Basement Theater/Game Room [Finished!]

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Xiaou2:
I think the Theater screen looks too small. Ive messed around a little.. and made a Retractable ceiling mount screen. If this isnt possible (expense) ... a pivoting flip-down wall version could also be made.

This allows games to be put behind the screen when movies are playing... and when retracted, you get that space back, and space to be able to stand at the games. It also give you a much larger projection screen.

You could make stadium style seating, for more than 4 people. Under the seating, you could have the platform house the subwoofers and bass shaker transducers. The entire arcade and speakers could also be on a 10" or so tall platform, allowing placement of center channel speakers in the front face of the platform.

The bar could exist where the laundry was, and the closet could be the bartender entrance.

The red lines are a mass loaded curtain (track) that retracts when not needed for movies.

Pink circles are ceiling rear channel speakers. You may also want to install some speakers above the bar, and other areas, for widespread general music playing.

javeryh:
Wow - you guys are the best. Thanks for the suggestions!! I agree that I'm trying to do too much with the room... I think I needed someone to say something. Although I like the first layout best, the bar area is too big. I probably only need a counter up against a wall somewhere with a small sink and fridge/microwave underneath. Just enough to keep some drinks cold and some snack storage.

I love the idea of moving the laundry area BUT I don't think that's practical. I know this thread is large but the area in my layout with the arcade cabinets, bar and theater is the only "usable" space. The ceilings will be 8' - everywhere else will be approximately 6' which means I have to duck to fit in there (I'm 6' tall). The new room (theater and bar) will be dug out to 8' - the arcade area is going to be jack-hammered out of my existing basement down about 3' so it will be even with the new room. So the effect is that when you open the doors to the washer/dryer they will be sitting on a raised platform. All of the other utilities (HVAC, water heater, etc.) will be on the raised platform. The oil tank is being removed. The media closet, while large, is also on the raised platform so there's not much I can do about its size. I also need to account for a sump pump in the top left or right corner, unfortunately.

This room will be primarily used for hanging out - playing video games, drinking beer and watching sports with friends. I also think I'll be watching a lot of movies but that will be a secondary function which is why I'm not opting for a dedicated theater. Movies will also be more of a family event rather than something we would invite people over to do.

I need to play with the sketch-up some more...

DNA Dan:
If the oil tank is coming out, why can't you take that whole bottom area to the outer foundation? Am I missing something here? That's a lot of wasted space in the floorplan. While the single theater/arcade room makes the best use of space, you have to decide if your parties are "all one activity" or not. Would hate to be watching Sophie's Choice when someone hits a new high score on Tempest. You have to decide just how much privacy you like when you watch movies. I know some people who need silence on the silent parts, that sort of thing.

In the split landing scenario I provided, it allows for you to lower the arcade floor, but keep the laundry area where it is. My whole point with the laundry is you want it as accessible as possible. It's bad enough you have to walk down there with your clothes. Speaking of which, you should consider a laundry chute that you can drop clothes in and have them dump down there. Will save you half the trips and make the wife happier.

EDIT: I see what you're saying about the height. Still seems like you could dig down closer to the perimeter foundation and still gain a lot more space.

Howard_Casto:
Yeah I'm not getting that either.

The reason you aren't digging the whole thing out.... is that an expense issue or something? Because if it were me I'd rather have a totally unfinished basement with 8 foot ceilings than a one with a strange layout that makes half of the space virtually un-useable. I get that the crawl space and the little box (I guess for a sump?) in the corner have to stay... utilities and all that, but I don't see why the area that the oil tank, and the ac/heat/media closet area couldn't be dug out. If you are worried about the ac/heat you could leave those two things on the existing floor and dig around... it wouldn't hurt a bit to have those on platforms as the space is unusable for anything else anyway.

I apologize if I sound pushy. It's really hard to understand the troubles of remodeling a space unless you are actually in the space to look at it.

But I've gotta ask... if your basement is so damp that you need a sump pump is it really the best place to store arcade cabs? Or anything for that matter? Ever thought of an above-ground addition? ;)

javeryh:
If we try and lower the entire basement up to the existing foundation it will be prohibitively expensive. The entire structure would need to be underpinned which is a huge undertaking. If you come in far enough from the walls you can dig down without worrying about the existing house caving in. Honestly, I don't mind leaving the slab at that height since that space will be used for utilities and storage - especially given the cost (we need the storage - this is the only place in the house for it).

Above the "new" basement area will be a 2 story addition - family room on the first floor and a master bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. We are not allowed to go even one square inch larger with the design because of the town building code and coverage rules. I'm on 0.14 acres so it's not a lot of space to work with.

I just need to figure out how to make the space the most usable. I don't think I'll ever be trying to watch a movie or something while people are playing video games (if people come over to specifically watch a movie I imagine that's what everyone will be doing) and if we are watching football with a bunch of friends I won't care about the background noise from the other activities. I could be wrong but that's what I'm thinking. I should post some pictures of what it looks like now so you guys can get an idea of what I'm working with.

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