The kids have moved away, and now you suddenly find yourself with an extra room in the house. Unless you're in dire need of a home office, why not make that extra room into a game room? After all, you've worked hard enough, now it's time to play, and the game room can be a room full of excitement and fun.

There was a time when you could only afford the luxury of a game room if you had a basement, and that usually meant a couch and a billiard table. However, in this age of technology the game room most likely will have a big screen TV and a game console with lots of video games. Few will still have a billiard table. One reason is because most rooms are not as big as a basement and a billiard table would take most of the space available.

Since this should be a family room, or a room for you and your friends to get together for fun, why not add a game table you can use to play board games, and perhaps a soccer table, or an air hockey game table. These won't take up as much room as a pool table. If it's in your budget, a jukebox can add to the fun and atmosphere!

What is the best way to decorate this room? What colors should you use? What about wallpaper? Below are some ideas you may want to consider.

First, be sure to use bright colors. Stay away from dark colors – no one wants to play in a dark room. Use “fun” colors such as light green, light yellow, and light orange, but try to only use the orange as an accent color. You should not paint an entire wall orange. Bright colors will raise the excitement level in the room, whereas dark colors will only bring gloom to the room.

In addition to painting the game room a bright color, you may want to add a colorful border as well. There are so many patterns to choose from! If the theme of your game room is geared more towards board games or card games, find a border with graphics of tables, chairs, or maybe poker cards. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, then look for borders that represent fun, excitement and celebrations. You should also try to have borders that appeal to both sexes. Keep that in mind with the colors as well. In other words, try to stay away from colors such as pink.

If the game room allows it, try to section off the room so that your friends and family can easily move from one area of the room to the other. For example, you may want to designate one area of the room as the card and/or board game area and place the table in that section of the room. The other area of the room could be designated as the TV area. Here, you can play video games or watch the Super Bowl or other sports games. If possible, try to have something for everyone.

As mentioned above, if it's within your budget, a jukebox can really add to the fun. You can also use a stereo (perhaps with surround sound?) to add music to the room. Another great item is a karaoke machine. Be sure to have lots of sing-along lyrics, not only for the kids, but for the adults as well!

Consider holding a “Decorate the Game Room” party. Invite your friends and family and get them involved choosing colors, borders, games, music, etc. Together you can make this the best room in the house!