design my room game tips

Lisa Romerein

There's a reason arcade games and pool tables are popular in bars and why playrooms and parks are a thing: No matter our age, we just want to have fun at the end of the day (or all day and all night long). And if space allows, having your very own game room is, well, a game-changer. To get some game room ideas for kids and adults alike, check out these examples and take notes, so you can make yours the very best entertainment space in the neighborhood. Ahead, 37 designer-approved game rooms that are so cool, you can finally cancel that season pass to your local amusement park.

pool table, blue pool table, blue and white stripped rug

Anson Smart

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Add a Bar

The custom black riley england pool table in this room by Greg Natale has convenient under-table storage for all the cues. Not to mention, the bar across from it makes it an ideal hangout space.

ping pong table

Lindsay Salazar

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Go for a Chic Ping Pong Table

Kirsten Krason, cofounder of House of Jade Interiors, selected a table by HD Buttercup with a net made of handstitched leather. "The kitchenette against the back wall has storage for snacks, drinks, and extra balls," she says.

games table

Lauren Pressey

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Buy a Transforming Game Table

For added functionality in this home lounge, LH.Designs owner Linda Hayslett customized a table with sides that fold down and legs that lower and raise; it can go from low coffee table to seat-height card table in seconds.

skate ramp

Joe Schmelzer

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Build an Outdoor Escape

The tree house and skate ramp in this Los Angeles backyard allows the kids to enjoy fresh air while engaging in a thrilling activity with their friends (and any especially brave parents).

games table

JESSIE PREZA

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Design a Minimalist Parlor

Fitz Pullins designed this natural light–filled room for his husband and stepdaughter, who love to play chess. So how do they keep it tidy? "We have an acrylic trunk that stores all our games," he says.

foosball table

paul raeside

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Create a Foosball Corner

The built-in sofa in this game room allows Foosball players to take a quick break between rounds, and for any visiting parties to comfortably enjoy a front row seat as the action unfolds.

games room

JULIE SOEFER

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Make It a Versatile Lounge

Monochromatic floor-to-ceiling shelves display decor and hold essentials in this game room designed by Nina Magon, while soft surfaces welcome everyone. "The parents use it for entertaining and for their young child to play in," she says.

Room, Interior design, Furniture, Wall, Ceiling, Table, Lampshade, Floor, Living room, Lighting accessory,

David A. Land

8 of 44

Add a Cocktail Corner

This sleek monochromatic game room in the home of CB2 president Ryan Turf and his wife, Jessica, of Turf Design, pulls out all the stops. Though the main attraction is the pool table, the pedestal table and sitting area on the periphery make this the perfect place for a night cap, too.

Yellow, Room, Property, Interior design, Green, Furniture, Home, House, Ceiling, Living room,

Studio DB

9 of 44

Build an Indoor Slide

There's cool playrooms and then there's this playroom designed by Studio DB. What could be a better game room addition than a twisty slide? When it's too cold to go to the park during the winter, your kids will still be able to slide all day long. Plus, it's visually unexpected, which gives the room an edge. See you later, Six Flags.

Room, Furniture, Table, Floor, Living room, Interior design, Piano, Flooring, Wallpaper, Games,

BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

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Make It Music-Friendly

A game room isn't complete without instruments. Take notes from this space designed by Peti Lau for a musician. The Yamaha grand piano anchors the room and sets the stage for the other instruments and music memorabilia lining the shelves.

Table, Furniture, Room, Games, Wood, Floor, Indoor games and sports, Plywood, Hardwood, Recreation,

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Play Shuffle Board

Interior designer Michelle Gage is here to remind us that shuffleboard is the perhaps the best (and also most underrated) bar game there is. Who wants to play pool anyway?

Green, Furniture, Room, Table, Product, Houseplant, Interior design, Living room, Leaf, Plant,

Studio Ashby

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Convert a Corner for Chess

If you have less space to work with or you fancy a more cerebral kind of game corner, create a stylish nook for chess matches. Studio Ashby paired kooky, psychedelic fabric with a graphic chess table.

Living room, Room, Furniture, Interior design, Property, Coffee table, House, Couch, Wall, Table,

Studio DB

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Install An Indoor Swing

If you don't have enough room to build a slide, opt for an indoor swing instead. It'll make the playroom feel more personalized and unique. Plus, the swing set is always our first stop at the park anyway. This furry one by Studio DB makes it extra cozy. And if your kids have a swing to practice pumping their legs on, you can sit back and relax at the playground instead of pushing them.

Furniture, Room, Interior design, Table, Dining room, Property, Wall, Building, Floor, Design,

Dacian Groza

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Make It Multi-Purpose

In this billiard room designed by Heather Hilliard, there's something for everyone to do. Whether it's hanging out on the sofa with a good book or for family movie night, playing squash (yes, that's a home squash court behind that glass in the corner), or playing pool, this is the ultimate hang out space.

Shelf, Furniture, Shelving, Room, Orange, Table, Wall, Yellow, Interior design, Desk,

Katherine Carter

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Get a Pinball Machine

We love how this console table in a space designed by Katherine Carter is decked out in old-school arcade games instead of traditional décor. Bring it to the next level with a pinball machine in your game room. Make it a coin-operated one if your neighbors start coming over to play too often.

modern room with ping pong table

Douglas Friedman

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Add Skylights

Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio elevated this game room in an open floor plan space with metal and sheepskin stools (great for spectators, too). The steel and glass doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and two skylights fill the room with that iconic Malibu light.

billiard room ideas

PHOTO: Tom Furguson; DESIGN: Arent & Pyke

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Invest In a Pool Table

Pricey, sure, but pool tables can instantly elevate a room. Case in point: the one pictured here by Arent & Pyke. Even if you just put in somewhere like a basement, the entire space gets an upgrade. Oh, this old basement? I think you mean my billiard room. It even sounds swanky.

game room

Shade Degges

18 of 44

Frame Old Games

Instead of tossing old board games, frame them! It's the perfect way to spruce up blank walls in a fun-centric space, like this one by Jae Joo. Plus, it proves that you don't have to even have an entire room to designate to a foosball table—just use an empty hallway or landing.

playroom ideas

Regan Baker Design

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Create a Jungle Gym

With a game room this epic, you'll never need to leave the house again. Designed by Regan Baker, this space is heaven for active kids.

game room

JESSIE PREZA

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Set the Mood

Fitz Pullins livened up this bonus room with a neon sign, making it the perfect spot for a game of chess and a nightcap. The inky high gloss doorframe also sets the mood.

Room, Ceiling, Interior design, Property, Furniture, Floor, Building, Arch, Architecture, Wall,

DAVID A. LAND

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Make It Serve Double Duty

To truly get the most out of a room, it's best to invest in multi-functional pieces that enhance the space's versatility. So Kentucky-based interior designer Chenault James created a dining room table that transforms into an upscale ping pong table. Now the space is gets guaranteed use beyond special occasions and holiday dinners.

converted garage

LH Designs

22 of 44

Convert a Garage

Convert an unused garage or stand-alone backyard shed. It'll make all those games feel even more like a special escape and get the imagination flowing for kids if they have a designated place to play. LH Designs gave this one a fresh coat of pain, hung some decor, and then optimized it for storage space.

Living room, Room, Furniture, Interior design, Property, Blue, Table, Couch, Yellow, Wall,

Heather Hilliard

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Set up a Projector

Set up a projector for movie nights and video games. Paired with elevated furniture, it can double as a family or living room. Heather Hilliard Design chose a blue and white color scheme with splashes of earth tones to warm it up.

nook for gaming

Jessica Antola

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Build a Gaming Nook

Where we see an awkward stair landing, Erin Fearins sees a hangout. Encased in a walnut frame, this nook by Fearins Welch Design and CWB Architects is spacious enough for two brothers to convene for video games.

Room, Floor, Flooring, Wood flooring, Hardwood, Vehicle, Sport venue, Basketball, Laminate flooring, Leisure,

Studio DB

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Make It a Basketball Court

Move over, Barclays Center. If you and/or your kids love shooting hoops, build a half court at home. You could also get a kid-sized, arcade-style basketball hoop if space is an issue. Studio DB had the right idea: We'll be in that little seating area in the back, if you need us.

outdoor ping pong table

Emily Minton Redfield

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Take It Outside

Max Humphrey created the ultimate hang-out zone on this patio, from the outdoor kitchen and wet bar to the fireplace-adjacent sitting area, and, of course, the ping pong table.

living room with disco ball

Leanne Ford Interiors

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Bring Out the Disco Ball

Nothing says "fun" like a disco ball. The light it emits just makes you want to dance! This living room by Leanne Ford Interiors is classic and approachable, which makes the disco ball a welcome surprise and can instantly turn the space into the perfect backdrop for a karaoke party or family game night.

game room ideas

Studio Ashby

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Make the Study Fun

Combine a study with a game room by bringing in an elevated foosball (like this one designed by Studio Ashby), pool, or ping-pong table. With cozy seating and plenty of books, you can use the space for both work and play.

Furniture, Room, Table, Interior design, Property, Wall, Desk, Coffee table, Shelf, Building,

Victoria Pearson

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Opt for a Ping Pong Table

Table tennis has a similar visual appeal as a pool table, but it's way, way easier to maintain and move around. Not to mention, it's a lot more affordable and will come in handy during beer pong tournaments.

Room, Interior design, Floor, Furniture, Shelf, Wall, Ceiling, Building, House, Flooring,

Cass and Nico

30 of 44

Add Some Gym Equipment

Design firm Cass and Nico Studio maximized this space by leaning a large mirror against the wall. We're loving the contrast between the whimsical, modern wallpaper with the retro-inspired punching bag and ballet bar.