5 New Family Spaces Designed for Fun and Games
Designers share the elements they used to help create a lively atmosphere for entertaining family and friends
With entertaining season in full swing, many homeowners are wondering how they can keep family and friends entertained during parties. Areas for playing games and watching movies or sports can foster a sociable atmosphere, as can pool tables, home bars and music. For inspiration, check out the fun elements designers added to these family spaces to help boost party power.
Other special features. “To create a sense of warmth and rustic refinement, we paired the slurry brick with wood-cladded walls and ceiling in a wire-brushed, sawn engineered white oak hardwood,” says designer Valerie Mikel. “For a modern touch, a large-format glazed porcelain tile floor was specified. It has a timeless texture and allows for a seamless indoor to outdoor transition. A sleek yet worn metal-look 12-by-48-inch porcelain tile adds depth and drama to the fireplace focal wall.”
The swivel chairs are upholstered in performance-grade velvet. The sofa is upholstered in performance chenille.
Lighting: Hubbardton Forge; fireplace tile: Twilight Dark, 12 by 48 inches, TileBar; flooring: Uptown in Hamilton, 24 by 47 inches, Emser Tile; sofa: Lexington; paint colors: Argos (walls and trim) and Iron Ore (beams), Sherwin-Williams; project photos: Analicia Herrmann
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The swivel chairs are upholstered in performance-grade velvet. The sofa is upholstered in performance chenille.
Lighting: Hubbardton Forge; fireplace tile: Twilight Dark, 12 by 48 inches, TileBar; flooring: Uptown in Hamilton, 24 by 47 inches, Emser Tile; sofa: Lexington; paint colors: Argos (walls and trim) and Iron Ore (beams), Sherwin-Williams; project photos: Analicia Herrmann
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2. Home Theater With Multiple Gaming Areas
Designer: Brittany Murray of Custom Craft
Location: North Wales, Pennsylvania
Size: 510 square feet (47 square meters); 17 by 30 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners envisioned a transformed basement that would be a hub for both relaxation and activity — a space where their teenagers would love to hang out with friends and where the family could enjoy watching football, hosting parties and exercising,” designer Brittany Murray says.
Fun and games. TV lounge. A quartz bar top with seating spans two support posts. A game table is in the far corner, next to a basketball arcade game.
Designer: Brittany Murray of Custom Craft
Location: North Wales, Pennsylvania
Size: 510 square feet (47 square meters); 17 by 30 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners envisioned a transformed basement that would be a hub for both relaxation and activity — a space where their teenagers would love to hang out with friends and where the family could enjoy watching football, hosting parties and exercising,” designer Brittany Murray says.
Fun and games. TV lounge. A quartz bar top with seating spans two support posts. A game table is in the far corner, next to a basketball arcade game.
Other special features. A snack station has quartz countertops, a beverage fridge and cabinets for food. Around the corner to the left of the snack station is a video game room with a wall-mounted basketball hoop, as well as a home gym. “Custom storage solutions keep the space tidy and organized, making it easy to host parties or simply enjoy family time,” Murray says. “The finishes and materials were selected to create a timeless aesthetic, ensuring the space feels fresh and inviting for years to come. Support posts were disguised by wrapping them in Shaker-style paneling, seamlessly integrating them into the room’s design. This transformed a structural necessity into a stylish, intentional feature that complements the cabinetry.”
Designer tip. “Incorporating a partial wall with bar stools added additional seating without encroaching on the room’s layout,” Murray says. “This clever design not only saved space but also created a functional walkway behind the seating, improving flow and accessibility.”
Project photos: Sean Dooley Photography; paint colors: Hale Navy (accent wall) and Gray Owl (main walls), Benjamin Moore
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Designer tip. “Incorporating a partial wall with bar stools added additional seating without encroaching on the room’s layout,” Murray says. “This clever design not only saved space but also created a functional walkway behind the seating, improving flow and accessibility.”
Project photos: Sean Dooley Photography; paint colors: Hale Navy (accent wall) and Gray Owl (main walls), Benjamin Moore
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3. Garage for Games and Gatherings
Designer: Vanessa Perez of Aloe Home
Location: Forest Hills, New York
Size: 318 square feet (30 square meters); 17 feet, 8 inches by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted extra space to entertain friends and family, and their old garage in the backyard was the ideal spot for this transformation,” designer Vanessa Perez says. “The design aimed to create a relaxed yet elevated organic atmosphere, maximizing seating for large gatherings while blending indoor and outdoor living.”
Perez uses Houzz Pro business software to manage her projects, including to create proposals and invoices and to process payments.
Fun and games. “The space was designed to be a fun, versatile hub for family and friends to enjoy day or night,” Perez says. “A stylish wet bar with cabinets, open shelving for barware and a built-in fridge make it easy to serve drinks and refreshments. A faux fireplace serves as a striking focal point, with a Frame TV perfect for cozy movie nights. To keep things lively, we incorporated game sets throughout the space for guests and family to enjoy. A playful swing chair adds a unique touch, while foldable doors open up to the outdoors, allowing the room to flow seamlessly into the outdoors during warmer months.”
Designer: Vanessa Perez of Aloe Home
Location: Forest Hills, New York
Size: 318 square feet (30 square meters); 17 feet, 8 inches by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted extra space to entertain friends and family, and their old garage in the backyard was the ideal spot for this transformation,” designer Vanessa Perez says. “The design aimed to create a relaxed yet elevated organic atmosphere, maximizing seating for large gatherings while blending indoor and outdoor living.”
Perez uses Houzz Pro business software to manage her projects, including to create proposals and invoices and to process payments.
Fun and games. “The space was designed to be a fun, versatile hub for family and friends to enjoy day or night,” Perez says. “A stylish wet bar with cabinets, open shelving for barware and a built-in fridge make it easy to serve drinks and refreshments. A faux fireplace serves as a striking focal point, with a Frame TV perfect for cozy movie nights. To keep things lively, we incorporated game sets throughout the space for guests and family to enjoy. A playful swing chair adds a unique touch, while foldable doors open up to the outdoors, allowing the room to flow seamlessly into the outdoors during warmer months.”
Other special features. “The design features a thoughtful mix of materials that enhance both style and function,” Perez says. “The fireplace is built with traditional brick, painted to blend seamlessly into the space, while oak open shelves add storage without enclosing the room. The bar area showcases European-style charcoal cabinets paired with a dark quartz countertop, complementing the fluted porcelain tile backsplash for added texture. The walls and fireplace are painted in Whisper White by Behr, a warm shade that brightens the space while maintaining a cozy feel. Since this space connects to the outdoors, for the floors, light wood-look tiles were chosen for their durability and natural aesthetic, perfect for high-traffic areas.”
Designer tip. “Consider mixing open shelving with hidden storage for the perfect balance of style and function in small spaces,” Perez says. “Shelves help keep things open and airy, while blending the fridge into the cabinetry keeps the look sleek and neat. It’s a simple way to add storage without cluttering up a space and sacrificing style.”
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Designer tip. “Consider mixing open shelving with hidden storage for the perfect balance of style and function in small spaces,” Perez says. “Shelves help keep things open and airy, while blending the fridge into the cabinetry keeps the look sleek and neat. It’s a simple way to add storage without cluttering up a space and sacrificing style.”
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4. TV Lounge With a Pool Table and Hockey Table
Designer: Pamela Jensen of PureHaven Homes
Location: Park City, Utah
Homeowners’ request. “This room was designed as a central hub for family and friends to gather, watch movies and play games — a true entertainment space,” designer Pamela Jensen says. “To maintain the home’s modern mountain aesthetic without feeling cold, we carefully balanced the design elements. A 100-inch fireplace was placed beneath the large TV, ensuring the screen didn’t dominate the room.”
Fun and games. “It features a pool table, a raised game table for card games and puzzles and a cozy TV-watching area,” Jensen says. “A hidden doorway leads to a bunkroom and playroom for the grandkids, adding a touch of whimsy to the design. Nearby, an adjacent room offers more fun with a hockey table and a giant tic-tac-toe game. To enhance the entertainment experience, a built-in bar is equipped with a wine dispenser, making it the perfect spot for hosting and relaxing.”
Designer: Pamela Jensen of PureHaven Homes
Location: Park City, Utah
Homeowners’ request. “This room was designed as a central hub for family and friends to gather, watch movies and play games — a true entertainment space,” designer Pamela Jensen says. “To maintain the home’s modern mountain aesthetic without feeling cold, we carefully balanced the design elements. A 100-inch fireplace was placed beneath the large TV, ensuring the screen didn’t dominate the room.”
Fun and games. “It features a pool table, a raised game table for card games and puzzles and a cozy TV-watching area,” Jensen says. “A hidden doorway leads to a bunkroom and playroom for the grandkids, adding a touch of whimsy to the design. Nearby, an adjacent room offers more fun with a hockey table and a giant tic-tac-toe game. To enhance the entertainment experience, a built-in bar is equipped with a wine dispenser, making it the perfect spot for hosting and relaxing.”
Other special features. “To preserve views of the lake from the game table, we incorporated a raised platform with a built-in banquette, ensuring an uninterrupted sightline even during other activities like pool or movie nights,” Jensen says. “For the room’s ambiance, we leaned into a moody, swanky vibe. Dark paint covers the walls, ceiling and trim (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams), complemented by reclaimed wood and accents of hot-rolled steel, achieving a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.” A wet bar, not shown, features a sink, dishwasher, beverage fridge, wine cooler, wine dispenser, coffee maker and microwave.
Designer tip. “Coating the walls, ceiling, and trim in a single paint color creates a cohesive, moody atmosphere while allowing key elements and finishes to take center stage,” Jensen says. “This unified approach adds depth and prevents the space from feeling overly busy or disjointed, with accent finishes providing just the right amount of contrast.”
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Designer tip. “Coating the walls, ceiling, and trim in a single paint color creates a cohesive, moody atmosphere while allowing key elements and finishes to take center stage,” Jensen says. “This unified approach adds depth and prevents the space from feeling overly busy or disjointed, with accent finishes providing just the right amount of contrast.”
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5. Library for Reading and Music
Designer: Danielle Midlik of Architectural Justice
Location: Medina, Ohio
Size: 224 square feet (21 square meters); 14 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner had a vision for a classic library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, specifically with a traditional aesthetic,” designer Danielle Midlik says. “There was only furniture-type shelving previously and [the room] operated as the homeowner’s office space.”
Fun and games. “Reading and relaxing is the ultimate activity, and the clients love to listen to music and play the keyboard,” Midlik says. “They also have family heirloom pieces displayed.”
Designer: Danielle Midlik of Architectural Justice
Location: Medina, Ohio
Size: 224 square feet (21 square meters); 14 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner had a vision for a classic library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, specifically with a traditional aesthetic,” designer Danielle Midlik says. “There was only furniture-type shelving previously and [the room] operated as the homeowner’s office space.”
Fun and games. “Reading and relaxing is the ultimate activity, and the clients love to listen to music and play the keyboard,” Midlik says. “They also have family heirloom pieces displayed.”
Other special features. “The decision to use hickory hardwood connects to other flooring throughout the clients’ home,” Midlik says. “The bookshelves are custom by Architectural Justice artisans and are crafted from a stained red oak. The dark stain pulls from the graining in the hickory floor, and the oak provides a subtle but noticeable texture in dim lighting, which establishes that aged and cozy heirloom feel within the room.
“The American Tin Ceilings tiles are a statement in the room, with brushed silver and bronze tones connecting to the hardware throughout. The grid was centered within the room and trimmed out for a timeless built-in installation. Interior shutters were custom-stained in our shop to match the bookshelves. The client provided the wallpaper, which adds a hint of color and reflectiveness with its crushed glass on a damask patterning. The various moldings ground the room with traditional elements of style, and the cast-bronze hardware reinforces the theme that this library will stand the test of time.”
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“The American Tin Ceilings tiles are a statement in the room, with brushed silver and bronze tones connecting to the hardware throughout. The grid was centered within the room and trimmed out for a timeless built-in installation. Interior shutters were custom-stained in our shop to match the bookshelves. The client provided the wallpaper, which adds a hint of color and reflectiveness with its crushed glass on a damask patterning. The various moldings ground the room with traditional elements of style, and the cast-bronze hardware reinforces the theme that this library will stand the test of time.”
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Designers: Cindy Aplanalp and Valerie Mikel of Chairma Design Group
Builder: Aspire Fine Homes
Location: Houston
Size: 783 square feet (73 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted to live in a walkable neighborhood,” designer Cindy Aplanalp says. “The home they found was good but lacked the level of finish detail they wanted. They had the foresight to buy a good home next to a teardown with the intention of combining the two lots into one epic space and home and an expansive outdoor living space with a pool, outdoor covered pavilion with fireplace and plenty of entertaining room.”
Fun and games. “Easy living to gather with family and friends was the primary objective,” Aplanalp says. “We wanted to design an elevated, refined yet charming entertainment space. The homeowners have dogs and a Gen Z son that lives nearby. Thanks to this addition, they now see their son more often since this space is ‘way cooler’ than his apartment. From hosting watch parties to book club or an intimate guitar jam session, the flexibility of this game room fully supports this family.
“With two Frame TVs in the game room, a 16-foot shuffleboard table and a 36-by-48-inch wall-mounted Scrabble board, it’s all fun and games any direction you look. We maintained a free-flowing furniture plan with two distinct sitting areas — lounge by the 60-inch linear fireplace or get cozy in the swivel club chairs with an adjustable crank-style table perfect for interactive game nights or wine tastings. The kitchenette is simply equipped with an ice maker and an undercounter beverage fridge that is fully stocked for all ages. Our other favorite feature is the Arcadia four-panel pocket sliding door that extends the indoor living to the outdoor covered patio when hosting larger groups.”