Just because you lack thousands of dollars and an eye for interior design doesn’t mean you can’t make your new space the number one place to hang out with your kids and your friends. With a few key ingredients, any room can become the ultimate hangout room.
The Basics
First, you’ll want to take a trip to your local discount store to take care of the basics. Spencers can be a good source for game room lighting, contraptions, funky clocks and the like, but mall prices can get pretty expensive when you’re trying to outfit an entire room. You’d be surprised what you can find at an outlet store like Ross, giving you a chance to grab some movie poster wall art, lighting and creative decorations at a fraction of the usual price. Book shelves, foot stools and, most importantly, lots of seating, can be taken care of on the cheap, leaving more of your budget free for those big-ticket items you absolutely can’t skimp on.
TV and Soundbar
There’s a pretty good chance you already have a TV you’ve been gaming on for years. If not, remember that bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Consider the size of your room and how far you’ll be sitting fromm the screen before forking over a couple thousand dollars for an 82” monstrosity. A decent 42” set is usually good enough to get the job done in most living rooms. Rather than invest in a full surround sound system, consider a soundbar instead. They’re cheaper, pack a mean punch, are easier to set up. Some even come with additional speakers to create that true surround sound experience. CNET reviews a variety of top-rated soundbars to consider, most of which range from just $250-$400.
Photo by JVCAmerica via Flickr
PC and Gaming
It’s a good idea to set up your computer in the living room, since most modern TVs make it easy to plug your PC directly into your set or simply stream from a few feet away. There's no point having everyone crowd around the computer monitor to watch a quick video when you can send the picture to your television instead.
And when it comes to gaming, keep an open mind with older consoles. Both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have come down in price and both offer a wide variety of entertainment options. When it comes to games, their libraries can’t be beat. The newer consoles have a very limited number of games and media apps to enjoy, meaning “old school” consoles or PCs are your best bets for creating an entertainment hub in your new pad. Or consider investing in an iPad for both your gaming and Internet-surfing needs.
Photo of Xbox 360 by James Pfaff via Wikimedia Commons
Mini fridge
What really makes a game room stand out are the little touches, like a mini fridge. Stock one of these bad boys with snacks and beverages and watch how quickly your friends fall in love with chilling on your couch. It might not be too far a walk to the kitchen, but when you can keep right on gaming or watching that movie and grab a frosty refreshment without ever having to stand up, it makes all the difference in the world. Gizmodo recently did a rundown of some of the best mini fridges on the market, running as low as $150-200. When it comes to making your hangout memorable, that little bit of cash can go a long, long way.
Nerf Guns
No, seriously, Nerf guns. Have you ever seen a Nerf gun lying around and not wanted to shoot it? No matter how old you get, you’re never too old to have an epic foam dart battle. Grab a couple of these childhood favorites at the store and watch how quickly your kids jump at the chance to fire them around the house. And the best part is the darts are nice and soft, so you don't have to worry about spilled drinks or broken pictures to ruin your night.
Photo by seanhagen via Flickr
