by Luke Smith
If there is an empty room in your house that you are
looking to transform or a current entertainment room that you want to improve, there are many tips at your disposal. Let’s look at some of the techniques that the professionals recommend and touch on the best seating, decor, and game options to create a space designed to impress.
For many people, the living room is where they spend most of their time, so it should be comfortable and visually pleasing. The first step to the perfect decor is figuring out your ideal interior design style. Some people like a contemporary look with furniture and wall decor that is of
the current trends, while others like to mix and match new and old styles with a more traditional look.
Regardless of your personal preference, most designers recommend a more simplistic look to the room. Clutter adds too many elements and can look messy, unappealing, and limit space for guests.
Once you know your style, start to get a bit more specific as you look at colors and lighting for your space. Experts have found that different colors create different feelings for people in that room. For instance, gray walls can help your living room feel more spacious, while green provides a more natural look, and is also the color most synonymous with safety and security.
When it comes to lighting, don’t go overboard. You don’t want to blind your guests, and in fact, you should have your lighting on a dimmer so you can adjust based on preference. If you have a television in the room, place lighting carefully to limit glare.
Finally, you will want to have several seating options. A couch works well along with a couple of chairs, so guests have options. A wrap-around sofa provides a comfortable experience and will allow all guests to talk to one another without additional strain.
A game room is a perfect place to provide guests with fun and comfort. If you are going to invite people down to an entertainment room like this, then you need to have something for everyone to do.
Start with the television. Go for a larger model so guests
can see it regardless of where they are standing in the room. Many decorators recommend mounting the television and concealing the wires to create a more streamlined appearance. Remember to turn off the TV when not in use and restrict any “always-on†features, so that you can save money on electricity costs.
Now you need to add some fun things to do. Consider a billiard table as your main centerpiece that will really pop when placed on hardwood flooring. Overhead, you can hang a classy, elongated billiard light or a few pendants so players can see what they are doing. If you enjoy playing cards, you could also consider pairing this with a poker table. There are plenty of design ideas to choose from including the color of felt on the table. The colors can range from black to green to blue, so find a color that fits in with your decor.
When it comes to seating for a game room, consider easily moveable furniture like ottomans and stools so guests can move them to where all the action is taking place. The great thing about ottomans is that they can double as furnishings, so they look nice even when not in use. If you play video games in your gaming room, then spend a few extra dollars on ergonomically designed chairs that people will be comfortable in for long periods of time.
Whether you are making world-class cocktails or looking for a great place to watch the baseball game, a well-made home bar will do the trick. A bar can be its own room or a small part of a larger area. Even if you are limited on space, there are numerous solutions you could try. For example, you can create a layered look that includes a small wine cabinet with shelves above it for liquor bottles. Or, using
something like a mobile bar cart will create a simple look of sophistication.
If you are going for the traditional bar look, then you should consider stools that are just the right height. As a general rule, if your bar or counter is 34-39 inches tall, then you should use counter stools that are 24-29 inches high. For a standard bar or kitchen counter that is 40-46 inches high, stools should be 30-36 inches tall. You also have the choice of stools with backs or without. A backless stool creates more openness with the room, while one with a back can be a bit more comfortable.
As for lighting, consider a mix of ideas. Put recessed lighting over the bar, so you get full illumination of the beverages without anything hanging in front of them. Over the bar itself, you can add pendant lighting with a few lights for a larger bar or a single fixture over a small bar.
We all love the idea of getting together with friends and family in the comfort of our home. Take some time to perfect the design of your entertainment room and turn your house into the local hot spot.