Planning Your Games Room: Key Considerations

So you’ve decided that you can’t live without a games room, and you’re ready to take the plunge, either converting an existing space or starting from scratch.

Once you’ve settled on a general theme and have an idea of what types of games you’ll want to play in your space, work through our checklist before you buy to make sure you’ve covered all your bases. (There’s nothing worse than having a pinball machine stuck in your kitchen because you didn’t realize it wouldn’t fit down the stairs…)

• Who will use the space, and how will they use it?
• Will there be small children in the space at any time? (If so, you will need to review the room from “two feet” to address any potential safety hazards, and you may want to rethink games like darts, or those with tiny play pieces)

• Do you have enough room to house your games and play them comfortably? (Click here for a list of the space you’ll need for larger items, like a pool table)
• Will your games room be in the basement or on another level of your home? What other rooms/activities adjoin the space?
• Is there a bathroom nearby? (If your games room will become a hub of activity for family and friends, it’s ideal to have a powder room in its general vicinity)
• If there will be electronic games, is there adequate ventilation in the room?
• Do you need to upgrade the room’s electrical circuits or add soundproofing?

• Will your games room contain pinball or video game machines?
• Will you want to play music?
• Does the space adjoin bedrooms or a home office?

• What is your games room budget?
• Do you know the costs of the larger items you wish to buy?
• Can you use or convert (building your own game table, for example) any existing furniture for the space?
• Have you obtained cost estimates for any professional services you require to complete the space (electrical, construction, painting, soundproofing)?