Game rooms are an extension of your taste, your interests, and your weekend plans. And while anyone can throw a dartboard on the wall and call it a day, pulling together a room that works takes more than impulse buys. Pick the wrong features, and you’ll end up with oversized furniture no one uses, surfaces that don’t last, or worse: stuff that looks great but won’t perform as desired.
Below, we break down what to look for when choosing game room features, so your setup not only looks good, but also plays well.
Focus on Durability
Every good game room must withstand use, spills, bumps, and the occasional slamming of a cue stick. Look for hardwood construction, commercial-grade surfaces, and scratch-resistant finishes. MDF or plastic-core builds may look clean, but they tend to warp, crack, or peel after a few years of regular use.
Don’t stop at the table. Think about your bar stools, pub tables, and chairs. If you host weekly poker nights, low-quality seating will wear out fast. Prioritize features that feel solid, weigh more than a poodle, and can handle some rough weekends.
Understand the Playing Surface
This is the part most homeowners skip. Every game has a “feel,” and the surface material changes that feel completely. Take foosball, for example. If you’ve ever wondered why the playing surface of foosball tables matters, it comes down to ball speed, grip, and bounce control. Glass surfaces look slick but play too fast for control, while wood or textured laminate offers more friction and better gameplay.
Think About Maintenance
Some features require more upkeep than you might expect, and if you’re not prepared to maintain them, they’ll deteriorate quickly. For instance, felt surfaces collect dust, and glossy finishes show every fingerprint. Plan to clean the felt with a lint roller every week and vacuum it every other week to prevent buildup. Wood finishes should be wiped down with a nonabrasive cleaner once a month to maintain their appearance.
Match to How You Play
Consider how frequently you’ll use your space. Convertible tables (think dining-top ping-pong setups) are smart for apartments. However, if you entertain often, you should invest in good seating and storage that keeps the space flexible. Stackable stools, rolling carts, or cabinets with built-in charging stations are great examples of storage options.
Go for Function, Not Flash
Buy game room furniture for function, not flash. That’s really what to look for when choosing game room features: quality you’ll appreciate in six months, not just something that looks good.
