Take a look at these Best VR room design tips for setting up a safe and secure VR room to enjoy the best VR experience.
You might think having a room dedicated solely to virtual reality is one of your biggest dreams if you love to play VR games.
Virtual Reality is no longer just a theory on a napkin and isn’t so expensive that only the rich can afford it.
There are many applications for VR technology, including training simulations and classroom applications, but the real money is in the gaming area.
At the moment, there are three main types of VR systems available on the regular retail market, although there will likely be more in the future.
There are numerous hints and hacks for optimizing your VR space, but some of them can be applied to any system, while others are more specific.
1. Choose Your Room
How much space do you need for VR? Depending on your VR hardware, you will need a specific amount of space.
The HTC VIVE requires the most space, requiring 2 meters of height, but its sensors can be positioned almost anywhere, changing the overall space’s flexibility.
Users will need to adjust the Oculus Rift’s sensors based on their height, and its sensors come with adjustable stands.
The PS4 VR sits conveniently on top of your TV and takes up less than a meter and a half of space.
2. Organize Your Space
VR goggles completely blind you to your surroundings. Keep a distance of at least seven feet between yourself and anything you could potentially break.
Get rid of the chandelier so you may cut melons in Fruit Ninja while waving your hands in the air.
Mirrors and glass tables can also interfere with your sensors, so you should place them in another room. Also, make sure the VR room’s windows have heavy drapes.
3. Floor Design
A floor is a crucial component of your virtual reality room, but you don’t think about it too much. Earlier, we discussed the importance of avoiding any reflective surfaces, so if you have marble or tiled floors that reflect light, this could pose a problem.
You should keep in mind that VR games require physical movement, so try to choose a surface that’s comfortable for jumping, running, or crawling.
It’s obvious to have a thick carpet in your home, but you can also choose to use interlocking foam tiles that fit your space when necessary. You can also try a VR floor mat for a more engaging VR experience.
4. Find the Right VR Device
After these steps, you need to choose the best VR headsets and controllers for you. Choosing the best one is not that easy because tons of options are available.
First, consider your requirements and then make a decision on which VR headsets and other VR accessories you should buy.
To save your energy and time we have reviewed some popular brands and mentioned the VR headset buying guide here.
The Meta Quest, the HTC Vive, Valve Index, and PSVR are some of the most popular VR consoles you’ll currently see.
5. Cable Management
Virtual reality consoles come with a headset that is connected by a cable, so make sure you don’t have anything blocking the connection.
The system comes with some essentials, but you can purchase cables and extensions separately if necessary.
6. Sensor Placement
Then we can move on to the fun part, which is placing the sensors. The amount of work will depend on which console you use.
With the PS4, you just need a single sensor, which can be placed anywhere as long as it can see the player.
There are two sensors on the Oculus Rift and the HTC VIVE, and they should be placed opposite each other in the room.
Two Sensors Versus Three: Some players have invested in more advanced equipment. The Oculus Rift and the HTC VIVE both come with two sensors, and that number can be expanded to three if you have the appropriate hardware.
If you decide to use three sensors, you will have a larger playing area and more detailed graphics, so keep in mind that you will need to adjust your gaming space accordingly.
7. Considering Safety
The VR room design should be free of potted plants, chairs, and other loose furniture, as any obstruction could pose a threat to you and your VR equipment.
Furthermore, ceiling fans can also pose a risk for the player, depending on the game and their height and flexibility.
Virtual reality has a lot to offer for two players, but why limit it to one? In addition to that, invite some friends over both as players and spectators, and set aside space in your virtual reality room for them.
The guests should be able to relax in a space that won’t interfere with gameplay, but this might pose some safety issues.
It might be helpful to have a VR warning track. It is an electronic barrier that warns you if you are about to step into an unsafe area.
9. Advanced Mounting Options
A few extra VR accessories may be required for more experienced VR users or for those who just want to start.
Buying USB extension cables is one example, but remember to check if you need USB 2.0 or 3.0.
You’ll need a wall mount if you intend on using more than three sensors, want to fasten your cameras on a pillar or part of the ceiling, hold your controller, headphones, etc.
In some general or Superhero VR games, you might find real-world props used such as gun stocks for virtual sniper rifles, golf club shafts, driving wheels, etc.
These could be displayed on a wall in a way that looks good but can be easily removed when required.
10. Invest in a Swiveling Chair
Watching or experiencing VR isn’t something you do sitting down with a bag of popcorn and a blanket.
To fully engage in the digital universe, you’ll want to sit down on a VR swiveling chair. Get one with wheels – you’ll need to move around easily.
11. Relieve Yourself
You may need to lie down after fighting evil robots. It is important to have a soft landing zone like a futon or beanbag chair after a firefight in order to adjust to reality.
In addition, your friends can nest there as they wait for their turn (or, more likely, watch and judge).
12. Hydrate yourself
A virtual reality computer can cause VR motion sickness when it’s used. If you experience it, take a 15-minute break.
Hydration soothes nausea: You can drink fluids without soaking your shirt or abandoning your mission in mid-sortie if you have a bottle with a sippy straw.
You can try some stomach-soothing ginger chews if you cannot get out of the virtual abyss in time.
