COST GUIDES
How much does a games room cost in 2026?
Updated 07/26
Fast Facts
Basic setup: Gaming chair, lighting and accessories from under £500
Mid-range games room: Smart lighting, soundproofing and extra electrics from £4,000+
High-end games room: Structural soundproofing, projector and bespoke electrical work from £6,000+
Whether you're building a simple gaming setup or creating a room that's just as good for film nights and watching sport, the overall cost depends on how immersive you want the finished space to be.
Setting up a dedicated games room costs anywhere from £500 to £6,000+, depending on how much electrical work, soundproofing, and kit you want. This guide breaks down the typical costs for each element, from plug sockets and smart lighting to gaming chairs and soundproofing, so you can decide where to spend your budget and where you can save.
Games room setup costs
The room itself can have a surprisingly big impact on your budget. A spare bedroom with existing electrics will usually cost much less to convert than a garage or loft that needs additional wiring and insulation.
| Cost provided item | Price range - Low | Price range - High | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming speakers | £50 | £150 | £100 |
| Soundproofing | £2,800 | £5,200 | £4,000 |
| Smart lighting (per light) | £60 | £140 | £100 |
| Blackout blinds (materials and installation) | £150 | £250 | £200 |
| Projector | £100 | £3,200 | £1,000 |
| Gaming chair | £100 | £750 | £325 |
| Mini-fridge | £130 | £230 | £180 |
| Sockets and wiring (per socket) | £55 | £75 | £65 |
| Headset | £20 | £80 | £50 |
| Total gaming room cost | £4,250 | £10,140 | £6,230 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
All figures are indicative. Electrician costs vary by scope and location. See each section below for a fuller breakdown.
Games room sound system costs
Good sound can completely change your gaming experience, whether you're playing through surround speakers or chatting with friends online. How much you spend depends on how immersive you want the room to feel.
Most modern games now produce immersive, multi-channel sound, so you might even want to go for a five or seven-speaker setup.
Or, if you don't have that much space, a soundbar is a good option. For smaller box rooms, a soundbar is often more practical than trying to squeeze in a full surround-sound setup.
Speaker prices vary just as much as the technology they offer. On average, expect to pay around £100 for a good set of gaming speakers.
Planning to run speaker cables through the walls or install in-ceiling speakers? That's a job for a qualified electrician. Budget extra time and labour on top of the equipment cost.
Soundproofing costs
How much soundproofing you need depends just as much on who else lives in the house as your gaming setup.
If you're using headphones most of the time, acoustic panels may be enough. If you're installing a powerful speaker system in a converted garage or loft, more substantial soundproofing may be worthwhile.
The cost can vary significantly based on the size of your room and the level of soundproofing you want, but expect to pay £4,000 on average.
There are three main approaches, depending on your budget:
Acoustic foam panels and heavy rugs are the most affordable option. They reduce echo and soften sound without any structural work
Adding mass to walls and ceilings (using acoustic board or dense plasterboard) is more effective, but is more expensive. This is the most common approach for a converted room
Structural soundproofing (resilient bars, floating floors) is the most thorough option and costs significantly more. It's usually only worth it if noise is a serious issue
For windows, soundproof windows are an option if outside noise is a problem, though secondary glazing is often a more affordable middle ground.
Lighting costs
Good lighting isn't just about how the room looks. It can reduce glare on your screen, create the right atmosphere and make longer gaming sessions much more comfortable.
Even the best screen can struggle if sunlight is bouncing straight onto it. Blackout blinds are one of the simplest upgrades you can make and they'll usually improve film nights too. You can get them bought and installed for around £200 per window.
For a more immersive setup, consider adding smart lighting. Smart bulbs and lighting strips that sync to your game cost somewhere in the region of £100 for supply only. The more advanced units let you tailor the colour scheme to the game you're playing.
It's one of those finishing touches that often makes the room feel much more immersive without adding a huge amount to the budget.
Hardwired smart lighting systems and controller-based setups usually need a qualified electrician. For more detail, see our guide to smart lighting cost.
TV and projector costs
TV
The screen is usually the centrepiece of any games room, so it's worth thinking about how you'll use the space before deciding what suits you best.
A large-format OLED or QLED TV is the most common choice for a games room: they deliver excellent picture quality, low input lag, and sizes up to 85 inches or more. A monitor works well for PC gaming at a desk.
Projector
If family film nights are just as important as gaming, a projector can make the room feel much more like a home cinema. They're particularly popular if your games room doubles as a cinema or family entertainment space.
Projector prices vary hugely. For a good-quality mid-range unit that doesn't break the bank, budget around £1,000. Projectors work best in darker rooms, which is another reason blackout blinds are often a worthwhile addition.
Think about screen size relative to your room too. A projector image at 100 inches or more needs a reasonable throw distance. Most mid-range projectors need at least 2–3 metres from screen to lens.
Gaming furniture costs
Comfort is easy to overlook when you're planning a games room, but if you're spending hours at a time gaming, it's one of the upgrades you'll appreciate most.
The best chair for you depends on the type of games you play and how long you typically spend sitting. There are a wide range of options; some come with built-in speakers, wireless connectivity, or vibration technology.
Gaming chair prices vary significantly. A budget of £325 will get you a decent chair with some useful features. If you're building a PC gaming or racing sim setup, factor in a dedicated desk or wheel stand too.
A mini fridge might sound like a luxury, but if you've ever had to pause an online game halfway through to grab a drink, you'll know why they're popular. Budget around £180 for this addition.
Electrical and connectivity costs
Once you've chosen all your equipment, it's worth thinking about how everything will connect together. A little planning now can leave you with a much tidier, more reliable setup.
For multiplayer gaming, a good headset is well worth the investment. Budget around £50 on average, though you can spend considerably more for a premium pair.
All this equipment is likely to create a tangle of cables. To keep everything looking neat, consider adding extra plug sockets or asking an electrician to hide cables within the walls.
An electrician typically charges around £65 per socket, depending on where the socket needs to go and how complex the cable run is.
Anyone setting up a gaming PC or streaming station should also consider installing an ethernet socket. If you've ever been disconnected halfway through an online match because of patchy Wi-Fi, you'll understand why many gamers still prefer a wired connection.
A wired connection gives you more reliable speeds than Wi-Fi, and an electrician can run a cable to wherever you need it. If the amount of electrical work is substantial, check our guide to house rewire cost for context on what larger-scale electrical projects involve.
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Find a qualified electrician for your games room
Many games room projects involve more electrical work than people expect, from extra sockets and ethernet points to lighting, cable management and dedicated circuits. That's why an electrician is often one of the first tradespeople worth speaking to.
Whether you're planning a simple gaming room or a fully immersive entertainment space, getting a few professional opinions early on can help you prioritise your budget and avoid expensive changes later.
Use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we'll get experienced electricians working in your local area to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
Describe what electrical work you need (new sockets, cable burying, lighting installation, or a full rewire assessment)
Note how many sockets or lighting points you want installed
Let them know the room size and layout
Mention whether you want cables buried in walls or surface-run
Say whether you need ethernet sockets as well as power sockets
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FAQs
The total cost depends on what you include. A basic setup (gaming chair, lighting, one or two accessories) can come in under £500. A mid-range room with soundproofing, smart lighting, extra sockets, and quality AV equipment typically costs £1,500–£3,000. A fully fitted room with structural soundproofing, a projector, and custom electrical work can reach £5,000 or more.
You don't always need an electrician, but if you want to add plug sockets, install recessed lighting, or run cables through walls, you'll need a qualified one. Plug-in smart lighting and portable accessories don't require any electrical work.
An electrician typically charges £55–£75 per additional socket, depending on where the socket needs to go and how complex the cable run is. See our full guide to cost to add a plug socket for more detail.
Acoustic foam panels and heavy rugs are the most affordable options. They reduce echo and soften sound without any structural work. Structural soundproofing (adding mass to walls and ceilings) costs significantly more.
Smart bulbs and plug-in lighting strips cost £60–£140 and require no installation. If you want hardwired smart lighting or a full system with a controller, expect to pay more.
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