How to Build Your Own Game Room
By Nancy Taylor
Childhood obesity is on the rise. Kids are spending
far too much time in front of the television and
playing video games, and not enough time interacting
with family and friends. This generation doesn’t
relate to others as well as in generations past,
families don’t talk to each other and we need to
unplug our kids. In order to know what our kids are
doing and learn who their friends are, parents
should provide a friendly space for them to hang out
with their crowd. Does all that sound familiar? If
you are looking for a way to bring friends and
neighbors together, give the kids a room where they
will be willing and able to stay busy and engaged
and away from the TV, a family game room may be the
perfect addition to your basement or family room.
Any room in the house can be converted into a home
game room. No matter what the size, there is likely
something that can be done make the area a fun and
engaging space for the entire family. Enlist the
help of a home decorator, or consult books and
magazines on the subject. You will be thrilled to
see the options available to you. Remember to
include young children when deciding on what to put
in your game room, but invest wisely. A 7-foot pool
table will not be as challenging as the regulation
size once the kids are older, for example, so keep
those things in mind. If your family is more
inclined to play board games and cards, look for
game table options, and if you are looking for ways
to keep young teens and their friends in your
basement on Friday and Saturday night, keep that in
mind as well.
Whether you are looking for a safe haven for your
kids and their friends, a family gathering spot or
an area to entertain primarily adults, a game room
is a wonderful home decorating option. The variety
of games and entertainment systems ensure that no
matter who your audience is, you can come up with
something that is sure to please and become a
favorite spot for everyone for years to come.
Things to remember when building your own game room:
Pay Attention to the Size of Your Room and the
Equipment You Plan to Buy. A standard 8-foot
billiards table will need at least a 13 by 17 foot
area so that people can comfortably walk around it.
Remember to Have Food Available for Your Guests.
Whether it is kids or adults you hope to entertain,
everyone will appreciate beverages and snacks while
they are in your game room. Whether it is a simple
counter where bowls and beverages can be places, or
an entire bar setup complete with refrigerator,
icemaker and snow cone machine, don’t forget to feed
your guests.
Think Beyond a Pool Table. While billiards is
probably the first thing most of us think of when we
build a Family Game Room, remember some of the other
options you have available to you. If you have a
small space to work with, a foosball, air hockey or
poker table is a great game table option. Looking
for something a little more avant garde? Antique
pinball machines, jukeboxes and slot machines can be
a fun variation to the standard game room. If the
area you are working with is very long and thin,
consider a shuffleboard table.
Remember to Decorate the Walls! Engage the entire
family in decorating your game room. Everyone can
participate in picking out artwork and furniture to
tailor your entertainment area and give even the
youngest child a chance to participate in the
decorating process.
For more information and some ideas about how to set
up a game room in your own home, check out these
websites:
www.brunswickbilliards.com, www.gameroomantiques.com,
www.potterybarnkids.com,
www.decoratinginspiration.com.
Looking for books on the subject?
Fun Rooms: Home Theatres, Music Studios, Game Rooms
and More
by Ana G. Canizaras
Home Theatres and electronic Houses
By Cedia |
