Inspiration for a huge contemporary open concept carpeted, beige floor and vaulted ceiling game room remodel in Boise with black walls and a wall-mounted tv

Watching movies at home with your friends and family has long been an important part of our social lives. Imagine that, with our help, the sound and picture can rival that of a commercial theater. The comfort of your own living room is far greater than that of a typical theater. The fridge is much closer. Whether you are needing a simple surround sound system or a fully engineered and dedicated private theater…we are the director.

Simple foyer closet with wire shelving
Small gender-neutral vinyl floor reach-in closet photo in Philadelphia

With a larger table off to one side of the great room, this family choose to have a small game table off the kitchen. Large windows provide good natural light and a unique cast coral centerpiece can be easily removed for fun and games. Pulling up a bench and another chair or two provides more seating, while plantation shutters filter the sunlight to make this the perfect spot for puzzle, chess, cards and backgammon! A perfect example of good design honoring and reflecting the habits and dynamics of strong family ties!

Bright, Functional Basement Remodel Designed for Everyday Living This basement transformation focused on creating a warm, inviting space where the whole family could relax, entertain, and unwind. The goal was simple: turn an underutilized lower level into a comfortable extension of the home — without sacrificing durability or long-term value. A neutral color palette keeps the space light and open, while recessed LED lighting throughout eliminates dark corners and enhances ceiling height. New plush carpeting adds comfort underfoot, making the space ideal for movie nights, game days, and everyday lounging. Strategically placed support columns were integrated seamlessly into the layout, preserving structural integrity while maintaining open sightlines across the room. The flexible floor plan allows for multiple zones — including a dedicated media area, gaming space, and additional room for hobbies or future customization. Clean trim details, fresh paint, updated doors, and cohesive finishes give the basement a polished, finished feel that mirrors the quality of the main living levels upstairs. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe basements should feel intentional — not like an afterthought. This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and quality craftsmanship can transform a lower level into one of the most loved spaces in the home.

Architect: Morningside Architects, LLP Contractor: Forest Design Build Photography: DM Photography
Inspiration for a small medium tone wood floor and brown floor game room remodel in Houston with white walls and no tv

Amy Bartlam
Large elegant open concept dark wood floor and brown floor game room photo in Los Angeles with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

This Party Barn was designed using a mineshaft theme. Our fabrication team brought the builders vision to life. We were able to fabricate the steel mesh walls and track doors for the coat closet, arcade and the wall above the bowling pins. The bowling alleys tables and bar stools have a simple industrial design with a natural steel finish. The chain divider and steel post caps add to the mineshaft look; while the fireplace face and doors add the rustic touch of elegance and relaxation. The industrial theme was further incorporated through out the entire project by keeping open welds on the grab rail, and by using industrial mesh on the handrail around the edge of the loft.

Adding a smoking porch allows for entertaining to be simple. Just open the door and you add square footage to the party, and easy access for smokers.

Luxury homes with elegant lighting by Fratantoni Interior Designers. Follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more inspirational photos!

B&W speakers, 4k wall mount, Marantz processor/amp
Example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed porcelain tile family room design in Austin with a music area, beige walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Cast Stone Hearth
Game room - large farmhouse open concept medium tone wood floor game room idea in Other with white walls, a wood stove and a plaster fireplace

Emily Gualdoni
Example of a huge transitional loft-style carpeted game room design in Chicago with gray walls and no tv

With Pinterest, Houzz and HGTV, homeowners have more sources for inspiration than ever before. You may have found, however, that replicating what you see online or on TV isn’t always that simple. Mastering proportion and scale can be especially challenging. Let’s say you fall in love with an oversized vase which looks like it will fit with the colors and textures in your living room. But once it’s there, the vase doesn’t look the way you expected and you don’t know now to make it work. Fortunately, designers are experienced not only in dealing with proportion and scale, but in handling multiple elements at once. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you understand some of the considerations regarding size. Proportion Tips 1. Less is more In the home shown here, the rooms are on the smaller side, where it would seem counterintuitive to use oversized pieces. But using smaller pieces can look busy—and can actually make the rooms feel smaller, especially when you add personal belongings to the space. 2. Keep it simple Several oversized pieces can create clean, simple lines. We put this principle to work using oversized items as anchors on both sides of the fireplace in the living room. On one side, we have two oversized blown-glass vases with amber, silver and purple tones. The irregular shapes in these beautiful pieces create interest and contrast; you can see through them and you can see the room reflected in them. On the other side of the fireplace sit two oversized brass lanterns filled with driftwood and greenery; the contents can be switched out seasonally, as well. The vases on one side and lanterns on the other side establish pattern (two of each, in descending order), balance and simplicity. 3. Embrace the unexpected On the mantle above the fireplace rests another oversized piece—a painting of a barn. Its neutral colors pick up the tones in the stone behind it and again, it works to bring simplicity to the space, rather than overly fussy detail. Nearby, just up the stairs, is an unusually spacious landing. A bench and pillows transform it into a special reading or conversation spot. The pair of hammered nickel vases on the window sill repeats the pattern established on either side of the fireplace. Using oversized vases in lieu of a window treatment is unexpected—as is incorporating sleek, modern-shaped vases like these in a farmhouse-style home. Yet because of the other oversized objects nearby, the vases feel distinctive and delightful. 4. Coordinate pattern and rhythm Another oversized item is the table lamp in the living room. It’s a powerful light; aside from the overhead can lights, it’s the room’s only light source. The ridges on its ceramic base echo the pieces of wicker in the stunning basket behind the sofa. This oversized wicker basket, which we’re a bit in love with, features a very large weave along with elegant leather straps. It’s ideal for storing throws, cushions, board games or anything else you want out of sight. 5. Proximity matters This home’s dining room is just to the right of the entry. An immense floor mirror—double-framed in weathered wood—is placed opposite the front windows. Measuring seven feet high, it’s a bold piece. And it works perfectly in this space to reflect light and make the room feel larger. An oversized ceramic vase, with a porous, matte-stone finish, sits atop a table next to the mirror. Other regular-sized items share the small table, including a bottle of wine and a glass vase. But because of the enormous mirror, it was important to have one oversized item on that table, for balance.

This design is a Gulf-side 2nd home in a historically designated area. The simple goals for the home are to create a small interior 3 bedroom 2 bath house, efficient in space and low on maintenance, while maximizing the exterior spaces. The more complicated goals include designing a house that can be open when occupied and closed when not as it is 300’ from the Gulf of Mexico and must be secure from storms. The clients requested that the house could be boarded up as part of the design. They wanted the house to look inviting even when it was closed for a storm. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to emerymcclure architecture Designers: Michael McClure and Ursula Emery McClure with Sarah Young From: Lafayette, Louisiana

Bright, Functional Basement Remodel Designed for Everyday Living This basement transformation focused on creating a warm, inviting space where the whole family could relax, entertain, and unwind. The goal was simple: turn an underutilized lower level into a comfortable extension of the home — without sacrificing durability or long-term value. A neutral color palette keeps the space light and open, while recessed LED lighting throughout eliminates dark corners and enhances ceiling height. New plush carpeting adds comfort underfoot, making the space ideal for movie nights, game days, and everyday lounging. Strategically placed support columns were integrated seamlessly into the layout, preserving structural integrity while maintaining open sightlines across the room. The flexible floor plan allows for multiple zones — including a dedicated media area, gaming space, and additional room for hobbies or future customization. Clean trim details, fresh paint, updated doors, and cohesive finishes give the basement a polished, finished feel that mirrors the quality of the main living levels upstairs. At Hillview Custom Renovations, we believe basements should feel intentional — not like an afterthought. This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and quality craftsmanship can transform a lower level into one of the most loved spaces in the home.

Our Clients were ready for a complete overhaul of their existing finished basement. The existing layout did not work for their family and the finishes were old and dated. We started with the fireplace as we wanted it to be a focal point. The interlaced natural stone almost has a geometric texture to it. It brings in both the natural elements the clients love and also a much more modern feel. We changed out the old wood burning fireplace to gas and our cabinet maker created a custom maple mantel and open shelving. We balanced the asymmetry with a tv cabinet using the same maple wood for the top. The bar was also a feature we wanted to highlight- it was previously in an inconvenient spot so we moved it. We created a recessed area for it to sit so that it didn't intrude into the space around the pool table. The countertop is a beautiful natural quartzite that ties all of the finishes together. The porcelain strip backsplash adds a simple, but modern feel and we tied in the maple by adding open shelving. We created a custom bar table using a matching wood top with plenty of seating for friends and family to gather. We kept the bathroom layout the same, but updated all of the finishes. We wanted it to be an extension of the main basement space. The shower tile is a 12 x 24 porcelain that matches the tile at the bar and the fireplace hearth. We used the same quartzite from the bar for the vanity top. Overall, we achieved a warm and cozy, yet modern space for the family to enjoy together and when entertaining family and friends.

Using a glass wall cabinet and its companion, both formally side by side on the bar wall, these two now serve as an excellent gaming area.
Large minimalist walk-out vinyl floor and gray floor basement photo in Cleveland with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

Small transitional dark wood floor and brown floor powder room photo in Other with a two-piece toilet, gray walls and a pedestal sink