Decorating a Game Room with 10 Functional Tips

Decorating a game room is more about functionality than beauty. You want to fit every activity into a single room and make the setting comfortable. You can still unite the elements under the same decorative color palette, but the design should focus on the purpose of each unit within the game room. The tips below cover the most common aspects of decorating a game room. You'll find functional, money-saving advice that will help you make the most of your budget and available space.

#1. Billiard Table & Lighting

Decorating a game room with a billiard table is a dream come true for many people. Make sure you have 63 inches of space all around the table. If the space is tighter, buy short billiard cues. As for lighting, save money on your game room decorating by looking for large overhead lamps designed for dining rooms instead of billiard tables, like the one I featured with this article. If there's room, add bar stools in the corners with narrow mantle shelves on the wall for setting down soda cans.

#2. Dart Board

A dartboard can become a decorating nightmare, especially if the players hit the dartboard as often as you win the lottery. Hammer a large square of plywood over the wall. Paint it using a sea foam and three gradient shades of latex paint, which will create a faux finish. Finish decorating your game room by hanging the dartboard in its place of honor. The faux design will mask the inevitable holes that will soon collect on the plywood. (Tip: for extra decorating beauty, add a mitered frame around the plywood made from window casing cut at 45 degree angles.)

#3. Floor Games

Be sure to leave some empty floor space when decorating your game room. If you happen to have a fireplace, the floor near it is ideal. Add a plush rug that's fun to lie on and play board games.

#4. Family Game Nights

Create a seating area, preferably with a round table, for playing board games in large groups. Make sure your game room decorating takes the height of everyone present into account. Choose a taller table if there are toddlers or pets around, who might sweep game pieces to oblivion. For cozy floor seating, choose a chest table and keep the board games stored there when you're not playing.

#5. Electronic Games

Set a corner of the room for electronic games. Place a large screen TV on a triangular corner table that has compartments below. Keep games, consoles, remotes and gadgets in wicker baskets under the TV. Then add cozy comfort to your game room decorating with 2 beanbags in front of the TV and others scattered nearby, depending on the number of people you expect to host

#6. Refreshment Stand

Decorate your game room with a lazy person's attitude in mind. Place a small fridge in one corner, stocked with soda cans, beer and bottled water. Rest a lidded garbage can beside it (the kind with a foot handle). Buy cheap plastic stackable drawers or shelves to store snacks on top of the fridge. Then to return some sanity to your game room decorating, place a decorative screen in front to hide this makeshift kitchen.

#7. Audio Stories

Incorporate a CD and cassette player into your game room decorating. Install simple shelves on the wall using shelf brackets (or build a cube bookcase). Store audio stories, books and music.

#8. Pinball Machine

Add pizzazz to your game room decorating with a full-sized pinball machine. Look for deals on eBay, Craig's List or online closeouts. Be sure to select a corner of the room that has a free electrical outlet.

#9. Master Score Board

Incorporate a master score board into your game room decorating. Buy a white board or blackboard at an office center and hang it near the dart board and game board playing area. You can also save money and create a score board yourself by painting a square of plywood with chalkboard paint (found at home improvement stores).

#10. Window Covers

When decorating your game room take account of the windows. Is glare going to be reflected in the TV screen? Are any spots in the room too exposed to sunlight which could shine in people's eyes or fade the furniture? For the simplest solution, order outside-mount faux wood blinds, without holes, which will give you maximum window coverage.

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