Creating a game room can be ideal for families or anyone who enjoys having a good time with good company. From the best furniture, to the best board games and game consoles, we asked the experts how to design and enjoy the best game room.
When designing your ideal recreational space at home, where games and relaxation are the primary focus, it’s equally important to consider the security aspect of this area. Integrating home security solutions, like discreet cameras or smart locks, can protect your entertainment investments and ensure the safety of the space. This addition is not just about safeguarding your gaming consoles and board games, but also about creating a secure environment where you can unwind and enjoy without concerns. These security measures can be smoothly incorporated into the overall design of your recreational room, preserving its fun and inviting atmosphere while offering essential protection for your home.
Once you’ve addressed the security of your recreational space with smart solutions, it’s also worth considering the broader picture of home security. Modern home security systems are more than just alarms; they offer comprehensive protection that extends beyond your game room. These systems can include features like remote monitoring, which allows you to keep an eye on your home from your smartphone, no matter where you are. This ensures that while you’re enjoying time in your game room, the rest of your home is just as secure and monitored. It’s a seamless way to blend security with leisure, ensuring that your home remains a safe and enjoyable space.
What people should consider before choosing their billiard table?
What are the essential considerations before installing a bowling alley at home?
“Today there are multiple options for creating a one-of-a-kind bowling experience right at home. Brunswick Bowling offers multiple lane size options and products to fit any space and design style, including Duckpin Social, a modern—and space-saving—twist on traditional bowling. Homeowners should look for a low-maintenance pinsetter such as Brunswick StringPin pinsetter. Choose a scoring system that offers a variety of engaging games along with ongoing new offerings that keep the experience fresh for years to come, such as Sync scoring. Kids love Sync’s EZ Bowling and Angry Birds™, while The Buzz and pinpix are great for groups of friends. MyShot helps competitive bowlers stay sharp, tracking performance and game stats and offering spare patterns for practice. Above all, select a supplier with a proven track record for reliable equipment who can provide expert planning assistance and installation services.”
Brunswick Bowling Products
What is the best way to protect your cards?
“If you’re a collector, then you know how important it is to protect your cards. Whether they’re valuable or not, they’re still a part of your collection and you want to make sure they stay in good condition. There are a few things you can do to protect your cards:
- Sleeves and top loaders: Let’s start with sleeves, the most basic method of card protection. A sleeve is a small rectangular pocket of plastic that you can slip a card into. Pretty simple. You probably already know what a sleeve is since they sometimes are included with trading card products. Which cards get placed in sleeves is up to the collector, but most recommend sleeving any holofoil or precious cards. The holofoil can scratch easily, and the sleeves prevent scratching especially when rubbing against other cards.
- Binders: If you collected cards as a kid, you probably had some pretty cool 3-ring binders to store them in. However, the classic 3-ring binders that we used to use are now frowned upon in the hobby by collectors, due to the potential damage they can cause to cards. Sometimes the pages and cards can get pinched by the rings if you’re not careful enough. In addition to this, the pages can sometimes get pressed by the rings if not stored vertically, leaving three indents along the page and on your cards. If you keep adding pages until the binder is past its capacity, the cards will end up taking damage from the rings.
- Boxes: When you have thousands of cards, binders might not be able to store everything. There are also boxes made specifically for storing cards. Check your local hobby shop and ask if they have any card storage boxes. These are sheets of cardboard with perforated lines that allow you to fold it into a wide shallow box with dividers built-in.
- Display units: If you want to display your cards or products, there are hundreds of display units to pick from. Displaying single cards is as easy as buying a stand for the card or a frame. Sometimes frames can be found that fit a set of cards, like the 16 holofoil cards from the 1999 Base set. Displaying something like a booster pack is easy too. Acrylic cases can be made to order in any size.”
What are the different types of game tables to include in a game room?
“No game room would be complete without at least one of these centrepieces: Football, Pool/Snooker and Table Tennis Tables. True game enthusiasts often want to go beyond the ‘ordinary’ and include games which are not widely available. A good option for them are the Toad in the Hole and Bar Billiards Tables- these tables are hard to come by but make a very special addition to any games room. One issue with game tables is that these can take a lot of room. For those with limited space, a popular option are the Multi-game Tables which combine combine two/ three of the most popular games (typically air hockey, pool and table tennis) in one space-saving design.”
What’s your best advice for buying noise-canceling headphones?
“When buying noise-canceling headphones, you need to consider where you will use your headphones and what type of noise you wish to cancel out. Why, you may ask? Well, not all noise-canceling headphones work the same. Some headphones are better at blocking high-frequency sounds; some are better at blocking low. So, for example, the low frequency created by a lawn mower will require a different noise-cancellation technique than the high frequency produced by a tea kettle. The frequencies a set of noise-canceling headphones can block will depend on the technology it uses. For instance, most noise-canceling headphones use either passive or active noise-cancellation, sometimes both. Passive noise cancelation is straightforward; the headphones, either over-the-ear or in-ear, create a seal that blocks soundwaves from entering. Passive noise-cancellation headphones block mid to high-frequency sounds, like screaming children and jet engines. How efficiently a pair of passive noise-canceling headphones works will depend on their build quality. Active noise-cancellation technology is a little more complicated. Active-cancellation headphones use microphones to process the sound entering the headphones and cancel it out. Headphones that use active noise-cancellation are good at blocking sound waves at lower frequencies, such as motors or your neighbor’s tuba lesson. Pricier noise-canceling headphones use both passive and active technologies to block out a wider range of frequencies.”
Travis Campbell, Prime Sound
What are bingo calls?
“The bingo calls are used as a way to clarify all 90 numbers that are displayed on the board during bingo games. For example, 42 and 52 may sound similar from a distance, so these nicknames were used to differentiate them. In addition, some bingo callers added pop culture references to bingo nicknames as they spread outside London. Here is a complete list of bingo numbers and their bingo calls, followed by an analysis of how the names differ depending on the bingo caller and region.”
SiGMA
How to Soundproof a Game Room
“I suggest a few things you can do, and your choice will likely depend on your skill level and budget.
- I’ll first suggest using thick curtains on the windows and carpets while also hanging pleated fabric on the walls. Instead of thick curtains, you could explore acoustic sound dampening panels, and while these aren’t exactly the same as soundproofing, they’ll go a long way to reduce the sound. Since your doors, windows, and HVAC ducts are the biggest contributors to sound leakage, we would generally recommend that you use window and door seal gaskets for a good seal, while using a rolled-up towel to cover the gap at the bottom of the doors.
- Depending on your budget and needs, a great way to soundproof a room is actually making a room within a room. So depending on the size of your room, you could build a smaller room with doors, windows, and ceilings while covering every surface with multiple feet of thick and heavy pads.
- I will also add that elevating your subwoofer off the ground goes a long way to help with soundproofing as the vibrations can easily travel through floorbeds.”
Tekpip
How to choose the stable wifi router
“When you stream online, the internet becomes a major part of your performance. The speed and stability of the internet will impact your gaming performance. Hence, choose those wifi connections which are stable as well as give high internet speed. And, that’s what we are going to see here. We have curated a list of the 2 best wifi routers you can use for gaming.
- Spectrum Internet: Spectrum internet is undoubtedly the best internet service provider in the United States and other countries. Their internet stability and speed are damn famous. You can access up to 940 Mbps, which is perfect for online game streaming. But, there are a few negative points too with spectrum router. Several customers have complained that the spectrum router flashes red without any reason and gets stuck sometimes.
- Verizon router: If you don’t want to go with a spectrum router, you can go with Verizon routers. Verizon internet routers are reliable, stable, and fast to provide you with high internet speed. Additionally, they can cover a large part of your house or office. But, this router also comes with a few drawbacks. For example, many customers have complained about the yellow light on Verizon routers.”
Smily Homes
Top tips for the correct treatment and maintenance of video game controllers
“There are essential tips to increase the live of your video game controllers:
- Use a charging dock so you always know where to find your controller and it will be juiced up for game time!
- Controllers aren’t getting any cheaper, so always wash your hands before you play.
- Gamer rage happens to us all, but be sure not to throw your controller! Instead, get a plushie to avoid damaging anything with each throw.
- If using a wired controller, make sure not to wind the controller up tightly as you can damage it.
- Prone to dropping your controller? Consider getting a cover to help absorb some of that accidental damage.”
How to Set Up the Best Golf Simulator for Home Use
“The golf simulator is an easy way out for those who love golf but can’t make it to the local course. No matter the weather or time, golf lovers can enjoy the sport at home. They can invite their friends over and have a fun game or improve their swings. Setting up a DIY golf simulator at home doesn’t require hiring an engineer. You can easily create a space at home and set one up. All you need is to get the required equipment. But the very first thing to consider is your room space and budget.”
What should people consider before choosing a screen for gaming and streaming?
“This is actually a very dense subject as there are a lot of factors that come into play when choosing a monitor for gaming and streaming but if you are only choosing one then the initial question is how much are you willing to spend? If your budget is in the lower $200 or $300 range, then you choice is already made up for you as you will be confined to bargain 24-25″ 1080p 144hz screens or occasional great deals on 1440p 144hz. If you’re going to be playing fullscreen, its best to monitor chat on a separate display or even your phone for best performance on your PC but playing on Borderless Windowed or plain ol’ Windowed mode should allow more responsive interaction with your viewers if you are streaming. As your budget increases, restrictions loosen up and you definitely have a lot more options in terms of capabilities, panel size and extra features. There are definitely specific things here that can compliment your gaming and streaming experience.”
What people need to consider before buying a pool cue?
“Buying a pool cue can be a daunting task, especially if it’s part of a bigger project and you want to get the details just right. The most important thing to consider when buying a pool cue is whether a two-piece or one-piece cue is right for you. Two-piece cues have become most players go-to due to ease of transportation, and the high-quality materials and attention to detail that most two-piece cue manufacturers are known for. One-piece cues are still a great option seeing as they’re affordable, can be easier to repair if a tip pops off your cue, and there’s just a certain undeniable allure that comes with a classic looking one-piece cue that could really round out any game room.”
What makes a good tabletop game?
“The essential factors that make a good tabletop include the following:
- Interesting decisions.
- A game that is easy to learn, but difficult to master. (And that entertains the participants)
- Well-groomed mechanics including. mini and macro board/map tactics, character development, resource research and gathering, base building (space or celestial bodies), fantasy or sci-fi, and an immersive story with much lore that does not corner you in a dead-end where you may need to “start over”.
Character/party progression or failure would not be entirely destined by the luck of the draw or dice roll and it would not always be defined as “kill monster” / “find the treasure” = “Good”, or “lose an encounter” / “get lost on an expedition” = bad.
The game will simply lead you on a path of uncertainty with some boons on the way. I do not want to know my enemies or to fight “boss battles” knowing ahead of time who they are or when I may need to face them. I would rather find out about eminent evil, darkness, and bad omens through exploration (rumors, encounters, research, etc.) after which I may pursue this fleshed-out opponent. I would prefer not to see or know about a foe or a boss ahead of due time and process. They should not be part of the board game title, scenario, or chapter title.
Even a classic D&D module like: “The Temple of Elemental Evil” sheds light and puts a convenient frame around the scope of the adventure lying ahead. - Good players & a frequent playing group 100%.
- If you win, you feel like you played well, but if you lose, you feel like you were just unlucky.
If the experience of playing is so good that you don’t really mind if you win or lose. - I always enjoy a game that, as soon as I’m finished, I am thinking of how I’d play differently next time.
- Good design.”
How to choose a CPU for streaming
“When you want to enter the big world of streaming, you need a PC that’s up to the job, and no component is more important than a robust CPU. Yet, for casual streaming at 720p/30fps with a small bitrate, you can utilize practically any recent CPU with four cores and eight threads. For semi-professional streaming, though, you need a truly powerful processor. It is necessary to have a powerful computer system to maximize efficiency while playing video games and streaming. The CPU delivers and processes the computer program’s instructions by conducting input/output, basic arithmetic, and logic operations. That’s why streaming at a pro-level requires a decent CPU.”
What are the essential considerations before buying a neon sign?
“Quality is essential: Order from a reputable neon sign brand. Neon signs made from high-quality materials can last for up to ten years.
Know your budget: Knowing your budget helps you to decide the size and complexity of your neon sign.
Easy to Install: Modern LED neon signs include acrylic backings that make the installation simple. Make sure the mounting kit is included in the box.
Short lead time: Most neon signs are custom-made. It’s better to choose a neon sign vendor that offers a short lead time so that it won’t put a hold on your project or event.
Please let me know if you have any questions.”
How do board games bring families together?
“There are so many benefits to playing physical board games together as a family. For starters, playing games together delivers face-to-face interactions that are often hard to come by. This social engagement helps keep families connected through a shared experience in a safe setting. Such games also utilize most of our senses and stimulate our minds and imagination. And when you experience that with someone, it creates lasting memories and bonding. Plus, there are many games that are cooperative rather than competitive. So if you want to learn to work better together, we’d highly recommend playing some fun cooperative board games.”
How do you keep a diverse board games collection
“We always look at the members of our gaming group when building a diverse board game collection. It’s easier to find a lot of diverse game mechanics when you separate it into different categories based on who you actually play with. A few easy categories are gateway games, travel, party, cooperative, strategy, bluffing, etc. Each game we buy has to fall in some category that matches one or more of our gaming groups’ members. Otherwise, you end up with a lot of board games shrink-wrapped on your shelf that never get played.”
Bryan Truong, GameCows.com
Tips to create the ideal tabletop gaming space
“While everyone has their own vision of a perfect gaming space, the ideal tabletop gaming space has three things in common: comfortable seating, good lighting, and a clear line of sight to the games you will be playing. Not everyone can afford a pricey, hand-made gaming table, but ample space on a large enough table to support a broad range of games, from quick card games to sprawling miniatures games, is crucial. No one wants to be crammed into a folding chair in the corner of someone’s kitchen. There should be room to move, comfortable chairs, and an easy way to stash snacks and drinks that doesn’t endanger the game. Second is good lighting. Dim lighting, lamps that only help half the table, or colored LEDs that make it difficult to read game components can make some players uncomfortable and stretch gaming sessions. Finally, the games. A good gaming space is all about ambiance. Kallax shelving is inexpensive and looks good in most settings, and will fit almost all sizes of modern table board games. Combine your shelving with some select box covers or artwork from the BGG artist series to really set the mood for your gaming space.”
What to consider when buying an arcade game?
“There are multiple things to consider when purchasing an arcade game. When buying a used arcade machine, it is important to survey the buttons and joy sticks, examine the overall condition of the machines, research what year produced the best arcade machines, how hard it would be to find replacement parts, and rarity. Always be sure to do your research, shop around, and explore the arcade machine market before making a final purchase.”
Jacqueline Mendes, Game Terminal
What to look for in buying darts?
“When buying darts and darting equipment, consumers are faced with two choices to start, Soft Tip or Steel Tip Darts. Most consumers start with Soft Tip Darts. They can be used at many Pubs and Dart venues. Next is to determine the Gram (weight) of the dart they will be throwing. I would recommend starting at 18 grams. If you want a heavier dart, there are products that can “Add a Gram” that is inexpensive. Or they can purchase a heavier dart which move up normally in 2 gram increments. ie: 20, 22, 24 grams. Darting is no longer just a game played in a Pub. A lot of people are adding it to their Home Game Room. It can be fun for the entire family, or guests that come to visit. As to the board people are selecting for their Home Game Rooms, most are buying the boards that accept Soft Tip Darts. Consumers can purchase the simplest boards that you would use manual scoring, up to an electronic board that will score up to 4 players automatically. Even better yet, a new Product has hit the market! It is called the Gran Board! This Gran Board has every bell and whistle that you could imagine. The Gran Board is Bluetooth enabled, allowing to play a family across town, or play a game with someone across the globe! All with your Smart Phone and a Gran Board! Darting can be a low cost ‘in’ for adding to ones Home Game Room. There are multiple different Darting Games that can be played on a dart board, and all skill levels find it great family fun.”
Darting.com
What do you need to design a luxury games room?
“Game rooms no longer have to be stuck in the basement. Now entertainment spaces are integrated into home bars, outdoor decks, lounges, and home movie rooms. They are also popular in public spaces, including corporate multi-home amenities, offices, and hotels.
- The perfect game room starts with you, your personal taste, needs, desires.
- What are you looking to accomplish with this space? Is it for just you? Is it for families with kids? Friends? Colleagues?
- Is it a multi-use space, for example, an open air dining/living room? What is your primary use of space and secondary?
- Is the game room indoors or outdoors?
- How much space do you have to work with? Putting together a room layout with measurements is necessary.
- What aesthetic inspires you and suits the interior? Do you like traditional, contemporary, futuristic? What colors do you like?
- There are a lot of questions to answer to figure out your priorities before designing the space. You can also work with an interior designer to help make the important decisions.
- Luxury Game Rooms can have many elements. Most popular are pool tables. At 11 Ravens we offer a wide variety of designs that can be customized to suit your needs or we can design a bespoke table from scratch. Knowing what you need and the visual inspiration is a great starting point for this. If you have a multi-use space, consider a convertible pool table with a table top that can be converted for ping pong, dining, or executive uses.
- If you like other games, like chess, table tennis, mahjong, poker, etc, luxury game rooms like the ones 11 Ravens designs often have a coordinating set of tables. It is a great way to entertain parties or offer variety for everyday use.
- Another factor in a great game room is lighting. Selecting a statement ceiling fixture above your pool table or other gaming tables can make an impact and highlight the beauty of the table. Spotlighting in your game room can create ambience and help viewing the play surface clearly.
- For outdoor game spaces, consider teak or coated aluminum for weather resistance.
- In all cases, it’s best to coordinate every element of the space so that the game room is both functional and striking. The measurements you created earlier will help you layout your tables. Pool, for example, needs 5′ around each side of the table for proper play. Those little details when laying out a luxury game space makes a huge difference.
No matter your style, needs, and game preferences, the best way to go about creating the luxury game room of your dreams is trusting designers that are trusted professionals to help guide you throughout the process. 11 Ravens is available to help create the furnishings for your game room at the highest quality with unique features, and top of the line materials.”
What are the essential considerations to design an aesthetic game room?
“When it comes to designing, appearance obviously tends to be the face of the project. Get the best accessories that present a mesmerizing look when fully functional such as contrasting colors, bright or sublime lighting and coloring choices (depending on the preference) or game room items. To achieve the best game room experience, you should choose well-known brands for both the components and accessories for gaming as well as the items in the game room such as lights, wallpaper, posters, or the paint. As an example, if you used a set of LED lights around your CPU to give it a compelling outlook, a single non functioning light would dramatically diminish the value of the whole setup. When brand new, all the items that you use for your game room would surely look good together and present an appealing composition when done right. In order to preserve the aesthetics of a game room, it becomes essential to choose a proven and assuring brand.”
What is the best way to store and clean your darts?
“Darts look deceptively clean, even when they are not. Just think of how dirty your hands are, everything you’ve been touching, and then you are going to be holding your darts for an hour or so while playing. But keeping your darts clean does not have to be difficult. For the average player, I recommend this simple 3 step formula for keeping your darts clean:
-Wash Your Hands: Start by washing your hands before you play. When you wash your hands, you not only remove dirt, but you will also remove some of the oily build-up on your skin. This is a great first step to keeping your darts clean, but removing the oils from your hands has the added benefit of helping you grip the darts better. A better grip means a better throw. That’s right! Clean darts can actually improve your game!
-Wipe Down When Done: There are many ways to clean your darts once your game is done, but the easiest way is to use regular baby wipes. Just give your darts a thorough rub down with the wipes and dry with a paper towel. If your darts are particularly dirty you can use a stronger disinfecting wipe, just be careful you do not use something so strong it removes any paint from your darts.
-Store Your Darts Safely: To store your darts safely, I recommend keeping your darts in a dart case. Even though dart cases are generally meant for players on the go, keeping your darts in a case even while at home has many benefits. A case will help to keep the darts clean from any dust and dirt. It will keep all the darts together in one place, and it will prevent them from falling or bumping into things that may cause damage to the dart or whatever its sharp point comes in contact with.
And that’s it. Cleaning your darts does not have to be a chore. It only takes a few seconds to wipe them down after play and they are ready to go when you are.”
DartHelp.com
How to set up surround sound in a rec room
“The steps to properly set up surround sound are:
- Step 1: Determine your speakers: Get the right equipment: You will need speakers, a receiver, and a subwoofer. You may also want to get a pre-amp, and a power conditioner.
-A receiver is a device that takes the audio signal from a CD player or a tape deck and converts it to a digital signal for use by an amplifier.
-A subwoofer is a speaker that is designed to reproduce low frequencies. It will make your speakers sound better. You can find a subwoofer at any home improvement store.
-A pre-amp is a device that takes the signal from the receiver and amplifies it, and it is usually placed near the speakers.A power conditioner is a device that restores the original power to a receiver by removing any noise that may be present. - Step 2: Find the right subwoofer: A subwoofer is what makes the room really boom.
- Step 3: Install the speakers: Installing the speakers is easy. First, you’ll have to open up the speaker box. Then, you’ll have to find the wires. Next, you’ll have to connect the wires to the speakers. Finally, you’ll have to put the speakers in their proper place.
- Step 4: Determine your speakers’ location: Determine where you want your speakers. Place them around your rec room in a way that they face each other.
- Step 5: Select the right height: You’ll want to place your speakers at a height that allows you to comfortably listen.”
What is the proper way to clean and maintain a neon sign?
“Using a feather duster to carefully and slowly remove dust build-up from your neon sign, repeating this process up to 3 times should remove any surface dust from your neon sign. For tougher or larger dust/grime build-ups we’d recommend using a damp luke-warm microfibre cloth to rub over each portion of your neon sign, removing the grime as you go. Ensure the cloth is not too damp, as you don’t want water or condensation around and in the wiring of your sign, as this will damage the neon sign. Patience is key when cleaning a neon, so please do not rush the process otherwise you may damage your sign, and face an unwanted bill to have your neon sign repaired.”
What is the best way to store and maintain board games?
“Our company uses hollowed book boxes as the packaging for our games. For your other games you can remove the bulky cardboard and instead put the contents of your game in a faux book, treasure box, antique tin, etc and use those items as decor. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised when they discover that game night was hiding right under their noses.”
What are some of the key elements to consider as you are designing your game room?
“Some key elements we highly recommend to keep in mind when considering a game room for your space are:
- Measurements are vital. Each game requires ample space for maximum enjoyment. If working with multiple games, consider mapping out your room before you make purchases. Our most popular fitting is for a utah pool table and we help clients identify the optimal table size in relation to the room size Another overlooked factor is the length of pool cues which heavily impacts the game.
- What do your entrance points look like? For example, an 8ft Air Hockey table will have a hard time being installed in a loft due to the weight and bulk of the item. Anything is possible, but to avoid install issues, really make note of access points for delivery and installation.
- Quality of products. We cannot stress this enough. The allure of free shipping or a brand name, does not mean a quality product and/or service. Read reviews and do your research. Online support systems are not as attentive as your local small businesses!
- Create a budget. There are great quality products within your reach. Having an idea of budget gives your game room designer a starting point to work with.”
Tips for using neon signs to decorate a game room
“Customise your neon. Consider going for a multi-color neon sign in order to have more customisability with colours and lighting effects. This allows you to change the mood of your room based on the game you’re playing. This can be using different colors in one neon, or going for full RGB. You can also consider customising the acrylic backing to your choosing. This can be transparent, black, or printed to enhance your neon sign. Make sure to get the right size. Measure your wall and plan out where your neon will go before purchasing it.”
What is the best way to hang a dartboard?
“Most boards come with a mounting bracket when they are purchased. Typically, these are very generic. We like to use the following brackets for a much sturdier approach:
- For soft tip (plastic tip): People should use this type of U-shaped bracket for granboard dartboards.
- For traditional steel tip: People should use this type of ‘U’ holder dartboard mounting bracket.”
How to choose quotes on your neon sign that are aligned with your game room design?
“Based on our experience with our community of clients:
- You can either choose a logo based on a tribute of your favorite streamer or create your own custom neon sign.
- You want your neon sign to be seen. The bigger is not necessarily the most relevant. Make sure that the size of your neon fits your video camera frame.
- There are several diameters of neon tube. Using a 8- or 9-mm neon tube will avoid your neon sign to flicker during your recording session. Each custom neon sign vendor can precisely inform on the quality of tube that will be used to create a design.
- Choose a custom neon sign that comes with a dimmer. Light intensity needs to be dimmable for a better outcome on your sessions. Also, you could assess how comfortable you are with the neon light.
- For your game room you can choose a LED neon sign better than a glass neon sign. The neon is low voltage, safe and silent. Single color, several color or even color changing are many possibilities to have your own custom design and feel that you build a game room of your own.”
What are the factors people should consider when choosing board games for the whole family?
“Different games suit different families. If you don’t play many games, look for a game with simple rules that can be taught in under 5 minutes. Avoid games that include loads of luck as there is minimal player agency and the family is less likely to want to play again. Look for games with quick turns or simultaneous play – these will keep everyone fully engaged. Games where it’s not clear who is winning until scores are tallied help to train children to enjoy playing rather than needing to win.”
Ellie Dix, The Dark Imp.
Tips for protecting a board game collection
“Protecting and curating a board game collection can be both satisfying as well as difficult to navigate, the following are some tips that I would like to pass along. First, it’s important to store games in areas that have little to no moisture/humidity, because over time that presence of water can warp game boards, cards and even undo certain glues that hold the game together. If you can afford too, keep a dehumidifier near your game collection if you are in an area that’s prone to high humidity. Secondly, try not to stack too many games on top of each other. Games can be heavy and the boxes at the bottom of the stack can suffer damage that isn’t apparent until the next time you pull it out to play. Lastly, I recommend building a board game care kit. It can have anything from tape, super glue, extra component bags, dry erase markers, pencils and much more. If you really want to dive into the deep end, get a hard sided carrying bag for safely transporting games on trips and a laminator to extend the life of printed rules and save on waist by reusing laminated score sheets. Hopefully this helps you keep your games in order and enriches your passion for this amazing hobby and lens of social interaction.”
What are the essential factors to consider when decorating a game room?
“Game rooms have the potential to be super dynamic spaces in the home. People too often stop with the equipment and the big TV screen. The single purpose of these rooms are to be both fun and socially charged. No matter the style of the home, the goal is to create a built environment that is holistic to the goal; ‘Forget everything else and let’s play’. My personal perspective is that the most successful game rooms are built around a core identity that express a lot of attitude. I like to use original art commissioned for the space that has its own energy and attitude that can’t be missed. A great piece of 3 D art, powerful wall graphics, graffiti; something strong that speaks to games and does not take itself too seriously. A modern day spin on the Colosseum, a ticker tape parade sending the message of’ let the games begin’. For me you can never have too much attitude in a game room. Beautiful sleek game rooms might photograph well but they don’t do much for human nature. A bar is obviously always a good thing but even a built-in cabinet that can serve as a wet bar with a sink and refrigerator or even a buffet is a plus. Lighting is also critically important. Fun lighting can go a long way. In one of our game rooms we have lighting that is made from recycled garbage. It is both art and light. We need enough light to see but not too much for mood and adult entertainment. A strong fusion of sexy and fun make the most compelling game rooms for adults. Children depend on their age teenagers like sexy and fun but younger children high octane fun. Ideally it is a fusion of both if the space is being used by multiple generations. Creative spaces open the door for creative games and great conversation. A great sound system is also important. Game rooms are noisy which is part of the fun. The goal is always to surprise and delight our guests with something original. Kick back, relax and just cut loose. Don’t get lost in the style and don’t make them formal or you will kill the vibe before it gets started. In a home, these spaces should represent your personality and attitude about life. They are coming to see you so share how much fun you can be.”
Dawson Design Associates
Crafting the perfect game room is about striking a balance between comfort and fun. The experts’ insights into selecting the right furniture, board games, and game consoles are invaluable in setting up a space that’s as enjoyable for solo relaxation as it is for lively gatherings. Integrating smart home gadgets can subtly enhance this lively atmosphere, adding elements like voice-controlled lighting or automated entertainment systems that blend modern technology with leisure for an even more engaging and convenient gaming experience. It’s the thoughtful combination of these elements that turns a simple room into a hub of entertainment and joy. With a touch of personal flair and a nod to professional advice, your game room becomes more than just a space – it becomes a vibrant epicenter for making memories, sharing laughs, and enjoying the best of times with family and friends.
