20 Game Room Ideas With Arcade Games, Board Games and More

Explore 20 game room ideas, from retro arcade cabinets and neon gaming desks to board game storage, pool tables and a sunny chess corner. Find details to try in a dedicated room or a shared living space.

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20 Game Room Ideas With Arcade Games, Board Games and More

Looking for game room ideas that fit the way you actually like to play? Think colorful arcade cabinets, a table covered in board games or a little chess spot beside the window.

There’s plenty to choose from here, whether you have a whole room or just a corner.

You can keep things simple or go all out. Start with your favorite game, then bring in shelves, seating and a few decorations you love. Those little details are half the fun!

Game Room Ideas Worth Saving

red pool table and gallery wall

We’re starting off strong with this red pool table and colorful gallery wall. I love the mix of framed prints, a hanging guitar and the tall leafy plant.

Try displaying your pool cues along the wall like these. Keep a patterned rug beneath the table if you want to follow the same look.

Read also: 15+ Basement Hangout Room Ideas That Transform Boring Spaces

arcade cabinets and matching stools

How fun is this arcade lineup? The blue and pink cabinet sits beside an NBA Jam machine, with matching game-themed stools in front.

The Pac-Man wall decorations are my favorite part. Add a few character shapes above your own machines if you want to take the theme a little further.

a ladder shelf full of games

Don’t have a separate room for your board games? No problem! This ladder-style shelf keeps the colorful boxes right beside the living area.

I love the little plant tucked between the games. Try facing a few boxes outward so you can enjoy their artwork too.

pink and blue desk lights

I am obsessed with this pink and blue setup. The lights run around the wall display while posters and figures fill the space above the corner desk.

If you want to try something similar, start with colored lighting behind your screen. You don’t need to fill every wall all at once.

side-by-side pinball

The pinball fans are going to love this! Two machines sit side by side, with bright artwork above their busy playing fields.

The patterned rug underneath is a nice extra detail. I’d keep the surrounding decorations simple and let those machines do most of the decorating.

sports beneath the sloped ceiling

If you are looking for an all-out sports room, then this one is for you. There are framed jerseys, a basketball game and a large screen showing football.

I love the blue lighting following the sloped ceiling. The gray sofa and black chairs give you a few different places to sit without adding more bright colors.

a table with little compartments

This board game table may just be one of my favorites here. I love all the little compartments around the edge, plus the game storage tucked beneath the corner.

The shelves behind it mix game boxes with plants and small decorations. Try that same mix if you don’t want every shelf filled from end to end.

an arched dartboard backdrop

Don’t want to go overboard with bright colors? This dartboard corner keeps everything in shades of brown and cream.

The tall rounded backdrop is such a pretty detail. I also love the picture light above the framed artwork on the next wall.

foosball and lime zigzags

How cute is the green-and-white window shade? Its zigzag pattern looks so fun beside the green foosball playing field.

There’s even a clear hanging seat by the window. If you’re borrowing that idea, keep the swing area separate from the table and its extending rods.

simple air hockey

If you’re looking for a game room idea without lots of decorations, go with a simple air hockey setup like this. The black border, white playing surface and red markings are enough to give the table its own look.

I’d leave the nearby wall fairly plain too.

garage table tennis

You don’t have to decorate every wall before bringing out the paddles. This blue table tennis table sits in a garage with storage cabinets along the side.

Start with room to move around both ends of your table. The posters and extra decorations can come later.

shuffleboard beside the lounge

I love this long shuffleboard table with the brown armchairs nearby. The chandelier and dark ceiling beams make the room feel a little dressier than a typical arcade setup.

There’s a bar at the far end too. For a smaller version, try pairing one game table with a couple of chairs rather than copying the whole room.

chess by the window

Want something a little simpler? This chess corner is so pretty with its round pedestal table and two white chairs.

The lamp and trailing plant sit behind the board. You could try the same arrangement in an unused window nook without setting aside an entire room.

a racing seat and display shelf

Calling all racing fans, this setup has plenty of details worth saving. The white racing seat faces a screen and steering wheel, with more wheels displayed on the shelves behind it.

I especially love the framed track outlines. Add a pair above your own setup if you want decorations that follow the racing theme.

Read also: 20 Trim Paint Colors and Combinations Worth Saving

orange walls and a little court

This basketball room certainly doesn’t hold back on color! The orange walls and curved seating look so fun with the blue court floor and jersey displays.

That basketball-shaped pillow is adorable. It’s a little detail you can borrow even if you aren’t adding a hoop.

an oversized word game

Who says your game has to stay on a table? This oversized Scrabble board hangs beside a chalkboard, with letter racks along the bottom.

I love that the whole thing becomes part of the wall decor. Keep a little chalk ledge beside yours if you want somewhere to record scores.

pool cues on display

This is such a good way to make the most of your pool accessories. The cues stand in rows on either side of narrow shelves filled with colorful balls.

The dark backing and brown frame look lovely together. Don’t forget a spot for the triangle rack if you’re planning a similar display.

game posters and trailing vines

I am obsessed with this poster wall. The trailing vines weave around the frames and continue across the cabinet beneath the screen.

The guitar and striped rug make the space feel less like a matching furniture set. Try mixing your favorite game posters with things you already enjoy displaying.

lighted collectible shelves

If you have a collection you want to show off, this one is for you. Figures line the illuminated shelves above the desk, with more displays behind the lower cabinet doors.

Read also: 19+ Genius DIY Arcade Ideas That Steal the Show

I love how the dark shelving continues around the room. Leave a little space between your favorite pieces so you can actually see each one.

board games beside the sofas

Last but definitely not least, we have this board game table beside a lounge area. The open shelves underneath hold game boxes while the top has space for a board and trays of pieces.

I love the blue sofa with the patterned pillows in the background. This is a lovely idea if you want games and everyday seating in the same room.

Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.

And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍

Xoxo Giulia

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