DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE GAMES ROOM FOR ALL AGES

The best games rooms aren’t just for kids or teens — they’re designed to bring people of all ages together for connection, fun and a little friendly competition. Whether it’s a dedicated space in a luxury home or a multifunctional retreat within your existing floor plan, the ultimate games room should be stylish, versatile and above all, welcoming.

As an interior designer, I’ve found the key to creating a truly successful games room is balancing playful energy with thoughtful design. Here’s how to build a space that entertains everyone, from grandparents to grandkids and every generation in between.

Start with your audience and purpose

Before choosing furniture or games, think about who will be using the room and how they will use it. Is it a place for after-dinner card games and drinks? A teen-friendly space for movie nights and gaming? Or a room where the whole family gathers for long weekends of pool, table tennis and classic board games?

Understanding the primary use will guide everything from layout to lighting and finishes. A multi-generational space should include zones for different types of play and relaxation.

Choose games that suit all ages

A true family games room needs variety. Include at least one traditional game that appeals across generations, such as a pool table, foosball or table tennis. These classics are always a hit and encourage movement, conversation and friendly rivalry.

Consider a dedicated console or digital gaming area for younger generations and create a nook for quieter moments with shelves stocked with board games, puzzles or cards. If space allows, add a bar or drinks trolley for adults, paired with comfortable seating for relaxed socialising.

Incorporate layered lighting

Lighting has a huge impact in games rooms. Overhead lighting is essential for gameplay, especially over pool or ping pong tables, but you’ll also want ambient lighting for mood and comfort. Add wall sconces, LED strip lighting behind shelves or smart lamps that can be dimmed depending on the activity.

If you include a screen or projector for gaming or movie nights, be sure to factor in blackout blinds or heavy curtains to reduce glare and enhance the experience.

Opt for durable and stylish materials

Games rooms see plenty of action, so it’s important to choose materials that are both attractive and hard-wearing. Think timber or polished concrete floors, and furniture in wipeable fabrics like leather, linen blends or commercial-grade upholstery.

That said, this is still a space to impress. Introduce bold textures, rich colour palettes and eye-catching art to give the room its own personality. A statement wall, neon signage or oversized mural can add just the right amount of fun.

Include flexible seating options

Comfort is key in a multi-generational space. Incorporate a mix of seating — deep lounges, ottomans, bean bags and bar stools — so everyone can find their preferred spot to relax or play. Built-in benches with storage are another great way to maximise space while keeping things neat and accessible.

Add acoustic comfort

Games rooms can get noisy, so consider the acoustics. Rugs, curtains, padded wall panels or acoustic ceiling tiles can help reduce echo and soften sound, making the space more enjoyable for everyone.

Don’t forget storage and versatility

Games, consoles, extra cushions and accessories can quickly clutter a space. Incorporate clever storage solutions like built-in cabinetry, wall-mounted shelves or custom joinery to keep everything organised without compromising on style.

Furniture should be versatile and suit a range of different activities. Consider tables that fold out or extend to accommodate small and large numbers of players.

Final word

The ultimate games room is more than just a place to play — it’s a destination. A thoughtfully designed space that encourages togetherness, laughter and lasting memories across generations. When done well, it becomes one of the most loved and lived-in areas of the home.

Kellie Richardson is an Interior Designer and Founder of Kurved by Design

If you are planning to celebrate properly this year, your Champagne list needs to work as hard as your social calendar.

So we asked Tamara Grischy, General Manager at LANGTONS, to curate a line-up of bottles tailored to every key moment of the festive season, from the end-of-year company party to that final New Year’s Eve toast.

Her selection moves from richly styled magnums and Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs to benchmark prestige cuvées, with each Champagne chosen to shine in a specific setting, whether a seafood-laden long lunch, a beach escape, or an evening with a serious wine collector.

All you need to do is pick your occasion, chill the bottle and let the celebrations take care of themselves.

To open at the end of the year work party

GOSSET Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne MV Magnum, $275

Gosset Grande Reserve Brut from magnum makes a celebratory statement at any end-of-year party thanks to its rich winemaking heritage—blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier sourced from premier and grand cru vineyards, and aged for a minimum of four years, all from the oldest winemaking house in Champagne, established in 1584.

With top critic scores (91 Robert Parker, 92 James Suckling, 90 Wine Spectator) and a style that avoids malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and a racy tension, the team will love the vibrant orchard fruit, subtle pastry notes, and a long, elegant finish in every glass.

To enjoy during a long weekend away at the beach

BLIARD-MORISET Brut Blanc de blancs Grand cru, Champagne NV, $85

Bliard-Moriset Brut Blanc de blancs Grand cru is made entirely from Chardonnay grown in the renowned Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger—a perfect match for seafood or a fresh beach lunch, with elegant balance and lively citrus freshness shaped by over 40% reserve wine and a minimum 24 months’ ageing on lees.

Produced with careful manual harvesting and sustainable, integrated viticulture, this Champagne offers precise orchard fruit and a crisp, lingering finish, making it an uplifting companion to a relaxed coastal escape.

To pair with a fresh seafood platter during summer

VAZART-COQUART & FILS 82/15 Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, $260

Vazart-Coquart & Fils 82/15 Blanc de Blancs, crafted entirely from Grand Cru Chouilly Chardonnay and based on a perpetual reserve dating back to 1982, delivers exceptional

freshness, finesse, and complexity—making it a standout match for a summer seafood platter.

Fine notes of citrus, white flowers, and sea spray, along with an energetic and saline finish, cut perfectly through the richness of shellfish and oysters, celebrating the bounty of the season with precision and style.

To share with loved ones at the Christmas lunch table

KRUG 171st Edition, $471.99

Krug 171st Edition is the choice for Christmas lunch, blending 131 wines from 12 different years, including reserve wines as old as 2000, to deliver a deep and complex Champagne with bright freshness and layers of festive spice, citrus, brioche and toasted almond.

Awarded 99 points by leading critics, its vibrant mousse and long, elegant finish provide the perfect toast to family and togetherness, enhancing every special dish and sparkling conversation at the festive table.

To open with the fellow wine fanatic in your life

JACQUES SELOSSE Champagne Selosse Brut Rosé, $1,600

Jacques Selosse Brut Rosé is the perfect bottle to open with a fellow wine fanatic, offering rare complexity from an artisanal blending of two vintages of Avize Chardonnay with Pinot Noir from Ambonnay, aged in Burgundian barrels and matured for six years on lees before release.

This Champagne, often described as one of the world’s most thrilling rosés, serves up layers of wild strawberry, pomegranate, honey and spice, with electric acidity and a notably long finish—a benchmark grower Champagne that invites discussion and admiration from even the most seasoned enthusiasts.

To pop when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve

TAITTINGER Comtes de Champagne Rosé, Champagne 2011, $579

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé from 2011 is a prestige vintage, made only in exceptional years and comprising Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including a generous proportion of still red wine from Bouzy to achieve a beautiful depth of colour and aromatic intensity.

With layers of wild strawberry, cherry, orange zest, pastry and a fine mineral finish—plus a 96-point rating from James Suckling—its energy, elegance, and celebratory flair make it the ultimate bottle for that first toast of the new year.