Even with space being a scarce commodity in Singapore, many share a dream of having a dedicated room where relaxation and gaming becomes an immersive and unforgettable experience. Welcome to the world of game rooms! If you're eager to set up your very own game room, this step-by-step guide on how to set up your own game room can definitely help you gather ideas throughout the process.
From furnishing and decorating to customising your game room to emulate your personality, we've got it all covered. Don't click away! Let's get you geared up to build the game room of your dreams.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Own Gaming Room at Home
Setting up your own game room can be easy and fun if you make the best strategic decisions. So, sit back and relax, and follow our game room guide below.
Let your gaming planning process begin!
Section 1: Starting Your Planning and Gathering Ideas
You don't want to start investing in your home game room or man cave without the right planning methods in place. Otherwise, you run the risk of either going over budget or ending up with an incomplete gaming setup. Here's what you should do first:
1. Envision Your Home Game Room
Before you can start setting up the game room of your dreams, you must first envision what you want the gaming corner layout to look like. Take some time to think about what you'd like to see included or designed in your small or large home gaming room in the future. This helps you narrow down your options when it comes to buying your gaming essentials and decorating your home gaming room setup.
If you don't know where to start, look up gaming room ideas online. Talk to people who have game rooms. Do your own search on room design, mechanics, and the like. Better yet, read this article we made on the different types of games rooms we've worked on in Singapore. Doing these helps you expand your horizon and practise your brain to think of room ideas out the box. This is especially helpful when you’ve got to imagine your game room within a limited setting.
The Questions to Ponder:
- Will this space be enough for my home game room or should I invest in an entire room?
- How do I see my home game room after I've set it all up?
- What kind of gaming devices do I wish to see in the space?
- What about the walls of my home gaming room? Decor? Storage? Other furniture?
2. Know Your Room Space and Measurements
Next, identify the perfect location for your game room at home. It could be a spare bedroom, a basement, an attic, an unused kitchen, or even a section of your living room. Be creative and open to new ideas because your gaming room need not be confined by 4 walls!
Consider room factors such as limited and available space, natural lighting, and proximity to power outlets. Ensure that the chosen gaming corner setup or room aligns with your vision and provides enough space for the games, furniture, and gaming equipment you plan to include. If you imagine setting up a gaming room in phases, make sure that the room offers you potential to expand your present and future collection of games.
The Questions to Ponder:
- What size or space do I have at home?
- Will the gaming space fit all the equipment I plan to set up?
- What kind of layout do I want to see in my home gaming corner setup or room?
3. Make and Set a Reasonable Budget — And Stick to It
Establishing a gaming nook at home can be an exciting endeavour, but it's essential to create a gaming room budget that's both realistic and attainable. Gaming costs can add up quickly, from gaming machines and accessories to room furniture and decor.
Prioritise your spending based on your gaming vision and allocate funds for each element. Don't forget to account for unexpected room gaming support expenses that might arise during the process of your room setup.
Having said that, home game rooms are a representation of the family's quality time as well as the passions that you care about. It makes sense to apportion a reasonable budget for high quality gaming experiences rather than to stinge on sub par products that you will outgrow after a few uses.
The Questions to Ponder:
- How much am I willing to go in terms of budget for my gaming room?
- Does my gaming budget range include installation, delivery, and manpower costs for my room? If not, am I prepared to DIY some gaming aspects to save on costs?
Section 2: Selecting Your Gaming Essentials
The planning stage for your gaming nook is now complete! After you've answered all the questions above for your planning process, it's time to get down to the details of your gaming room.
1. Choose Your Games and Furniture
What series of games do you want to play within your future home game room? Whether you're a fan of arcade classics, computer and gaming tables for pool and foosball, or even PC gaming, you've got an endless supply of gaming setup options to choose from for your room. It can be overwhelming at times, but remember to stick with your room vision ideas, budget, and limited space, when considering your gaming options, so you don't make the wrong decisions.
To make the gaming planning system easier for you, we've compiled a list of the common and top gaming man cave essentials that we at The Men's Cave offer to our clientele:
Barcade Video Games and Classics:
- Arcade Machines
- Dartboard & Darts
- Jukeboxes
- Pinball Machines
- Air Hockey
Gaming Tables:
- Automatic Mahjong Table
- Poker Table
- Board Game Table
Sport Themed Gaming Devices:
- Golf Simulators
- Foosball Tables
- Pool Tables & Snooker
- Table Tennis
- Teqball
- Shuffleboard
The Questions to Ponder:
- What gaming options am I planning to incorporate in the gaming room?
- Should I invest in a dedicated option or multi-purpose gaming table? (e.g. a classic pool table vs pool dining table)?
- Do these gaming devices I've chosen fit my gaming room vision, space, and budget?
2. Check the Light and Sound Details
Before diving into the home room setup process, it's important to check both the lighting and the sound quality of the space you’re allocating for your gaming needs. These are two of the important factors in setting up the scene for your gaming nook or room and improving your video gaming experience.
Aside from the home gaming experience, lighting and audio quality can affect your concentration and focus during leisure and gaming time in your room.
The Questions to Ponder:
- What kind of lighting option should I choose (e.g. LED strips, mood lighting, dim lighting, etc.) for my gaming nook?
- What kind of sound option should I choose (e.g. surround sound, soundbars, headphones) for my home gaming nook?
- Do these lighting and sound ideas fit my gaming room vision, space, and budget?
3. Invest in Comfortable Seating Options
While not necessarily essential if you don't want to, investing in chair seats for your small gaming room can improve the gaming atmosphere in the privacy of your room. If you envision your home game room to be a place you can relax and play your games for hours on end, having a comfortable chair or set of chairs and other seating options is vital.
A reliable and ergonomic chair can facilitate relaxation within this gaming setting. At the same time, various chair options can offer a welcoming gaming atmosphere for your guests.
At the same time, if you plan to make your home game room suitable for multiple people, comfortable chair seating is essential for socialising and even when your guests are playing the audience to the games.
The Questions to Ponder:
- What kind of home seating options should I choose (e.g. sofas, bean bags, stools, benches)? How many?
- Do these seating options fit the vision, space, and budget of my gaming setup at home?
Section 3: Spicing Up Your Gaming Room
Once you have your game room all set up with the necessary furniture and equipment, it's time to add and create a little bit of a personality and design to it. This is where you’re able to let your creativity shine! Here are some top ideas on how you can spice up your game room the way you want for your ultimate gaming experience.
1. Consider Storage Options
Your room storage options are crucial for maintaining an organised and functional man cave setup at home. They help you keep your space tidy, store gaming, or home entertainment equipment, and showcase your collection. Having them for your game room also minimises the risk of gaming hazards and potential accidents caused by gaming.
Moreover, your gaming devices may have specific storage solutions when not in use. While some gaming tables are foldable and easily kept in cabinets and wall spaces, some gaming devices like arcade gaming machines and pool tables may need specific covers to keep the dust away. Consider investing in durable and accurate storage options for your gaming equipment!
The Questions to Ponder:
- Do I utilise horizontal or vertical storage setups for my gaming setting? Or both?
- What storage options am I willing to incorporate in my gaming room (e.g. shelves, under-furniture storage, cabinets)?
- Do these gaming storage options fit my room vision, space, and budget?
2. Get Creative with Decor and Furniture
Creating a unique gaming room setup involves combining innovative decor product and choices of furniture to reflect your personality and passion for the gaming world. These two elements, while not a necessity for your home game room setup, can change and support the gaming atmosphere and aura of your room.
The Questions to Ponder:
- What kind of decor should I put in my gaming setting (e.g. wall decor, murals, rugs, or mats)?
- What kind of furniture should I add to my game room to encourage gaming?
- Do these decor and furniture options fit my gaming room vision, space, and budget?
3. Personalise with Additional Touches
Don't be afraid to go bold with your design for a home gaming room! After all, this is your room, and this is an extension of your personality. Here are some personalisation tips you can follow:
- Experiment with Color. Experiment with design combinations of colour to create a home space that not only enhances the gaming experience but also showcases your individuality. Whether you wish to follow a colour palette or theme or want a less cohesive structure for the room, go for what your gaming heart is telling you. Change your home wall design or paint over your wall if you have to!
The sky's the limit for your artistry!
- Create a Collection Corner. Add your gaming souvenirs, figurines, and all sorts of gaming memorabilia to your small or large game room. Hang them up along your wall or line them along gaming shelves and cabinets. Use clear lighting to add focus to this gaming wall or corner setup. These all add substance and value to your room.
Section 4: More Tips to Remember for Your Gaming Room Creation
Setting up a gaming room at home can be a fun project, and there are several useful hacks that can help you optimise the process and create an incredible gaming room — not just for you but for your family and friends. Here are some tips you can follow to beautify and make your game room more engaging for you and your guests:
1. Go with a Theme for Your Game Room Setup
Decide on a home game room theme that resonates with you. Whether it's retro gaming, sci-fi, fantasy, or a specific game franchise, a theme can guide your decor and furniture choices for your gaming setup, if you haven't already. Create a gaming theme that can also add more depth and set the scene for your game room.
2. Don't be Afraid to DIY
Add a personal touch to your home game room with DIY projects. Make a set of your own game-inspired artwork, decorations, or furniture tech pieces that reflect your creativity. Create a personalised decor statement. Not only is this a small gaming fun project to do, but it can also be good for your wallet.
3. Check for Safety
With so many video games and other electric-powered gaming devices around, hazards may infiltrate your gaming area, no matter how small. That's why it's essential to have proper wall or other cable management, ventilation, and emergency exit passageways within your gaming room. Check lighting and electrical hazards within the gaming setting, too.
While we don't wish for any untoward accident to happen for the duration of your room setup, it pays to be careful! Your safety and the safety of your guests matter.
4. Know Your Maintenance Procedures
Owning a gaming corner setup is a long commitment, especially if you’re planning to have one in your home for years to come. It's why you need to do your own part in learning about the ideal gaming maintenance procedures you need to conduct for your room — as well as its essentials — to last.
From cleaning your gaming room space and equipment repairs to temperature control and furniture care, be sure to review everything there is to review about keeping your gaming room functional, dirt-free, and up-to-date.
Ready to Create Your Own Game Room?
Building a game room at home can sound intimidating at first glance. But with the right decisions and gaming practices conducted, everything can be easy-peasy.
However, please remember, the gaming room setup process is a dynamic journey — a perfect home game room is never truly complete. As technology evolves, new video games are released, and your personal gaming tastes mature, your room will continue to evolve with you. So, don't be afraid to start your gaming room building as early as today.
You're ready, and we bet you’ve got many ideas to start off your game room. It’s time to put these room setup information all together and get ready for hours of the ultimate gaming experience of a lifetime!
August 18, 2023