 In today’s unpredictable and economic roller-coaster world, more people are electing to stay home, welcoming friends and family for entertainment and escape. With increasing momentum, the home is becoming the hub of all activity. Thus, the demand has risen to create the ultimate family and entertainment space that exemplifies fun and fabulous style: the games room. Bringing in the right furniture for a games room is the first step to establishing a room that will provide you, your friends and family with the perfect retreat. A pool table, card table, bar and comfortable seating are the beginning elements to achieving this.
A pool table is the obvious choice for most when it comes to furnishing a games room. Mention a games room and people automatically think of a room over the garage with a pool table at its center. If space allows, a pool table can be the focal point of your room and will no doubt be the most utilized. Tables are available in lengths of seven, eight or nine feet. When selecting a pool table for your games room, make sure you have sufficient space around each side to ensure ease of movement for players. This would equal twice the length of the pool cue, which is generally 52”. You may be able to get by with less, especially if children will be the primary players, as they may require shorter cues.
Pool tables come in a variety of styles and finishes, making it easy to find a table that fits within your decorating scheme. There are pool tables that look like handsome traditional pieces of furniture with ornately carved legs and beautiful, rich finishes. More and more tables are conforming to a certain theme such as modern or rustic. You can find a table that is highly contemporary, with a sleek modular design or one that is designed with distressed wood that incorporates wagon wheels in the design for a more rustic appeal. The cloth top of the table also comes in a variety of colors so you don’t have to stay with the traditional green. You can choose black, blue, tan, red or cream, among others.
Ample, comfortable seating is a must for the well-outfitted games room. This is a place where you want to be able to accommodate friends and family in the best way possible. A sectional sofa works magic in a games room. It provides sufficient seating and separate sections can be moved around if necessary. If space and budget allow, invest in a large, sturdy sectional sofa that will hold up to plenty of use. Consider having it upholstered in a heavy-duty canvas cotton or lush ultra-suede. Bring in a few ottomans for added comfort and extra seating when needed.
Add a pair of comfy lounge chairs to your list of furniture for a games room to go along with your wide-screen TV. Whether watching the game or the latest blockbuster, watch in total comfort with a pair of reclining loungers. If your room is geared toward a more traditional feel with warm tones and rich wood finishes, a deeply buttoned lounge chair with ottoman is the perfect choice. Upholstered in soft leather and cushioned for added luxury, these chairs create a movie lounge in your games room that will be hard to leave. If your style is more modern or retro, go for a sleek chrome and fabric lounger. Whatever your taste, there are loungers available that offer comfort in a fashionable style.
Stack the deck for fun with a game table. A game table made specifically for poker comes complete with chip wells and cup holders. Some models are available that convert into a surface for board games. Poker, chess, checkers or Monopoly…versatility is the name of the game. Accompanied with a few leather pub chairs on casters, the game table can also serve as an impromptu dinner table or provide an area for extra seating.
No games room is complete without a bar. Whether you are able to have a built-in wet bar installed or if you just purchase a stand-alone bar, this invaluable piece of furniture will be a prime spot for your entertaining or relaxing. The bar offers convenience and storage, saving you from running back to the kitchen for drinks or snacks. Stand-alone bars offer wine racks, stemware holders, dry sinks and drawers for storage. They come in all shapes, sizes and finishes to fit your room. You can select a long bar that extends along one wall or a curved-front bar that fits snugly into a corner. For whatever design your space allows, the bar is always a smart choice that blends chic style with convenient functionality.
Of course a bar has to have the complimentary barstools. With the growing trend toward games rooms, barstools have burst onto the furnishings market in all manner of styles. Choose retro chrome and vinyl swivel stools or classic traditional wood stools. Add character with a fun style, such as stools with backs shaped and painted like playing cards. Get stools that advertise your favorite sports team. Also add a few stools, often referred to as spectator stools, around the pool table. Use stools at the card table as well. These versatile, fun seats offer just the right touch to complete your games room.
If you have large gatherings where some prefer to stand, a few well-placed pub tables offer your guests a place to rest their drinks. These tables offer great spots for kids to play small games or couples to have a more intimate space of their own in the crowd. Pub tables are available in wood, glass or metal. Glass-top pub tables are the perfect counterpart in a room filled with wood. They offer a lighter touch, balancing the heaviness of large furniture such as pool tables and bars.
By incorporating these basic items into your furniture for a games room, you will have the foundation of a comfortable retreat that offers you a place for fun and relaxation without leaving home. So, forget the long lines to movies, the smoke-filled sports bars and crowded casinos. Just stay at home and venture into a world of entertainment that’s fit just for you. Your friends and family will be waiting for an invitation to let the games begin.
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