15 Game Room Ideas for Adults That Combine Luxury and Leisure
If you’re lucky enough to have some extra square footage in your home, transforming that space into a grown-up game room is a genius plan. From a sleek billiards lounge to a cozy board game room to a movie theater-style retreat, this space can serve as the ultimate getaway for relaxation, entertainment, and a little friendly competition.
“A thoughtfully designed game room transforms a house into a home by encouraging togetherness and fun,” says Lindsey Jamison, lead designer at Rumor Designs. “If you have the space, a game room is a fantastic investment you can make in your home and family life.”
Whether you’re designing a brand new recreation room or want to elevate your existing space, let these modern game room ideas for adults inspire your design plan.
Bring in an Air Hockey Table
Life Created Photography / Living with Lolo
For a fun twist in a game room, consider adding an air hockey table to the space like Living with Lolo Interior Design did here. It’s less bulky than a billiards table, easier to move around, and far less expensive—all while delivering hours of entertainment. (Note the oversize tic-tac-toe game on the wall!)
Provide Plenty of Comfy Seating
Life Created Photography / Living with Lolo
Seating is a must in any game room, but don’t go for any old chairs. The right seating provides a comfy place to land post-competition and gives others a place to rest while they’re waiting for their turn. Here, a quartet of blue swivel chairs offer a first-row seat to the TV, shuffleboard, and a small coffee table.
Add Pool or Billiards
Lauren Anderson Photography / Studio Shoshin
A pool or billiards table is a classic piece of furniture for any game room, and they come in all shapes and sizes. In this design by Studio Shoshin, a small, round billiards table fits perfectly in the smaller space.
Create Your Own Bar
Jared Kuzia / Camden Grace Interiors
This basement game room is the ultimate destination for entertainment and relaxation. Designed by Camden Grace Interiors, a key feature is the full bar with bar seating, a sink, glasses, and all the necessary ingredients to whip up a tasty cocktail.
Build a Cozy Reading Nook
Holt Design House
Consider incorporating different “vignettes” into your game room to accommodate all sorts of preferences. Here, Holt Design House built a simple reading nook with a square-shaped bench with drawer storage and a custom seat cushion. It sits next to a shelf of books and games.
Create an Arcade Feel
Bungalow 10 Interiors/Peak Visuals/Kristin Alcorta
Infuse a dose of fun into your adult game room with an arcade theme. A shuffleboard table and Skee-Ball machines line the walls in this space by Bungalow 10 Interiors. You could also incorporate a basketball shooting game, Whac-A-Mole, pinball machines, and darts.
Lean into a Dark Color Scheme
Kris Shopov Photography / CW Interiors
Color drench your space in a dark hue to make your game room feel like it’s separate from the rest of your home. In this grown-up game room designed by CW Interiors, shades of dark purple, green, and black come together to create a chic and cozy feel. Low lighting via a neon sign and modern scones add more ambiance.
Go for a Light and Airy Feel
Holt Design House
Alternatively, you could go with a light and bright game room aesthetic. This loft is naturally flooded with bright light, so it made sense to keep things airy. Two bean bag loungers are positioned in front of the TV for friendly video game competitions.
Play With High-Low Contrast
Life Created Photography / Living with Lolo
Can’t decide between light or dark? Contrast is your friend. In fact, most interior designers will tell you that the key to a sophisticated, well-designed space is contrast. In this game room, a black pool table grounds the space that’s otherwise filled with beige, blue, and white.
Add a Small Gaming Table
Lauren Anderson Photography / Michael Hilal
If your game room footprint is small, opt for a table that’ll serve many purposes, like the one in this space designed by Michael Hilal. From poker competitions to board games to mahjong, checkers, and chess, a small table with cozy seating (and good light) is all you really need.
Go Big with a Rock Climbing Wall
David Patterson Photography / Rumor Designs
The best game rooms cater directly to your interests. In this space by Rumor Designs, a rock climbing wall takes center stage and doubles as a place to have fun and exercise. It does require a high ceiling, but if your footprint works and climbing is a passion, go for it.
Install a Golf Simulator
Richard Law Photography / Margali & Flynn Designs
Here’s another big idea for a game room: a full-blown golf simulator. These are typically equipped with high-tech tracking systems and immersive virtual courses that allow you to practice your swing in rain or shine. Many setups include large projection screens, realistic turf, and customizable difficulty levels to suit beginners and professionals alike.
Add Bookshelves for a Library Feel
JMorris Design/Kirsten Francis Photography
Combine two rooms into one by building custom bookshelves in your game room. Store all your treasured books along with games, artwork, and decorative details. Add a small table and seating, and you’ve got a multi-functional space that’s part home library and adult game room.
Keep it Organic with Wood Tones
David Patterson Photography / Rumor Designs
To elevate your game room, it’s important to think about the overall design. One option is to go with an earthy and organic feel. That’s accomplished via various wood tones on the ceiling, floor, bar, and pool table in this sophisticated game room created by Rumor Designs.
Make it an Indoor/Outdoor Space
Lauren Anderson Photography / Stripe
If your floor plan allows, consider creating a game room that opens up to the exterior—this may be the backyard, a side patio, or even a deck. Large sliding or folding doors can make the transition effortless, while outdoor seating, ambient lighting, and extra seating create an inviting atmosphere.
