How To Build A Man Cave Shed?

11 September 2025

Planning on building a man cave? Here's how to get started. The ultimate man cave is an escape where you and your mates can create your own atmosphere, mess around, and have fun. Whether it be an entertainment room with a large TV to watch the game, a home gym, or a workshop, there is so much you can do to create the perfect man cave at home. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Define your man cave goals

What do you want your man cave to be? Your answer will shape every following decision, from size and power needs to insulation and layout. Consider the possibilities. Your man cave can be whatever you want it to be! Here are some popular man cave shed ideas for you to consider:

Popular man cave ideas:

• Backyard bar or brewery

• Gaming or streaming den

• Home gym

• Music studio

• Workshop or hobby zone

• Chill-out retreat

Pro Tip: List your must-haves early to stay focused during the design process. Say, for example, you're going for a music studio. Some must-haves would be a great backdrop, noise-reducing panels, a nice place to sit as you record, not to mention all the gadgets needed for recording.

Step 2: Design your dream man cave shed layout

Next, consider the practical side of building a shed — like available space, council rules, internal setup, and future flexibility. Space will limit the size of your shed and impact its internal setup, so you need to work out how you're going to use that space effectively. Likewise, particular sheds need to follow council building regulations when built, so make sure you factor those in before building, or you could just let us handle it. Here are some practical aspects to consider:

What to consider:

• Shed size (single bay, double bay, etc.)

• Choose a colour from our range of Colorbond® steel colours

• Roof style (gable, skillion, flat)

• Number and placement of roller doors, PA doors, and windows

• Ventilation and insulation for year-round comfort

Try Our Shed Designer Tool
Use our shed designer app to customise the size, colours, roof pitch, and extras — and visualise your dream man cave in real time. You can even request a quote right from your design!

Step 3: Sort council approvals (or let us handle it)

In addition to following council regulations, you may need council approvals to move along with the build. This is especially true if your shed is large, close to a boundary, or built for regular use. We'll handle all planning and permits for you, so you can skip the red tape and get on with the build.

Step 4: Get your site shed ready

The next step is to prepare your site. Before any building can begin, you'll need a solid, level surface. Generally, this entails levelling the ground or laying a concrete slab, but this varies with the design. Our team can handle site prep and the laying of the slab; it's all part of our start-to-finish package.

Step 5: Choose to build your own man cave - or let us do it

Once the ground is level and the slab is set, building can finally begin. You have two options here: you can tackle your man cave build yourself, or you can let us do it. If you're going DIY, you'll need to follow the kit instructions to erect the steel frame, fit the cladding, and install the doors and windows. If you would like us to do it, then we'll handle it all.

We offer custom shed kits and complete construction, so you can choose what works for you.

Step 6: Fit your man cave out to suit your lifestyle & needs

Here comes one of the best parts: you can fully customise your man cave, from the exterior colour to the interior design! Starting with the exterior, if you want a place to relax outside the shed, we can put in a patio that matches the style. For those who need exterior plug outlets and lighting, we can sort that out for you, too! Kit out your man cave to make it as convenient as possible for you.

Step 7: Fit out the inside of your man cave

This is where the space becomes truly yours. Fit-outs vary depending on your budget and vision, but can include:

• Power and lighting

• Insulation and internal walls

• Flooring, storage, and shelving

• Furniture, screens, and tech setup

Let us organise the trades (electricians, plasterers, etc.) so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Man cave shed must-haves

Want to take your man cave from good to legendary? Here are the essentials we recommend for every setup:

• Bar or beer fridge – Chill zone sorted.

• Comfy seating – Recliners, couches, or cinema chairs.

• Big screen or projector – For sports, movies, or gaming.

• Games & entertainment – Pool table, darts, arcade machine.

• Sound system – Bluetooth or built-in surround.

• Insulation & climate control – Fans, A/C, or even a fireplace.

• Plenty of power & smart lighting

• Wall mounts & storage

• Optional toilet or sink – For next-level convenience.

We’ll help you plan for power, layout, and finishes from day one, so it’s all ready when the shed’s built.

Step 8: Move in and make it yours

Once everything’s built, wired, and cleaned up, we hand over the keys, and your new man cave is ready to roll. You can move in your furniture, do some of your own custom builds to make the shed more comfortable and functional, and essentially bring your man cave vision to life! Whether you built it yourself or we built it for you, it's time to relax and enjoy your new favourite place.

DIY man cave vs full-service build

There's a fantastic sense of accomplishment that comes from building a DIY man cave, but there are also more risks. If you're handy with tools and have a DIY background, then following the instructions that come with our shed kits might be simple for you. However, there's always that looming risk of making a costly mistake. With our full-service build option, we'll take the risk off your shoulders and ensure that your shed goes up without an issue.

No matter your choice, we’re here to help at every stage, from quote to completion.

Start designing your man cave shed

Already have a shed design in mind for your man cave? Use our shed designer app to customise your shed. You can set the size, colours, roof pitch, and add tons of extras, allowing you to visualise your dream man cave in real time. From there, request a quote straight from our shed design app and we'll get back to you.

FAQs about building a man cave shed

How much does it cost to build a man cave shed in Australia?

The cost of a man cave shed varies in Australia. All our shed builds are custom projects, so the cost often depends on the size and complexity of the design. If you have a shed design in mind, design it on our app, and we'll give you a quote.

Do I need council approval to build a man cave shed?

Yes, in many cases, you would need to get council approval to build a man cave shed, or any shed for that matter, especially if it's a large design. We'll handle the paperwork for this though, so you don't need to worry about it.

Can I customise the design of my man cave shed?

Totally, our free shed design app and design process allows you to freely customise your shed design from the colour of the walls, how many doors you have, to the roof pitch you would like.

Can you build the man cave for me?

Yes, we offer a full-service package that includes the shed kit, engineering, site preparation, and installation.

Can I build the man cave myself?

If you'd like to and you're confident with your hands, then you can purchase a shed kit from us and follow the detailed instructions to build your shed.

What is a good-sized shed for a man cave?

Ideally, one that fits well into the space you have available and suits the need you had for it. This may be a single bay shed, double, or triple bay shed, giving you enough space to park your vehicles, have a home gym, and an entertainment area.