Choosing a Theme for Your Home Game Room

Written by Shawna Newman on behalf of KICK Foosball.

If you’re thinking about adding a game room to your home, you’re probably focused on the games themselves, and with good reason. If you have limited space for tables, you may have to choose between pool or pinball, foosball or shuffleboard (or *hint* double- or triple-up with a multi-game table). Décor is probably an afterthought, something you figure you can throw in once the practical parts of the game room are installed.

While it’s true you can add décor to your game room at any time, there are a couple of reasons you should think about the theme before you start looking at game tables. One is because game tables come in many styles, and if you would like a themed game room, you can generally find tables that are suited to the room’s design. The second is because you might discover the theme actually trumps the game choices, and deciding on your preferred design can help you choose which games are the best fit.

Here are a few theme ideas to help you get started.

Old West

Already got hardwood flooring in your game room? You’re already part way to an Old West-themed gaming space. Fairly simple to recreate, an Old West theme is ideal for a game room that also has a bar. Wood bar, wood stools, wood-finish game tables, and some old-school decoration like wagon wheels and barrels can turn your game room into a 19th century saloon.

Best Tables: If you want to stay true to the Old West feel, scrap newer technology. Wooden pool tables, foosball tables, and a poker table will keep you with the times, while antique-looking versions of table games like chess and backgammon will round out your game offerings.

Cheats: If you don’t have hardwood floors, wood-like laminate provides a sturdy, less-costly way to fake them.

Sci-Fi/Futuristic

Want to do your gaming from inside a spaceship? It’s not as complex as it sounds. As long as you’re okay with it being a pretend spaceship, that is. Metallic wall paint can make an entire room look like a blast from the future, and it comes in numerous color options, though, if you want to go full-on futuristic, you might want to stick with silver. Hand-drawn control panels and metal furnishings are all it takes to complete the look.

Best Tables: Many modern game tables have sleek, almost futuristic designs. But when most people think future, they think advanced technology, so go with tech-forward tables like LED-lighted air hockey, digital scoring, or go to town with blacklight paint and turn your game room into a glowing sci-fi realm.

Game-Themed

It might seem obvious, but a game theme is, perhaps, the simplest, most suitable game room design for your home game room, and the options for decorating a room in a gaming theme are almost limitless. You can opt for standard barroom décor like a billiards triangle clock and a poker-playing dogs painting, or go with a more specific theme, like a casino or Pac-Man. It’s your game room, after all, and nothing makes it more yours than turning the space into a homage to your favorite game.