For as long as we can remember, game nights have been the ultimate way to connect with loved ones and, okay, embrace your competitive streak. But while the cozy nights of yesterday might’ve included busting out a beloved board or dealing a hand of cards, some people are raising the stakes with a game room: A designated space to play everything from pool to pinball.
According to the interior designers who are tasked with creating them, the rise of game rooms is a rallying cry for connection. “Clients want to really enjoy their home and create gathering spaces for family and friends to be together,” says Wendy Blackband, who runs her eponymous design firm in Costa Mesa, California. “Game rooms give built-in opportunities for fun memories to be made; they draw kids and grandkids home.”
Sausalito-based designer Pamela Lastiri agrees and says game rooms can also be a nice respite from today’s screen-obsessed society. “We are seeing more and more how addictive our phones and tablets can be,” she says. “Having a designated room to spend time with board games, watch movies, play records, assemble puzzles, and read is a great way to create valuable memories within a home.”
Design by Blackband Design; Photo by Ryan Garvin Photography
A designated game room is a luxury, but it is possible to bring a playful spirit to every home. For example, simplifying adding a square card table can transform a living room into an excellent backdrop for a game of Mahjong, which is growing in popularity. However, if you want to take your playful place to the next level, you’ll first want to select your games.
Blackband says that shuffleboard is rising in popularity, not to mention it’s easy to decorate around. “Their slim design allows them to fit in more spaces than a pool table that needs a considerable amount of breathing room to play,” she explains. “Shuffleboards can fit nicely behind a sofa as long as the sofa is designed to have a tall enough back.” Or, if you’re looking for a setup that will pull double duty, invest in a special top to place over a shuffleboard or pool table so you can also use the room for dinner or a round of cards.
Once you figure out which games you’d like to play, consider layout. “A logical floor plan is critical for the functionality of the space so that pool cues aren’t poked through walls and ping pong paddles don’t shatter fragile lighting,” Blackband adds. As a general rule of thumb, she says pool tables need several feet of clearance, while dart boards should be placed far away from windows.
On the style front, game rooms are all about having fun—so decorate accordingly. “Paint and wallpaper, fun prints, and colors and art are key components for a show-stopping game room,” Lastiri shares.
Design by Inside Stories; Photo by Eric Lucero
Meanwhile, Miranda Cullen of a Colorado-based design firm called Inside Stories says a gallery wall is an excellent way to bring a pop of personality into the mix. “Curated pieces—whether prints, photographs, or paintings—add a chic, personal touch that brings depth to the space without feeling too casual or incomplete,” she shares.
Lastiri also recommends using performance fabric for your upholstery to ensure there are zero game-night fouls.“This shouldn’t be a room that adds stress by potentially damaging anything and should be appropriate for all ages to feel creative, engaged, and relaxed,” the designer explains.
But remember: While a game room is a great place to pack on the fun, it should be cohesive with the rest of your home. After all, designers agree that though game rooms might seem like a passing trend, they have plenty of staying power.
“Just like a kitchen and a dining room are center stage for great conversations and gathering, game rooms can provide the same function,” she says. “It’s a great room to provide a way to reset and lock stress and worries outside that door.”
