In this article
- Plan ahead and cover your bases
- Invest in critical modifications
- Gaming gear
Are you tired of gaming in the corner of your bedroom? Does your partner complain that you celebrate too loudly at a Fortnite win and wake them up? If you’re a serious gamer, it might be time to turn that unused guest room into a gaming room. Here’s how to do it.
Plan ahead and cover your bases
Before you dive into converting an existing room into a gaming room, it’s critical to plan.
Write down your plans
You can’t dive into a room conversion project without knowing what you want to do first. Planning out the modifications you wish to make will ensure you properly plan not just your budget, but your due diligence as well.
Get an inspection
Before you knock down a wall, overload your electrical outlets, or make a room expansion, it’s critical to get an inspection done. A home inspector can make sure your plans are feasible and can also advise you on maintenance that needs to be done before you lift a hammer.
It may also be a good idea to have a separate electrical inspection. These are different from home inspections. Hiring a qualified electrician to provide a complete electrical inspection can prevent any problems that might ruin your gaming system or, worse, start an electrical fire. The inspector will confirm that everything is up to code.
They can also verify whether or not you have the proper outlets to handle all of the energy you’ll need for the gaming room. Bad electrical wiring is the number one cause of house fires. An electrical inspection will help you avoid overloading the system.
High-tech video game setups require all kinds of cords and cables for power and device interconnectivity. The wires can be a tripping hazard, making the room look unwelcoming. A good electrician can advise you on the best way to set everything up and prevent any issues down the line.
Talk to a contractor
Some gaming room conversions are low-lift. If your conversion project is more in-depth, it’s important to talk to a contractor. Contractors can advise on how your project will impact the resale value of the house. They can also ensure that the modifications you’re making don’t cause long-term damage to walls and flooring, and of course, will make sure the craftsmanship is top-notch.
Set a budget
Like any home improvement project, you’ll want to set a budget. Are you going to paint the room? Build a desk? Invest in new monitor stands or a deluxe gaming chair? Look at the room and decide on a budget before you get too carried away investing in new tech. Make sure that the room has good electric connections and that the walls don’t have mold. Doing this is especially important if your new gaming room is in the basement.
In addition to making sure there’s room for your gaming setup, consider how close the gaming room is to other people’s bedrooms. If you plan on streaming video games or using a mic, you may want to invest in soundproofing to keep the peace in your home.
How far is the gaming room from the kitchen? If you have room in your budget, adding a mini fridge for some energy drinks and snacks can be a fun perk to add to your game room. Especially if walking to the kitchen for a snack during a late-night gaming session will bother your family or roommates.
Invest in critical modifications
With a designated gaming room, you can create your ideal gaming setup. From selecting the right desk to sound system, there are a lot of choices to make. You’ll also need storage for video games, including wall shelves for any figurines or collectibles you want to display.
Picking out the right gaming chair is also vital. You may need to be able to swivel between your PC and television, or maybe you need to set up a separate seating area around the tv for multiplayer games. Will the gaming room double as your home theater?
Of course, in addition to all the fun equipment you can get, there are a few other things to consider when planning your ultimate gaming room.
Soundproofing
Whether you’re in an apartment or sharing a home with your family, soundproofing is a good idea. You’ll enjoy the full strength of your sound system without disturbing your roommates, family, or neighbors.
Start by hanging a heavy-duty moving blanket over the door. Most sound escapes through the door, so take care of the doorframe with some weatherstripping tape and a silicone door sweep.
Wall panels are also a good investment. If you do a lot of live streaming, invest in high-quality acoustic wall panels. These panels absorb sound and reduce background noise, so your audience can hear you clearly. Acoustic wall panels also help prevent reverberation and echo, improving the overall sound quality.
Lighting
Gaming can strain your eyes, so you’ll need adequate lighting. Choosing light fixtures doesn’t have to be a tedious chore, though. All kinds of gaming room lights are available to add ambiance and visual interest to your room.
Add some personality to your gaming room with a galaxy sky light projector. Laser lights are an energy-efficient option that projects rich, vibrant colors. Program lights to change colors to help you stay energized through long gaming sessions. Investing in a ring light is good if you’re running a Twitch or YouTube channel.
Internet access
Don’t skimp on the router. Nothing ruins a game like slow internet. Livestreaming all depends on the upload speed. Check your local internet provider and ensure you have the right router and internet plan.
Gaming gear
You’re investing in a gaming room, so now is the perfect time to find the right gear. If you plan on streaming on Twitch, you’ll need a few essential things:
- Gaming console: Whether you have a PlayStation, Xbox, or both, now is an excellent time to upgrade to the latest model.
- Gaming PC + monitor: Make sure you have a workhorse computer with a serious CPU and a great graphics engine. You’ll need a high-quality monitor too.
- Microphones and headsets: A headset with a microphone and headphones is a great option. You can also invest in a studio or lavalier mic, but headsets are more convenient and save space.
- Gaming chair: Owning a good gaming chair is important for comfort and health. An adjustable, ergonomic gaming chair helps prevent back pain so you can settle in for long sessions.
Make your gaming space your own
Your space should reflect your style. Whether you have an extensive Funko Pop collection to display or are more into cozy, nature-themed games, you can set up your gaming room to show off all your top interests.
One easy way to show off your style is with wall decor. Neon signs are more affordable than ever, so pick a neon cloud or other funky graphic to pop off the wall. Design an accent wall with stencils or fun wallpaper. If you rent, you can use peel-off wallpaper, so it’s easy to take down once it’s time to move.
Wall shelves, bookcases, and plant stands let you show off whatever collections you have. From bowling trophies to action figures to houseplants, there are plenty of things to add to your game room to bring your personality to the space.
Make sure to pick out the right furniture, too. Are you going to have friends over for games? Get some bean bags, or invest in a decent couch. You may need a TV console table or some bookcases for additional storage.
Setting up for live streaming
Twitch is a platform for live video streaming. You can let others watch as you play your favorite games. You’ll need to figure out a few technical things based on your gaming system. A successful Twitch channel is fun, entertaining, and has a large audience.
You can even monetize your gaming by streaming on Twitch. To earn money on Twitch, you need to become either an Affiliate or a Partner. Affiliates have at least 50 followers and must have met the minimum streaming metrics over the last 30 days.
Partners need to stream 25 hours over at least 12 days, with an average of 75 concurrent viewers. Members of the Twitch team manually review partner applications, and not every Partner application gets approved.
Like any social media, ads also play a huge role in earning money on Twitch. By staying active, cross-posting, and being open to feedback from your followers, you can build a loyal audience and earn money as a Twitch influencer.
If you’re new to the world of live streaming, you’ll need a few things to get set up. We’ve already covered some of the essential gear, but there are a few accessories that you might want to add – either as part of the big DIY game room project or down the road.
Live streaming essentials
Of course, you’ll need a device to stream from, whether your computer, gaming console or smartphone. You’ll also need:
- A streaming camera or webcam
- A capture card: This device captures video and audio from a gaming PC or console and converts them into digital data. The card either records or live streams the audiovisuals.
Creating a dedicated space for gaming might be just a dream for some gamers, but with careful planning, you can make it a reality. Enjoy crafting your area to reflect your personality, choosing the proper gaming setup, and playing comfortably in the right gaming chair. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next big Twitch sensation!
Note: this is a gaming related post from https://www.inspectionsupport.com