How to Create The Ideal Gaming Environment At Home

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Every serious gamer knows the importance of an optimal gaming setup. To play well, you need a comfortable environment, with the best hardware and minimal distractions. Playing in a messy living room on a small screen with family or housemates wandering through your line of vision all day won’t get the best results. 

You want to feel immersed in the game environment and forget your surroundings for a while. And the best way to do this is to spend some time creating the perfect playing conditions. Not everyone can afford to have a whole room of their house devoted solely to gaming, fully stocked with the best equipment and luxuries, but you can make the best of what you’ve got. By optimizing your current setup, you will be able to increase your comfort, convenience, and playing abilities. 

Choose the right room

The most important decision to make in setting up your gaming station is which part of your house you will use. Living rooms usually provide the best set up as there are likely to be plenty of electrical outlets, and you can hook your system up to your household TV. However, if you live in a shared house, you are likely to experience more distractions and interruptions. You might consider your bedroom for more privacy, although this will probably require an additional hardware investment. If you can devote a full room of your home to your gaming setup, by all means do so. You could kit out a spare bedroom or renovate a basement or attic to accommodate your playing needs.

Invest in comfy furniture

When engaging in a long session, you will need to sit comfortably. Not only will this let you play for longer, but it will also reduce any potential injuries or discomfort caused by sitting in an awkward position for too long. Therefore, the chair you use is crucial. The type of seating you opt for will depend on your style of gaming. If you are into consoles, you will be able to recline, whereas if you favor PC-style gaming, you will need to sit up at a desk. If sitting up, you will need a chair that provides back and neck support, particularly if you are prone to lengthy sessions. If you are able to be more relaxed, you could use anything, including sofas, armchairs, bean bags, or cushions on the floor. Choose whatever makes you most comfortable. If you have the money, you could even invest in a gaming chair. Whatever furniture you decide on, make sure you take regular breaks to stretch your legs, rest your eyes, and keep your body active.

Acquire the best technology 

There are two critical aspects to the perfect hardware setup: video and audio. For the optimum display, you will want the best monitor or television you can afford. If using a PC, most serious gamers will use a widescreen monitor, or even multiple monitors at once, and a computer with 4K or even 8K resolution for the best graphics. You can get the best gaming monitor under 500 to cater to all your visual needs. If using a television, you will want a large flat-screen display, ideally suited to the proportions of the room and your distance from the screen. Consider whether you want a wall-mounted or free-standing television and whether you need several HDMI ports to accommodate multiple devices.

Audio is just as important, as poor-quality sound will prevent you from being fully immersed in a game. Many gamers use headsets while playing, which is a good option if you play late into the night and don’t want to disturb other household members. If you have more freedom to make noise, a home theatre system can provide a fantastically engaging experience and allow you to use the same setup for watching films and listening to music.

Although these are the most critical pieces of equipment, you will also have several choices when it comes to kit such as keyboards, mice, controllers, and headsets. Head to PureGaming.net for product reviews and best-of lists to help you make your choice.

Add some ambient lighting

Lighting can make or break a gaming experience. Harsh room lighting or direct sunlight can cause glare on the screen, while playing in the dark can be harmful to your eyes over time. Adding ambient light can help you set the mood and pave the way for a more immersive gaming experience. The type of lighting you choose will depend on the types of games you play. Suspense-filled horror games will benefit from low, atmospheric lighting, while futuristic, science fiction epics are more suited to colorful neon. There are so many gaming lighting options to choose from, boasting all kinds of exciting colors, features, and patterns. 

Have a wide variety of games

Do you have several games on the go at once, or are you the type of gamer who devotes their attention to one game at a time before moving on? Either way, you will want your gaming room to be stocked with a wide variety of different options. This way, you will always have something to switch to if you get bored or complete your current favorite. Also, an expansive selection of games, from new releases to old classics, gives you the air of a hardcore gamer. And if you invite friends and family over, they will always have an array of games to choose from.

Reduce distractions

When you’re deep into the story of a game and fully invested in the characters, you don’t want anything to break you out of your total immersion. Noises from outside, wandering children, or a poorly-timed phone call can all ruin your experience. Make sure your environment is perfectly set up to minimize all possibilities of interruption. Turn your phone on silent and put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. You could even soundproof your room to stop traffic and street noise from entering. Make sure any other members of your household know when you are about to begin an intense gaming session and ask them politely not to bother you.

Keep snacks on hand

Being intently focused on a tense game is more draining than most non-gamers would imagine. You need to maintain high energy levels to keep playing well. If you don’t eat and stay hydrated, you will find yourself feeling tired and sluggish, and your reflexes will become dull. Keep a constant supply of food and drinks at hand to keep you playing your best for longer. Rather than having to get up and wander to the kitchen, why not invest in a snack fridge, so you always have a regular stash of soda, energy drinks, candy and other tasty treats to prolong your sessions.

Add a personal touch

The final touch in your brand new gaming station is to imprint your personality upon the room. You can use your imagination for this step, and adorn your environment in whatever way you like. Celebrate your fandom in the form of posters, prints, signed autographs, collectibles and memorabilia. You may even want to decorate the room in a style and colour scheme of your choice. Adding small touches such as plants, rugs, and souvenirs will improve the aesthetic appeal and comfort of your new gaming zone and make you want to spend more time hanging out there.

There is no one perfect gaming station. It entirely depends on your personal preferences and gaming style. One gamer’s dream setup may be another player’s worst nightmare. You don’t always need the most expensive or advanced technology to make it work, but what is of utmost importance is creating the right mood and reducing distractions. By following these tips, you will be able to play more comfortably, more immersively, and enjoy better performance as a result.