Guy Turns His Basement Into a Full-Blown Starship Because Why Not?

We’ve all had that moment where we look around our homes and think, This could use a little something extra. For one DIY mastermind, that something extra turned into a full-fledged starship simulation room right in his basement. Forget man caves, this is next-level escapism.

A Mission to Escape Reality

Image Credit: Charlie Hall | Polygon

As the political season heated up in mid-2024, one Polygon writer decided he needed a change – not just in the news he consumed, but in his entire environment. Instead of doomscrolling, he got to work building his own private oasis. And that oasis just so happened to be a spaceship-themed retreat powered by old computers, LED lights, and a sci-fi ambiance.

The goal? To create a space that felt completely separate from the outside world. A place where stress didn’t exist, where social media outrage didn’t seep in, and where it was always time to embark on an intergalactic mission.

The Build: From Junk to Starship

Image Credit: Charlie Hall | Polygon

This wasn’t just a simple LED strip situation – this guy went all in. With a background in modding and DIY electronics, he already had a collection of old LCD monitors, random computer parts, and even a flight simulator pit built from a salvaged Ford Taurus. It only made sense to turn all that tech into something cool rather than let it gather dust.

The first step? Hooking up everything he had. After a weekend spent wiping drives, updating old OS systems, and getting multiple monitors running at once, he suddenly had a multi-screen setup displaying various space scenes.

• One monitor ran a looping asteroid field.
• Another displayed a space battle.
• A third showed docking procedures straight out of Elite Dangerous.

Basically, his basement started to look like the bridge of a starship, with screens acting as futuristic “windows” into deep space.

Bringing the Space Vibes to Life

Image Credit: Charlie Hall | Polygon

But it wasn’t just about visuals. Sound played a huge role in selling the immersion. He rigged up Bluetooth speakers to play a mix of:

• Radio chatter from a live-fire military helicopter range
• The low engine hum from Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Ambient soundscapes inspired by Alien and other sci-fi classics

And then, of course, came the lighting. A trip to Aldi (because where else?) scored him some cheap LED strips that he strategically placed around the room – tucked behind books, wrapped around HVAC pipes, and lined along shelves. The result? A dimly lit, spaceship-like glow that flickered like control panels in a sci-fi flick.

To top it off, he wedged a makeshift cockpit (aka a bucket seat) between the furnace and the water heater. It may not be the USS Enterprise, but it’s got character.

The Final Frontier: Living in the Starship

The transformation wasn’t just for show – he actually uses this space. From airbrushing miniatures to deep-diving into Elite Dangerous VR, it’s become his personal retreat for all things nerdy. Even the family got on board – his kids do crafts in there, and he’s even hosted cocktail parties in his “secret starship.”

Does it sound a little ridiculous? Sure. But does it also sound awesome? Absolutely.

Why This Matters (And Why You Should Build Your Own Escape)

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with news, stress, and digital noise, sometimes the best thing we can do is create a physical space that makes us happy. Maybe for you, it’s not a spaceship – maybe it’s a reading nook, a cozy gaming den, or a full-on fantasy tavern in your basement.

The point is: to build the space you want to escape to. Fill it with the things that bring you joy. Because at the end of the day, we all need a little retreat from reality. And if that retreat happens to look like the control room of a rogue freighter running from space pirates? Even better.