House Calls: A game room for the whole family

THE CHALLENGE

Noelle Lundberg of Annandale wants to turn her 36-by-20-foot basement into a game room. It will largely be used by her 11-year-old son, Grant, but the decor should be well rounded — no neon signs or sports posters, she said. “If my husband and I want to have a movie night or invite friends over, we want to feel comfortable, too.”

(Leah L. Jones/For The Washington Post) - Noelle Lundberg and her son Grant Hawley.

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House Calls: Local rooms get virtual design makeovers: The Washington Post pairs local readers’ design challenges with an interior designer. The result is a before and after makeover with tips and tricks for making the most out of the space.

THE SOLUTION

By designating a “game alcove” separated by curtains, designer Matthew Bees creates a game room for the whole family.

Bees, of Niche Interiors, is based in Charleston, S.C., and the District.

Embrace the cave vibe. Paint the walls Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, a dramatic yet elegant navy.

Curtains help the room transition from kids’ play space to family lounge.

Art should spark conversation. A poster of the Virginia flag is a nod to the Lundbergs’ home state.

Don’t struggle to hide the TV in a casual living space. Instead, create a conversation area around it with sofas, armchairs and poufs.

Choose furniture with multiple uses. A console table doubles as a bar and a leather ottoman can serve as a coffee table.

Oversize floor lamps make a chic statement. Put them on dimmers for movie nights.

Trade the bulky media cabinet for light and airy shelves. They can showcase plants and family photos.

SHOPPING GUIDE

Furniture: Donegal chair ($1,299) and ottoman ($599) in Presley Indigo from www.crateandbarrel.com; Tesso wall-mounted bookcases ($299 each), Foundry console table ($299) and Piazza gingham chair ($599), all from www.cb2.com; Foxed mirror buffet ($999) and Essex sofa in feather gray ikat ($1,699), both from www.westelm.com; tufted coffee ottoman in Slate ($845, www.restorationhardware.com).

Accessories: Branch side table in blackened metal ($199), narrow frame window panels in feather gray and ivory ($60 each) and oversized metal rod in brushed nickel ($99), all from www.westelm.com; Kartell stone stool ($258, www.allmodern.com); recycled pouf ($90, www.cb2.com).

SPLURGE . . .

Multi V telescoping floor lamp ($840, www.circalighting.com).

Spinneybeck leather cowhide rug ($825, www.dwr.com).

. . . OR SAVE

Adjustable metal floor lamp ($169, www.westelm.com).

Koldby cowhide rug ($199, www.ikea.com).

See past room makeovers by local designers.

Tell us about your design challenge.

Send photos, room dimensions and contact information to makeover@washpost.com .