If you’re a passionate or relatively ‘hardcore ‘ gamer, then you’ve probably considered setting up a dedicated room or space just for gaming. Whether you’re a PC or console gamer, there’s nothing quite like having your own custom-designed space for sitting down with your controller or keyboard in hand.
So if you are looking to set up a dedicated gaming space, what should you be thinking about? Of course there’s your ideal console or PC setup (we’ll leave that to another post), and choosing the right kind of chair (again, a whole post on its own), but there are several other key considerations you should be thinking about too. So let’s dive straight in!
Image credit – HomeBNC
Size
This is possibly the most important consideration, as the size of the space will dictate a lot of your other choices, and will also impact on your enjoyment and experience of the room. It shouldn’t be too large, as this will negatively impact immersion in the game, the sound and the overall comfort of the space. On the other hand, too small and you’ll feel cramped and probably hot after a few hours gaming (you also don’t want the chair or couch to be too close to the screen). Spend some time thinking about the ideal size and plan which room or space in your house will be most suitable for what you want.
TV / Screen / Projector
When it comes to the screen you’re playing on, it’s generally fair to say that bigger is better. You don’t want to be sat squinting at a tiny screen, so if you can invest in a large LED or OLED TV it will make a world of difference to the impact of the room, and your enjoyment of gaming. If you’re a PC gamer, then you can’t go wrong with 2 or 3 28-inch monitors, although you may have to spend a bit to get them.
If you really want to push the boat out, opt for a projector onto a large, white wall – there’s nothing quite like experiencing games such as Dark Souls or FIFA 17 on a huge projected display.
Speakers
You should never overlook the sound in a gaming room setup, and unless you plan to do most of your gaming wearing headphones, you will want to invest in some quality speakers. Wireless speakers are an ideal option, particularly if you can invest in a 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround-sound setup. Trust me, it will make all the difference.
Soundproofing
This isn’t a necessity by any means, but if you do plan to invest in a surround sound setup then you might want to think about soundproofing the room, so you don’t end up annoying the neighbours (or anyone else living in your house!).
Wiring
Pulling together numerous consoles, TV’s, monitors, electronics, controllers, lighting and sound systems (along with anything else you might want in your gaming room) inevitably means lot of wires, and speaking from experience, that can get annoying. Put some thought into how the wiring will work before you set up your gaming room, and you’ll be glad you did when the time comes to sit down and play. Whether you opt for cable tidies, hidden storage or under-carpet wiring, putting some thought into this beforehand can make the room look a lot better when it’s finished, and can remove some future annoyances (and trip hazards).
Lighting
Lighting should be a crucial consideration for your gaming room, as it can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your room. The lighting can not only make your room look incredibly cool, but there’s even evidence that lighting can have an impact on your mood and cognitive functioning (as can levels of fresh air). Check out this post for some great ideas on how to light your gaming environment.
Have I missed anything? What do you think is crucial to the ideal gaming room? Got some pics to share of your own setup? Let me know in the comments below!
