Learn how to transform your unfinished basement into a family game room with this easy step by step tutorial.
If you are lucky to have a basement in your home, then you have a great opportunity to create a fun and functional game room. A basement game room can be a great addition to your home, providing a dedicated space for entertainment and relaxation while adding value to your property.
If you have been wondering how to turn your unfinished basement into a game room, you have come to the right place. I’m going to share a step by step tutorial of how we turned our unfinished partial basement into a game room along with some tips and tricks we learned along the way.
Our basement was a blank canvas, with concrete floors and walls, so we had to start from scratch. You can also see the whole process over on TikTok if you want to see it in action if you are searching for basement game room ideas.
Jump to:
- Step 1: Plan and Design
- Step 2: Inspect and Prepare the Space
- Step 3: Paint
- Step 4: Install Flooring
- Step 5: Install Ceiling
- Step 6: Install Lighting
- Step 6: Add Game Tables and Equipment
- Step 7: Create a Seating Area
- Step 8: Install a Sound System
- Step 9: Add Storage
- Step 10: Personalize the Space
- Cost-effective DIY Options for a Budget-Friendly Game Room
- List of Products
- More Home DIY Projects
Step 1: Plan and Design
Consider the size and layout of the room, as well as the types of games you want to include. Measure the space and make a list of the games and equipment you want to have in the room. For our game room, we wanted a gaming area for PC games, an arcade game and a pool table. I measured each item to make sure there was enough room for all the games and furniture.
Step 2: Inspect and Prepare the Space
Before starting any construction, inspect the basement for any water damage or structural issues. Fix any problems before moving forward with the project.
Ensure all electrical outlets are properly grounded and avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Add safety measures such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Next, clean and declutter the space to give yourself a blank canvas to work with.
Step 3: Paint
Choose a color scheme that you would like for your game room. We kept our cinder block wall and used Kilz 2 all-purpose primer to seal water stains and prevent mold. If you are framing in your walls, you can use regular paint.
Step 4: Install Flooring
The flooring in a game room should be durable and easy to clean. Options include carpet, vinyl, or laminate flooring. Carpet tiles were an easy option for us as they are easy to peel and stick to the concrete floor and can be done fast. While we didn’t do this you may want to consider adding a subfloor for or padded carpet for extra cushioning and insulation.
Step 5: Install Ceiling
A drop down ceiling is a great option for a basement game room. It is easy to install and provides access to wiring and plumbing if needed. We used Armstrong Ceilings easy grid system with Easy Elegance Shallow Coffer Black 2×2 panels.
The coffered panels give a more modern look without looking like a drop ceiling. The raised panels also add different dimensions throughout the room. It took us about a day to install the ceiling and it was pretty easy.
We used a laser leveler to make sure everything was straight and installed the grid to our cinder blocks. Once the grid is installed you can easily pop the tiles into place. It was super easy to install and we love the finished look.
Step 6: Install Lighting
To enhance the ambiance, incorporate ambient lighting such as led lights throughout the basement game room or neon signs.
We added dimmable LED recessed lighting in the ceiling and LED strip lights throughout the border of the basement.
Neon signs can add a fun pop of color while also enhancing the overall aesthetic of the game room. A neon sign wasn’t in our budget so we created a design in Canva and had Nation’s Photo Lab print it on a metal sign. Then, we added LED lights on the back to light it up like a neon sign.
Nanoleaf panels were added for the PC gaming area to add a cool aesthetic and also provide some extra light. The panels are easy to install using the sticky tape provided and can be in any design you want with the Connect+. The lights are controlled by an app on your phone and have multiple color options and can also be controlled to the beat of the music.
Step 6: Add Game Tables and Equipment
The types of games you choose will depend on personal preference and available space. Common game room options include pool table, ping pong table, foosball table, and arcade games. Make sure to leave enough space between each game for players to comfortably move around.
Step 7: Create a Seating Area
A game room should have a comfortable seating area for players and spectators. Consider adding a couch, bean bag chairs, or bar stools for seating options.
Step 8: Install a Sound System
Music can add to the fun atmosphere of a game room. Install a sound system to play music or connect to game consoles for immersive sound effects. The ILive Electronics portable bluetooth boombox is a great option. It combines old school style with new school sound with 2 built in full range speakers that pump up the bass.
Step 9: Add Storage
Keep the game room organized by adding storage for controllers, cables, and other accessories. We used a basic 5 drawer rollaway station to go under the desk that can store all the extra accessories and such.
Don’t forget about the drinks and snacks so you never have to leave the room during intense gaming sessions.
We added a Newair Prismatic Series Beverage Refrigerator with RGB HexaColor LED Lights NBC126HX00 and it looks so cool. The lights really add some fun to the room and can be changed to 50+ different color combinations and 10 presets on the remote.
It has plenty of room for drinks such as Rogue Cotton Candy Energy drinks for those long nights with adjustable shelves to fit all sizes of cans and bottles.
It’s quiet and freestanding so it can fit easily into your space. Save 10% on the Newair gaming fridge with code EVERYDAY10 at check out!
Step 10: Personalize the Space
Make the game room your own by adding personal touches such as this cool neon rug from Astro Carpet Mills. The fun colors show up under the LED lights and give it a nostalgic 80’s feel. They also carry full carpet rolls of different designs if you decide to carpet the entire floor with it.
Don’t forget essentials like a gaming keyboard, mouse, headphones and stand such as a complete bundle from ILive Electronics. The keyboard and mouse light up and the stand is a wireless charging station to charge your headphones when not in use.
And if you need extra controllers and accessories for gaming, PowerA just launched their Fornite collection that includes a controller, headphones and case for Nintendo Switch or a controller for Xbox. Plus, each one comes with a bonus code for a virtual item.
Cost-effective DIY Options for a Budget-Friendly Game Room
There are plenty of ways you can cut costs for a game room on a budget. These are some ways we cut our cost down to keep it just under budget.
Repurpose old furniture or shop at thrift stores for affordable pieces that can be spruced up with a fresh coat of paint or some creative modifications. We made an arcade pedestal using an old cabinet we had, sanded, painted and added some details for way less than the cost of buying one.
Use carpet tiles instead of expensive flooring. They are inexpensive and easy to install with a peel and stick backing. The only con is that there is not padding so you are basically standing on a concrete floor.
For lighting, use LED strips to add ambiance without breaking the bank. They come in various colors and are easy to install, providing a cool vibe to your space.
For seating, make your own bean bag chairs or floor cushions using inexpensive fabric and stuffing. You can also repurpose chairs you already have or hit up the thrift stores.
To decorate the walls, you can make your own posters using printable templates or create a collage of vintage video game covers. You can also display your old game consoles as wall art by mounting them on shelves.
Make your own neon sign by creating a design in Canva, having it printed on a metal sign and adding LED lights on the back of it.
I hope this post gives you some ideas to create your space and enjoy it with family for years to come like we are!
List of Products
- Ceiling
- Carpet Tiles
- Barstools
- LED Light Strips
- Storage
- Gaming Mini Fridge
- Fortnite Gaming Bundle
- Game Room Sign
- LED Recessed Lighting
- Panel Lighting
- Gaming Headphone Stand
- Gaming Bundle
- Boombox
- Energy Drinks & Shaker Cup
- Arcade Games
- Light Gun Arcade Games
- Pool Table
- Pool Sticks Holder
- Standard Pool Cue Stick
- Short Pool Cue Stick
- Neon Rug
- Room Divider Curtains
- Large Curtain Rod
- Small Window Curtain
- Small Window Curtain Rod
- Acrylic Latex Black Paint for Ductwork
- Waterproof Paint
A huge thanks to Newair, Armstrong Ceilings, Nanoleaf, Nations Photo Lab, Astro Carpet Mills, ILive Electronics, PowerA and Rogue Energy for making this transformation possible!
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