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Walls in Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black, floor in Resene Bleached Riverstone, scoreboard in Resene FX Blackboard paint with frame in Resene Hullabaloo, TV stand in Resene Indian Ink, stool in Resene Double Foundry, chess board by Fleur Thorpe in Resene Colorwood Natural and Resene Colorwood Teak. Foosball table and dart board from Mighty Ape. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.
Walls painted in Resene Dark Slate, floor in Resene Blanc, coffee table in Resene Duck Egg Blue, side table in Resene Awaroa Bay, lamp in Resene Pavlova and Resene Epitome, accessories in Resene Big Stone, Resene Fandango, Resene Epitome, Resene Aoraki and Resene Juniper. Sofa from Danske Møbler, blanket from Foxtrot Home. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
Wall in Resene Midnight Moss, floor in Resene Half Fossil, folding screen in Resene Tequila, Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Bandicoot, Resene Rob Roy and Resene Lightning Yellow. Accessories in Resene Black Forest, Resene Leather, Resene Rob Roy, Resene Clover, Resene Sushi, Resene Lightning Yellow and Resene Bandicoot. Sofa, rug and tables from Freedom, throw from Città, poster from Pictorem and cushion from H&M Home. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Crack open your drinks in style with this clever DIY cap catcher! Made from timber and stained in Resene Colorwood Bask to highlight the natural wood grain – it pairs well with dark colours like this wall in Resene Log Cabin.
Make tidying up a slam dunk with this fun and functional DIY basketball hoop rubbish bin. Featuring a bold backboard painted in Resene Tangerine and finished with crisp black court lines, it's a creative way to keep your space looking sharp while practicing your aim.
This vertical chess board features wooden box frame stained in Resene Colorwood Natural and Resene Colorwood Teak.
Man caves and games room ideas for at home
Designing a man-cave or games room isn’t (only) about carving out a space for gadgets or sport memorabilia. It’s about creating a zone that feels intentional. Try to think of the room in three parts: backdrop (walls/ceiling/floor), the functional zone (game table, media wall, bar, seating) and accents (accessories, lighting, décor).
For the backdrop, rich, moody tones lend a cocoon-like atmosphere ideal for downtime or play. Resene Racing Green, Resene Jaguar or Resene Baltic Sea are great places to start. Use these in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, or for a more flat, sophisticated feel, use Resene SpaceCote Flat.
When it comes to colour accents and layering in personality, go bold and playful. A games-room wall could be colour-blocked in geometric shapes, or just add accent hues in accessories for smaller touches. Try bolder blues like Resene Resolution Blue and the exciting complex blues from the new Ultramarine Blue base, or vibrant greens like Resene Wham.
Let’s take a look at some designs, along with some extra DIY projects to add those fun and practical finishing touches to your man cave or games room!
The game plan
Walls in Resene Colour Enhance Japan Black, floor in Resene Bleached Riverstone, scoreboard in Resene FX Blackboard paint with frame in Resene Hullabaloo, TV stand in Resene Indian Ink, stool in Resene Double Foundry, chess board by Fleur Thorpe in Resene Colorwood Natural and Resene Colorwood Teak. Foosball table and dart board from Mighty Ape. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.
Turn a lacklustre room into a legendary space you’ll never want to leave. Whether you’re hosting a games night, relaxing with a drink or enjoying a movie marathon, this man cave offers the perfect blend of style, comfort and personality, with its carefully selected Resene paints and stains. If your room features timber walls or floors, stains are a fantastic way to create a traditional 'man cave' atmosphere, drawing inspiration from the rustic woodwork and furniture found in classic pubs and hunting lodges.
Bring in pops of trendy hues amongst the earthy tones, like rich blues and greens. Here, the colour palette carries through the den's styling with a blue chair, foosball table with its traditional green tabletop, rug and dartboard are classic man cave staples that fit perfectly into the overall colour scheme.
Walls painted in Resene Dark Slate, floor in Resene Blanc, coffee table in Resene Duck Egg Blue, side table in Resene Awaroa Bay, lamp in Resene Pavlova and Resene Epitome, accessories in Resene Big Stone, Resene Fandango, Resene Epitome, Resene Aoraki and Resene Juniper. Sofa from Danske Møbler, blanket from Foxtrot Home. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
The rise of the modern games room and man cave often feature a nod to nostalgia, blending retro playfulness or trinkets from the good old days, with contemporary design. Once relegated to the basement or a corner of the house, these spaces are making a comeback as dedicated zones for connection, creativity and downtime.
Think moody, cocooning hues like Resene Dark Slate on the walls, offset by pops of colour that create energy and contrast. The charm lies in embracing imperfection, letting the space feel relaxed, lived-in and a little chaotic. It’s all about designing a room where you can truly switch off, roll the dice, and let the good times roll.
Wall in Resene Midnight Moss, floor in Resene Half Fossil, folding screen in Resene Tequila, Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Bandicoot, Resene Rob Roy and Resene Lightning Yellow. Accessories in Resene Black Forest, Resene Leather, Resene Rob Roy, Resene Clover, Resene Sushi, Resene Lightning Yellow and Resene Bandicoot. Sofa, rug and tables from Freedom, throw from Città, poster from Pictorem and cushion from H&M Home. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Wendy Fenwick.
This one is a little more grown-up and refined. The tan leather couch and dark walls in Resene Midnight Moss bring a sophisticated yet grounded feel, while accents of warm yellow and lighter green add a touch of vibrancy without overwhelming the space. The overall effect is relaxed yet stylish, a perfect balance for a games room or man cave that feels polished but still inviting.
Level up the look
Crack open your drinks in style with this clever DIY cap catcher! Made from timber and stained in Resene Colorwood Bask to highlight the natural wood grain, this rustic wall-mounted bottle opener is both practical and good-looking – and pairs well with dark colours like this wall in Resene Log Cabin.
Designed to catch caps as you go, it’s the perfect addition to your man cave, home bar, or outdoor entertaining area. Whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a quiet drink, this handmade bottle opener hack is always ready for action!
Click here to make your own cap-catching bottle opener.
Make tidying up a slam dunk with this fun and functional DIY basketball hoop rubbish bin. Perfect for a games room, man cave or kids’ rooms, this clever project combines sporty style with everyday practicality. Featuring a bold backboard painted in Resene Tangerine and finished with crisp black court lines, it's a creative way to keep your space looking sharp while practicing your aim.
See the step-by-step guide to make your own basketball bin here.
Take a fresh approach to chess by flipping it into vertical mode. This wooden box frame stained in Resene Colorwood Natural and Resene Colorwood Teak elevates the classic strategy game to an interactive work of art. Plus, it saves space and you can keep the table free for other activities.
See how to make your own vertical chess board here.
DIY projects by Ivan Moses and Fleur Thorpe, images by Bryce Carleton.
However you choose to decorate your man cave or games room, the fun part is getting to make it your own, and a space you love to spend time in! For more colour advice, head to your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online.
Published: 12 Nov 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Resolution Blue
Resene Bleached Riverstone
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Midnight Moss
Resene Lightning Yellow
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Resolution Blue
Resene Bleached Riverstone
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Midnight Moss
Resene Lightning Yellow
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
