What do you picture when someone mentions a home card game, or poker room? Chances are it’s something sort of den-like — perhaps a little cliché, or even a little juvenile. Of course there’s nothing wrong with maintaining a casual game room of this kind. At the same time though, we see so few examples of what we might call classy card rooms, it almost seems like such a thing is not an option.
It may not match the standard image of a card room or poker den. But there are ways of setting up a designated rec room of this kind to be attractive, and to fit in with a broader home design.
Embrace Natural Light
For some reason, there’s an unspoken rule that poker rooms have to be dark and dingy and rely on dim chandeliers or lamplight. But there’s no actual need for this to be the setup! Natural lighting has all sorts of design and aesthetic benefits — not to mention even some health benefits, as an added bonus. In general, it will make a space feel lighter, more open, and more pleasant. Of course you can still build in curtains or shutters so that direct sunlight isn’t too harsh, or a rainstorm doesn’t dampen the mood. But natural light is one of the quickest ways to transform a would-be “den” into a welcoming room in your home.
Go Green
“Going green” is another great way to bring some life and atmosphere into a poker or game room that would typically be imagined, again, as dark and dingy. It’s actually a strategy often used in other areas of the home, such as the bathroom, but the truth is it applies to almost any kind of room. Bringing plants into a room provides pretty decoration, but also improves air quality and establishes a more uplifting vibe. It’s a great way to totally change the atmosphere of your home poker room.
Decorate Functionally
You might envision the average poker room decorations as movie posters, light-up signs, or even “dogs playing poker” paintings on the walls. Clearly these help to capture a certain mood, but they don’t exactly make for a “classy” room that can fit in with an elegant home design. So instead, try sticking with the gaming theme in functional and instructive ways. Fill a classy bookcase with books about poker and other games. Record poker hand rankings and have them etched into rustic wooden panels to hang in place of wall art. Set up a mini-bar in the room with coasters and glasses ready for use. At a glance, these examples will look nothing more like a bookshelf, some decorative wooden accessories, and a normal in-house mini-bar. But when it’s time to put the room to use, these decorations enhance the poker and gaming theme and make the room that much more fitting. If you decide to go for a poker theme for your games room, the thrill of getting to play real cash games will be much more enjoyable.
Get a Real Table & Chairs
Most home poker rooms have designated poker tables and accompanying chairs meant to mimic the look of a casino lounge. Some these days will also splurge a little bit for gaming chairs, which are more comfortable and versatile, and have grown enormously popular. If you want the room itself to be more appealing and dynamic though, you can also invest in “real” furniture — a stable, attractive table and matching chairs that people might use even if they’re not sitting down to a game of poker. This does nothing to hurt the room’s primary function (particularly if you have a felt poker table topper), but it keeps the environment looking nice when it’s not in use for gaming.
Invest in Classy Accessories
By “accessories” we’re specifically referring to poker chips, playing cards, and anything else you might want for actual games. These are easy items to pick up on the cheap, and low-end gaming accessories are perfectly functional. But if you want the room to look a little more elevated, it’s worthwhile to invest in some classier, professional-quality items. The good news is that even top-tier playing cards, poker chips, and poker table toppers are relatively affordable.
Be Able to Pack it All Away
One last point is that you should ideally be able to “pack away” the poker. This means having cabinets or drawers for gaming accessories, a hidden place for a table topper, or even a table with a reversible top that can switch from game-ready to multi-purpose. The idea isn’t to conceal your poker room, but rather to make it adaptable, such that it can serve another purpose at a moment’s notice.
In the end, naturally, a card or gaming room can be just about whatever you want it to be. If you’re looking for a classier twist on the standard image though, the design tips above will have you well on your way.