Games Room Design

[mordzy]

Hi all,

I been trawling the internet for some design ideas for my games room. I don't want a generic type arcade room as this doesn't fit with my style nor do i have space to make a dedicated room. they style i want is something modern and contemporary. where is a good place to look for some ideas? i have done a quick search on the forums but not come up with much inspiration.

Cheers
 

[javeryh]

Try the AVS Forums.

[Benevolance]

That is an awesome site.

[javeryh]

That is an awesome site.

I agree but a lot of times I find it to be too much information... or at least the people there are way too nerdy (which is saying a lot coming from me).  It is almost impossible to figure anything out because they analyze things too much - I don't care about sound frequencies and wave charts - I just care that it sounds good.  It is good to get ideas though from the pictures in the project threads in the Home Theater forum even though 90% of them are completely out of my budget range.  I mean, I do pretty good for myself but it's like most people there can drop $20K on a setup which is crazy.

 

[DeLuSioNal29]

Check out this thread:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81323.msg848209#msg848209

D

[mmb]

*chuckle*  20k on a setup?  There a quite a few posters there that drop 20k on the projector and the av receiver alone.

Stick to the FAQs on room dimensions and sound wave absorbing materials and you'll be fine.  If you stick a few cabs in your game room you'll want to be concerned about sound absorption, just from the noise of the cabs.

I agree but a lot of times I find it to be too much information... or at least the people there are way too nerdy (which is saying a lot coming from me).  It is almost impossible to figure anything out because they analyze things too much - I don't care about sound frequencies and wave charts - I just care that it sounds good.  It is good to get ideas though from the pictures in the project threads in the Home Theater forum even though 90% of them are completely out of my budget range.  I mean, I do pretty good for myself but it's like most people there can drop $20K on a setup which is crazy.

 

[JODY]

I'm also in the process of doing a game room.  It will be mixed pins, vids, air hockey, foosball, etc.  Besides the sound one thing that concerns me is lighting.  I would be concerned with lights reflecting off monitors and glass.  For me, I'm going to be concerned with reflections off pinball glass too.  I've read where some people paint their ceiling black or hang black fabric to prevent reflections.  Also, too bright a light distracts from the arcade screens / pinball lights.  I plan to hang lights directly over the air hockey and foosball tables to light them as needed (similar to a pool table light).

[DeLuSioNal29]

Also, too bright a light distracts from the arcade screens / pinball lights.  I plan to hang lights directly over the air hockey and foosball tables to light them as needed (similar to a pool table light).

How about torch lamps?

[Q*Bert_OP]

Also, too bright a light distracts from the arcade screens / pinball lights.  I plan to hang lights directly over the air hockey and foosball tables to light them as needed (similar to a pool table light).

How about torch lamps?

I have red and blue colored CFL bulbs...they run about $7 each and give off light similar to that of a neon beer sign.

[mordzy]

thanks for the help guys. it was more the decor / carpet / paint - wallpaper i was interested in. the ones i have seen dont really have the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) since they replicate actual arcades. i need something modern and contemporary but also looking cool and games room ish. i did see a post on some forum of a guy who had blue walls with the space invader 8 bit transfers on the walls in varying sizes and some chrome fittings and stools etc. looked very swish.

[javeryh]

*chuckle*  20k on a setup?  There a quite a few posters there that drop 20k on the projector and the av receiver alone.

That's what I meant.  I wasn't even talking about the actual room.  I'm in the very early stages of planning my gameroom addition and my best guess is that the project will be about $150,000  - and that will be for a very small room (20' x 18').  Of course there will be a family room on top of it and a master bedroom/bathroom on top of that but still, it's crazy.

[HanoiBoi]

thanks for the help guys. it was more the decor / carpet / paint - wallpaper i was interested in. the ones i have seen dont really have the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) since they replicate actual arcades. i need something modern and contemporary but also looking cool and games room ish. i did see a post on some forum of a guy who had blue walls with the space invader 8 bit transfers on the walls in varying sizes and some chrome fittings and stools etc. looked very swish.

Can you elaborate a bit more?  How big of a room is this?  Is it an entire basement?  What are you looking to include? 

From what you've written, it doesn't really sound feasible to have a room that is strictly for gaming and meets your WAF for style.  If it's a large room, basement, etc.   If it's a place that she wants to hang too, then you can definitely work seating in, a bar and/or tables and easily come to a compromise on colors, artwork and flooring.

If you're looking at a 10'x10' and you're thinking space flooring and black lights...then yeah...I don't think she'll be on board.

[eds1275]

For my man area, I went with light grey walls and maple flooring with fir baseboards and door trim. White doors. Fiance thought it was gonna be ugly... now she loves it.

[mordzy]

Sorry, im in the UK so rooms are small id say 16 x 4  or a mixture of the total area. im not sure exactly till i smash some walls down. EDS1275 seems to have a nice neutral scheme. Wife aint a gamer but loves tech and loves the stuff i fix and put together, i guess i dont want to insult her appreciation by going proper authentic arcade... saying that, its not my taste either. im really struggling to come up with a way to explain what i mean.

Perhaps an extreme version would be to say imagine a apple shop, clean and modern. maybe change the white to a boy blue and change the apple logo for some clusters of old 8 bit characters on the walls here and there. perhaps a wooden floor and some exposed stone work - i live in an area of yorkshire were houses are built from yorkshire limestone. i really love the way modern can tie in well with the old if done properly. i needed some ideas of how to tie the machines i have in.

[Raitsa]

Hi all,

I been trawling the internet for some design ideas for my games room. I don't want a generic type arcade room as this doesn't fit with my style nor do i have space to make a dedicated room. they style i want is something modern and contemporary. where is a good place to look for some ideas? i have done a quick search on the forums but not come up with much inspiration.

Cheers
 

You could try http://www.hometheaterdesignmag.com/readerinteriors/

[DirtyDachshunds]

I am currently building a house.  Here is my design for my game basement.

[sstralkowski]

I say pick a single game, and stick to the design/color scheme of that game.  You can get a sleek modern design from some of the old school color schemes and general design styles.  Do you prefer space design or medevil design?  That will effect the overall style in terms of basic shapes, finishes, lettering, etc. 

I ran into the same issue when designing my comic book room in my last house and my current one.  The last house had a Spidey theme to it so I painted the walls bright blue and had red curtains and White furniture.  Very vibrant and it definitely infused into anyone who walked in.  It definitely had a very energetic feel to it and was still something my wife would walk into and say "I love this room.  Good job."  The room at my current house took on a different style due to the hardwood floors.  I have medium gray walls and red trim and shelving.  A bit more mature looking, but it still pops. 

Hope this helps. 

[mordzy]

thanks for all the help dudes. the games i have are MK series and KI series. they all tie in well together so its not that the machines dont go well. its getting that killer decor tie in without being too dark.

ideas will help loads.

when i come round to doing it i will take some pictures and upload.

cheers

[sstralkowski]

I'd go with the red and gold theme of the two series.  Some deep red walls and Gold accenting like in firniture hardware or lighting fixtures.  I personally prefer the brushed gold/brass finish over the gold chrome look, but that's just me.  I know for sure Crate & Barrel has some trendy ideas that would work with those colors.  Maybe hit Bed Bath & Beyond, Pier 1 and Ikea as well.  If the thought of 4 dark red walls is too much go with a beige that has a nice golden tone to it for 3 of the walls and a dark red for an accent wall, possibly the one behind the games.  Make sure any wood grains compliment this color scheme as well.  And then as a finishing touch, possibly an accent pillow or two in that metallic light grey/blue just to bring attention to the flecks of blue in the cabinets side-art depending on which cab you have.  

[javeryh]

I am currently building a house.  Here is my design for my game basement.

Sick dude.  How quick did you do that layout?  I'm trying to learn Sketchup but I am finding it to be VERY difficult.  I don't have experience with these types of programs though.  Also, how do you get it to scale?  Do I need to actually measure every single nook and cranny of my basement in order to make a layout like this?  Awesome stuff.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I am currently building a house.  Here is my design for my game basement.

Sick dude.  How quick did you do that layout?  I'm trying to learn Sketchup but I am finding it to be VERY difficult.  I don't have experience with these types of programs though.  Also, how do you get it to scale?  Do I need to actually measure every single nook and cranny of my basement in order to make a layout like this?  Awesome stuff.

Well that layout took me some time, just because I did all kinds of tweaking to the floor plan.  But I learned sketchup relatively quickly using their tutorials.  It is very intuitive compared to other 3D modeling programs.
The sketch still isn't perfect (bathroom area).  I wanted to fit storage, a pool table, poker table, bar, and theater and I finally decided on this layout.  I move in the new house in less than 2 weeks!  I can't wait to get started.

[kronic24601]

Is your water heater behind a sliding glass door?

[DirtyDachshunds]

Is your water heater behind a sliding glass door?

hah yea.  In reality, that door would be solid wood, but that is the only sliding door model I found to use.

[eds1275]

If this works, here's a pic of my live room; control room's not up and running yet and there's no trim but I really like the colour scheme with the maple and grey. Once the control room is done my red chairs and desk will move out of here and I can get my equipment set up again.

[mordzy]

You could try http://www.hometheaterdesignmag.com/readerinteriors/

Super site thanks Raitsa

[sstralkowski]

If this works, here's a pic of my live room; control room's not up and running yet and there's no trim but I really like the colour scheme with the maple and grey. Once the control room is done my red chairs and desk will move out of here and I can get my equipment set up again.

Love the color of the flooring, but the different color lighting is playing hell with the grey walls.  I can barely make out that it's grey at all. 

[javeryh]

I am currently building a house.  Here is my design for my game basement.

Sick dude.  How quick did you do that layout?  I'm trying to learn Sketchup but I am finding it to be VERY difficult.  I don't have experience with these types of programs though.  Also, how do you get it to scale?  Do I need to actually measure every single nook and cranny of my basement in order to make a layout like this?  Awesome stuff.

Well that layout took me some time, just because I did all kinds of tweaking to the floor plan.  But I learned sketchup relatively quickly using their tutorials.  It is very intuitive compared to other 3D modeling programs.
The sketch still isn't perfect (bathroom area).  I wanted to fit storage, a pool table, poker table, bar, and theater and I finally decided on this layout.  I move in the new house in less than 2 weeks!  I can't wait to get started.

I really need to get out of the NYC area.  It's way too expensive.  Anyway, my proposed addition will mean I add a large room to the back of my house and excavate my existing basement down another 4' so the total finished ceiling height will be about 9.5' - in the existing basement and the addition.  You can kind of see what's going on in my attached pic but unfortunately this is as advanced as I get right now.  To give you a sense of scale, the existing basement is about 25' x 25' (the entire footprint of my house) but I bet the usable interior space is about 23.5' x 23.5' - not a ton of room.  Also, I'm not sure I'll be able to get rid of the support poles or the wall I marked as the "demo wall" because it would cost way too much to get steel support beams custom made to span the width of the house to keep it from collapsing.  Any ideas?

[DirtyDachshunds]

I also have an ugly drain line a support pole right in the middle of the basement (see the two ugly wooden pole things in my pictures), pain in the ass.  Currently is your demo wall just a concrete wall?  Depending on how you want to use the space, you don't necessarily have to take that wall out.  What kind of things do you want to have in your basement?

That planned addition will really be nice once it is all done.  Especially with the head space in the basement.  That is almost a necessity if you want to finish it.  I paid a little more for an extra foundation block for my basement and I love all the head room.

 I can't imagine how much all that space is going to cost in NYC.  Probably a little different here in Columbus, OH.

...and the only reason I put some much time in my layout is because I'm a first time home buyer, im really excited to get in our new place, and they've been building the house for the last 7 months.  So this is all I can do for now until it's all done.

[javeryh]

I also have an ugly drain line a support pole right in the middle of the basement (see the two ugly wooden pole things in my pictures), pain in the ass.  Currently is your demo wall just a concrete wall?  Depending on how you want to use the space, you don't necessarily have to take that wall out.  What kind of things do you want to have in your basement?

That planned addition will really be nice once it is all done.  Especially with the head space in the basement.  That is almost a necessity if you want to finish it.  I paid a little more for an extra foundation block for my basement and I love all the head room.

 I can't imagine how much all that space is going to cost in NYC.  Probably a little different here in Columbus, OH.

...and the only reason I put some much time in my layout is because I'm a first time home buyer, im really excited to get in our new place, and they've been building the house for the last 7 months.  So this is all I can do for now until it's all done.

I am planning on a home theater room and a bar/arcade room.  I like your idea of the bar/seating area behind the couch - I don't think I'll have room for 2 rows of recliners so that's a great solution to accommodate more people.  I'd love a bathroom down there but I don't think I have the room (or the money) and I'd love a pool table but I definitely don't have the space.  All the junk around the room (oil drum, water heater, etc. all take up space, unfortunately).

Your design is great because I didn't notice the support poles and you have hidden them into your layout rather nicely.  Congrats on the house - there's nothing better than owning your own place.  This is also my first house although I've been there 6.5 years already and it is looking more and more like this will be it for us even though we planned this as our starter house.  It is way too expensive to move and we can't really afford anything bigger in town.  To give you an idea, my next door neighbor just sold their house for $580,000 and they have a smaller house than I do - mine is 25' x 25' on 0.14 acres.  I've got two stories and an attic with an unfinishable basement!  It is crazy.

[DirtyDachshunds]

I also have an ugly drain line a support pole right in the middle of the basement (see the two ugly wooden pole things in my pictures), pain in the ass.  Currently is your demo wall just a concrete wall?  Depending on how you want to use the space, you don't necessarily have to take that wall out.  What kind of things do you want to have in your basement?

That planned addition will really be nice once it is all done.  Especially with the head space in the basement.  That is almost a necessity if you want to finish it.  I paid a little more for an extra foundation block for my basement and I love all the head room.

 I can't imagine how much all that space is going to cost in NYC.  Probably a little different here in Columbus, OH.

...and the only reason I put some much time in my layout is because I'm a first time home buyer, im really excited to get in our new place, and they've been building the house for the last 7 months.  So this is all I can do for now until it's all done.

I am planning on a home theater room and a bar/arcade room.  I like your idea of the bar/seating area behind the couch - I don't think I'll have room for 2 rows of recliners so that's a great solution to accommodate more people.  I'd love a bathroom down there but I don't think I have the room (or the money) and I'd love a pool table but I definitely don't have the space.  All the junk around the room (oil drum, water heater, etc. all take up space, unfortunately).

Your design is great because I didn't notice the support poles and you have hidden them into your layout rather nicely.  Congrats on the house - there's nothing better than owning your own place.  This is also my first house although I've been there 6.5 years already and it is looking more and more like this will be it for us even though we planned this as our starter house.  It is way too expensive to move and we can't really afford anything bigger in town.  To give you an idea, my next door neighbor just sold their house for $580,000 and they have a smaller house than I do - mine is 25' x 25' on 0.14 acres.  I've got two stories and an attic with an unfinishable basement!  It is crazy.

Different world.  We paid $184k for a new build over 2k sq ft on 1/3 an acre here. 

[javeryh]

I also have an ugly drain line a support pole right in the middle of the basement (see the two ugly wooden pole things in my pictures), pain in the ass.  Currently is your demo wall just a concrete wall?  Depending on how you want to use the space, you don't necessarily have to take that wall out.  What kind of things do you want to have in your basement?

That planned addition will really be nice once it is all done.  Especially with the head space in the basement.  That is almost a necessity if you want to finish it.  I paid a little more for an extra foundation block for my basement and I love all the head room.

 I can't imagine how much all that space is going to cost in NYC.  Probably a little different here in Columbus, OH.

...and the only reason I put some much time in my layout is because I'm a first time home buyer, im really excited to get in our new place, and they've been building the house for the last 7 months.  So this is all I can do for now until it's all done.

I am planning on a home theater room and a bar/arcade room.  I like your idea of the bar/seating area behind the couch - I don't think I'll have room for 2 rows of recliners so that's a great solution to accommodate more people.  I'd love a bathroom down there but I don't think I have the room (or the money) and I'd love a pool table but I definitely don't have the space.  All the junk around the room (oil drum, water heater, etc. all take up space, unfortunately).

Your design is great because I didn't notice the support poles and you have hidden them into your layout rather nicely.  Congrats on the house - there's nothing better than owning your own place.  This is also my first house although I've been there 6.5 years already and it is looking more and more like this will be it for us even though we planned this as our starter house.  It is way too expensive to move and we can't really afford anything bigger in town.  To give you an idea, my next door neighbor just sold their house for $580,000 and they have a smaller house than I do - mine is 25' x 25' on 0.14 acres.  I've got two stories and an attic with an unfinishable basement!  It is crazy.

Different world.  We paid $184k for a new build over 2k sq ft on 1/3 an acre here. 

Wow.  I really wish all of my family and friends didn't live on the east coast.  I'm estimating that my proposed addition will cost almost as much as your entire new house!!!      It really is a different world.  No wonder everyone around here is underwater on their mortgages and out of money. 

 

Would it be possible for you to upload your sketchup file so I could play around with it or at least get an idea of how to make my own?

[javeryh]

Also, check out this build - guy dug out his entire basement and it is coming out sick.  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1117148

[DirtyDachshunds]

I also have an ugly drain line a support pole right in the middle of the basement (see the two ugly wooden pole things in my pictures), pain in the ass.  Currently is your demo wall just a concrete wall?  Depending on how you want to use the space, you don't necessarily have to take that wall out.  What kind of things do you want to have in your basement?

That planned addition will really be nice once it is all done.  Especially with the head space in the basement.  That is almost a necessity if you want to finish it.  I paid a little more for an extra foundation block for my basement and I love all the head room.

 I can't imagine how much all that space is going to cost in NYC.  Probably a little different here in Columbus, OH.

...and the only reason I put some much time in my layout is because I'm a first time home buyer, im really excited to get in our new place, and they've been building the house for the last 7 months.  So this is all I can do for now until it's all done.

I am planning on a home theater room and a bar/arcade room.  I like your idea of the bar/seating area behind the couch - I don't think I'll have room for 2 rows of recliners so that's a great solution to accommodate more people.  I'd love a bathroom down there but I don't think I have the room (or the money) and I'd love a pool table but I definitely don't have the space.  All the junk around the room (oil drum, water heater, etc. all take up space, unfortunately).

Your design is great because I didn't notice the support poles and you have hidden them into your layout rather nicely.  Congrats on the house - there's nothing better than owning your own place.  This is also my first house although I've been there 6.5 years already and it is looking more and more like this will be it for us even though we planned this as our starter house.  It is way too expensive to move and we can't really afford anything bigger in town.  To give you an idea, my next door neighbor just sold their house for $580,000 and they have a smaller house than I do - mine is 25' x 25' on 0.14 acres.  I've got two stories and an attic with an unfinishable basement!  It is crazy.

Different world.  We paid $184k for a new build over 2k sq ft on 1/3 an acre here. 

Wow.  I really wish all of my family and friends didn't live on the east coast.  I'm estimating that my proposed addition will cost almost as much as your entire new house!!!      It really is a different world.  No wonder everyone around here is underwater on their mortgages and out of money. 

 

Would it be possible for you to upload your sketchup file so I could play around with it or at least get an idea of how to make my own?

Yea, I can tomorrow.  It is on my other computer.  However the file is like 30mb, so I need somewhere to upload to

[eds1275]

Love the color of the flooring, but the different color lighting is playing hell with the grey walls.  I can barely make out that it's grey at all. 

Yeah, those are just the bulbs I have, and they're different. That's not intentional. I'm still renovating The grey is very slight though. Look to the wall/ceiling to get a better jist of the difference.

[kronic24601]

Different world.  We paid $184k for a new build over 2k sq ft on 1/3 an acre here. 

HA! Try living Los Angeles, CA region and then we can talk. I just a small 3b/2b shack under an airport and across from multiple apartment buildings and it STILL is about to break the bank. I'm currently sketching up a way to have a game room/workshop in the garage, but it's a small garage 19/21... and I have a Skeeball machine... so my space is tight. Google Sketchup is awesome though it really helps to lay things out before I get started.

[Epyx]

Definitely a dream of mine as well. Everyday my unfinished basement taunts me with what "could be"...just need to get the funds to be able to do it.  I also agree about  AVS Forums...love the place but so many of those projects are in figures that I would have to plant money trees to budget.

I have one room in the basement that only requires electrical, no plumbing etc so the cost won't be so bad, I may start with that one. I can do the framing and initial drywal, sub floor and then get someone to finish the electrical and tape/mud.

[javeryh]

Definitely a dream of mine as well. Everyday my unfinished basement taunts me with what "could be"...just need to get the funds to be able to do it.  I also agree about  AVS Forums...love the place but so many of those projects are in figures that I would have to plant money trees to budget.

I have one room in the basement that only requires electrical, no plumbing etc so the cost won't be so bad, I may start with that one. I can do the framing and initial drywal, sub floor and then get someone to finish the electrical and tape/mud.

At least you have the space!  That's the main thing.  My house is so small and so old (the ceilings are low and the exterior walls are ROCKS) that it is impossible to do anything to it without major renovations.  I could probably afford to pimp out a basement (modestly) but not the space!  Adding the space is what is going to break the bank!