Future Homes center on entertainment rooms

Entertainment rooms critical through 2015...
BY MARY G. PEPITONE, UNIVERSAL UCLICK

More families are bringing their A-game home. Sports enthusiasts are designing space in their homes to not only watch the big game on television, but to also play their own games of pool, poker, table tennis, darts or air hockey.

According to the National Association of Home Builders’ “Home of the Future” study, nearly a quarter of industry experts surveyed predict an “entertainment room” will remain a critical part of new home construction through 2015.

“A home’s entertainment room is just that: the perfect place to have a party and entertain guests,” says Stephen Melman, NAHB spokesperson in Washington, D.C. “This space can have a home theater set-up with a bar and game area. It adds a whole new dimension to a family’s ‘staycation’ experience.”

But, a homeowner has to plan ahead if the name of the game is having fun. Before buying anything for a prospective game -- or entertainment -- room, Ron Greenbaum, owner of J and D Basement Systems near Columbus, Ohio, says to first play the waiting game.

“Before the design phase can begin, homeowners have to make sure the space is well-prepared,” Greenbaum says. “That means doing due diligence and controlling humidity in a basement or insulating the space in a loft above the garage. Otherwise, you’re throwing your money away.”

When it comes to remodeling an existing area, Greenbaum says homeowners, on average, spend around 10-percent of the value of their home to prepare the space for a game room. The makings of a man-cave with a game room are usually subterranean in homes with a basement. A game room can also be located in a reinforced attic space, or in a sunroom or covered porch in homes without a basement.

A game room should be a penalty-free zone that reflects a family’s interests. That means designing a space to accommodate the games people play, says Greenbaum.

Some of Greenbaum’s clients have game both on and off the football field. Recently, Greenbaum’s designers help build a game room that also enshrines Ohio State Buckeyes football memorabilia. The decor features red and white players’ jerseys, helmets and game balls, while guests can watch the game on the big screen from the comfort of red leather chairs.
“When it comes to the perfect game room, it’s all about what the homeowners want and what their interests are,” he says.

For most, a pool table is the centerpiece of a game room. The Billiard Congress of America says a poolroom should have a 5-foot clearance on each side of the table to allow enough room for comfortable play.

Some homeowners up the ante even higher in the game room, where poker night can be every night. Allow at least 3-foot clearance on each side of the table when selecting the proper poker table for a game room. A standard four-seat table requires a 9-by-9-foot space. A deluxe eight-seat table (or Texas Hold’em Table) requires a 12-by-9-foot area.

“We also find that most people combine the TV room with a game room,” Greenbaum says. “If you can’t afford to buy tickets to see a game at the stadium, you can still enjoy watching the action from the comfort of your home.”
Greenbaum says the set-up around a large-screen television can range from comfy couches to home theater seating. Foosball, darts, air hockey, shuffleboard and pinball machines are games that appeal to children of all ages.
Homeowners can also purchase a special cover for a pool table, which easily converts it into a table tennis surface. This simple solution provides twice the fun without sacrificing twice the space.
Today’s game rooms aren’t just a place to have a good time, they have to look good, too. “Homeowners want their game room to be a fun escape, but still want it to feel like a part of their house,” Greenbaum says.

Now, there are more customized options for today’s game tables, so the look can fit with other furnishings found in the home. Table options for pool, poker and shuffleboard include different woods (oak, maple, cherry, pine), finishes (ranging from natural to pecan stains) and table leg styles (popular choices include Ball and Claw, Ram’s Head, straight or tapered.) Arcade games also come in different colors, and new pinball machines have done away with the clunky coin slot doors.
“A game room is a personal space that reflects a family’s interests,” Greenbaum says. “The space can be a magnet for family and friends, and, frankly, there’s no place like home.

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