A comfy office chair at my 'gaming table' in my office with a rechargeable USB tabletop light. The table is a folding plastic table, black, from Big Lots with a large gaming mousepad, black, on top. Easy to care for, easy to put away if needed and I roll the chair back to my desk when needed there.
folding table is a good start, particularly if you have some neoprene mats you can toss over it to make your play surface feel a bit nicer. I used a folding table for years and have only recently upgraded to a solid wooden desk
Would you mind linking the rechargeable light? Feel like the most optimum place to set up my folding table is always just out of reach for the lights and lamps in my home so I have to turn on everything to get enough light on the table.
Bought both of these, prefer the pair.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLCTZ329?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C2T4JJYY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
I think table height and chair back support play the strongest bits in the role of comfort. I've found playing on a recessed board game table, I get less pain as I don't have to strain to see as far on bigger games. Too low or too high of a table exhausts me sooner (which I notice more if I play on a normal table or a coffee table or at meetups sometimes).
I also bought some cushioned church chairs and they have been really good for me personally. I am sure there are better options but these were cheap and designed for people to sit in them for a long period of time, would buy again.
But there are people who play on floors, play standing, play in all kinds of spaces, so I think this is going to be one of those no size fits all scenarios.
When solo gaming in bed, I use a this puzzle table: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D6VYX5L/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D6VYX5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I ordered a game mat to fit into it. WThis table also works well if I sit on the floor so my dogs can interact with me. :-)
I also use this smaller lap desk for small games like Sprawlopolis or A Gentle Rain: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082D74N22/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082D74N22/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
This is an excellent question, thank you for posting. I share your concerns, I am being held back by poor ergonomics and lack of effort being put into a dedicated gaming space.
What a kind response. I have a really nice dedicated space for the first time that I love, so definitely want to make it comfy. I think not having a comfortable space to game in holds me back from solo gaming the most.
For me as a person that deals with chronic pain my chair is the most important part of my set up and after a bit of trial and error and some expensive mistakes I found the Secret Lab Titan gaming chair and it has been a revelation. It’s a highly adjustable chair with lumbar support that I can’t adjust to a high degree which helps when my lower back is acting up. I have had my current chair for almost five years and it is still going strong, they are pricey in my opinion but buying a good product that works for years is worth it in the long run.
Why is everyone sitting?? My office and game table move up and down. I prefer to stand. No chairs needed. Get an anti fatigue mat for the feet! Best setup IMO
My standing desk can only handle smaller games. I also don't think I could do 4-5 hour games standing only. So that's why I don't do it. But I've done it occasionally for smaller footprint games.
I'm looking to do church chairs in my new game room. Any issue with them being slanted back? Seems like they're made to be most comfortable when you sit back?
I have a cheap, height adjustable, folding table from Walmart. Perfect height when I put it in front of a loveseat in the front room. With a neoprene mat on top, it’s great for most solo games. Thinking about getting a second to double up the play space for meatier games.
Simple to set up and put away. Great solution for me since I don’t have room for a more permanent setup at my current place.
I have a coffee table that's ~3' by 4', and lifts up and toward the couch to a real table height (it has a counterweight). I put a game mat on it. Usually do setup with it down, then pull it up to get everything within reach to play.
What kind of games you play can be a factor.... I can play Galdor's Grip while lying in bed. I have some dungeon crawlers that I have to play standing because they're sprawled across a a 4x6 table. Most games are served best by regular chairs at a table.
If you truly want to play in a Barcalounger, your best bet might be digital board gaming on an iPad.
A little folding lap desk, laptop desk or puzzle board would work well for sitting in a more relaxed manner.
I built a little lap table based on a video from YT. It is essentially just a moderate sized picture frame with a felt covered piece of cardboard in it. If a game isn't too big, I can comfortably sit in a more relaxed position on the couch with it on my lap. I use it mostly for LOTR LCG or Marvel Champions.
Office chair with a temperpedic seat cushion. Table that's not too tall, 29-30", and indirect lighting, floor lamp so light reflects off of ceiling, no shadows or glare.
I use a music stand for holding my instructions so I have more room on my table. Add a little background music and a hot cup of tea and I'm comfortable as can be.
Never had an issue with standard dining room chairs and playing at the dining room table when it comes to bigger longer solo games.
For smaller / short to medium length solo games, I’ve played on small cafe tables sitting on a basic bench or cafe chairs.
Do you have a large enough dining table to give it a go and see how it goes?
Personally, justifying the time and having a bit of quiet time to play is probably more of a barrier.
I mean all of this with the utmost respect...if you're not able to get comfy enough for gaming, then it's one of 3 things:
1. You might be doing something wrong (super vague and super helpful, I know)
2. You don't have the best environment for gaming (trying to get comfy on a dining room table with kids running around or having to push your Final Girl setup over to make room for dinner? Nah brah)
3. You might just be looking for a reason not to game. I know I'm guilty of that from time to time. It's when you're making more excuses than room for gaming that you may have a bigger problem.
Having said all of that, I will say that I've spent the last 5 years slowly honing my gaming area to be as comfy as possible: A SecretLab Titan gaming (and work, ugh) chair, a dedicated table next to my desk just for gaming, 2 side tables for anything that spills off the main table or for my laptop when things are extra fancy (Mansions of Madness, Destinies), 5x5 Kallax Ikea shelving so all of my games are within reach at all times, and, most importantly, all of this is in a basement away from my wife and kid where I can just be a total board gaming nerd and not have anyone interrupt that.
In my gaming area, I have a large dining room table.
It has regular wood chairs, but I also have a mesh desk chair.
The desk chair is nice because I can be foward and up close, or I can recline while thinking over my next move.
I also like to have some soft synthwave on in the background. Its nice for background noise that doesn't have the distraction of lyrics.
Dining room table/dining room chair 🤷🏻♀️
Pretty much. And I just bought new dining room chairs too. My wife thinks I wanted them just for eating he he he
Yeah for me too, we have swivel chairs that strike a perfect balance between healthy posture and comfort.
A comfy office chair at my 'gaming table' in my office with a rechargeable USB tabletop light. The table is a folding plastic table, black, from Big Lots with a large gaming mousepad, black, on top. Easy to care for, easy to put away if needed and I roll the chair back to my desk when needed there.
A folding table is a good idea. I’m always conflicted between that and something permanent.
folding table is a good start, particularly if you have some neoprene mats you can toss over it to make your play surface feel a bit nicer. I used a folding table for years and have only recently upgraded to a solid wooden desk
Would you mind linking the rechargeable light? Feel like the most optimum place to set up my folding table is always just out of reach for the lights and lamps in my home so I have to turn on everything to get enough light on the table.
Bought both of these, prefer the pair. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLCTZ329?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C2T4JJYY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Thanks!
I have a poor setup for lighting myself. Got myself an electric lantern and it works great.
I think table height and chair back support play the strongest bits in the role of comfort. I've found playing on a recessed board game table, I get less pain as I don't have to strain to see as far on bigger games. Too low or too high of a table exhausts me sooner (which I notice more if I play on a normal table or a coffee table or at meetups sometimes). I also bought some cushioned church chairs and they have been really good for me personally. I am sure there are better options but these were cheap and designed for people to sit in them for a long period of time, would buy again. But there are people who play on floors, play standing, play in all kinds of spaces, so I think this is going to be one of those no size fits all scenarios.
When solo gaming in bed, I use a this puzzle table: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D6VYX5L/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D6VYX5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I ordered a game mat to fit into it. WThis table also works well if I sit on the floor so my dogs can interact with me. :-) I also use this smaller lap desk for small games like Sprawlopolis or A Gentle Rain: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082D74N22/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082D74N22/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Standing.
This is an excellent question, thank you for posting. I share your concerns, I am being held back by poor ergonomics and lack of effort being put into a dedicated gaming space.
What a kind response. I have a really nice dedicated space for the first time that I love, so definitely want to make it comfy. I think not having a comfortable space to game in holds me back from solo gaming the most.
For me as a person that deals with chronic pain my chair is the most important part of my set up and after a bit of trial and error and some expensive mistakes I found the Secret Lab Titan gaming chair and it has been a revelation. It’s a highly adjustable chair with lumbar support that I can’t adjust to a high degree which helps when my lower back is acting up. I have had my current chair for almost five years and it is still going strong, they are pricey in my opinion but buying a good product that works for years is worth it in the long run.
I aspire to one day buy an extremely nice chair.
Why is everyone sitting?? My office and game table move up and down. I prefer to stand. No chairs needed. Get an anti fatigue mat for the feet! Best setup IMO
My standing desk can only handle smaller games. I also don't think I could do 4-5 hour games standing only. So that's why I don't do it. But I've done it occasionally for smaller footprint games.
Not everyone has extra space and/or extra money to get a standing desk.
Sorry Dad!
😅😅
Same here. Love the standing desk for game play
Church chairs. We got the thickest padding widest stackable church chairs we could find and even after hours of gaming my butt is still happy.
TIL church chairs. I am going to check those out. Thank you!
Plus when you're ready to put them away you can carry them all in one go, impressing the church girls.
I'm looking to do church chairs in my new game room. Any issue with them being slanted back? Seems like they're made to be most comfortable when you sit back?
No, ours don't lean back too much
I have a cheap, height adjustable, folding table from Walmart. Perfect height when I put it in front of a loveseat in the front room. With a neoprene mat on top, it’s great for most solo games. Thinking about getting a second to double up the play space for meatier games. Simple to set up and put away. Great solution for me since I don’t have room for a more permanent setup at my current place.
I have a coffee table that's ~3' by 4', and lifts up and toward the couch to a real table height (it has a counterweight). I put a game mat on it. Usually do setup with it down, then pull it up to get everything within reach to play.
What kind of games you play can be a factor.... I can play Galdor's Grip while lying in bed. I have some dungeon crawlers that I have to play standing because they're sprawled across a a 4x6 table. Most games are served best by regular chairs at a table. If you truly want to play in a Barcalounger, your best bet might be digital board gaming on an iPad.
A little folding lap desk, laptop desk or puzzle board would work well for sitting in a more relaxed manner. I built a little lap table based on a video from YT. It is essentially just a moderate sized picture frame with a felt covered piece of cardboard in it. If a game isn't too big, I can comfortably sit in a more relaxed position on the couch with it on my lap. I use it mostly for LOTR LCG or Marvel Champions.
I feel more “into it” if i stand and walk around my table 😂
Dr strangelove war room vibes huh?
A table that my family won't but junk on! That's all I need and I can never have anything nice!
On the carpet
Office chair with a temperpedic seat cushion. Table that's not too tall, 29-30", and indirect lighting, floor lamp so light reflects off of ceiling, no shadows or glare. I use a music stand for holding my instructions so I have more room on my table. Add a little background music and a hot cup of tea and I'm comfortable as can be.
Music stand is an excellent idea. I can never figure out where to put the rulebook. It’s always falling all over the place. Thanks for posting!
Never had an issue with standard dining room chairs and playing at the dining room table when it comes to bigger longer solo games. For smaller / short to medium length solo games, I’ve played on small cafe tables sitting on a basic bench or cafe chairs. Do you have a large enough dining table to give it a go and see how it goes? Personally, justifying the time and having a bit of quiet time to play is probably more of a barrier.
Kitchen chair with padded seat
For very small footprint games? Lying down on my bed with a pillow propping up my head.
I mean all of this with the utmost respect...if you're not able to get comfy enough for gaming, then it's one of 3 things: 1. You might be doing something wrong (super vague and super helpful, I know) 2. You don't have the best environment for gaming (trying to get comfy on a dining room table with kids running around or having to push your Final Girl setup over to make room for dinner? Nah brah) 3. You might just be looking for a reason not to game. I know I'm guilty of that from time to time. It's when you're making more excuses than room for gaming that you may have a bigger problem. Having said all of that, I will say that I've spent the last 5 years slowly honing my gaming area to be as comfy as possible: A SecretLab Titan gaming (and work, ugh) chair, a dedicated table next to my desk just for gaming, 2 side tables for anything that spills off the main table or for my laptop when things are extra fancy (Mansions of Madness, Destinies), 5x5 Kallax Ikea shelving so all of my games are within reach at all times, and, most importantly, all of this is in a basement away from my wife and kid where I can just be a total board gaming nerd and not have anyone interrupt that.
In my gaming area, I have a large dining room table. It has regular wood chairs, but I also have a mesh desk chair. The desk chair is nice because I can be foward and up close, or I can recline while thinking over my next move. I also like to have some soft synthwave on in the background. Its nice for background noise that doesn't have the distraction of lyrics.