There are two things we’re always short on: time and money. To save some time, set up a leisure room in your home, so you’ll cut down on trips to cafés, cinemas, bars, and so on.
You can make it a gathering place for your friends – with the added bonus of never needing a designated driver to come home. However, it may take up a bit too much of the other resource you lack – money.
Luckily, there are ways to get what you need without spending money like water. Here are some ideas to help you out.
1. A slide
If your leisure room is in the basement, there’s really only one thing to do, and you know it: install a slide. Sure, you’ll still need some kind of stairs to go up, but let’s face it – sliding is so much more fun than going down a set of stairs.
It’s faster as well, and the setup is fairly cheap. You’ll be able to relax and have fun even before you reach the room itself, thus improving your mood much sooner than you would without the slide. Plus, how many people who have slides in their house do you know?
2. Comfy chairs
Comfy chairs are a must in any leisure room. If you have a home cinema, you need comfy armchairs, and if you have a game room instead, you’ll need a great sofa.
If you’re an avid reader and have a home library instead, you may prefer a rocking chair like the above. It does sound a bit old lady-ish, but there are few seating arrangements better suited for that kind of hobby than a good old rocking chair. Of course, throw in some squishy armchairs, and some cushions and blankets as well, just in case.
3. Games
Even if you’re not really into video games, chances are that you have a guilty pleasure or two. In the digital age, there’s no escaping this kind of entertainment.
However, you may want to go old school on this one. Get a good wooden table and chairs, and find various board games. Things like Monopoly, Risk, or Clue are oldies but goodies and never go out of fashion, but there are so many other options available. Check them out, and organize a weekly game night with your friends – it’s fun for everybody.
4. Adjustable lighting
One of the most important things in any environment is lighting. It affects our moods a great deal, which means that you should always have in mind that different activities demand different light.
For example, if you’re watching a movie, you’ll want little or no light in the room. If you’re playing a video game, you’ll be happiest with moderate lighting, while for a board game or for reading you’ll need proper, natural or natural-like light. Make sure the lighting in your leisure room is adjustable to all your needs.
5. Music
Music is one of the most popular and most beloved arts, for scholars and laymen alike. It can boost our mood or get us down, and it provides a wonderful distraction from our problems, or improves our focus. Therefore, make sure you have the means to play music in your leisure room.
You can play pump up music when you exercise, for example, and you’ll find it easier to put in the necessary physical effort into the activity. You may play classical music or smooth jazz while you read, or some quiet pop music when you’re playing games with your friends.
6. A bar
Well, when was a bar not a good idea? You can even make it yourself if you’re so inclined – it’ll save you pretty penny, and you’ll get the sense of achievement from knowing that your brand new bar is the result of your own work.
Once you get your bar, fill it with all your favorite booze. Like mixing cocktails? No problem, get a shaker and an icemaker. Prefer beer? Get a nice fridge to hold your favorite beverage. A bar provides you with an opportunity to have everything you need right where you need it, and removes the need to make frequent trips to the kitchen. It’s extremely convenient, so what are the downsides?
7. A coffee machine
Planning a Lord of the Rings or a Game of Thrones marathon? Do you fully intend to binge on everything that airs on Netflix? Are you and your friends making arrangements to go all-out nerd and play D&D for two days straight? In any of these – and many other – scenarios, one thing you’ll most definitely need is coffee.
Having a coffee machine is a way to make your own coffee and make it taste delicious. Companies like Lavazza that specialize in coffee and other related products offer machines for sale and rent, so you can use that to your advantage if you’re not sure whether the amount of coffee you drink justifies buying a whole new appliance.
8. A mini fridge
One word: sandwiches. No matter what you do, chances are you’ll crave a snack sooner or later. Sandwiches are by far the most superior food in the world (ask Joey Tribbiani if you don’t believe me), but your candy bars and other kinds of food will benefit from a mini fridge just the same. If you have a mini fridge to keep all your snacks fresh, you’ll make fewer trips to the kitchen. You can also use it to keep your sodas and beer cool, so there are no downsides.
You don’t have to invest thousands of dollars into your leisure room to make it fun. Think of what you need, and get the stuff that’ll make your life a bit easier, and you’re good to go.