With more of our daily lives spent at home, it’s the perfect time to set up a game room. If you have unused space in your home or want to enhance an existing game room, there are lots of things you can do to accomplish your design goals. If you want to create a retro style space that celebrates gaming nostalgia alongside new technology, it only takes a few simple changes to make it happen. Here we’ll go over some great ideas for designing your perfect retro game room.
Nothing says retro like vintage posters and signage. One of the easiest things you can do to level up the nostalgia in your game room is hang posters and artwork, either from original games or emulating the same style. Luckily, vintage style art and retro posters have come back into style and are widely available through online retailers and local hobby shops. Add simple metal frames to protect the art and create a classy, grown-up look.
Another excellent thing to add to your walls is signage. While neon lights might not be everybody’s style, you can’t deny the retro appeal of bright and colorful signs for brands or even specific games. Original pieces may be hard to find and cost you a bundle from collectors, but you might get lucky at your local thrift stores. Go for iconic game imagery like Pac-Man or the Atari logo. Anything that helps you create a sense of nostalgia and fun will work perfectly in your retro game room.
Proper storage is crucial but so is showing off your collection. If you have a lot of games and small memorabilia, opt for simple but classic shelving units that will save space while putting the items on display. Wall-mounted shelving that surrounds a TV screen is an excellent way to make your collection a focal point and keep everything within easy reach. For storage of things like classic game consoles, controllers or other equipment, avoid clutter by feeding cables through the backs of your shelving so that you can both access and proudly show off your available platforms. This will save space and keep the focus on the retro appeal of your older platforms—and make it easy for you to switch on when it’s time to play.
If you’re having trouble getting started on a retro game room design, pick a specific game or franchise to focus your aesthetic. Games with easily recognizable and iconic color schemes, fonts and shapes can be an excellent place to begin. For example, you could paint cube shelves in neon colors and arrange them to mimic the appearance of Tetris blocks. You can also arrange specific merchandise and decor to be the focus of the room, either by digging out pieces from your old collection or by hunting for something second-hand. Gaming merchandise is incredibly popular and easily available online, but buying from official vendors can be costly. In that case, consider splurging on one or two items to work around and use as your inspiration.
These are just some basic tips for setting up a retro style game room. Depending on the type of games you plan to play, certain options might work better than others. When in doubt, follow your own nostalgia and creativity. After all, the most important thing about any game room is having fun.
