A gaming room is worth the hype! They are fun, provide entertainment for family and friends, and are a good place to relax. However, preparing and building a gaming room can take time. Having a strategy in place before the beginning is essential. This will help the entire room come together better.
We’ve outlined four important steps for building your future gaming room. These games room ideas will help you create a perfect space.
Building A Future Gaming Room
Game rooms are a place where you can play games, watch television, and enjoy a cold beverage. To build a great space, follow these four steps.
1. Spec in electrical and plumbing
This step can be a bit of a nuisance. However, it’s easier to do at the beginning of the build. Many game rooms feature a bar, television, and different games. Games may include air hockey or arcade games. In order to accommodate this, you’ll have to plan accordingly.
A bar will require plumbing for a sink and dishwasher. Furthermore, you’ll need additional electrical outlets for a fridge or mini-fridge. You want to ensure you have enough power in this area. Hiring a technician will make this easier. It’s worth getting a professional opinion.
Your television area will also need some additional work. You may want to add HDMI plugins and additional outlets. This way, you can hook up gaming consoles and speakers without blowing a breaker.
Doing this tedious work before construction is essential. Otherwise, you’ll be drilling wires and damaging drywall when you have the finished product. Hire a professional for this. It will make sure everything is sound and meets the code.
Once you have this ready, you can begin the fun stuff! You’ll be grateful that you completed this at the beginning of the project.
2. Build bar and entertainment stand
After you have the electrical and plumbing in, you can get building. There will be areas of the room that are permanent fixtures. For example, a bar and built-in entertainment stand. You will want to finish this before adding temporary or movable fixtures.
For a fully-functioning bar, you should have a sink, mini-fridge, and potentially a dishwasher. Include a nice bar-height countertop for guests to sit on bar stools. Include plenty of countertop space for snacks and preparing food. Granite or quartz countertops are pricier than laminate, but they are more luxe. Adding a wet bar is a way to make the area elevated and luxurious. You may also want to include a microwave or ice maker for additional functionality.
A built-in entertainment stand is a great idea. They typically include shelving, cupboards, and drawers. Furthermore, it’ll have an area for your television. This additional storage will be a great help. With a gaming console and remotes, you can tuck them away neatly. Building an entertainment stand requires some planning and work. You can also buy one that isn’t custom. However, make sure to secure it to the wall for optimal security.
After these permanent fixtures are added in, you’re ready to focus on furniture.
3. Find furniture
Now you can go shopping for furniture! This is the fun part. However, you don’t want to lose functionality while doing it. Because of that, you’ll have to take a few things into consideration. Most importantly, consider the activities you’ll be doing and work around that.
If your game room will mostly be for movie watching, opt for a large sectional or recliners. You want to include a space for the whole family to sit and enjoy. However, if the primary focus is playing activities, you may not need as much seating.
Other seating options may include bar stools, bistro tables, and armchairs. Look to add some variety to keep textures interesting. This will also allow you to configure the room in different ways. When shopping for furniture, look for sales and deals. Couches and other furniture can be a pricey investment. However, it’ll be well-used in your space.
You’ll also want to look at tables. This includes coffee tables and side tables. You need a convenient place for people to rest their drinks and snacks. Furthermore, tables will pull the whole space together. Paying attention to small details makes a huge difference.
Once you complete furniture shopping, you’re ready for the last step: activities to play.
4. Find activities
They don’t call it a “games room” for no reason! After all, the purpose is to have fun and play games! There are several different activities that you can add to the space. Some of our favorites include:
- Billiards. Billiards is played with a pool table, cues, and balls. The pool table itself is often elegant. It’s cloth-covered with holes cut out strategically throughout the table. The player will strike the balls with the cue stick. They attempt to sink the ball into the holes. Billiards is a game of skill, so it may not be great for younger players. However, many people love the game.
- Foosball. Foosball, also known as table football, roughly follows soccer. Each person is given a set number of players on the “field”. From there, they are encouraged to sink the ball. The field players are attached to sticks that lay outside of the field. These sticks are then used to maneuver the players.
- Air hockey. Air hockey is a classic! It features a rink-like field. Each player is given a paddle. The goal is to hit the puck into the player's net, as the other player defends it. The table features a blower motor that propels air into the field. This helps the puck slide smoothly across the board.
Keep extra space around the different games to ensure that players have enough room.
You can also check our article on the How to Create a Personal Game Room at Home.
Conclusion
After you determine what activities you want, you’re ready to set up the space. After this, you’re ready to host and enjoy your game room. Having a game room is a great addition to any home. We love the entertainment aspect of it. By following these four games room ideas, you’ll be ready to host visitors, guests, or family for a fun-filled evening.