Create a Home Game Room
If you're in need of some quality time with friends and family, you may be ready to create a home game room. Why trek down to the neighborhood bar or pool hall when you can relax at home? The best part is deciding what décor and games to include.
Resources for Creating a Home Game Room
- BMI Gaming - At the self-proclaimed world's largest gaming superstore, you can buy full size arcade machines, air hockey machines, pinball machines and more.
- Pool Tables.com- A great selection of pool tables with a free accessory kit included with each table, plus free nationwide shipping.
- The Pinball Company- A great supplier of pinball machines, arcade games, foosball tables, jukeboxes, dart boards, table tennis and more. Nationwide delivery and set up and lifetime technical support.
- Home Recreation Games- Go retro with awesome, vintage reproduction Coke machines, popcorn and gumball machines, neon wall clocks and signs, jukeboxes, dart boards and arcade games.
- Home Game Depot- Find pub tables, tin signs, pub signs, neon clocks, game room lighting, dart boards, licensed sport products and more.
- Touch of Class - Upscale game room furniture such as poker tables, pub tables, home bars, wine racks and gameroom decor.
- Game Rooms to Go- Featuring games from Thompson's sporting goods and game room furniture, lighting, wall decor and retro accents.
Home Game Room Design
The first step in planning a game room is to pick a spacious spot in your home. A large den or a roomy loft will work nicely, but some gamers even convert their garages or build an addition to hold their dream entertainment room.
Create a home game room design using one of these exciting themes:
- Sports - can include football, golf, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc.
- Retro - usually a 1950s theme with diner booths and stools, black and white tiles, jukeboxes, Coke machines, and neon lights.
- Traditional - a masculine theme involving rich wood tones and leather furniture.
- Casino - can include poker tables, slot machines, and accessories featuring dice or playing card suits.
There are also some functional design requirements to keep in mind for game rooms:
- Take precise measurements of the room and any doorways which must be passed through to get inside. This helps to ensure that the games and furniture will fit.
- Protect game tables, consoles, and cabinets from direct sunlight. Use a UV-blocking window film, or install blinds, shutters, or draperies.
- Avoid extreme temperatures by maintaining a constant, comfortable climate between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Most electric games will need standard outlets to operate. Invest in surge protectors and install additional outlets or circuits, if needed.
Game Room Goodies
The second step is to have fun while you create a home game room! Once you decide on a general theme, focus on the games and amenities that you will include in your game room. There are no rules, so the final combination of activities is completely customizable. Here are few ideas for game room amenities:
- Billiards - Pool tables now come in a myriad of styles, from traditional to modern, in a range of colors and finishes.
- Game tables - The best design is a round or octagon table that seats four or more players at a time. Comfortable chairs with rolling casters will make poker sessions even more fun. An additional game table that seats two people is perfect for playing chess, checkers, backgammon, or board games.
- Other classic games - This can include any of your favorites such as foosball, air hockey, darts, ping pong, or shuffleboard.
- Arcade games - Options here include pinball machines, classic video arcade games like Centipede and PacMan, and new gaming consoles.
- TVs - As a retreat for relaxing, a game room will naturally be an ideal spot for watching sports and movies.
- Bar area - Create a home game room that draws a crowd by including a serviceable bar which can also be a focal point. You can go all out with draught beer and a margarita machine, or keep it simple with a stocked minifridge. Don't forget a fizzy drink station for the kids.
- Kitchen - If you will be spending a lot of time in your game room, a functional kitchen zone may be a wise investment. A small kitchen should include a sink, toaster oven, microwave, hot plate, refrigerator, and food prep area.
- Vending machines - These cool devices can dispense beer, soda, coffee, or candy. Also, check out the nifty snack machines for making popcorn, pretzels, hot nuts, snow cones, and cotton candy.
- Vintage signs, movie posters, neon lights, or illuminated signs.
- Jukeboxes, karaoke machines, CD changers, or musical instruments.
Set Your Own Pace
Creating a home game room is a big investment, and you can spend a small fortune setting one up. However, you can do it in stages, adding the games and furniture a piece at a time, as you can afford them. You can also save money by shopping at yard sales and looking online at eBay and Craigslist.
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