Games nights and gaming tech were already popular before the global pandemic hit, but since so many people have been forced to spend more time at home than usual, there’s more interest in this kind of space now.
Whether you want a fun place for you and your family to hang out, or a zone for your kids and their friends to play, or somewhere for you to entertain your own friends, a game room at home can be an excellent addition. There are some essential elements to consider as you design this area.
Determine Your Goals
The first thing to do to create a great game room is to decide what you want to achieve with the space. What are your specific goals in how the area will get used, how you want it to feel, how often you’ll use it, how many people will be in the room at once, etc.? The clearer your preferred outcomes, the easier it is to see how to best move forward.
You might be keen to add a billiards table, set up a dedicated computing gaming station, bring in some arcade games, or have areas to sit and play board or card games. You might also want a TV in the room and some comfy seating so you and your family or friends can use this area to watch sports games, have movie nights, or otherwise chill out.
Plan Out the Space
Unless the space you’ve designated for a game room is huge, you may not be able to incorporate every element you desire. Remember that plenty of gaming equipment, such as pool tables, need a few feet or so of clearance around them, too. As such, planning is critical so you can start with the essential elements and then add in more pieces as room allows. You don’t want to crowd the area too much or make it hazardous because you’re overloading the space.
Part of your planning can involve researching the various gadgets, furniture, and other pieces you require. It pays to be on the lookout for multifunction items that can do double duty in your game room and save you some space. For instance, some tables now can be used for pool, table tennis, and shuttlecock.
Or, you could install bench seating along one wall to use for group game nights when you have plenty of people in attendance, but also utilize for under-seat storage to clear away your consoles, board games, etc., when they’re not in use.
Set Yourself a Budget
Another top tip for setting up your new game room is to stop and work out how much you can afford on this part of your home. You’ll need to factor in various things, such as furniture, equipment, accessories, delivery charges, and even potential power drains from potentially using a lot of electricity. Plus, if you’re going to do some significant renovation work, you may have demolition, rubbish removal, and contractor fees to pay for.
If you set a budget upfront, you’ll know how much you have to play within the different areas of the room’s design and fit-out and won’t get into trouble spending more than you should.
Consider Comfort
Since the goal is undoubtedly to spend quite a bit of time in your game room, you want it as comfortable as possible, whether it’s just you in there or a big group of people. It pays to install heating and cooling units, such as a reverse cycle air conditioner and a low-profile ceiling fan that won’t get in the way when you need a bit of a breeze to cool things down.
Consider light and noise, too. For example, it’s worth installing thick or blackout curtains or blinds if you want to be able to see computer or TV screens during the day or have a cheeky snooze while the sun is still up. On the other hand, don’t neglect proper lighting, since you’ll likely need plenty of illumination to read game instructions or text, etc.
As for noise, it pays to minimize the movement and volume of sound by installing soundproofing. You can upgrade framing, put in extra insulation, or add sound panels, for example. Plus, when it comes to comfort, choose couches and other seats that you’re happy to sit on for hours at a time and pick items made from soft, cozy, yet durable fabrics.
If your dream for years has been to have your own at-home gaming center, you can create an area you love spending time in by following the tips above. You’ll soon wish you had made the changes long ago!
