Remember how we got started getting the rec room ready awhile back? Well, we've come a long way since then and are nearing completion on this awesome space. So yeah, it's not 100% complete yet, but it's well past functional and ready to be enjoyed.
The first addition to the space to arrive was the entertainment aspect. This came in the form of a big new Samsung and all the fixings. Some of my favorite accessories are the sound bar - a 2.1 unit that delivers much better sound than the built-in speakers, but wasn't as complicated or expensive as putting in a surround sound system - and a powerline Wifi adapter. What's that, you ask? It's a network bridge where one box plugs into an electrical outlet near the router (in the family room on the opposite side of the house) and another box plugs in behind the TV in the rec room. It uses the electrical wiring in the house as a network cable to create an additional Wifi hotspot in another location. This ensures that the rec room is no longer the wireless dead zone it was before, because so many of the entertainment components need internet nowadays. Now the TV, Blu-ray player, Roku, and Xbox can all be happily connected.
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| The cats were very helpful getting the entertainment center ready for the TV |
The next component was Leslie's favorite part: the sectional! We actually ordered this first during the Presidents Day sale at a local furniture store. And that came after trips to multiple furniture stores to see what we liked, find the best price, and then finally pick one out. Yes, it took time, but it was well worth it. The new couch looks great in the space and is super comfy. There's plenty of room for lots of people (or stretching out and taking a nap), but it doesn't dominate the room like we worried a large fixture like this could. It fits in perfectly and we love it. The cats also like sitting on the back and looking out the window down to the street below.
With the two major pieces in place, we turned to the smaller project of adding a little refreshment station. The room is piped with water supply and drain lines, but we didn't want to get into that. Instead, we made a simple setup using Leslie's old dorm fridge and microwave from college. We put in a little counter using a pair of wall brackets and some wood we stained. The microwave sits on top and the fridge sits below. We also paired the fridge with a little cabinet we got at Lowe's. This holds some bowls, cups, and snacks like popcorn and candy - basically all the necessities of a movie night.
And, speaking of movies, we have relocated our expansive collection of films to the rec room from the family room below. For now they're stored in the bookcase near the door, but they'll eventually occupy a more permanent spot in a custom shelving unit I've yet to build. That will go on the east wall where some other bookcases currently sit. You can expect more on this in a later update... whenever it is that I actually get started on it.
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| The movies will eventually occupy this spot under the world map / timeline posters |
But wait, there's more! What more could there possibly be, you ask? Well, we may love our electronic entertainment around here (you have seen my Mega Desk gaming setup, right?), but we're all about board games and card games too. This area features our old kitchen table and old futon. This makes for a nice little seating space next to the larger sectional/TV arrangement. Guys watching the big game and the ladies would rather play Dream Phone? Not a problem, we've got room for both! (And yes, that situation was actually a thing at a friend's party last year.)
What else? Well, we've hung a bunch of stuff on the walls. There are some DFTBA posters I got awhile back, including the three Crash Course timeline posters signed by John Green (I've also got a WWSD poster signed by Hank, but Leslie doesn't like it). We finally hung this clock we got as a wedding present... it's only been two and a half years, right? Leslie also wanted her big poster for The Wizard of Oz up, so that's sitting nicely by the TV. I'm sure there will be other decorating to be done, but that's where we are for now.
And speaking of things to be done later, what's left? Not much, really. I already mentioned the movie shelving that's yet to come. We're also planning on adding a few lamps, as it's a large space for just the ceiling fan light to cover. There's also room for a second end table on the other side of the sectional, so we'll have to get that eventually. We also need to stock the fridge and cabinet with movie night goodies, along with adding a trash can to the snack center (our mini Harrison Grille, if you will). But really, that's about it.
And that's about it for this post. Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time!
