A classic game room is timeless, but there are so many options out there that it would be a disservice to not at least consider a different design concept. Before settling for a particular style, though, think about who will use it the most (kids, adults, teenagers, etc.), what their hobbies are (sports, video games, board games, etc.), and how much space you have available.
Here, we run through ten awesome concepts for your entertainment space that you’ll totally love. So, if you’re struggling to cook up game room ideas, this post is for you.
Ready? Set. Go!
Make a Snooker Table the Centerpiece
Having a regular pool table in your game room is one thing, but equipping it with a full-size snooker table is quite another.
To get the full visual effect, add a row of lights directly above the snooker table and make sure to leave plenty of empty space around it. These are impressive pieces of furniture in their own right, so you really don’t need much else. Plus, the more ample the area, the better it is to play—you shouldn’t need to change the angle of the cue for any shot.
To be honest, the only thing we’re not crazy about this game room design is the carpet. There are pros and cons to both options, but we think hardwood floors and a stylish rug would give the room the decadent atmosphere a snooker table warrants.
Add Multiple Screens
Don’t you just hate it when the football match you’ve been waiting for overlaps with a baseball game that you just can’t miss?
When you have a multi-screen setup like this one, you don’t have to flick back and forth through channels for updates anymore. You can watch what you like, using as many screens as your game room allows.
The wall’s purple taupe hue, combined with the high chairs and intriguing wood sculpture in the back, gives the game room an executive vibe that contrasts nicely with the homey sofas and comfy-looking cushions.
Get A Foosball Table
This retro classic could go well even in an adult game room.
Notice how the foosball table’s design complements the rest of the room. The elegant wooden tones merge beautifully with the parquet hardwood floor and neutral wall paint.
The potted plants and decorative netting seem almost whimsical in terms of placement, but ultimately work very well with the room’s light and easy-going atmosphere.
Create a Moody, Retro Vibe
Game rooms should, ideally, transport you out of your regular, everyday life and take you somewhere different and fun. You want an area that feels comfortable and welcoming, but that also has an element of surprise that entices people into having a night of fun.
That’s precisely what this game room setup achieves. The slot machine in the corner, the all-wood bar, and the roulette table create a retro vibe that seems both familiar and edgy at the same time. The wooden bar contributes to the moody atmosphere of the room, making anyone who enters feel like they are stepping into a bona fide man cave.
The bourbon-gold lighting gives the room its finishing touch, setting the mood for a night of gambling, playing, and having a drink or two.
Install an Indoor Playground
Going to the park is fun, but why not create an indoor playground that your kids can enjoy when going out is simply not an option?
A cool game room for kids might include a climbing wall, hanging ropes, slides, and even a refrigerator for refreshments. Just remember to lay a shock-absorbing mat to cushion any potential falls.
Also, consider placing bean bag chairs or a comfortable sofa in the corner of the playroom so that you and your kids can rest and relax after an intense play session.
Build a Gaming Den
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of gamers aren’t teenagers, which means setting up a gaming den is a pretty solid idea, no matter your age.
One of the best things about video games is that you don’t always have to play solo. In this case, the dual desk and monitor arrangement lets two people play side by side. And the swivel chairs with lumbar and neck support are perfect for fragging marathons.
Something we just love about this video game room is how it incorporates retro gaming elements as part of the decor. Notice the old consoles and mixer boards on the walls, as well as the Pokémon memorabilia on the shelves.
The black paint job behind the monitors is practically a must for a gaming den, but the white walls and rug are clever elements that keep the room light and airy.
Allow Your Hobbies to Flourish
Games rooms are about having fun, so they should cater to your hobbies—whatever they may be.
If you love golf, you could set up an electronic driving range in your games room. If you enjoy medieval reenactment, why not use suits of armor and swords as your game room’s wall decor?
Be creative and make the space your own.
Create a Craftwork Space
Not all game rooms have to resemble a bar, casino, or a place for late-night rendezvous. They can also be light, airy, and cozy.
Take the picture above, for example. You could probably use that table to solve a jigsaw puzzle just as easily as you could use it to do craftworks or play Monopoly with your friends for hours on end.
The canvases leaned up against the wall and the rolls of parchment in the wicker basket contribute to the room’s relaxed atmosphere and help you get a creative mood. Plus, the game room’s chairs add a playful touch that you could enhance with a couple of Japandi-style patterned cushions.
Whack Out the Board Games
And speaking of Monopoly, it’s crucial to keep all your board games handy. Chess, Go, Kerplunk, and even Snakes and Ladders can be endlessly entertaining.
And while the board games’ boxes aren’t exactly coffee table decor, you could leave a few of them out for display. Just be sure to include other decorative elements in the arrangement too, like lamps or plants, so the end result seems like tasteful decor and not a simple board game shelf.
Be Bold
The game room is arguably the one place in your home that you can make as extravagant as you want.
Choose bright and playful fabrics, use exposed stone walls for extra texture, go for bold wall colors, install mood lighting, put up edgy posters or a neon game room sign. In other words, go for that adventurous, eclectic space you have in mind and don’t hold back.
Conclusion
The furniture and fixtures you ultimately include in your game room will depend on the room’s size and your budget, and that’s okay. Just aim to build a space where you can easily play the night away.
FAQ
How can I decorate my game room?
It depends on the type of room you want to create. For example, if you’re aiming for a gaming den, you can place classic memorabilia on the shelves and display your old consoles. If you’re more interested in a cozy board game room instead, look at a soft color palette, pick out some greenery, and add a comfy armchair or two to the room.
If, however, you want a Hollywood glam casino at home, look at rich, dark tones, use wood heavily, and put up classic vintage pieces as decor.
How big should a game room be?
There’s no fixed rule about a game room’s size, but we’d say it depends on what you want to do with it. A game room can be a 100 ft2 room with just a few chairs around a table, or it can be a 600 ft2 room with a snooker table smack dab in the middle.
What should be in a games room?
All sorts of fun things. If you have a small room to work with, you can go for board games, craft stations, and computers. If, however, you have a more ample space available, consider foosball, pool, or roulette tables. TVs, speakers, spacious tables, and comfortable sofas never go amiss either.
We recommend you measure the space you have available first and then look up some game room ideas that could work for that area in particular, however big or small it is.