If you’re reading this, you probably need some lights for your man cave. It is a cave, after all. You could run to the nearest big box store and get a floor lamp or two, but this is your man cave. This is the one room in your house that you get to decorate the way you want it. With that in mind, we put together a list of 25 unique man cave lighting ideas that you can use as inspiration for your own man cave lights.
1. A Christmas Story Leg Lamp
For fans of A Christmas Story, this is a no-brainer. This full size 50″ leg lamp is working replica right from the movie. All of the quirky features are present in this leg lamp including the butt cheek, the chubby thigh, and the knobby knee. It also showcases a fringed gallery shade, a sexy thigh high fishnet stocking, and an elegant stiletto heel. This is the most accurate replica leg lamp available.
2. Beer Can Track Lighting
What would make for better bar lights for your home bar than beer cans? But whether you have a bar in your man cave or not, this beer can track lighting from ZAL Creations is perfect for man caves. Made from real aluminum beer cans, each creation is unique.
3. Beer Keg Light
Another cool use of empty beer containers by ZAL Creations, this beer keg light would fit nicely into a rustic or industrial man cave. It would also be perfect for bar lighting or over a pool table. For more ideas on what to do with an empty beer keg, check out What Can I Do with an Empty Beer Keg?
4. DIY Batman Wall Lamp
Also featured in our Batman Man Cave article, this DIY Batman wall lamp makes a cool addition to any man cave. Instructables user dmilesson put together a step by step guide on how to make the wall lamp below. Another user pointed out that if you don’t want to have to solder the LED lights together, you can use Bitfenix Alchemy LED strips.
5. DIY Cassette Tape Lamp
Another DIY project from Instructables, this project gives you step by step instructions on how to make a cassette tape tower lamp with those old tapes that have been sitting around since the 1980’s. You always knew there was a reason you were holding onto those old cassette tapes, and this is it.
6. WiFi Smart Lamp
As you might expect from a smart lamp, this can connect to your Amazon Alexa devices. The best part about it is it doesn’t take up too much space but offers a great mood setter! Another great thing is that it can be set to sync with your music on your Alexa so you can get party vibes right away!
If you’re a fan of the minimalist modern look and want some technology in your man cave lighting, then definitely give it a try!
The only negative to this lamp is that only works with Alexa.
7. Tyrannosaurus Rex Lamp
If you grew up in the 90’s, there’s no doubt that you’ll like this personalized T-Rex Dinsosaur Metal Sign with LED light. While interesting by themselves, when Jurassic Park was released in 1993, dinosaurs were instantly catapulted to the coolest animals that ever lived. And T-Rex is the coolest of the cool.
8. Smoke LED Light Bulb
These smoke LED bulbs give a modern room a little bit of an edge even when they are not turned on! They come with a tinted glass in the color of smoke around a white filament. These are great because you can choose different shapes that will fit your man cave the best.
The coolest thing about these bulbs is that when they are off they appear even more smokier so it keeps the vibe of your man cave alive! Check out the links to see different photos from its Etsy creator – hangoutlighting.
9. Skateboard Light
If you’re a skateboarder or use to rule the park, this skateboard lamp is a must have for your man cave. It comes with 4 40 watt light bulbs, paddle switch, risers/trucks (where the lights screw in) are 3d printed so you can customize the color. Most of the light is hand made so it is a very unique feature to have!
Check out the link for the price and some great reviews along with buyer photos!
10. DIY Exploding Death Star Chandelier
Also featured in our Star Wars Man Cave article, the exploding Death Star chandelier is one of our favorites. Even if you think you have everything in your Star Wars man cave, I bet you don’t light it with an exploding Death Star. Believe it or not, you can make your own out of an IKEA lamp. You can find step by step instructions for making your own Death Star Chandelier on Instructables.
11. Drum Kit Chandelier
Custom built for JJ’s Red Hots restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina this drum kit chandelier would make an epic addition to any drummer’s man cave. If you want to take a shot at building one yourself, check out JJ’s Red Hots blog for more pictures including the original sketches of the design.
12. Steampunk Desk Lamp
If your man cave doubles as your office, this steampunk desk lamp is perfect. While the lamp has an old industrial style look, it also has type-C and USB ports to keep your modern devices charged. The vintage style desk lamp is meant to be used with Edison light bulbs and has 3 level brightness touch controls.
13. Custom Neon Man Cave Sign
No man cave lighting list would be complete without recommending neon lights. This custom man cave neon sign will add a pop of color to the room. Enter your name and the year your man cave was established. This sign also makes a great man cave gift idea.
14. Vintage Harley Davidson Motorcycle Gas Tank Lamp
This industrial style Harley Davidson Motorcycle Gas Tank Lamp from Machine Age Lamps in Minnesota would look perfect in a biker man cave or in a garage. It features a real Harley Davidson gas tank salvaged from an old motorcycle. Each one is made to order, so the gas tank may differ.
15. Light Up Mountain Wooden Wall Art
Add some flair to the walls of your man cave with this light up mountain wall art. The handcrafted decorative wall art has two layers of mountains with colors that look great at all hours of the day. When the sun goes down, turn on the LED lights to make the mountain glow.
16. Shark Pallet Lighting
Another piece of light of wooden wall art, this shark light is made from a wooden pallet. If you have some woodworking skills, you can make one for yourself. Otherwise, you can reach out to Diymakes to have one custom made. If you prefer a different silhouette than a shark, there are plenty more options.
17. LED Lights for Your Bar
Add some pop to your shelves with LED strip lights. LED strip lights are easy to install yourself and can turn boring shelves into the focal point of the room. They can be used for lighting up liquor bottles on the shelf behind the bar, but can also be used to highlight almost any part of your man cave.
18. Super Mario Nintendo Neon Light Sign
If you grew up playing Super Mario Bros on Nintendo, you’re going to want to check out this Super Mario Nintendo neon light sign. The hand-blown, gas-filled glass neon sign would be an amazing addition to any gamer’s man cave. It’s a definite must have for a video games man cave or game room.
19. Fly Rod Trout Table Lamp
This rustic fishing table lamp is perfect for fishing man caves. With an aged bronze finish, a hanging hook, and a burlap shade, this lamp has the ability to give any room a nice lodge-themed look.
20. Bob Ross Talking Clapper & Night Light
Because who doesn’t want a Bob Ross Talking Clapper & Night Light? Simply plug Bob into an outlet and plug any lamp into Bob. 2 claps will turn the lamp on, and 3 claps will turn the nightlight Bob Ross on. Oh, and he talks, too. Including such classics as “If painting does nothing else, it should make you happy” and “You have to have dark before you show light.”
21. Draft Beer Lights
If you’re going for a beer vibe, these lights made out of beer mugs are a great way to achieve it. While the bottles aren’t actually glass mugs, they are extremely detailed plastic replicas that look like the real thing. They even have a little plastic handle.
The lights are battery or USB powered and you can control how the lights come on in 7 different ways!
22. Natural Light Light Bulbs
Sometimes, man caves are thought of as dark dingy rooms in the basement that a guy just goes to get away for a while. The good news is that a modern man cave can be a much more welcoming place, more akin to a living room than a dungeon. Even if your man cave is in a small room in the basement, the right light can make it feel much bigger and brighter. One great man cave lighting idea for a small room with no windows is daylight light bulbs that mimic the sun’s natural light.
23. Dimmer Switch
You probably use your man cave for a variety of activities that require different amounts of light. If the room doubles as a home theater and you’re watching a movie or cheering on your favorite team in the big game, you don’t want lights reflecting off the TV. If you’re playing pool, you want to be able to see what you’re hitting. Dimmer switches are an easy way to solve the problem without having to change any lighting fixtures. You will have to make sure that your light bulbs are dimmable.
24. Clip On Lights
If you want light in specific areas of your man cave that don’t have space for lamps, clip on lights are a great idea. Whether you have a workbench that needs more light or want more light for your reading chair, you’ll be able to find the perfect place for these lights. With three color modes and 10 brightness levels, they can also be used as accent lighting or ambient light.
25. Display Cases With LED Lighting
If you have a collection or sports memorabilia on display, why not kick it up a notch with a display case with LED lights to showcase your collection? No matter what you collect, display cases are a great option to protect and show off your collection.
Man Cave Lighting
Lights are an often overlooked part of man cave décor. Just because they are an important functional element doesn’t mean they have to be boring. There are probably some ideas on this list that your wife won’t think are a good idea, and that’s why your man cave is the right place for them.
The best way to brighten up the look of your man cave is to change up the lighting. From lamps that are ready to go right out of the delivery box to some pretty complicated DIY projects, hopefully this list gave you some ideas for your own man cave lighting.