It’s something that lots of us dream about – having somewhere in the home where we can indulge our passion for games, free from interruptions or complaints that we’re hogging the TV, the computer, or even just the table. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury of a spare room that we can transform into a pleasure palace. But, for the lucky ones, there are a few things to consider before you take the plunge. There are also some other important decisions to make about how and when you think the room is going to be used.
What games do you want to play?
The very first consideration will be what kinds of games you want to play in your gaming room. A lot of this is going to be dictated by the overall space that’s available. For smaller rooms, it may just be a question of setting up a PC or console gaming area where you can escape to play your favourites in glorious isolation.
But if you have a little more space, then why not think about making it more of a social area where you can invite a few mates round to play some good old-fashioned board games like Risk or Monopoly, or even host your own mini poker tournament?
The latter’s a really popular way to combine a social time with a little competition. Even if you’re not 100% sure of the rules or how to organise a poker night you can find it out on newzealandcasinos.com.
If you really do have some space to play with, then a pool table’s a great addition, or even a retro arcade game or two. You can pick these up quite easily these days for just a few hundred dollars.
Getting the right hardware
If you’re planning to turn your games room into a place for video gaming, then the first thing to do is invest in the best gaming monitor for the room. This is going to make the experience extra-immersive and it’s also a good idea to make sure there’s a sound bar, or other sound system, to match.
Of course, it’s a wasted opportunity if you don’t also use the screen to be able to watch TV during your gaming downtime, in which case it’s also a question of making sure that you’ll be getting the very best reception.
Given that you’ll also want internet access, one issue that might arise is that a strong wi-fi signal can’t reach your games room. If this is a problem, then it could be time to invest in a mesh system to boost the signal.
Last, but not least, this could be the time to invest in that new games console you’ve been promising yourself, even if it means waiting till round Christmas to treat yourself to the all-new 8K-ready Xbox X or the Sony rival also due for release towards the back end of 2020.
Furniture and fittings
Again, this is going to be largely dictated by the size of the room. But, as a bare minimum you’re going to need a table, chairs and some kind of racking system to keep your games and different gaming devices handy. If you are planning to have nights when mates come round, then you’ll need to have places for them to sit too.
Before you commit, however, it’s a good idea to mark out a plan of the room, either on squared paper or using one of the tools that are widely available online, to see where everything will go. By doing this to scale, it will be a good guide to the size of table that will fit and the number of chairs you can fit in. And don’t be constrained by traditional furniture. Bean bags are super comfortable, don’t take up much room and add to a really relaxing vibe.
One item that you might also want to invest in is one really high-quality gaming chair. This might sound like a bit of an indulgence but most gamers agree that it can add immeasurably to the overall gaming experience.
Finally, don’t forget about refreshments. Keeping a few bottles cold in a mini fridge will also save you having to venture out to the kitchen in the middle of a gaming session.
Décor and lighting
This is a very subjective area so it’s one that’s best left to personal taste. That said, there are a few things to bear in mind. The first is that, while the gaming might be exciting, this is primarily a room for relaxation. So, choose colours that create that feeling, like light yellows or whites with a hint of another colour.
Put some good quality carpeting down as this will help with the soundproofing of the room and then pay special attention to the lighting. You want this to be adjustable to meet the mood. LED lighting systems are ideal because they let you alter both the color and the intensity of the light, depending on the circumstances. There are also mood pre-sets on the more sophisticated systems, saving you from having to set it up new every time. However, with these types of products, due to the wiring being very thin they’re prone to breaking. So, make sure that you’re purchasing the product from a high-quality shop neon lights UK (or in your location) company, for long-lasting lights.
Don’t forget the details
You get one go at setting up the perfect gaming room so careful planning is a must. For example, there may be a lot of cabling to arrange and it’s a good idea to make sure that you know how this will be concealed. This is going to make the experience extra-immersive, and it’s also a good idea to make sure there’s a sound bar, or other sound system, to match. Also, make sure to get the best 140mm case fan to help you fight all the heat that builds up inside your PC when you’re playing for a longer time. A good quality fan is silent, and it will keep the interior of your PC fresh and cool.
Then there’s the temperature. How will you ensure the room doesn’t get too hot or too cold?
We’ve also already touched on soundproofing so you could also look into what insulation might be suitable for walls that may adjoin other rooms in the house.
To sum up, it’s all about planning ahead to decide what kind of room you are able to create and making sure that you’ve not overlooked any details. Then, it’s just a question of setting a budget and doing the very best that you can to create your own perfect oasis of gaming pleasure.
