turn installation is going for $7 per square foot not including any demolition of existing surfaces. So a 10 foot by 10 foot area could end up costing you $700 just for the installation of the turf itself. Check out our article on how much do putting greens cost to take a deeper dive into this solution and get some ideas for what it takes to DIY!
A cheaper option would be to find those simple putting greens. But those typically only allow you to putt from one direction.
7. Outdoor Golf Simulator
Ok, I stand corrected. If you’re a golfer the best lawn game is not a putting green; it’s a full golf simulator.
A golf simulator is the ultimate addition to any golfer’s man cave. You and your golf buddies can play 18 holes without having to leave the yard. And the best thing about a simulator is that you never have to waste time looking for your ball!
The simulator featured in the video below is the FlightScope Mevo+.
8. Backyard Shed
Let’s face it. No matter where you live, sometimes you’re going to want a little shelter from the elements.
Luckily, that doesn’t mean you have to go back to hanging out in the living room. Sheds make the perfect shelters to incorporate into your backyard man cave.
You might have heard the term “she shed,” but there’s no reason you can’t turn a storage shed into a man cave. In that article, we cover how to flip your shed into a man cave for chilling out!
9. Hot Tub
While you could have a hot tub installed for your man cave inside your house, it just seems to make more sense to have one in your backyard.
Regardless of the weather, hot tubs can be used all year round ins and can allow you to get more use out of your outdoor man cave. While hot tubs can easily cost several thousand dollars, you can also get affordable ones for under $500 online.
Depending on what type of hot tub you choose, it can affect the your home’s resale value. So check out that article by homelight before you go making any crazy decisions!
10. Lounge Chairs
Whether you have a pool or not, a set of good lounge chairs is a must have for any backyard hangout. Padding is key for any lounge chair. You can find them in plastic and wood but if they do not have any padding then your relaxation will be short-lived!
Although I am always cost-conscious it is always better to spend up a bit on outdoor furniture. Why? Because of the SUN!!!! The sun and weather can take out anything that isn’t protected well and that includes your outdoor furniture. Spend up a bit and make sure to get furniture rated for the outdoors and especially the sun. It could end up saving you money in the long run.
Grab a beer, kick back, and relax.
11. Hammocks
Lounge chairs are nice, but the best way to relax is in a hammock.
Find a couple of trees to hang up your hammock or get one with a built in stand. Either way, afternoon naps just got a whole lot more appealing.
12. Firepit
Who doesn’t love hanging out by a fire? Extend the outdoor season well into the fall by adding a firepit to your outdoor man cave.
This add-on to your backyard man cave is one of the easier ones on the list. All you need is a metal fire pit that you can find online or even at a DIY store.
They start at around $80 and go up from there. I don’t know one person that doesn’t get lost staring in the fire! It is part of our DNA as humans!
13. Propane Fire Pit Table
If you’re not a fan of chopping wood and building a fire in a traditional fire pit, we recommend a propane fire pit table.
The table is made out of steel with a black powder coating and includes lava rocks in the fire pit. It will give your backyard hangout a more refined look than a standard fire pit. You can even get complete outdoor dining tables that have a fire pit in the middle. So many options to explore.
Plus, it’s much easier to get a fire going (just turn it on) and is completely smokeless. No more changing your seating around because the smoke just won’t leave you alone!
14. Patio Heater
Another option to keep warm on a cool fall night is a patio heater. You’ve probably bumped into one on the patio of a restaurant in the outdoor seating area.
The big industrial look makes them seem expensive, but they are actually surprisingly affordable. If you take the propane out of them they are relatively easy to move to anywhere in your back yard. Now you can extend the life of your backyard well into the night after the sun goes down!
15. Grill and Smoker
When you think man cave, you probably don’t think about grilling. But if you plan to set up your man cave in your backyard, a grill is an absolute must-have item.
Whether its built in or is portable a grill will add a lot to your backyard. Add a cooler and you almost don’t have to ever go inside for anything! Serve your guests without moving too much is our mantra!
16. Wood Fired Pizza Oven
If you prefer pizza over burgers and hot dogs, you could build your own wood fire pizza oven.
It will take a long day of work, but when you finish you’ll have a statement piece for your man cave… and be able to make some delicious pizza.
17. Outdoor Kitchen
Having a grill or pizza oven is great, but if you love to cook why not step it up a notch with an entire outdoor kitchen?
This backyard brick patio kitchen in Houston is a great example of how to do an outdoor kitchen. It includes a grill, smoker, oven, and even cabinets with a kitchen sink.
If you are into DIY projects, this might be something that you could do yourself. Just make sure to install weather-proof kitchen cabinets that are meant for outdoor use.
18. Outdoor Sound System
Sound systems are a great way to add some liveliness to your outdoor space. Whether you are playing music or you want booming bass for an authentic movie theatre experience, these waterproof Bluetooth speakers will do the trick.
We recommend Bluetooth speakers because of how portable they are. Moving the party over to the pool – no problem, oh it’s going back to the yard for more games – we got you, and now back inside – easy! No messing with wires and cords just simply pick them up and move.
Be careful with choosing the Alexa or Google speakers because those need to be plugged in at all times and are not as portable as the battery powered speakers.
19. Outdoor Sectional Sofa
Inside or outside, couches are an important part of a man cave if you want your guests to be comfortable.
There are actually a ton of options for all-weather outdoor sectionals that can be left outside all year long – although it is recommended to store them inside to extend their life if you won’t be using them in the winter.
Make sure the furniture frames are weather-resistant and any metal is rust-resistant powder coated. The fabric on outdoor cushions should be treated to prevent mildew from any moisture and have good protection against the sun.
20. Gazebo
If you need some shade for your backyard man cave, a gazebo is a great option. Many gazebos also come with sidewalls for privacy and screens to keep the mosquitos and other bugs out.
When setting up a man cave in an open space like a yard, it can be difficult to delineate boundaries. Another great benefit of a gazebo is it serves to define your personal space.
21. Solar Powered Lights
Of course, you’ll need lights for your backyard man cave if you’re going to be hanging out at night.
We recommend going with solar-powered lights to save on your electric bill, but even more so you don’t have to worry about running extension cords.
Solar-powered or electric string lights are an easy way to get the lighting necessary to see at night and they make any space look so much better!
22. Security Camera
If you’re going to have all this awesome stuff sitting outside in your backyard man cave, you’ll want to make sure it’s protected.
An outdoor security camera is not only for catching thieves in the act, but might actually be more useful as a deterrent. In fact, security cameras and alarms can be a helpful deterrent as mentioned in this article by security.org.
Backyard Man Cave Ideas Wrap Up
If you don’t have extra space in your house, you can still have your ultimate man cave. A backyard man cave is the perfect way to create your own space.
Man caves got their name because they used to only be thought of as a small room for guys to play video games. And while that’s certainly still true in some cases, a modern man cave can be so much more.
Even if you already have an indoor man cave, you can still add an outdoor hangout space to use in the summer. Everyone needs to get out and get some sun once in a while even if your man cave inside is extra special.
We here at man cave expert hope these ideas have inspired you for your next creation!
If you don’t have the space in your house and you’d rather have an indoor man cave, you may also consider a garage man cave.