building blocks of game design

Raise the Bar

When it comes to top-notch style, this bold game room is at the top of the list. An eye-catching, hand-hammered brass bar serves as a chic focal point in the space. The modern pool table pairs with a contemporary light fixture overhead for an all-around luxe atmosphere.

Play With a View

Taking advantage of the beachside locale while having a little fun out of the sun, this contemporary recreation room is outfitted with multiple game areas: a pool table, tabletop shuffleboard, chess and cozy seating for four to play card games. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with natural light and provide gorgeous views of the waterways beyond.

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Nook for Four

Even if you don't have an entire room to devote to games, transforming a nook into a dedicated spot for play will do the trick. A sun-filled alcove allows occupants to disconnect from technology and spend quality time together engaging in board and card games. Bonus: The patterned sofa folds out to create a sleeping space to crash after a night of fun.

Chic to the Max

Move over, leather club chairs and dark wood trim. There's a new game room in town. Dressed all in soft hues, including the purple pool table felt, this vibrant and light space evokes a contemporary chic ambiance.

Modern Meets Rustic

This home's entertainment room comes complete with a rustic-contemporary feel. Reclaimed barnwood lines the walls, while industrial light fixtures, sleek furniture and midmod game table add in the modern element of design. Move over to the seating area to battle it out on the gaming console or to unwind with a movie.

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Year-Round Amusement

Not all paneling has a dated basement look. The wood paneling in this recreation room creates a warm, inviting aesthetic that is decidedly nautical. With stunning views of the water beyond, this game space gives you a place to enjoy the scenery when those cold winters roll in.

Take Your Pick

Sometimes, you can have it all. This contemporary space combines an exercise room, bar and game area for an all-in-one experience. A clean white-and-gray color palette, dotted with sleek stainless steel light fixtures, creates a cohesive design throughout the entire space.

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Sophisticated Lounge

There's no losing with a room like this. Masculine leather chairs and rich navy walls create a moody-yet-inviting feel in this cozy game room. Custom built-ins provide storage for booze and bar essentials, and a checkered game table tempts you to hours of fun.

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Room With a Groove

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn transformed an asymmetrical freestanding garage into this bright and eclectic laidback lounge. A record player, foosball table and flat-panel TV make the space ideal for playing games, listening to tunes or binge-watching the latest show.

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A Fun Addition

A room-length shuffleboard works overtime in this transitional entertainment room. Inviting armchairs along the walls offer a spot to relax while a seating area at the far end is ideal for friendly conversation.

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Ready to Rumble

A clever mix of indoor-outdoor furnishings, kid-friendly craft and game ideas and tons of soft surfaces transforms this once-dated basement into a happy hangout for two active boys.

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Oh So Glam

A little bit traditional, a little bit Hollywood glam and 100 percent inviting, this living space is a fun twist on the relaxing game room. A grid of abstract art introduces bold color into the neutral palette, where a classic tufted sofa interweaves with clean-lined tables and a metal-studded fireplace surround.

Epic Entertaining

The options are endless for entertainment in this sizeable, open recreation space. A plethora of game tables are ready for play around the perimeter, and when occupants tire, they can kick back and relax in the cozy lounge area.

Brimming With Style

Modern furnishings kick this gray-and-white game room up a notch. From the eye-catching graphic wallpaper to the contemporary-style pool table, this room is sure to impress.

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Indoor/Outdoor Entertaining

Bring on the pool tournaments! This spacious basement renovation features a large garage door that links together the indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing occupants to come and go as they please. The adjacent great room provides additional space for relaxing and entertaining.

Ready for a Day of Play

This wide-open game room is designed with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the myriad of activities, including a basketball hoop, Ping-Pong table and foosball. The entertainment even continues on the wall with a dartboard and oversized Scrabble board.

Energize With Color

Think outside the traditional basement game room by transforming any space into an open area for fun. Modern art and colorful accents bring a whole new level of playfulness into this graphically-bold room. Two barstools allow for a restful hangout while others enjoy games.

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Gamer's Paradise

Battle it out to see who can get the highest score on these classic arcade machines. When ready to turn your attention to the big screen and the latest video game, slouchy beanbags and simple mod furnishings give everyone a spot to sit.

Pick a Pocket

No space for a game room in the house? No problem. This detached garage not only offers a place to park but also a spot for easy entertaining. With a rolling bar cart on one side and pool table in the middle, this garage might just become the most fun room in the house.

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Friendly Competition

Make every guest feel like a winner in an entertainment room that's as comfortable as it is enjoyable. A large leather sectional invites guests to congregate in style, while game tables line the perimeter of the room for additional diversion.

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The Ultimate Hangout

This spacious game room is fully equipped for fun with a variety of game tables and a TV-viewing area featuring a giant screen and cozy leather seating. Wood-look tile is both a beautiful and functional underfoot for the busy space.

Multifunctional Media Room

Family game night just got so much better. Instead of crowding together on the living room couch or squeezing around the kitchen island, stretch out in this bright and airy media room. A gray love seat, armchairs and ottoman provide plenty of seating, while large sliding glass doors open into the outdoor area for continued fun.

Party Until You Slumber

Fun and functionality combine in this sleepover-ready game room. A pair of bunk beds decked out in crisp linens and a warm mix of plaids and solids are ready for a late-night crash after playing pool and taking on Pac-Man.

Choices Galore

Tone-on-tone geometric wallpaper creates a striking green backdrop in this oh-so-fun game room. Set up to play shuffleboard, air hockey and poker, the space is also outfitted with a wall of storage cabinets for board games, movies and toys.

Sip and Play

The game enthusiasts of the house will certainly find this game room and bar up to par. Sleek black walls make the space feel moody yet inviting, while modern stools serve as comfortable seating after a round of pool.

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Game On

The vibe of this transitional multipurpose room is relaxed and playful thanks to a blend of contemporary furniture, rustic accents and industrial finishes. A dartboard and foosball table offer fun gaming options, while a TV stands at the ready for movie night.

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Billiards and Bordeaux

A beautifully crafted pool table makes for the perfect accompaniment to this home's wine-tasting room. A sitting area in the corner offers an intimate spot to relax between games, while a custom hutch neatly displays prized bottles of vino.

Table Tennis Time

Bold and moody, black walls strike a dramatic juxtaposition against the crisp white moldings and fireplace. The Ping-Pong table is the star of the show, though, with its clean, contemporary lines.

Feeling Lucky

No bluffing here. This entertainment barn was built for fun. One side of the barn houses a small kitchen area and bright red pool table, while the other serves as the poker hub with a plethora of plush seating options.

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On Par

A thunderstorm can't rain on this golf lover's parade. The virtual driving range also doubles as a theater to watch football games and golf matches. Two levels of seating — comfy recliners and barstools with a counter — provide ample room for a group in this rustic-industrial space.