How to transform your living space for game nights
Are you gearing up to host an epic games night at your place?
Whether you’re planning a get-together with friends or family, the right set-up can make the evening more comfortable, fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Here, we offer several tips for transforming your living room without breaking the bank.
Choose comfortable furniture
If you’re planning to host people for several hours, it’s helpful to provide comfortable seating options.
This could be a sofa, office chairs that provide lumbar support or simply “emergency chairs” with cushions.
Arrange the seating so that people can face each other, turn easily to talk and of course, see the game you’re playing.
Make sure everything is easily accessible, including snacks, drinks, controllers or playing pieces.
If space is tight, set up a side table or area in the kitchen with party food and drinks so the main gaming area isn’t cluttered.
Go for ambient lighting
Harsh overhead lighting can ruin the party atmosphere and may strain your eyes.
Instead, consider soft lighting such as lamps or LED strips around the TV or monitor.
Smart lighting systems are a great option as they allow you to adjust your lighting according to the game at hand.
For instance, you may be able to brighten, dim or colour-tune your lights with the right bulbs.
The aim is to reduce glare but still have enough light to see snacks or read physical game rules.
Consider the sound
Good speakers or a surround sound system can really help elevate your evening – especially for action, suspense or quiz-style games where every sound cue matters.
If you plan to play online multiplayer games or stream, a good mic setup with minimal echo is important too.
To reduce the noise for neighbours in adjoining flats or houses, it may be worth spending a little bit of time soundproofing your space beforehand.
Make it easy to socialise
A game night should be fun for everyone, so consider how to cater for each individual’s preferences.
For instance, you could include a mixture of online games like free bingo and physical options like board games or cards.
Offering a variety of games means there’ll be something for everyone during the night, whether they prefer rolling dice or using screens.
Consider having breaks in between for everyone to have a snack, drink and chat to keep the atmosphere lively.
You don’t need lots of space or money to host a great games night. With some careful planning, you can set the stage for hours of fun with your friends and family.
