How to Host the Ultimate Game Night
Whether it’s checkers, a classic round-the-board style strategy game, or an all-hands-on-deck team event, game night is a great way to turn an ordinary Friday night into an epic bragging rights battle.
But to make game night legendary, don’t just toss out a board game and rip open a bag of pretzels. With some fun lighting from Philips Hue, the right accessories, and a few unexpected accents, you can even take a casual get-together to the next level. How to make your next game night a winner.
Set the stage
While your typical entertainment mantra might be “the more the merrier,” when hosting a game night, you need to consider the game and the optimal number of players before sending out the invites. Think about if it’s something you could play in teams and consider who would bring the best vibes (sore losers or overly competitive types can spoil the vibes).
When it’s time to email or text the invites, snap a picture of what you’re about to play and send it to your friends so they can get their game faces ready.
Adjust your lighting
You want to design a lighting scheme for game nights where you don’t have to spend the entire evening rushing around your living room turning the lights on, off, on, and off. You can sync up to 50 lights and accessories with the Philips Hue Bridge and control everything from the app on your phone.
Take advantage of the 16 million (yes, really) colors and shades of white available in Philips Hue bulbs and lamps by creating preset scenes for different phases of the night: warm orange and pink for the welcome, blue and violet for the Competition, a kaleidoscope of colors to celebrate the winner. To keep things even simpler, use the Philips Hue smart button, which dims and brightens the lights with a simple click – a must-have for trivia fans who insist on a no-phone policy.
Keep it comfortable but still elevated
Mix things up by moving the focus of the party from the dining table to the coffee table for a more relaxed atmosphere. Choose a colorful selection of pillows put on the floor to make the guests comfortable. You need to declutter your perfectly styled illustrated books and art objects, so make the game itself a part of your decor.
Many board games come in deluxe editions with real wood and leather accents. If cards are the game of choice, pick one artistic or colorful deck. Additional games, such as hand-carved tumbling blocks or a vintage backgammon board, add a stylish touch and also offer guests something new to play once the main event is over.
highlight key areas
Make things feel special by turning off overhead lights and using Philips Hue table lamps to illuminate key parts of the room. Hire Philips Hue Flourish globe next to the snack table for a colorful glow; use a Philips HueGo to highlight the gaming table; and mark the price with a Philips Hue Iris – even a stuffed animal will look like an Oscar with the right lighting.
Focus on finger food
When it comes to the menu, focus on snacks your friends can eat with their hands—think a gorgeous sausage display, mini samosas, or seasonal fruit and veg skewers. There is also space for popcorn and pretzels if they are served in stylish bowls. Seek Melamine tablewarea durable material that will not scratch or break if accidentally dropped.
Dress up for drinks by setting up a DIY soda and seltzer bar with fresh herbs, syrups and sliced citrus. Build a stable set Acrylic glasses in bright primary colors and add a Handful of reusable straws in a kitschy bamboo look.
Art direction and production by Arminé Altiparmakian and Sabrina Contratti. Photography by Cody Ulrich. Prop styling by Karin Olsen.