Game Rooms Are Back—Here’s How Designers Are Making Them Cooler Than Ever

If last season's furniture market was any indication, the rec room is officially back. High Point Furniture Fair is a harbinger for what's to come in the world of interior design, and last spring, showroom after showroom had one very playful category in common: the game table in all its iterations.

From card tables and foosball to Ping-Pong and pool, recreation was on full display. Given the lead time on most furniture orders, that means you can expect to see them popping up in homes (and on your feed) with abundance right about now—just in time for the cozy fall season.

Game Room Goals

Unlike the dingy basements of yesteryear, today's rec rooms blend retro charm with modern polish, making a stylish case for analog games and good old-fashioned face time. A dedicated game space—be it just a corner or an entire room—brings energy and a little nostalgia into the home.

In an age of endless screen time, that’s exactly the point, says designer Megan Gorelick, who created a kaleidoscopic space in Lancaster, PA, centered around a whimsically painted Ping-Pong table. It's actually a custom-painted regulation-size 9' × 5' dining table—perfect for a pizza party once the net comes off. The goal? To lure everyone off their devices and into the moment. Here are four tips for crafting a game room you'll be happy to unplug in.

1. Keep It Moving

Game rooms thrive on dynamic, flexible layouts. Swiveling armchairs and poufs, like those Gorelick incorporated, let spectators follow the action, while convertible tables can adapt to large gatherings. “Look for billiards or shuffleboard tables with tops so they can double as a dining surface or buffet,” says designer Kari McIntosh, who chose a Ping-Pong table with a removable net for this club-inspired space. The table also serves as a puzzle station on low-key game nights.

2. Get Ready to Rumble

Scuffs and spills come with the territory. Go for performance fabrics, dark patterned rugs, and durable finishes. “Think of it as a hotel lobby, using indoor-outdoor fabrics in lush textures,” says designer Erin Gates, who opted for plaid’s camouflaging powers in a Boston game room. Save fragile lamps and knick-knacks for rooms where they’re not endangered by pool cues or misfired balls.

3. Entice All Ages

The best game rooms appeal to all generations with a combination of active spaces and cozy seating areas. “A modern take on classic pub or country club style feels grown-up but still family friendly,” Gates says. Bonus points for an old-school pinball machine or vintage arcade game. “They’re a draw for almost any age group,” she notes. Check out Arcade1Up, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace for low-cost secondhand options.

4. Define Zones

A large game room should feel warm and inviting, whether you’re having a small family game night or hosting a neighborhood mahjong club. Arranging furniture to create distinct zones is key. For the annual Mansion in May show house, design firm Toledo Geller divided a long garden-level room with a pair of back-to-back sofas, grouping small card tables for tournaments on one side and a single pedestal table for cozier game nights on the other. High gloss paint on the low ceiling keeps light bouncing around both day and night.

High Point Highlights

Game tables at the furniture fair ran the gamut from sleek, modern pieces like this Ping-Pong table by Four Hands (installed by Betz Design Studio in a Buford, GA, lounge) to classic card tables in a range of finishes. Here are scouting shots of three favorite styles: