Looking for fresh gaming room ideas? Whether you’re creating a game room from the ground up or updating an existing space, the right design element, theme, feature can make all the difference. Our list of cool gaming room ideas has everything from easy upgrades to elaborate transformations, so you're sure to find a tip (or three!) to inspire your new space.
All of our gaming room ideas below are applicable to both large and small spaces, from giving you broad room themes to build on- like retro or movie themes- to making a room come together with a focus piece like a unique and funky centerpiece light. For those seeking inspiration for their game room, this blog is full of it!
Let’s dive in.
1. Choose a Design Theme: Retro, Modern, or Rustic
Selecting a uniform theme to guide your layout and décor is always a great direction when building out your game room because they make everything work together, from the decor to the games you choose to fill it with. Retro arcades call for neon signs and vintage machines, while a modern rustic setup may include wood walls (and ceilings), sleek finishes and a variety of board and table top games like pool tables and ping pong.
2. Display a Premium Pinball Machine
Make your game room unforgettable with a high-end pinball machine as the centerpiece. Jersey Jack Pinball offers collector favorites like Harry Potter, The God Father, and Avatar all in Collectors Editions. These games work great as center pieces to design your room around because of their large LCD screens, incredible lighting and graphics, and iconic movie themes.
3. Install Wall-Mounted Display Shelves
Shelves are ideal for showcasing collectible items like trophies, figurines, flippers, or game cartridges. Don't forget to incorporate in-shelf lighting or LED strips to highlight everything from Pokémon to classic controllers to mini arcade games and more.
4. Add Statement Lighting
Lighting transforms the energy of any space, including your newly designed game room. Consider installing track lights or even a bold chandelier over the main table or pinball row to highlight your collection.
5. Minimalist Small Game Room Setup
Don’t have a lot of space? Game Rooms are meant for hanging out and connecting with friends, so keep things minimal and focus on one game, clean walls, and room for hanging out with a drink in hand.
6. Build a Luxury Game Room Bar Area
Include a dedicated bar for entertaining, snacking, and raising spirits. For the design, lean into the gaming idea or hire an interior designer to create an elevated, timeless space.
7. Separate the Gaming Zone with Glass Partitions
If you’re integrating a game room into a larger space, glass dividers help create separation without disrupting flow or light. These days, they're available in a huge variety of styles, so pick a partition that reflects the room's theme or era.
8. Design Around a Coordinated Color Scheme
Stick to a cohesive palette that reflects your theme. Maybe it’s charcoal and chrome for a modern setup, red and white for a circus-inspired feel, or neon yellow as an ode to the (Pac) Man himself.
9. Add Built-In Seating
Seating built directly into the wall of your luxury game room conserves space and lets friends and family soak in all the action. High-back seats like the ones pictured are both comfy and stylish.
10. Showcase a Statement Rug
Add warmth and texture with a custom or bold-patterned rug under your main seating or gaming area. Have fun by finding (or requesting) a piece that pays homage to your favorite game, movie, or pattern (Chevron, checkers, or herring, etc.)
11. Add Flair with Fun Game Room Chairs
Choose statement chairs that make the space as exciting as the games themselves. Great choices include egg chairs, hanging pod chairs, or sculptural lounge pieces that look like art.
12. Build A Moody Game Room with Dark Walls
Deep paint colors like charcoal, navy, or burgundy paired with warm lighting create a cinematic, dramatic feel for any game setup. Just be sure and add vibrant overhead lighting for games that require precision and focus, like pool.
13. Design A Sports Fan Game Room Setup
Dedicate a corner (or the entire room) to sports memorabilia like signed jerseys, vintage equipment, and a big-screen TV for games.
14. Make An Open-Concept Game Room
Integrate your gaming setup into a living room or loft for a sleek, social layout. An open concept also allows you to create unique corners and areas, which you can divide with a row of games, a comfy couch, or stylish partitions.
15. Incorporate A Casino Vibe
Bring the thrill of the casino home with bold lighting, rich colors, and dice games that keep the action going. Add some Vegas photographs or artwork to help recreate casino-floor buzz, minus the slot machine soundtrack.
16. Make It A Game Room with A View
Natural light and scenic views instantly elevate the gaming experience. Whether it’s a wall of windows, a balcony setup, or a mountaintop loft, designing around the view adds ambiance and wow-factor.
17. Choose A Round Game Table for Cards and Conversation
Anchor the room with a high-quality round table, perfect for poker nights, board games, or late-night gaming sessions. A handmade round table like Perigold’s Four Hands Poker Table adds an artisan element you don't find in every game room.
18. Create A Completely Retro Arcade Look
Go all-in and design your room like a classic 1980s arcade with retro games, classic pinball machines, and neon accents. Stock your arcade with a blend of iconic games like Pac-Man and innovative luxury pinball machines like Jersey Jack’s Harry Potter pinball machine.
19. Choose a Decade Theme for Decor
It’s more than an homage: It’s a real-life time capsule! Center your design on a decade, handpicking statement pieces like a retro leather couch, functional 1980s electronics, classic Nintendo setups, and vintage lamps, toys, and movie posters.
20. Minimalist Gaming Room Setup
Keep the design sleek and spare with one or two standout pieces (shuffleboard, pool table) and clean-lined furniture. Fill the space with oversized seating, large screen televisions, and one or two large games.
21. Create A Home Theater + Game Room Combo
If you’re wondering whether you should create a game room or a home theater, the answer is: both. Blend a home theater setup with foosball, a pool table, and a juke box for the ultimate entertainment hub. If your gameroom is on the smaller side, bring in a projector to save space.
22. Set the Mood with RGB Lighting
RGB lighting gives you full control over your gaming room setup, from cool blues for focus to bold reds for energy. Install LED strips under shelves or behind screens for an immersive glow.
23. Add An Integrated VR Zone
Dedicate one section for VR rigs or immersive simulators. Use curved screens, motion platforms, and minimalist enclosures to keep the look clean and premium.
24. Integrated Reflective Surfaces & Mirrors
Use mirrored walls or glossy lacquered finishes to multiply light and visual depth. Especially in small rooms and basements, this helps make the space feel larger and more high-end.
25. Create An Indoor/Outdoor Flow
If the space allows, consider incorporating sliding or folding glass walls to allow your gaming room to open onto a patio or deck. It gives your room light, air, and a connection to nature while still being high design.
26. Make the Most of A Modular Gaming Table
Design or use a multi‑functional table that morphs from a gaming surface to a dining table, card table, or display surface. Modular tables like the Wyrmwood Hex Table for Six are perfect for compact luxury setups where flexibility is essential.
27. Add Skylights For Natural Light
If your game room is on an upper level or features a pitched ceiling, skylights are a stunning way to bring in natural light.
28. Include A Corner Reading Nook
A well-placed reading chair, bookshelf, and small lamp can soften the energy of a gaming space. Whether it's for graphic novels, collector's books, or a quiet corner between rounds, a reading nook adds a layer of depth and relaxation.
29. Embrace A Movie Theme
Turn your gamer room setup into a cinematic experience by anchoring it around your favorite film franchise. Whether it’s Star Wars, James Bond, or The Godfather, a strong movie theme adds instant personality and polish.
30. Add a Game Room Fireplace
Gaming, but make it cozy. If you can, a real fireplace is always a treat, but electric fireplaces also add ambiance to your game room.
31. Create A Game Room/Lounge Combo
Blending a lounge and game room creates a versatile space for both play and relaxation. Think plush sectionals, low lighting, and a statement coffee table paired with your favorite pinball machine or game setup.
32. Convert A Garage
Garages offer the perfect blank slate for a private, sound-isolated game room. Finish the walls, insulate for year-round comfort, and bring in climate control to elevate the space.
33. Have Fun With A Secret Game Room Entrance
A bookshelf door, sliding wall, or disguised panel adds mystery and exclusivity to your space. Perfect for speakeasy-inspired game rooms or luxe basements with a secret vibe.
34. Create A Gaming Attic
Turn unused attic space into an immersive game room escape. Sloped ceilings, cozy lighting, and clever storage make it the perfect hideaway for consoles, pinball, or tabletop gaming. Soundproofing and skylights can add both comfort and polish.
35. Make It About the Music
Highlight your love for music with wall-mounted instruments, vintage speakers, and framed vinyls. Whether it’s The Beatles or your favorite band, a music-inspired corner adds personality and rhythm to your game room setup. And if you love Guns N’ Roses or Elton John, Jersey Jack offers full-featured, collector-grade pinball machines themed after both legends.
See Elton John in action!
36. Use Game Equipment For Decor
Game rooms are a great place to show off your personality. One fun way to do that is by incorporating your favorite game elements directly into the room’s decor. For instance, you can create colorful paddleboard wall art, mount vintage pool cues on the wall, or showcase custom-painted pool balls.
37. Create A Kid’s Game Room
Kids: They’re the original game fanatics! Let the kids in on the fun with soft seating, bright colors, open spaces, and separate areas for board games, console action, and entertainment.
38. Set Up A Projector
Projectors are ideal for making a game room-meets-entertainment center because they save space and create a truly cinematic experience. Plus, most can be adjusted to fit the available wall space.
39. Add A Statement Ceiling
A bold ceiling draws the eye up and adds unexpected drama. Use exposed beams, coffered panels, or a moody paint color to set the tone. Bonus: it instantly elevates any game room layout.
40. Bring Sports Indoors
Add a dose of friendly competition with an indoor basketball hoop game. From arcade-style double-shot systems to sleek, single-lane setups, this classic crowd-pleaser fits easily into a corner and brings energy to any game room.
41. Give It a Carnival Theme
Bring the fair home with color blocking and nostalgic design accents that nod to classic carnival fun. Mix pinball machines, a mini carousel, and simulator games under one (pretend) tent for endless gaming fun.
42. Build A Snack Bar Or Concession Nook
Elevate casual entertaining with a snack station featuring a popcorn machine, mini fridge, and built-in drawers for candy and drinks. For a higher-end feel, use custom cabinetry or retro-inspired appliances.
43. Create A Console Gaming Nook
Design a dedicated console corner with built-in cabinetry, floating shelves, and a mounted screen. Keep wires concealed, controllers organized, and lighting adjustable for marathon sessions. Add a plush lounge chair for maximum comfort and immersion.
44. Add A Game Room Slide
Make every entrance a grand one with a fun, full-sized slide. The game room featured below strikes the perfect balance between adult fun (bar area, poker table, pool), and timeless, kid-inspired features like Jenga, a safety mat, and a slide.
45. Create A Game Room/Gym Hybrid
Combine recreation with fitness by incorporating a Peloton, weight station, or yoga mat zone. Ideal for homes where space is limited and fitness and gaming are equally important!
46. Make It Multi-Purpose
Who says you can’t have it all? Combine beloved activities like pool and foosball with an exercise area, bar, and living room so people can compete, kick back, make a cocktail, or all of the above, all together, all at once!
47. Embrace An Earthy Color Scheme
A neutral or earth-toned game room blends modern minimalism with natural warmth. Soft, white, and cream tones complement light wood ceilings, creating an elevated atmosphere perfect for spending hours enjoying your favorite games.
48. Add A Neon Statement Sign
A neon sign does more than light the space. In fact, it can make or break the vibe! Whether you opt for a custom phrase, retro game reference, or bold graphic, neon adds personality and polish (and retro flair) to any gaming room.
49. Go Bold With Colored Walls
Make a visual statement by incorporating bold, colorblocked walls and ceilings into your game room design. Colorful walls give rooms energy and a funky vibe.
50. Make a Chic Ping Pong Table the Focal Point
Centering your game room around a designer ping pong table (like the Monaco Table by Sawyer Twain, pictured below) adds movement, energy, and a touch of sophistication. Modern designers now create high-end tables in sleek wood, glass, or matte finishes that serve as both functional games and statement pieces.
Luxury Game Room Design for the Discerning Player
Pac-Man, pool, poker, or all of the above: whatever your favorite game, there’s a game room for you. Big or small, converted garage or upgraded loft, you can have almost as much fun designing it as you do getting your game on.
Looking to add character, challenge, and conversation with a single piece? Check out Jersey Jack titles like The Godfather, Harry Potter, Guns n Roses, and more: See All Games.