How To Create A Man Cave On A Budget

Who among us doesn't find himself daydreaming about having a man cave one day?

Not just any man cave…

No, you want the man cave that all your buddies will be talking about. The one everybody wants to come to and watch the big games.

But, you've got a problem.

You're broke.

Maybe you're not completely broke, but you don't really have the extra money to create a basement or garage man cave.

Here's some good news for you: it may still be possible.

We've scoured the web and found some of the best DIY man cave ideas and decorating ideas on a budget that will have your place looking top notch, without spending top dollar. Some of these are things you can make yourself out of old stuff you probably have laying around, or could find free on Craigslist.

If you're someone who just started out with woodworking or you just want a refresh on some of the most popular woodworking tools, check out our complete resource guides on Miter Saws, Table Saws, Chainsaws, Band Saws, and Circular Saws. These guides contain all of the information you need. For example, in the chainsaw complete resource guide, you can find information on what a chainsaw is, its history, the different types of chainsaws, top chainsaw brands, and more!

1. DIY BASEBALL BAT TABLE

Let's start off with man cave furniture. Obviously the length of the bat determines the height of the table. See step by step instructions here.

2. A CHEAP, BUT AWESOME MAN CAVE SIGN

A sign on the door or the wall will make sure that everyone knows exactly which room they are in… via Amazon

3. A FOOSBALL COAT HANGER

Got a broken down or unwanted foosball table? Tear that guy up and make a coat hanger out of the soccer players on a stick. Via Fancy

4. CONVERT A MINI-FRIDGE INTO A KEGERATOR

5. TURN OLD SCHOOL TENNIS RACKETS INTO MIRRORS

via Viral Nova

6. MAKE A DIY CUSTOM SIGN FROM A PALLET

The good news? You'll get to use a circular saw in the process!

7. TURN OLD BEER BOTTLES INTO GLASSWARE

8. CHEAP WALL MOUNTED BOTTLE OPENER

This wall mounted bottle opener is a great DIY project idea, especially if your man cave has a bar, via Amazon

Because you need to show off your guns, right? Full tutorial at DIY Ready.

10. MAKE SHELVES/TABLES OUT OF CINDER BLOCK

I'll admit, the picture above is a little less-than-manly… but you could easily take the concept and man it up a little. via Dwell

11. MAKE CHAIRS FROM OLD TIRES

via CleverBirdBanter

12. DIY BEER COASTERS

via Post Grad Crafting

This DIY project is great especially if you have a man cave bar!

13. MAKE A MAN CAVE COFFEE TABLE FROM A PALLET

Perfect for setting snacks, drinks or just a foot rest. Here's how to make it:

14. MAN CAVE LIGHTING VIA SKATEBOARD

via Apartment Therapy

15. LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS

via Hammer Like A Girl

After all, don't football and "man cave" go together like peanut butter and jelly? This is an excellent idea for those looking for man cave decor. Tutorial viaChicaandJo

17. FOR THOSE JERSEYS THAT NO LONGER FIT…

If you've spent a little too much time in the man cave and not enough time in the gym… you might have some jerseys of players from the 80's that fit a little snugly these days.

Why not turn them into DIY pillows for your man cave? This is one of our favorite DIY ideas, it's also very budget friendly, via Kenneth Wingard

We looked at making a tire bench seat earlier, but if you happen to pick up some extra old tires for free (or cheap) then why not make an awesome rolling foot stool for the room? via Wikihow

19. MAKE A PENDANT LAMP FROM A DRUM

If you are a musician with an old snare laying around, check out this DIY man cave lighting project from the Randolph family

20. USE TREE STUMPS FOR TABLES

Does it get more manly in a Paul Bunyan sort of way?

via The Art of Doing Stuff.

21. TURN AN OLD TV INTO AN AQUARIUM.

You might still have one of these dinosaur TVs sitting in your garage or basement. If not, you'll find them sitting on curbs for free all the time. Why not turn that baby into a fish tank? It'll light up the man cave and make for a conversation starter. via Viral Nova

22. BRAND YOUR STEAKS WITH YOUR FAVORITE TEAM LOGO

For about $10, you can have every piece of meat served in your man cave displaying support of your favorite team:

via Amazon.

23. VINTAGE POOL BALLS IN A VASE

via Pottery Barn, Have an old set of pool balls from a pool table? If so, you could easily create this!

24. HOLD YOUR BOOKS WITH A SWORD

If you're displaying books in your basement man cave, do it awesomely with these book ends:

via Amazon

25. MAKE IT SMELL MANLY

Enter man candles. Have your man cave smelling like fresh cut grass, dirt, bacon, and many more manly scents.

26. USE PALLET COASTERS

You can make everything else out of a wooden pallet, so why not coasters in your man cave bar? Get a set for under $20

27. USE A BIG-ASS BRICK OF SOAP

Don't screw up the man cave by letting your wife take over the nearest bathroom. Besides decor that fits your man cave theme, man-up the soap with something like Duke Cannon's Big Ass Brick of Soap modeled after the soldiers soap in Vietnam.

28. GOLF GRILL SET

Want to store you grilling tools in the man cave? Then you need something functional and fitting. Check out this golf themed grill set with legit grips. Even if you don't display it in the man cave, when you come walking in from the grill with these babies, your friends know you mean business.

29. PLUNGE YOUR TOILET WITH A SHOTGUN

Did I mention that the bathroom of your man cave matters? You've already seen the brick of soap, now if things get clogged, make sure you've got this guy handy:

Hopefully you are leaving here inspired. Having a killer man cave doesn't have to cost a fortune, cheap man cave ideas look great they just require some creativity and a mix of some "upcycling" with some other budget items that really make a statement.

Now get out there and make it happen!