When it comes to decorating one’s game room in a poker theme, there are actually several different tactics you can try. Many people try to go for Old Hollywood-type elegance. This is all very well, and may be the safest, most sensible way to go. However, the downside to elegance is a certain generic flavor. Most “elegant” rooms tend to look alike. No wonder, then, that some people would prefer to decorate these rooms in a quirkier style.
Firstly, remember to allow your sense of humor to crop up when you decorate. Poker may be a high-stakes game, but it also includes a great deal of fun and gaiety. Therefore, decorating a room in an overly serious, circumscribed manner runs counter to the real spirit of poker. You might try ordering signs or posters from the Internet that contains witty, funny, or sarcastic sayings about poker. Of course, if you happen to be handy with computer graphics, make your own posters for a truly unique touch.
Feel free to be a little geeky. If you have a favorite poker superstar, why not group your pictures of him/her on a particular table or spot on the wall? Are you fond of attending different poker tournaments? Then you can show off your collection of tickets. Will some of your guests be beginners? Make your own poker wall diagrams (about rules, hands, bets, etc.) to help them join in the fun. Remember that a lot of the time, geekiness is what you make of it. It takes a very cool, confident person to be unabashedly public about his/her obsessions.
Still, one of the aspects that makes a “quirky” design so challenging is the need for discipline. More generic designs usually have a template you can follow. However, if you are striking your own path, you might end up going down a road that actually interferes with people’s game. You might have a fondness for unusual furniture, for example, but your guests are unlikely to be happy with it if said furniture is uncomfortable. Remember that poker games can last a long time, so comfortable chairs and spacious tables are essential to a good poker experience. If you wish, make “safe” choices when it comes to furniture and poker equipment (cards, chips, etc.), but let your imagination run wild for the wall decorations. Let your devotion show in the small details, such as card-themed snack bowls or ashtrays.
However, if you really, really want to be creative, the best way to give your energies an outlet is to have a poker party. That way, you can let your geekiness run wild—and others will be free to be as goofy or hardcore about poker as they like, as well. During a party, everything can be a decoration. Even the food can be a design element. For example, why not serve cookies in the shapes of hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades?
Decorating your game room for poker can be fun and rewarding, especially if you are willing to take a gamble, instead of just playing it safe.