10 Places to Cozy Up With a Game
These snug corners, cushy booths and other comfortable spots will inspire you to let the games begin
Winter is coming. While for us it’s not as ominous as for those on Game of Thrones, it is time to seek out the coziest spots on Houzz to inspire us to feather our nests in preparation. In picking out these spots, I thought about my favorite cold-day indoor activities. And one of the best things to do when it’s cold outside is to hunker down around a board game. Whether you’re hitting Candy Land with the kids or trying to channel Bobby Fischer against a worthy opponent, you’ll want a comfortable and welcoming spot to play.
2. What makes it cozy? The treehouse ambience provided by the large windows.
This spot overlooking woods and an idyllic brook is a great place to while away the hours. The way the windows wrap the corner makes the view even more dramatic. Mahogany paneling helps make this a contemporary update of a cozy log cabin.
Best game to play here: I know they have chess laid out, but between the view and the babbling brook it would be easy to get distracted. And you could cheat at cards by checking out the reflection. Such a Walden-like landscape inspires words, so — Boggle.
Windows: Loewen Clad Windows
This spot overlooking woods and an idyllic brook is a great place to while away the hours. The way the windows wrap the corner makes the view even more dramatic. Mahogany paneling helps make this a contemporary update of a cozy log cabin.
Best game to play here: I know they have chess laid out, but between the view and the babbling brook it would be easy to get distracted. And you could cheat at cards by checking out the reflection. Such a Walden-like landscape inspires words, so — Boggle.
Windows: Loewen Clad Windows
3. What makes it cozy? The balance of rustic and clean, warm white.
The cushioned window seat, charmingly unfinished-wood table, pillows and even a throw blanket call out for a long evening game. Best of all, there’s room to store games beneath the bench.
Best game to play here: Clearly this is a favorite Scrabble spot, and the oversized turntable version is just the right fit.
The cushioned window seat, charmingly unfinished-wood table, pillows and even a throw blanket call out for a long evening game. Best of all, there’s room to store games beneath the bench.
Best game to play here: Clearly this is a favorite Scrabble spot, and the oversized turntable version is just the right fit.
4. What makes it cozy? Burl wood, upholstered chairs, the nestled position in the corner.
It doesn’t get much cozier than a library corner. A round table is inviting, especially one in a rich brindle walnut veneer. Tufted dining chairs are comfortable enough to sit in for hours.
Best game to play here: The rolling library ladder is calling for Chutes and Ladders.
Ladder: Van Dyke’s Restorers; table: custom, Strand Woodworks
It doesn’t get much cozier than a library corner. A round table is inviting, especially one in a rich brindle walnut veneer. Tufted dining chairs are comfortable enough to sit in for hours.
Best game to play here: The rolling library ladder is calling for Chutes and Ladders.
Ladder: Van Dyke’s Restorers; table: custom, Strand Woodworks
5. What makes it cozy? The enclosed sides and lower ceiling.
A nook can become a little game room within a great room. The lower ceilings and small proportions here provide a nestled-in spot. Dark millwork, a built-in banquette, interesting toss pillows and warm lighting from sconces and a pendant complete the space.
Best game to play here: Apparently Sorry is a favorite. It’s easier to take the #sorrynotsorry-ness of that game when you’re tucked away in such a cozy spot.
A nook can become a little game room within a great room. The lower ceilings and small proportions here provide a nestled-in spot. Dark millwork, a built-in banquette, interesting toss pillows and warm lighting from sconces and a pendant complete the space.
Best game to play here: Apparently Sorry is a favorite. It’s easier to take the #sorrynotsorry-ness of that game when you’re tucked away in such a cozy spot.
6. What makes it cozy? Reclaimed wood on the walls, rustic herringbone floors, warm colors.
This built-in banquette nestles between two lovely bookcases, creating another room within a room. Hints of Southwestern ranch style bring in pleasing colors and rough-hewn finishes.
Best game to play here: I’m getting a Wild West vibe here, so Hangman seems appropriate.
This built-in banquette nestles between two lovely bookcases, creating another room within a room. Hints of Southwestern ranch style bring in pleasing colors and rough-hewn finishes.
Best game to play here: I’m getting a Wild West vibe here, so Hangman seems appropriate.
7. What makes it cozy? A thick, fluffy rug.
These nifty game-topped tables invite small groups to gather around them on the super-plush carpet, or to pull the tables over and sink into the cushy sofa.
Best game to play here: Scrabble, backgammon and Monopoly are ready to go.
These nifty game-topped tables invite small groups to gather around them on the super-plush carpet, or to pull the tables over and sink into the cushy sofa.
Best game to play here: Scrabble, backgammon and Monopoly are ready to go.
8. What makes it cozy? Location.
While clean and spare doesn’t usually connote cozy, the way this room is perched up close to the wooden rafters gives it a nest-like atmosphere. A high-top table puts players even closer to these lovely architectural features.
Best game to play here: Since this spot offers a bird’s-eye view of the house, Clue.
While clean and spare doesn’t usually connote cozy, the way this room is perched up close to the wooden rafters gives it a nest-like atmosphere. A high-top table puts players even closer to these lovely architectural features.
Best game to play here: Since this spot offers a bird’s-eye view of the house, Clue.
9. What makes it cozy? Yarn tassel trim.
This cantilevered booth is modern yet inviting. Tucked to the side in a much larger room, it gets the big view while maintaining a more secluded ambience. Overhead lighting and recessed bookshelves surround the game booth.
Best game to play here: That crafty trim detail is calling for a colorful Candy Land board.
This cantilevered booth is modern yet inviting. Tucked to the side in a much larger room, it gets the big view while maintaining a more secluded ambience. Overhead lighting and recessed bookshelves surround the game booth.
Best game to play here: That crafty trim detail is calling for a colorful Candy Land board.
10. What makes it cozy? The prime real estate, right next to the fireplace.
Perhaps it’s the wonderful intimacy in the painting that makes this such a cozy spot. Cushioned chair seats, music and the color from the books add to the welcoming atmosphere.
Best game to play here: Because this has the style of a rent table, Monopoly.
Tell us: What are some of your favorite fall and winter activities at home? Please let us know in the Comments section and we’ll try to come up with the coziest spots for them.
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Perhaps it’s the wonderful intimacy in the painting that makes this such a cozy spot. Cushioned chair seats, music and the color from the books add to the welcoming atmosphere.
Best game to play here: Because this has the style of a rent table, Monopoly.
Tell us: What are some of your favorite fall and winter activities at home? Please let us know in the Comments section and we’ll try to come up with the coziest spots for them.
More
10 of the Coziest Spots for Eating Breakfast
Simple Pleasures: Game Night Done Right
Wingback chairs wrap around you, and when they’re red leather they inject the energy you’ll need for a long night of strategizing. This well-worn table adds Southwestern charm, while the trimmed drapes add to the comfortable feeling of envelopment.
Best game to play here: Since this home is on a horse ranch, the knights like it here. Chess.