Game Room Conversion Ideas

Choosing a Space

• If you have a basement, ask yourself if it would provide an ideal space for a game room. If it's prone to flooding and mold, think about putting the game room in a little-used extra bedroom or second living room. An attached garage might even make an excellent game room space after some renovations.

Paint

• Colorful paint will set the atmosphere of the game room. Choose a light and bright color like lime green or sunshine yellow, or a different color for each wall. Paint zigzagging multicolored striped across one wall, or giant overlapping shapes in complementary colors. You could also paint a mural, but keep in mind that children will outgrow many types of murals quickly. An age-neutral design like shapes will have more long-lasting appeal. If you're painting a basement with a jumble of pipes on the ceiling, spray paint them the same color as the ceiling to make them less noticeable, suggests John Riha and Paula Marshall in Better Homes and Garden's book "Basements: Your Guide to Planning and Remodeling." For a basement, choose warm colors to create an inviting atmosphere, advises HGTV.

Flooring

• Consider how the room will be used when choosing flooring. If family members love playing with model trains, doing giant puzzles or doing art projects, a wood or tile floor is probably best, providing a firm surface and allowing for easy clean-up. If people will be using the game room for board games, video games and playing with toys, a soft carpet will help them feel more comfortable. As a compromise, find a thick rug that you can roll up and push to the side as needed.

Lighting

• Lighting plays an important role in a game room; with inadequate lighting, playing board games would be frustrating and straining on the eyes. Have soft overhead lighting installed, and place lamps at any spots where you need extra illumination, like a table for puzzles.

Game Shelves

• Include ample storage space for games, toys and electronic gadgets. A closet lined with shelves keeps the room from looking cluttered while letting people easily look through the games. A book shelf or shelves mounted to the wall also work well; just make sure they're low enough for children to reach the games and toys they want.

Separate Areas

• Use small rugs to designate space for different activities. Depending on the size of the room, you might include a quiet activity corner, a space for electronic games, and an area for louder activities. Use beanbags, cushions, or comfortable chairs to create a small seating area for each space.