"Articles on building a gameroom?" Topic

Okay so I have been entertaining the idea of finally, actually, once and for all, perhaps settling down. I know what I want in a house, and I have told a few realtors to check out there, just to see what's on the market…

Nothing concrete or set in stone.

I've had a realtor send me a listing that has essentially, EVERYTHING I want in the house, (and in my price range)…but the fact is, I hate the appearance of the front of the house, and it's in a location I'm not particulary fond of. So that struck it out.
However, that being said…
One thing I want is a game room, (Thanks to the likes of Lord Ashram, and his ilk…), and I've been looking for articles on them, and/or ideas on building/creating one.

Yes I know I can google it, and I have, and I have found many many many wonderful articles on setting up rooms for air hockey, pool, video games, and poker, but nothing really on creating a room for wargaming.

So…any ideas, links, thoughts on the concept?
What kind of lighting would be needed? shelving? Display cases and cabinets? Storage? Easy clean carpet, vs hardwood flooring covered in rugs? Ceiling fan?
Interested in hearing opinions…

Thanks in advance…

The game room must be a minimum 12X14 feet for a 5x10 game table and some side tables/display cabinets. Preferably 4 4-tube, 4 ft florescent lights, although I doubt if you will find that. If it has a drop ceiling, adding a couple more lights are no problem with a basic knowledge of electricity. My preferred flooring is vinyl with thick trow rugs for foot comfort and sound deadening. I have thought of covering the floor with a rubber matting similar to some woodworking shops I have seen; provides great shock protection for dropped items or tired feet, while also providing great sound dampening. Troops can disappear in wall to wall carpeting and it will require frequent cleaning for the spilt drink/paint, etc.

A significant other (yes, Murph, we are hoping and praying for you in that area) will appreciate having the game room on the other end of the house from the master bedroom. A separate outside entrance is an added benefit. A convenient bathroom is a must.

I have a 3 room basement in-law suite for gaming. The living area is for painting, library, and computer. The kitchen cabinets are for figure and terrain storage. The game table is in the bedroom. Large terrain goes in the bedroom closet. A separate bath and outside entrance so the family is not disturbed by gamers coming and going. Well insulated drop ceiling to keep the noise down. The workshop is right next door for priming during inclement weather or special projects. The only downside is the bedroom is a bit tight at 10x12. Only enough room for a 5x10 table, but no cabinets.

Plan on 3-4 feet around the sides of you table. Storage under the table is a good option. 12x16 is a good start. At least you live where they still build basements.

Flooring can be replaced. Try to find the room/house you want, as the specifics of the room can be tailored.

I have a fabulous game room.

Located on the second floor. Entrance / exit is a short walk from the bottom of the stairs. Bathroom 15-20 feet from the game room door. Small refrigerator located just outside the game room door. Base board heating (only need to heat the room on the day of the game). Windows (cool things off on warm days). Sufficient room for a 6x8 table, shelves for terrain, my painting desk, and a walk in closet to store my mini's.

Wish I had some more shelf space for terrain . . . I'm going to have to work on this.

mjc

I had the full run of an 1100 Ft^2 basement in my old house. Make sure you separate your "gaming" table from your "painting, terrain, PILING CRAP UP table.

I had this wonderful 5x10 conference room table that made for a great gaming apce, until the crap piled up too high.

It was suurrounded by all sots of shelves for orgenized painted minis, terrain, and another are for the unpainted queue.

The other side of the basment was "saved" for the messy parts (sanding down homemade Hisrt blocks taht were too thick, sanding plywood terrain bases, trying not to cut off any limbs while cutting all sorts of stuff with a coping saw.

Another area was saved for bulk casting of blocks (and bulk drying, tahnks to a big section of screen and a (now defunct) de-humidifier that blew hot air straight up.

But I digress. or do I?

I guess whatI'm trying to say is make sure you know what you plan on using your space for and plan accordingly.

If you have aneough spave, a bunch of saw horses, and folding table laters, you can even host your own "mini" mini con (I had about 30 people over for "PatCon")

OH, and the new house has about 1400 ft^2 basement, of which I am allocated about a 1/10,000th of that space for my still boxed gaming paraphenalia…

OH, yeah, for lighting, I bout about 10 of those Halogen "pucks" at the Home Depot and lined them around the table. With enough of them, they give you *alomst* natural light, and no shadowing for any pics you may want to take