Fun has never looked so chic.
It's high time to weave some serious fun into our homes through design. Picture this: the chicest game room lovingly carved out and dedicated to laughter, play, and togetherness. A game room isn't just an area—it's a gathering hub where friends and family meet to create unforgettable memories.
And don't think for a second that 'fun' can't be stylish. A game room is your canvas to decorate with vibrant
wall colors, unique artwork, and even vintage pieces that tell a story. Even if you are limited in space, you can still ingeniously transform an overlooked spot or an unused living room corner into the life of the party.
From majestic, turreted playrooms the whole family will love to chic attic retreats that offer an unexpected escape, dive into our carefully curated collection of outstanding game room ideas that promise to transform your space into the ultimate entertainment hub. Don't forget to invite us to your next game night!
Rely on Textiles
The design team at Carrier & Co. cleverly hid the A/V equipment in this Upper East Side media room behind an acoustic fabric that complemented the color of the existing stone fireplace. Positioned by the fireside, the Karl Springer chess and backgammon table invites cozy game night enjoyment.
Think Outside the Box
Take your game room to new heights, like designer Nina Campbell did with this incredible bowling alley. The home's "play house" features a game room, bowling alley and private nightclub (complete with a bar and dance floor). How fun is that?
Add a Few Antiques
At Black Bear Lodge, designer Richard Keith Langham thoughtfully arranged the first floor to cater to various activities such as enjoying board games. A 19th-century French oak table, accompanied by oak armchairs, beckons guests to gather for a game after dinner.
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Embrace the Grandeur
In this Irish manor, designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, moments of wit and whimsy shine amidst the grandeur. The walls, adorned with an emerald damask covering from Claremont, speak to the home's heritage, while the presence of a billiard table adds a playful nod to the space.
Make It Colorful
This turreted playroom may have been designed with the client's daughters in mind, but it offers whimsical fun for the entire family. Designer Chauncey Boothby and architect Paul Kramer turned the two adjacent third-floor rooms in this New York home into a spacious area dedicated to play and movie-watching.
Celebrate Quirky Spaces
Designer Mark D. Sikes turned the once raccoon-infested attic at Grey Gardens into a verdant retreat by covering the walls in a leafy stripe wallcovering (Soane Britain). Friends and family can lounge on plush bean bag chairs (Sack Me) while playing Monopoly in the secret game alcove.
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Make It a Family Affair
Designed by TIEK BY DAY, this Louisiana retreat serves as an inviting vacation spot where the owner and their large family can come together. The billiards room features a custom pool table and an extensive library, making it the ideal setting for friends and family to gather after a day spent on the lake.
Opt for Easy Clean Up
On this lavish Hawaiian yacht, designer Ken Fulk needed to make sure that every furnishing and decorative accent could secured when the boat was racing. For example, the koa-wood game table in the main saloon flips over to become a coffee table, and all the pieces can be secured.
Add a Hidden Bar
Within the expansive great room of this Lake Toxaway lodge, designed by Cliff Fong, a drum chandelier (Downtown) casts a warm glow over a custom pool table crafted by Blatt Billiards. Adding to the ambiance, a concealed walk-in bar is ingeniously unveiled during co*cktail hour with the ascent of a mechanical panel showcasing an Alexander Calder masterpiece.
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Go Big with Pattern
This charming Connecticut game room, crafted by designer Ashley Whittaker, delivers a striking decorative impact. The clever combination of two 18th-century Indo-Persian borders by Pierre Frey disrupts the monotony of conventional striped walls. An antique Russian cabinet serves as a chic resting place for an array of games, including dominoes, cards, and beloved board games frequently enjoyed by visitors.
Transform a Cozy Nook
Designer Sara Gilbane transformed a quaint alcove in this Sea Island, Georgia retreat into an enchanting game nook. The salon's stylish backgammon corner offers an upscale touch to daytime gaming, complete with inviting seating.
Create a Multi-Purpose Library
In this New England Colonial estate, the library is anything but silent. Here, a custom horn card table by designer Markham Roberts and plentiful antiques invite lively after-dinner games.
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Convert a Corner
In this London rowhouse, a charming corner beside the fireplace in the pale green sitting room becomes a cozy gaming retreat. Designer Gary McBournie has dressed the cushions of the Louis Philippe dining chairs in green satin with wide pink trim, ensuring comfortable seats for game nights that last well into the evening.
Use Retro Fittings
Melanie Turner artfully integrated vintage pieces into the design of this Atlanta media room to create a sense of continuity with the rest of the home. A fireplace with an antiqued gold mirror and cozy loungers are cozily nestled behind a 1960s floor-to-ceiling openwork wood screen, offering a touch of privacy within the space.
Make Historical Nods
In this charming Atlanta cottage, the compact attic space inspired designer Amy Morris to transform it into a quaint gaming nook. The red leather chairs, treasures from the Paris Flea Market, bear vintage cigarette burns—a detail the owners chose to preserve as a nod to the chairs' storied history.
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Look for Idyllic Views
The gaming nook in Philip Mitchell's Nova Scotia cottage offers such picturesque views that even Wylo the Ganaraskan can't resist them. Adding to the charm is Pablo Picasso's "L'Âge de Soleil" adorning the wall.
Utilize Low-Slung Forms
In her Long Island home, designer Meg Braff has transformed the upstairs media room into a casual yet ultra-stylish family retreat. The decor, inspired by midcentury designer Mont, features curvy, low-slung forms that Braff notes are perfect for video-gaming and movie-watching.
Get the Paint Out
Designer Veere Grenney fashioned this Mustique retreat to complement the island's laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. The antique Hamilton billiards table was painted a crisp white to seamlessly integrate with the room's decor.
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Upholstery Is Key
Designed by Louise Wicksteed for movie-watching and gaming, this contemporary room incorporates English country charm through its upholstery. For example, the RH ottoman features a George Spencer striped fabric that plays off the other patterns within of the Cotswolds manor.
Include Plenty of Seating
Spacious, well-lit rooms create an ideal backdrop for family game nights, as exemplified by this Cape Cod retreat designed by Liz Caan. A comfortable Dmitriy & Co. sofa and cozy Harbinger game table chairs provide ample seating for an enjoyable evening.
Sarah DiMarco
Associate Editor
Sarah DiMarco (she/her) is the associate editor at VERANDA, covering all things design, architecture, art, gardens, jewelry, travel, wine and spirits. She also manages social media for the brand.