One of the biggest trends that has come to the forefront over the past few years has been the prominence of video games. As such, many of us may be considering just how exactly we can create functional gaming setups in the home that doesn't compromise on the decor front.
It may come as a surprise, but video games have rapidly overtaken movies and music as the entertainment format of choice for millions of people across the country, with a particular focus on kids both young and old. If there's a gamer in your household, chances are they've been slowly working at creating the gaming set up of their dreams.
So, how can you create a functional and stylish gaming setup in your home? It doesn't always have to mean flashing rainbow LEDs and countless cables running across the room. Here we share our top tips to inspire you…
HAVE THE RIGHT TECH
Any avid gamer will tell you the most important aspect of any gaming set-up comes down to the hardware. Whether you're playing the latest Playstation 5 or Xbox Series X, or have even created a custom gaming computer, having the right tech to support your machines will make a world of difference.
This means investing in key pieces that work hard enough to support video games and will stand the test of time. Processing power, refresh rate and response time are key phrases you'll hear a lot if you dabble in gaming, and these elements will affect the speed and fluidity of how well your game runs, as well as how effectively you'll be able to respond to in-game movements.
For computer gamers, look into investing in a quality monitor that has the specs to support your adventures like Samsung's Odyssey G5 which has a 144Hz refresh rate and one millisecond response time. From there you'll want to consider ergonomic keyboards and mouses to help make gaming for extended periods of time more comfortable. For the truly adventurous, look into a custom computer build.
Ensure your gaming setup has plenty of light to reduce strain on the eyes. Styling: Jono Fleming | Photography: Sam McAdam-Cooper
If you prefer to game with a console like a Nintendo Switch or Playstation, chances are you'll find yourself huddled in front of the TV for hours at a time. But, most smart TV's are designed for watching television and streaming movies. As such, take a look at the response time and HDR capabilities of your TV, and consider investing in one like LG's 48" OLED TV which helps to showcase the pitchest of blacks.
You could also look into quality gaming headsets like Logitech's Lightspeed Wireless RGB Gaming Headset which are fantastic for communicating with friends in co-operative games, or Skullcandy's Crusher Wireless Headphones which feature noise cancellation and make your gaming session more immersive.
GO WIRELESS
There's nothing worse than seeing unsightly cables strewn across a room and inevitably tripping over them at a later point. Unfortunately, if you're a serial gamer, chances are that any gaming setup you create will involve countless cables to manage — especially if you find yourself rotating between multiple consoles to play a wide range of games.
Luckily, with a little bit of foresight these unruly cables can be kept in line with ease. Most gaming accessories now come in clever wireless iterations. They may be a touch pricier, but they're well worth the investment. From wireless controllers to wireless headphones, mouses and keyboards, you'll instantly minimise the cables you have to manage.
In addition to this, try investing in cable management systems or media consoles where you can run the wiring through the back. The less cluttered your gaming station actually is, the less cluttered it'll look.
GET COMFORTABLE
If you've played a video game or two, chances are you've realised just how easy it is to quickly find that hours have passed without you even realising it. Gaming can be a time intensive hobby, so it's important to make sure that your body is well supported if you're going to be spending hours in front of the screen.
Much like when it comes to creating the home office of your dreams, you'll want to choose furniture that puts supportive and comfortable ergonomic design first. Your chair is where you'll be spending most of your time, so choose an ergonomic chair, and make sure your desk is set-up to reduce strain on your neck.
For those who prefer to game in the living room, try and mix up your posture throughout your gaming session, and make sure your sofa, beanbag, or armchair is a comfortable distance away from the screen to help reduce eyestrain.
STORAGE IS KING
From countless gaming accessories to multiple physical copies of games, gaming stations can quickly become overrun with clutter. Luckily, this problem is easily solved: commence with a thorough declutter!
Cull your duplicate extra cables and organise your accessories by how frequently you use them. Invest in generous storage bins and don't be afraid to create labels so that in two years' time when you're looking for a particular part you'll find it with ease.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
One of the best parts of creating a gaming station is the freedom of customising your space. Colour adjustable LED light strips are a popular choice in many gaming stations and can be used to enhance the feeling of immersion and ambience of your gaming session.
Keyboards, mouses, gaming controllers and more can all be personalised with custom skins, so if you want to create a truly bespoke space, this is where you'll get the most satisfaction.