Goodbye Man Caves: This Is The More Inclusive Trend Taking Over Homes In 2026

According to Zillow's 2026 Home Trends Report, man caves have lost their allure as a must-have for homebuyers. Now, if you've somehow missed the phenomenon, here's a quick summary: Man caves are separate spaces in a home, be it a room, the garage, or the entire basement, dedicated solely to the pursuit of traditionally male activities, like watching football or hanging out with the guys. Whether or not you object to the idea, the term "man cave" is simply a new name for an ancient concept. But homebuyers' interest in man caves may finally be waning as their desire for inclusive sports-related activities has increased. People of all genders want sports hubs where active play overrules passive hobbies.

As mentions of man caves declined in real estate listings, higher-end amenities like golf simulators (25% more mentions in listings), batting cages (18%), and even pickleball courts (25%) became sought-after features. Each of these requires a substantial amount of indoor space if you're thinking about elevating your man cave from prehistoric designs to contemporary layouts, though you may find some surprising workarounds. Not everyone has room in their home for a 44-foot by 20-foot pickleball court, but a half-court with a practice wall or rebounder might be doable. If you want to get in some batting practice, standard indoor cages are around 70 feet long, though some smaller models need as little as 8 feet. Even bocce ball, a game with courts that are typically 90 feet long, can be played indoors on a shorter court. Meanwhile, for a family that likes to work out, a pedal machine, dumbbells, and resistance bands take up very little room and ensure that people with limited mobility are included.

If you have an unused space that you could turn into a man cave, you can likely reimagine it as an area that satisfies your desire for physical activity and may even allow a little bit of self-care, another key area of focus in Zillow's report. Connect an exergaming console that lets you practice your batting or golf skills on your big screen TV. Old favorites like ping pong and darts will probably always be active recreation room favorites, and boardwalk games like miniature basketball and Skee-Ball let you get a gentle workout while you think about your next trip down the shore. If you're able to fit one in, a pickleball half-court serves double duty as a tennis or handball practice area. And when you're finished, settle into a massage chair, cozy up in a reading nook, or make your bathroom feel like a spa with a renovation for a relaxing wind-down. 

If your rec room has high ceilings, consider adding a few more inclusive sports activities that don't work with a low or standard height ceiling. The taller a climbing wall is, the more challenging for kids and adults. A tumbling mat is easily rolled up and moved out of the way when it's not in use, and budding gymnasts and martial artists will appreciate the padding. There are countless possibilities for designing this room and not many wrong ways to do it. The point is that the traditional man cave, a retreat where guys can relax and immerse themselves in sports, is becoming a more versatile, inclusive, and active space with engaging entertainment for all.