If you are lucky enough to have an extra room in your house, one of the burning questions is what to do with this space. The decision is an important one, but, unfortunately, it can also be a contentious one. One idea that might seem popular to certain members of your household is to create a gaming room. It might seem like a luxury, but it can also be a unique shared space that all the family can enjoy. As such, it can be a great idea if everyone agrees on what it should represent and how it should be executed.
The first thing to consider is who the gaming room is for. If you’re significant other wants a gaming room to become something akin to a man cave, then it’s perhaps time for a discussion over the use of the space in the home. It’s not that creating some sort of boys’ club is a bad thing in and of itself. Rather, it’s a case that the area must be an inclusive one, which can be enjoyed by all the family.
Gaming does not need to be front and centre
Of course, there should also be a discussion over what the gaming room should represent. Arguably, an entire room should not be devoted exclusively to video games. Of course, you might need a desk for games you play on your browser, and perhaps a gaming chair, but there is room for other types of equipment. For example, you might consider that the gaming room also becomes a home office, so that it can be used for work and play. Much of the equipment can be crossed over, so it’s a natural compromise.
Indeed, some see the benefits of having a gaming room as a social space, one where you can entertain friends. Again, it goes back to that concept of having a shared space, one that is not simply used to escape from the kids. Having sofas and chairs, a coffee table, and other furnishings that are not aimed at the gaming monitors alone is a good place to start. Of course, if you have the space (and the cash), adding a bar can help create a brilliant social space to invite friends and family around. Building a bar-top counter and adding some facilities to serve drinks doesn’t need to be expensive; it just depends on how far you want to take it.
Adaptability is key to make use of the space
If the gaming room is to become an inclusive space, lighting is one of the most important elements. Lighting is one of the key features of a welcoming atmosphere, so perhaps drop the neon lights if you want to have friends over for a few drinks. Adaptability might be one of the best ambitions to have for your gaming room. If it can double up as an office, well, great. If it can also be the kind of room that the kids can enjoy, even better. And, if you can invite friends around to enjoy the space, that’s a big win too.
In the end, it’s a big decision for anyone to make about their home. It does seem like a luxury, but there are many things you can do with the space. In years gone by, many homes would have had the “good room”, the one where the kids weren’t allowed to play in and the one where your aunt would scold you if you spilt something. But we might argue that those rooms, with their lack of utility, are the luxuries. In 2022, a gaming room can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Maybe it is a necessity.