Want to crack the code on a winning game room? Ask almost any designer and they’ll tell you it all comes down to knowing when to follow the rules — and when to take a stylistic risk. Adding to the challenge, of course, is that game rooms are often relegated to basements, oversized dens, and stair-landing lofts. This means decorating one can feel like anything but fun and games. To help you develop a winning strategy, we’re partnering with Claire Staszak of the Chicago-based firm Centered by Design, and collecting her best tricks and tips and help you score the gorgeous game room of your dreams.
RELATED READ: How to Decorate with Vintage Game Tables
Pursue a sophisticated palette
Game rooms often get a rap for featuring poor lighting, cast-off furniture, and blasé shades of gray. To ensure your room gets off on the right foot “treat a game room like it’s any other space in your home,” says Claire. “Consider the functionality of the space and create an overall scheme and color palette.” Color palettes you’ll often see designers opting for include blue and brown — a combo that hits both playful and refined notes — or powder blue and champagne. For something more extroverted, try colors that recall classic game room components, such as kelly green (which pays homage to green velvet-topped pool or poker tables), or black and white (which conjures a traditional chess board).
Section your space
If you’re transforming a large, subterranean space like a basement into a game room, section it into what Claire calls “intentional zones.” These can include a pool table or ping-pong table area bordered by a lounge seating zone, a TV viewing area, a traditional game table zone, or bar area. Since large spaces can feel daunting to design, assigning different corners different functions is an excellent way to puzzle together a cohesive design. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to anchor your room with a living room-like arrangement against one wall, then filling in around it with some of the areas or zones listed above.
Layer your lighting
In a game room, it can be tempting to install a lighting fixture over a pool table or ping-pong table and call it a day, says Claire. “But,” she reminds us, “if guests are partaking in other activities, it’s also important to include ambient lighting in the design.” Sconces can be helpful in a game room, especially if your room is large and won’t incorporate too much furniture on which table lamps can be placed. Another option is to install recessed lights, which similar to sconces, can be installed exactly where you want a beam of light. When it comes to table lamps, consider dropping one onto a bar cart or bar ledge, if you have a wet bar installed in your game room. Battery-operated lights, which are becoming more design-forward these days, can also be styled at the center of a game table or bar table.
Foolproof your floors
Similar to a home gym, game rooms are likely to see physical action, which means you’ll want to pay some mind to the materials you place underfoot. “While we love the look and feel of vintage rugs in a space, it’s important to consider a game room’s layout,” says Claire. “Runners positioned alongside a pool table might create a tripping hazard, so we find it’s best to source a larger area rug that’s anchored by the furniture and gaming pieces.” Considering that gaming and drinking often go hand-in-hand, you’ll also want to opt for durable flooring under your rug, such as tile, brick, or concrete.
Grab a gorgeous game table
Years ago it would have been challenging to find a pool table with a cool factor, but today the order’s not quite so tall. From trestle-base pool tables to Mid-Century Modern-inspired ping-pong tables, there’s no shortage of options. If you’re interested in tying your table into a particular color scheme, you might want to opt for a custom table advises Claire, who personally likes the idea of opting for customized felt and wood tones that complement your room’s color scheme.
Add vintage verve
At its core, a game room should never take itself too seriously. “Incorporating vintage sports or game-inspired decor can be a fun way to bring character to the space,” says Claire. “For instance, try vintage wooden bowling pins, chess boards, or wooden bocce balls styled in a large bowl.” Don’t underestimate the power of beautiful vintage board games hung as wall art, either.
Kickstart a playful mood with art
Colorful photography — think Slim Aarons’s whimsical prints — can be a great starting point for a game room. Photography with bright colors instantly evokes an ebullient mood that feels right in line with a game room’s ethos. You might also consider colorful, high-res photography if your game room lacks natural light or windows altogether. Large-scale photos can effectively mimic windows in a pinch.
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Lead photo by design by Morgante-Wilson / Photo by Werner Straube Photography
