Essential Elements for your Home Game Room

 Guest Blogger #342, Entry #915, January 23, 2012

Whether you have the extra space in your home or not, you’d probably like to create at least one room that will allow you to forget about the hustle and bustle of your daily life and escape to a sanctuary filled with some of your favorite pastimes and entertainment.  All work and no play makes your life pretty dull, so you no doubt want to enjoy some leisurely game time when you’re off the clock, and there’s no better way to do it than by creating a game room in your home.  If you don’t have an extra room, simply convert your home office, your guest room, or your basement, or target an unorthodox space like the attic or the garage.  Then determine what the essential elements are that will turn your space into the stimulating game room you crave.

Use these tips for designing the perfect game room

Colors

Everyone is bound to have their own color preferences, but before you select a trendy shade of hot pink or lime green, or alternately, stick to bland and boring neutrals because you’re too scared to choose a hue, think about the feeling you want from the room.  Bright shades are not going to help you unwind and dull neutrals with no personality could make you feel like you’re living in a model house rather than your own home.  Traditionally, game rooms tend to exhibit darker tones, so choose a deep, saturated jewel tone that suits your personal color preferences.

Materials

When it comes to materials you want every surface to feel warm and comfortable.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to make every surface plush, though.  In fact, you can create a much more sophisticated game room by adding rich woods in the way of flooring, cabinetry, tables, and the like.  And you should skip dust-gathering fabrics (which are hard to clean and maintain) in favor of gorgeous leather goods.

The right lighting

Not too many people say, “I think I’ll relax for a while under the bright fluorescent lights in my game room!  There’s nothing I enjoy more than a pounding migraine while I play a few hands of poker with the guys!”  Exactly.  So if you haven’t thought about the lighting in your space, now is a good time to consider whether you should install new fixtures or simply add a few floor lamps and sconces (on dimmer switches) so you can ensure adequate lighting but still create an atmosphere that is conducive to fun and relaxation.

Lighting, colors, and materials should match your lifestyle

Furnishings

When it comes to adding some furnishings and décor, there are a couple of pieces you’ll definitely need.  The traditional game room should have at least a large table that can be used for cards, chess, and other conventional table games, as well as cabinets or shelves to store said games.  And if you want to introduce a modern element with a flatscreen TV and assorted gaming consoles, include a leather couch (minimalist or overstuffed depends on the size of your space) with plenty of throw pillows for comfort, along with a suitable entertainment system.  If you have a large room you could even include a billiards table or bubble-hockey setup!

Games

Whether you host a weekly poker game, the kids use the space to play video games, or granny invites the gals over for Bingo once in a while, this multipurpose room won’t do anyone any good if it isn’t well stocked with games the whole family loves to play.

For more game room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.