More than ever, our homes are having to multitask. We’re working from them, and they’re places where we socialize with family and friends virtually, as well as in person. They’re the places we shop from, and now more than ever, our homes are where we entertain ourselves. In this piece, we want to give you some inspiring ideas to help you build the ultimate game room.
Choosing the Best Space
Most games rooms start off life as something else. A basement remodel makes for a great venue. The larger the better, right?
Or you can build a cozier space in a bedroom, say if one of the kids has gone off to college. There are so many home entertainment solutions on the market now, that one can in theory only be limited by imagination, money, and time.
Living rooms are becoming popular to remodel as games rooms. That’s less surprising than it sounds, as they’re the natural space in a house to entertain guests. Features like the aforementioned smart speakers would be something desirable in the space whatever else you do.
Bring in the Tech
The good news is technology is in our favor. There’s no longer a need to give over large amounts of room real estate to enormous CRT TVs, stacked hi-fi systems, and the endless cabinets needed to house hardware. Enter the wall-mounted flatscreen. While the technology continues to improve, prices on these TVs keep dropping!
If you want to go even bigger, consider installing a projection TV. Smart speaker systems, such as those by Sonos or Bose can free up space, either by using small portable speakers (great for moving around according to whether you’re playing a movie or just need background music) or installing speakers into walls or ceilings.
Smart home systems are all the rage! We haven’t even talked about lighting, which along with your TV and audio system can be integrated with a home assistant like Alexa or Google Home. Then all you need to do is speak to make things happen.
Make the Most of the Space
Think about how you’ll use the space. Are sofas a necessity for a movie night, or would ergonomic chairs for gaming be able to multipurpose? Ottomans that could be used for storing games consoles when not in use can double up as seats for table games.
A minibar or beer fridge is super useful even if you don’t want to spend money installing a sink. Not having to go to the kitchen and miss the action is a big plus. Whether it’s family game night, poker with the boys, or watching live sports, having refreshment nearby is a game-changer.
Set a Theme
This topic likely should have come first. As you strategize on how to build the ultimate game room, what theme would you like it to have? Here are a few options for you:
- Favorite sports team or college
- Pick a mood from chill to electric
- Superheros are trending
- Going eclectic means picking interesting pieces whether they match or not
- Medieval-inspired room where you can display your favorite collectibles of historical viking axes and swords
- Rock and roll
- Science fiction fans have lots of options
Now is your chance to “go for it.” Think about who is going to be using this game room with you but ultimately, it’s your space.
So Many Games
We haven’t even talked about the games themselves. From billiards to foosball, pop-a-shot to ping pong, darts to shuffleboard, honestly there are dozens of options. We didn’t even talk about the Xbox versus Playstation argument.
A high-quality wooden table is an attractive feature that can be used for multiple games. Consider a folding table if you’re really pushed for space. Poker can lend itself to decor also – if you have friends who’re not particularly well-versed when it comes to the game’s rules, a beginning poker guide will provide the basic rules and tips people need to participate in any variety of poker. If you go with a gambling theme, make sure to grab a dogs playing poker picture print, it’s pretty much mandatory.
Like we said before, the possibilities are almost endless. And here in the Internet age, there’s a tremendous amount of free ideas out there. Heck, there are people just like you building their ultimate game room and sharing their plans with the world.
