Lake House Game Room Makeover: Transforming a Multi-Functional Space on a Budget

For over two years, Ed and I have been on an incredible journey, meticulously transforming our lake house into a place we truly call our own. We’ve shared every step, from the vibrant redesign of my studioffice to the dramatic reveal of our budget-friendly kitchen overhaul. Our home’s character has been shaped through thoughtful updates to the foyer, the cozy ambiance of the living room, the serene escapes of our bedrooms, and the chic functionality of our bathrooms. We’ve even mapped out our dreams for the exterior, all while keeping a keen eye on our budget.

Yet, amidst all these reveals, there’s one room that has remained largely a mystery. This particular space has rarely graced the pages of our blog, primarily because its transformation journey has barely begun. Up until now, its main claim to fame has been a quick carpet stain clean-up and serving as a temporary backdrop for an old post I penned for the Glidden paint blog. But the time has finally come to shine a spotlight on this forgotten corner of our home and unveil our ambitious plans to bring it to life.

Unveiling the Mystery Room: A Space Without a Door

This unique room, nestled within our lake house, presents an interesting architectural quirk: it has no door. Yes, you read that right – absolutely no door. Observing the existing molding, it appears this opening was never intended to house one. While this open-plan approach has its charm, it also presents distinct challenges, particularly when considering the room’s evolving multi-functional purpose.

When we first moved in, the previous owners had established it as a dedicated game room, complete with a generously sized pool table. Initially, I harbored reservations about keeping such a large piece of furniture, but Ed was keen to retain it. In hindsight, I’m incredibly glad we did. It has become a focal point for entertainment, seeing countless hours of use during gatherings with family and friends, sparking laughter and friendly competition.

For our day-to-day living, an open doorway functions perfectly well. The flow between spaces feels natural and uninhibited. However, the dynamics shift dramatically when we’re hosting a houseful of guests. On such occasions, this game room often doubles as an extra bedroom, transforming into a comfortable sleeping area with the help of a blow-up air mattress. In these moments, the absence of a door becomes a noticeable inconvenience, as privacy for our guests is paramount. This realization has solidified our decision: this room, despite its unique history, needs a door.

A Budget-Friendly Solution: Repurposing a Hidden Gem

Adding a new, solid wood door that perfectly matches the existing doors throughout the house could quickly escalate our budget. But as seasoned DIYers, we thrive on creative, cost-effective solutions. We won’t be buying a new door for this space. Instead, we’re tapping into our collection of salvaged treasures.

Do you recall the pocket door that was carefully extracted during our major wall removal project between the kitchen and living room? We had the foresight to keep it! It’s been patiently waiting, leaning against a wall in our garage, anticipating its next purpose. This door, with its perfect dimensions, is destined to find a new home in our game room. While it will require a fresh stain to harmonize with the rich tones of the other doors upstairs, repurposing it allows us to stay well within our budget, transforming a salvaged piece into a functional and aesthetic asset.

To give you a clearer idea of the desired aesthetic, all the interior doors in our home share a consistent, warm wood tone. An excellent example is this narrow closet door, which originally served as a gun closet when the house was first constructed. Given our current needs, it now efficiently houses all our luggage, showcasing its continued utility. This door will serve as the inspiration for the stain color we’ll apply to our repurposed pocket door, ensuring a cohesive look throughout the upper level.

A Fresh Start: Paint, Flooring, and Furniture Revitalization

If there’s one consistent theme running through nearly every project we’ve undertaken in this house, it’s the transformative power of paint. This game room makeover will be no different. Paint is our go-to tool for refreshing, brightening, and unifying spaces, and it will play a crucial role in bringing our vision for this room to life.

Flooring Transformation: From Carpet to Luxury Vinyl Plank

The worn wall-to-wall carpeting has served its purpose, but it’s time for an upgrade. Our plan is to rip up the old carpet and replace it with elegant luxury vinyl plank (LVP flooring). We’ve selected an LVP in a medium-dark wood tone, which will introduce warmth, durability, and a sophisticated touch to the room. LVP is an excellent choice for a multi-functional space like this, offering superior resistance to spills, scratches, and heavy foot traffic – perfect for both game nights and intense workout sessions. The rich, wood-like texture will instantly elevate the room’s aesthetic, providing a sturdy foundation for all its activities.

Pool Table Makeover: A Cohesive Color Scheme

The pool table, currently sporting a lighter, faux-wood finish, won’t quite mesh with the new, darker LVP flooring. To ensure visual harmony, I’ll be painting the base of the pool table. While the exact color is still under wraps, it will be carefully chosen to complement the new flooring and the overall refreshed palette of the room. The existing black ends of the pool table, however, will remain untouched, providing a classic contrast and maintaining a piece of its original character. This simple paint job will dramatically update the table, making it feel intentionally designed for its new environment rather than an inherited relic.

A Bright Canvas: Our Signature White Palette

To create a bright, airy, and expansive feel, all the walls, trim, and existing louvered doors will be painted in my signature “go-to” white. This crisp, clean hue is a favorite for its ability to reflect light, make spaces feel larger, and provide a versatile backdrop for any decor. It’s a timeless choice that will instantly modernize the room, providing a cohesive look that connects it seamlessly with the rest of our renovated lake house. The fresh coat of white paint will allow the natural light to bounce around, enhancing the mood and creating a more inviting atmosphere.

IKEA Unit Re-styling: Organized and Chic

Our trusty IKEA shelving unit will retain its prime spot in the room. This practical piece provides essential storage and display space. Instead of replacing it, we’ll give it a fresh look by simply re-styling its contents. This means carefully curating decorative items, books, and perhaps some organized storage bins to ensure it not only serves its functional purpose but also enhances the room’s overall aesthetic. Thoughtful organization and styling can make a significant difference in how a space feels, and this unit will be no exception.

Integrating Fitness: A Dedicated Home Gym

Beyond its role as a game room, this space serves a crucial purpose for Ed and me: it’s our dedicated home gym. The existing gym equipment – including Ed’s Bowflex and exercise bike, and my Pilates Reformer – will remain. Integrating these pieces seamlessly into the refreshed design is a priority. We want the room to feel harmonious, whether it’s set up for a vigorous workout, a lively game of pool, or accommodating overnight guests. The key is to create a versatile environment where each function feels intentional and well-designed, ensuring the space effectively supports our diverse lifestyle needs.

Addressing the Details: Ceiling Challenges and Vintage Charm

Every renovation project comes with its unique set of challenges, and for this room, the exposed electrical wiring on the ceiling is one such puzzle. It appears the ceiling fans were installed much later than the original center ceiling fixture, resulting in visible wiring. We haven’t yet decided on the best approach to conceal these wires. Once we open up the ceiling to investigate further, we’ll determine if it’s a task Ed can confidently tackle himself or if we’ll need to call in a professional electrician to ensure safety and a clean finish. This detail, though seemingly minor, is crucial for achieving a polished and intentional look.

Speaking of ceiling fixtures, the two ceiling fans in this room are absolute gems. They are “vintage” Casablanca fans, renowned for their exceptional cooling capabilities, especially vital during the warmer months at the lake house. For now, we plan to keep them. However, I’m contemplating painting over the gold accents to better align with the room’s evolving aesthetic. This decision will largely depend on how the room feels once the darker LVP flooring is installed. With the new foundation in place, I’ll have a clearer vision of what truly looks best, ensuring these functional pieces contribute positively to the overall design.

The Road Ahead: A Step-by-Step Transformation

Our game room makeover is officially underway! I’ll be sharing regular updates throughout the entire process, starting with our initial and most impactful step: painting the walls. A significant advantage of transforming this room is that we can begin painting while the old carpet is still in place. Since the carpet is destined for removal and disposal, there’s no need to meticulously lay down drop cloths, which will save a considerable amount of time and effort. This allows us to get a head start on the aesthetic transformation before diving into the more intensive tasks of flooring and door installation.

This project represents more than just a room renovation; it’s about maximizing the potential of every corner of our lake house. By transforming this underutilized space into a stylish, functional hub for relaxation, recreation, and fitness, we are enhancing our home’s livability and value. The blend of clever repurposing, budget-conscious decisions, and a clear design vision will undoubtedly create a space that we, our family, and friends will enjoy for years to come. So, it’s time to dust off the brushes and rollers! Stay tuned as we embark on this exciting journey, sharing every triumph and challenge along the way.