If you sometimes need to get away from it all and vent a little frustration or want to host your competitive yet not-so-athletic group of friends, then a serious gaming session in your living room probably won’t cut it. Many people with a spare room in their house might shove a mediocre TV, an Xbox and a futon in there but why not go the extra mile, create something that you and a few buddies can shut the doors and emerge at the end of the weekend bloated on junk food and triumphant over your online adversaries.

Firstly you need to decide upon a room, not everyone has a spare room that isn’t assigned for the non-existent guests but it can be anywhere. It’s even better if it is shut off from the world; a lack of windows is a bonus and converting a loft or basement into a gaming space doesn’t impose on the rest of the house and you may even get away without anyone else knowing about it.

Prepare the room for the conversion, clear it out and make it safe. If you are using the basement get rid of any damp and if it’s the loft then lay down some flooring so you don’t fall through into the bathroom. Once ready, decorate your room, white walls are best as they make the space feel bigger and you won’t feel like a recluse. Flooring should be simple, preferably wood or laminate that is easy to clean and won’t require dragging a vacuum up or down some stairs.

Add a bit of decoration but non of those girly canvases that your other half will most likely have around the house, movie posters and old vinyl cases will make you look as cool as you still feel. Give yourself the most comfortable and authoritative chair but also make sure there is enough space to get the whole gang round. A large L-shaped sofa will be the most efficient but a couple of sofa-beds will also mean that your friends can stay over when their wives are no longer talking to them for spending so much time at yours.

Make sure you never have to leave the room by ensuring there is enough food to last a full 72-hour game-fest, beer fridges are cheap and ideal, and snack food can be stored anywhere but keep your stocks high. If you can, install a toilet to really seal yourself off.

One important rule of games rooms is that nobody is left game-less, try and find some old-school pinball machines, possibly a dartboard and even a snooker table if you have the room. This means that whenever people are round, they aren’t left as spectators. If you have the space, put a bar in the corner with a couple of stools, so even when people aren’t playing anything they can be social and enjoy themselves.

Ultimately, you will need to drop a wad of cash on some serious gaming equipment; all traditional games and activities are mere child’s play compared to today’s high tech multimedia. Choose one of the two leading consoles, both have their advantages and whatever you choose you will divide your friends who will have sided one way or the other with their own purchases, if you can afford it, buy both. Enjoy this through the biggest TV you can buy/fit in the room, full HD with all the trimmings or even consider a projector if you are in a windowless room but remember this will require the lights to be off. Get a beefy surround sound too, something that will make the room rumble with the sound of the online battlefield and make the rest of the household wonder what the hell is going on in there. Buy a selection of the latest multiplayer games as these won’t require six grown men watching one person repeatedly attempting to defeat the evil wizard boss on level 23. Remember to occasionally visit the outside world, with all that enjoyment in one room you might forget about the kids, your job or even sunlight.

A games room is the perfect place for all those novelty gifts and unique gifts you might get at Christmas or on birthdays.

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