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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 |
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