Today’s game room gadgets have transformed the once-wood-paneled spaces anchored by a billiard table and accented by a dartboard. High-tech gadgets and games, the latest audio-visual equipment, along with interior designs that accommodate these modern-day marvels, dominate rec room requests.
“Technology has been one of the more exciting changes over the years,” says Alene Workman, a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who has worked in South Florida for more than 25 years. Planning a game room today requires a team from her office, who designs the initial interior plan, to work closely with the homeowner, contractor, builder, and AV experts.
Orchestrating the installation requires the precision of an expert video gamer, with the most important work done during preconstruction or pre-renovation. All the background systems, including wiring, has to be installed first, and it’s tough to get it right late in the game, Workman says.
Popular game room trends
As young adults consumed with social media and the latest gaming trends introduce such technology to parents and even grandparents, consumers of all ages are asking for the latest and greatest, Workman says. In addition to stylish game room interiors, technology-savvy clients want:
iPods and iPads to control music play lists connected to sound systems
Flat-screen TVs as large as 8 to 10 feet wide and Apple TV, which lets you stream music and movies to your big-screen TV
Touch-screen panels that control lights, sound, video, black-out shutters, and more
Acoustical wall panels and materials for near-flawless sound
Room to play with a Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect, or other game systems.
With changes to technology every few months, Workman and her team keep up with such trends and work with AV experts who can help discern the gizmos and installation procedures that will stand the test of time.
At the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, gadget gurus and eager tech companies unveiled their offerings for 2011. For instance, Sony introduced a version of its Handycam camcorder that allow amateurs to make home movies in full high definition 3D. Imagine inviting friends over to see videos of your tour of Italy, in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa really seems to lean toward the viewers.
Retro cool
Even as electronics get more and more futuristic, The New York Times reports a trend to dress up the latest gadgets in retro skins. It mentions a $4,000 jukebox, for example, that’s actually an iPod dock — quite a centerpiece for your new rec room. And it describes a U.S.B. portable turntable that sells for just $160 — a big hit for music lovers who want to turn old vinyl records into MP3s.
Such a yearning for old-fashion design offsets the sci-fi feel of today’s newest technology. And some homeowners still long for simple pleasures of yesteryear in their game rooms. Manhattan and Long Island interior designer Annemarie diSalvo, had a client who asked for an electronic indoor batting cage. And she says tricked out home theaters, which gained popularity in the 1990s, still remain a top request.
Maybe that modern-day pool table will get an electronic update, too, and finally make a comeback.
Latest Game Room Gadgets
By Jennifer Chappell Smith
Today’s game room gadgets have transformed the once-wood-paneled spaces anchored by a billiard table and accented by a dartboard. High-tech gadgets and games, the latest audio-visual equipment, along with interior designs that accommodate these modern-day marvels, dominate rec room requests.
“Technology has been one of the more exciting changes over the years,” says Alene Workman, a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who has worked in South Florida for more than 25 years. Planning a game room today requires a team from her office, who designs the initial interior plan, to work closely with the homeowner, contractor, builder, and AV experts.
Orchestrating the installation requires the precision of an expert video gamer, with the most important work done during preconstruction or pre-renovation. All the background systems, including wiring, has to be installed first, and it’s tough to get it right late in the game, Workman says.
Popular game room trends
As young adults consumed with social media and the latest gaming trends introduce such technology to parents and even grandparents, consumers of all ages are asking for the latest and greatest, Workman says. In addition to stylish game room interiors, technology-savvy clients want:
With changes to technology every few months, Workman and her team keep up with such trends and work with AV experts who can help discern the gizmos and installation procedures that will stand the test of time.
At the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, gadget gurus and eager tech companies unveiled their offerings for 2011. For instance, Sony introduced a version of its Handycam camcorder that allow amateurs to make home movies in full high definition 3D. Imagine inviting friends over to see videos of your tour of Italy, in which the Leaning Tower of Pisa really seems to lean toward the viewers.
Retro cool
Even as electronics get more and more futuristic, The New York Times reports a trend to dress up the latest gadgets in retro skins. It mentions a $4,000 jukebox, for example, that’s actually an iPod dock — quite a centerpiece for your new rec room. And it describes a U.S.B. portable turntable that sells for just $160 — a big hit for music lovers who want to turn old vinyl records into MP3s.
Such a yearning for old-fashion design offsets the sci-fi feel of today’s newest technology. And some homeowners still long for simple pleasures of yesteryear in their game rooms. Manhattan and Long Island interior designer Annemarie diSalvo, had a client who asked for an electronic indoor batting cage. And she says tricked out home theaters, which gained popularity in the 1990s, still remain a top request.
Maybe that modern-day pool table will get an electronic update, too, and finally make a comeback.