Samantha's preschool class made dirt-filled potato dogs. When you water the spuds, they grow like a Chia pet. Nice—just what Mama needs.
While trying to carry Samantha's gear out of school, the prize puppy fell and dirt poured all over the carpet. I managed to scoop most of it up only for the rest to spill all over my minivan floor. Have you ever wanted to ditch an art project before you've even left the school building?
Here's my system for making the artistic cut:
Culprits: glitter, plastic utensils, pipe cleaners, paper plates, feathers, Styrofoam cups, macaroni-adorned frames, objects with drinking straws for arms and legs and anything with googly eyes. (I should add dirt and potatoes to the list.)
Keepers: pottery, handprints, anything with magnets, my kids' photos, paint or an original drawing.
The next day I hurriedly cleaned the counters and delivered a few items to the recycling can. (Note to self: Bury art so kids don't see their precious creations as they chuck their empty milk boxes.)
"Mommy, why is my Snow White picture in the garbage?" Samantha wails.
Damn. I knew I should have taken out the trash earlier.
"Oh, let me see that," I say as I practically press my entire body on the construction paper trying to smooth it out. "I know we can tape it back together!"
"NO WE CAN'T—it's ruined forever!" she yells. "It's all your fault."
There is nothing quite like getting busted for pitching your children's artwork. But let's face it, not everything can be a masterpiece. Any anti-clutter expert will tell you that you have to cut back on the piles you accumulate. You can't save everything. So why do I feel like the Wicked Witch with every crayon-scribbled paper I toss?—Julie Weingarden Dubin
How much of your kids' artwork do you keep? How do you determine what stays? Any ideas on how to store the keepers?
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If you have a small space in your home, we have the best small gaming room ideas that are perfect for you. You can transform your space into a fun and entertaining game room for your family and friends to enjoy.
Gaming rooms are supposed to spark playfulness. Here's 30 epic gaming room ideas and setups.
Video gaming room ideas
1. Small bedroom gaming setup
Your bedroom is probably your favorite room in the house. It's your own personal space where you can display all of your favorite things. You can setup your gaming area at your computer desk.
Just add in a fews extra screens and to save space you can mount a TV to the wall. This gaming room setup in your bedroom allows you to play PC games and video games in the comfort of your room.
Source: IcedRibena
2. Small living room gaming setup
A living room is a great spot to lounge and play games. Double up your small living room into a gaming room for your family. This game room setup includes a large wall mounted TV, an entertainment console for your equipment, speakers and some minimal and comfortable furniture.
This small living room is a typical size in an apartment or condo, but it even includes a separate gaming area with a computer desk and gaming chair so you to play PC games.
Source: setup asylum
3. PC game room setup
If you have a small unused area in your home or a bonus room, you can turn it into a gaming space. The triple monitor setup offers a wide expansive view for the games. More screens can be useful if you want to multitask and look at different things on each screen. This setup is perfect for gaming and working.
Source: setupgaminghub
4. Individual PC gaming room setup
This gaming room setup allows each person to play their own games if they want to. It reminds me of playing games at an internet cafe. You and a friend can even play the same game on different computers and enjoy each others company.
Source: 5percentgamer
5. Retro small gaming room setup
If you're a die hard gamer, you need a way to proudly display and organize your prized possessions. This gaming room is the ultimate game lovers dream. There are multiple game consoles and a vast collection of games to choose from.
If you also have a large collection of games, you will need a fairly large entertainment center and shelves for storage.
Source: RetroGamerTom
6. Attic or shed gaming room setup
Imagine entering into a gaming room that looks like this one! It's like stepping into a new world. A game room should be just as fun as the games. Don't be afraid to get creative with your design and decorations. This one looks like the inside of a futuristic space ship.
Source: lockwoodx
Family gaming room ideas
7. Small board games room
Board games are perfect for bringing people together. This small gaming room setup has a unique shelving system that has a lot of character. Keep in mind, a decently large table works best for board games because each player needs space for their pieces.
Most board games require more than 2 players so they are ideal games for the whole family. Playing board games not only increases brain function, it also allows you to give your eyes a break from screen time.
Source: fluffaykitties
8. Pool table game room ideas
If you love playing billiards and you are thinking of getting a pool table, there are some important factors to consider. Pool tables are fairly large and they take up a lot of space. Therefore make sure you have plenty of free space to put it. Also, they are quite heavy and not easy to move around.
A pool table is an excellent center piece for your game room. If you love the game, it can be very rewarding and definitely worth the investment.
Source: theolsenhomedesign
9. Basement gaming room
Transform your small basement into a game room. Playing gaming help you to relax, de-stress and connect with people. We all strive for a good work-life balance, so playing games can give you something to look forward to at the end of the day.
Source: patrickafinnltd
10. Family play zone
Playing games makes life much more interesting and exciting. You can setup a play zone in your living room to upgrade your space. Brighten up a boring space with an easy gaming area like this one.
Source: masterpiecedesigngroup
11. Small garage gaming room
There are so many things a garage can do to your living space besides using it for parking and storage. You can setup a gaming area or turn it into your man cave. These small garage remodel ideas become a place for you to unwind.
Sources:Ridbeardidscotsman and Iirked
12. Cozy balcony game room idea
There are many ways you can make your balcony look fantastic. You can add some comfortable furniture to make it more functional and elegant. This small outdoor living space is an extension of your home so you can enjoy playing board games and card games out here.
Source: gaurbendecors
13. Ping pong game room ideas
A ping pong table room is ideal if you have a bonus room, spacious basement or even an empty office room. This game room idea is clean and simple, making the game the main focus.
Source: ivan_bozic_design
14. Porch or patio game area setup
Even in the smallest spaces, you can't take away the fun. Utilize every room and space in your home to add fun into your life. You can setup a play area on your porch, patio or small backyard.
Source: thinkingmantavern
15. Lawn game outdoor setup
Lawn games are for outdoor spaces. Your front or back yard becomes the game room for these life-size games. Lawn games are perfect for outdoor entertaining events such as family gatherings, birthday parties, baby showers and bridal showers.
Source: eastkimberleyeventhire
16. Outdoor video gaming setup ideas
Don't have enough space inside for a game room? Here's a cool idea! If you already have a nice lounging area in your backyard, you can easily install a portable screen to make the space become more functional. An outdoor screen can double up as a privacy divider and a backdrop for watching movies and playing video games.
Source: holidaystyling
Kids gaming room ideas
17. Backyard play zone
It's easy to setup a play zone outside by using these interlocking mat tiles. They are easy to pick up and move as needed. It gives children an active play space while being outdoors.
Source: wats_on_event_hire
18. Kids play room ideas
Children always have a lot of toys and learning aids to help them build learning skills. Storage organizers and boxes are great for decluttering and keeping things tidy. A play room is a perfect little space where children can learn and play at their own pace.
Source: chris_moores_
19. Small attic gaming room
The attic room can be a great place to transform into a usable space. Since attic spaces are usually smaller than regular rooms, they will work well as a game room for your children.
Source: hazelhouseandhearth and winterdaisykids
20. Playhouse small gaming room
Your kids will love having this playhouse in their room. They can climb up the latter or rock wall to get onto the second level. An indoor playhouse offers a great opportunity for you to build something fun for your kids to enjoy.
Source: biffen_farmhouse
21. Garage gaming room ideas
This game room idea is where all the magic happens. You can build a mini jungle gym or add swings. A garage can be an alternative play space for your kids if you don't have a backyard or have space inside your home.
Source: parkerblarson
22. Nintendo game room
If you love the Super Mario games, you can try this game room idea. The room includes the classic things from the video game such as the characters, platforms and coins. This game room will get your kids into the zone of playing games and they will love spending time here.
Source: JOCO2012
Gaming room setup decor
23. Stormtrooper gaming setup
It's easy to copy this game room idea because the main colors are white and black like the stormtrooper. Most of the furniture and equipment follow the color pattern and the unique pieces pull the theme together.
Source: levelupgamingtech
24. Contemporary gaming room setup
This gaming room setup is modern and futuristic. The unique chair, floating shelves and ceiling lights gives the room a lot of character.
Source: levelupgamingtech
25. Kawaii gaming room setup
Girls love gaming too! This game room setup is in a bedroom. The design, colors and accessories make this room look very cute.
Source: ohayoukitten
26. Space-saving small gaming room
If your room is small, you can try this built in shelving unit that is behind the door. It saves space and it allows you to showcase your collectibles. You can easily create an accent wall with a unique design like the black and red lines. A corner floating desk and wall mounted TV setup also helps to save space.
Source: creasete
27. Wood desk gaming room setup
An easy gaming setup is on your computer desk. This wooden desk is custom built and it has bottom cabinets and metal legs. The double monitor screens allow you to separate business from your daily gameplay. The wooden mini speakers pair well with the overall computer setup.
Source: zacbuilds
28. Decorative wall lights
To change the atmosphere from working to gaming, you can use these multicolored changing wall lights. The shapes of the lights allow you to combine them together to make cool designs.
Source: havokharakiri
29. Neon lights gaming room setup
Ambient lighting is a popular way to decorate a video gaming room. You can use LED strip lights for background lighting and it helps to boost the atmosphere.
Bring your gaming and entertainment to life with the Sonos Sound Bar.
Source: lugiasgamingparadise
30. PC gaming room setup
This game room setup has a floating desk with sliding drawers. It's a setup for 2 players. The decor is simple and clean, however the purple lighting tones help to boost the players' enthusiasm during the gameplay.
Source: sims.interior.design
Final Thoughts
Your game room should strike a balance between functionality and comfort. A gaming room is your dedicated area to engage in prolonged gaming sessions and to display your favorite consoles and games.
Whether that means keeping things simple and easy or going big with flashy accessories and modern decor. Regardless of how small your space is, we hope some of these small gaming room ideas inspire you!
The right lighting can lift your spirits and make you more relaxed and productive. Here's how the pros do it.
Credit...Matthew Williams
Any experienced designer will tell you that lighting is an essential ingredient when you're decorating a room — not the afterthought that many of us consider it.
If you're tempted to spend more of your time picking out furnishings or puzzling over layouts, remember that lighting can completely transform a space — not just by brightening dark corners, but by affecting your emotions.
"Light is a powerful thing," said Theo Richardson, the director of development at Rich Brilliant Willing, the Brooklyn-based design studio known for its striking LED fixtures, which he founded with Charles Brill and Alexander Williams. "The right light lifts the mood, inspires productivity and motivates us. At home, light enlivens the little things — our morning routines, or the moments we spend with friends."
Here are some guidelines for creating a well-lighted space.
Image
Credit...Moxy Nyc Times Square
Mix It Up
Most designers agree that you need more than one source of light in a room. Think layered illumination: Every room should have a mix of lighting, including overhead, accent and task lights.
In the living room, for example, you might begin by hanging a decorative ceiling fixture near the center of the room, said Nathan Orsman, a lighting designer based in New York City and Southampton. "Then we look toward the outer walls for downlighting that can gently wash the walls, curtains and art with warm, functional brightness," he said. This can be achieved with soffit or valance lighting, or even plug-in torchier floor lamps that bounce light off the ceiling.
Depending on a room's layout, he said, accent lights could be used to highlight art, and table lamps could be placed beside seating to add another layer of light. And for extra ambience, he added, "a candle never hurt."
The goal, he explained, is to create contrast between the light at the center of the room and around the perimeter, and the darker spaces in between: "Without the darker, quieter moments, everything is flat and boring. It's the subtle interplay between light and dark that creates appeal."
Image
Credit...Michael Stavaridis
Go Bright in the Kitchen
One place where bright light is more important than ambience is the kitchen.
Mr. Orsman suggested flooding the space by installing high-hats or recessed lights along the edge of the ceiling. If you have a kitchen island, consider hanging pendants overhead, he said, which will light the space without taking up room you might need to eat or prepare food. Also, you'll be able "to see your guests without having to look around a hanging light."
And don't forget under-cabinet light: Running LED light strips on the bottom of your upper cabinets is the easiest way to create an evenly lighted counter space for food prep and cooking.
Image
Credit...Mike Garten
Consider a Room's Orientation
If you have a north-facing room without direct sunlight, it will generally require a little more thought.
Donna Mondi, an interior designer in Chicago, installed recessed fixtures along the perimeter of a north-facing living room to complement a central pendant that spread light horizontally throughout the space. But she didn't stop there: She also used table lamps to illuminate dark corners and a pair of sconces to draw attention to a special piece of art.
For a dark bedroom, she used a similar strategy, combining a central chandelier with discrete up-lights in the corners of the room, bedside lamps for reading and a pair of sconces over the fireplace opposite the bed.
Image
Credit...Matthew Williams
Banish Bad Bathroom Lighting
"The worst option is a recessed fixture over the sink, as it casts shadows that are not flattering," Ms. Mondi said. Instead, she suggested, opt for wall-mounted sconces with 75-watt bulbs installed about 66 inches off the floor, which will help cast even illumination across your face.
Another "great feature to add is motion-lighting at the cabinet base," she said, which creates "a very subtle glow" like a night light if you wake up in the middle of the night.
To create a sense of intimacy and spalike luxury, consider installing a sculptural pendant lamp. Janey Butler, who runs Janey Butler Interiors, the interior design wing of the Llama Group in Cheshire, England, transformed a windowless bathroom into a dramatic space by hanging Ochre's Celestial Pebble Chandelier over the tub.
"The light itself is a beautiful object that meets the eye on arrival to the room and provides focus to the free-standing bath," Ms. Butler said. She also used LED strip lighting, concealed behind floating shelves, to wash the chevron-patterned floor with a subtle glow.
Light Up the Corners
"When you have an empty and awkward corner, one trick of the trade is to transform that space with an oversized floor lamp," said Caitlin Murray, the founder and chief executive of Black Lacquer Design, in Los Angeles. "Look for a lamp that is complementary in finish and material to the surrounding space, and an otherwise lost corner instantly becomes an intentional, polished part of the overall room design."
To brighten up the space next to a desk in a bachelor's living room, Ms. Murray chose the Detrick Floor Lamp, from Arteriors, in an earthy finish with a gray-green shade.
"It did the double duties of providing added light to his work space while also being a statement accent piece," she said. "It was important to find something in tone and texture that both complemented the overall design and provided enough of a contrast to the surrounding neutrals to really make a visual impact."
Don't Overdo the Overheads
"Over the years, we've found that one of the biggest mistakes is made with overhead lighting," said Robert Highsmith, a principal at Workstead, the Brooklyn design firm he founded with his wife, Stefanie Brechbuehler, and fellow Rhode Island School of Design alum Ryan Mahoney almost a decade ago. "Often it can be excessive, generating spots and unwanted shadows."
For that reason, Workstead advises residential clients not to use recessed overhead lighting. Instead, Mr. Highsmith recommends hanging a large pendant fixture or a chandelier in common areas. In the kitchen, he suggested using globe fixtures, "for even lighting" that leaves counter surfaces free. For living rooms, he said, try subtle lighting sources like wall sconces and floor lamps, and in dining rooms, "a sculptural centerpiece above a table provides depth, while accent lighting amplifies warmth."
Image
Credit...Matthew Williams
Play With Ambience
Put dimmers on all of your lights: "Workstead prefers a more analog approach that allows you to manually adjust lighting to respond to changes in natural light, seasons and so forth," Mr. Highsmith said, noting that the easiest way to adjust the light in a room is by putting a dimmer on each fixture, rather than replacing a wall switch with a dimmer that adjusts all the lights at once.
In the bedroom, he suggested using a bedside light with both a dimmer and a movable shade. Workstead designed the Orbit sconce, for example, to be adjustable in both ways, with a dimmer and a swiveling reflector that allows the light to be directed or blocked. "We feel like the more flexibility, the better," he said.
Don't Forget the Details
"Whenever you use a shade — whether it's on a lamp, a sconce or a chandelier — use frosted or soft-white bulbs to eliminate the shadows and hot spots created by shade clips," said Paloma Contreras, an interior designer in Houston.
And be sure those shades are on straight. "The harps are pliable, so you can manipulate them a bit to ensure that the shades sit on the lamp properly," Ms. Contreras said.
You should also orient the lampshade so that seams are hidden. "I can't begin to tell you how many seams I have seen on lampshades in movies, on television shows and even in magazines," she added. "You wouldn't put your dress on backward, would you?"
Image
Credit...Max Burkhalter
Be Choosy About Your Bulbs
"I'm all about the LEDs now," Ms. Contreras said. "Our home is illuminated by warm-colored LED bulbs, and they look like traditional incandescents. Plus, they're made for all fixtures, including recessed cans, table lamps and sconces."
For a warm, inviting light, she said, go with 2,700 to 3,000 kelvin, often advertised as "warm white." As you go higher in the color-temperature range, she said, "more blue is introduced, and this ultimately gives that dreaded warehouse look." (Those bulbs — often advertised as "daylight" — do better in a garage or a more utilitarian space.)
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