The Man Cave Is Officially Dead

Its replacement will surprise you.

By Kelly Allen | Published: Feb 27, 2025

If and when one stumbles across a man cave these days, such rooms dedicated for use by a male resident are no longer the cluttered, musty atmospheres they were once known to be. "More recent man caves likely still include a TV and bar area, but the sophistication of the design is definitely being amped up," says designer Laura Tribbett.

Tribbett has also noticed that what these rooms contain is broadening, too. “People are blurring the lines between work and play, so some man caves might include a desk for work, fitness equipment, and golf simulators," the designer says, adding that garages can lend space for man-cave-like areas with an indoor-outdoor feel. "Also, infrared saunas and cold plunges are definitely on the rise."

In the end, the verdict on the future of the man cave is in: Conventional man caves are dwindling while elevated versions are on the rise. And let's not forget that the man cave antithesis—ladies' lounges and she sheds—are still around. But multipurpose places anyone can escape to are more in demand than either one of those single-sex spaces, making the most popular—and current—rec room a retreat for all.