Why the '90s Den Is Poised for a Design Comeback
Interior designers say the den, a cozy multi-purpose room, is returning as interest grows in analog activities like board games and puzzles. Unlike a living room, a den is often a more private space for hobbies or work, and it can help a spare room serve double duty. The trend is expected to influence renovations and wish lists for 2027.
Interior designers trace game spaces from nineteenth-century billiard rooms through twentieth-century rec rooms to home arcades. As digital media grew, bonus rooms often became offices, gyms, or storage. Now board games, cards, chess, cribbage, mahjong, Settlers of Catan, and jigsaw puzzles are drawing people toward in-person gatherings without screens.
A den differs from a living room: it is usually a more private, personal retreat, often on a secondary floor or in a basement. Because it need not prioritize formal guest seating, it can serve hobbies, work, movies, reading, or games. Designers expect this flexible room to shape 2027 renovations and wish lists.
If dens regain popularity, homeowners with spare rooms may rethink how those spaces support hobbies, work, and gatherings. Families and friends could benefit from a dedicated, quieter setting for tabletop games and conversation, while remote workers may gain a flexible retreat. Designers, renovators, and furnishings sellers could see renewed interest in cozy, multipurpose layouts. The shift may be modest, but it could influence how people plan renovations and prioritize analog leisure at home.