10 Creative Ways Foulplayers Have Transformed Their Living Rooms Into a Murder Mystery Party
One of our favorite parts of running Foulplay Games is seeing how our amazing hosts take a simple room at home and turn it into something spectacular. From circus tents to speakeasies to full intergalactic cantinas, Foulplayers everywhere have proved that a living room can become anything with a bit of creativity.
If you’re hosting your first murder mystery party (or your tenth), let these incredible hosts inspire your next transformation. And if you want even more ideas, we share tons of inspiration on our Pinterest boards. ✨
1. Julia’s Circus Tent Takeover (The Curious Carnival)
Julia went all in on the vintage carnival theme when she hosted The Curious Carnival. She and her husband built a full circus tent installation on their ceiling, created a colorful photo backdrop, and set up carnival game stations around the room. With popcorn, pretzel bites, mini corndogs, and even a cotton candy margarita bar, guests walked into a living room that felt like a night at the circus, especially when her guests showed up in full costume.
2. Carmen’s Vintage Night at the Speakeasy (Murder on the High Note)
Carmen leaned into 1920s charm when she hosted Murder on the High Note with a custom bar sign, candlelit dinner setup, and a glamorous grazing board that fit the era perfectly. The result was a cozy, elegant living room that invited guests to sip, whisper, and plot in style.
3. Mia’s Staircase Speakeasy Spotlight (Murder on the High Note)
Mia saw her staircase for Murder on the High Note and immediately thought: stage. Anytime a character needed to give a big speech or present an award, they stepped onto the stairs and the whole room chanted “Speech! Speech!” It added a theatrical flair to the night and made every announcement feel iconic.
4. Brian’s Backyard Galaxy With Secret Meeting Zones (WANDERSTAR)
Brian turned his space into a sprawling intergalactic outpost, complete with immersive decor and the now-legendary “portal” into the Doublestar Cantina. He spread the gameplay across multiple areas, creating secret meeting zones where characters could strike deals out of earshot. Watching suspicious conversations from across the yard made the game even more dramatic.
5. Tiger’s Props, Posters, and Holograms (WANDERSTAR)
Tiger is a seasoned Foulplayer (check out his new blog!) and it shows. For Wanderstar, he crafted custom coins, wanted posters, and even a hologram effect that made guests gasp. Every corner of his home hinted at the wider universe, and his commitment to props made the adventure feel cinematic.
6. Stella’s Full Speakeasy Makeover (Murder on the High Note)
Stella transformed her place into a full speakeasy with feathers, pearls, a decorated piano, a poker table, and a vintage camera for aesthetic photos. She made custom envelopes for character profiles, created a crime scene body outline, and built a mugshot wall that became the star of the night.
7. Chandler’s Immersive Tech and Story Integration (Murder at Menlo Park)
From custom evidence files to coordinated name badges to a personalized menu sent from a character in the story, Chandler created a world that started from the moment guests arrived. He greeted every guest in character outdoors, coordinated a seamless “body removal” moment with his designated Sheriff, and even used a QR code puzzle for a high-stakes safe reveal. His guests also added their own twist when several players merged into one collective “Investigator Brown.”
8. Melissa’s Carnival Atmosphere and Era Music (Curious Carnival)
Melissa leaned hard into the 1910s to 1920s vibe with a circus themed photo booth, playful props, vintage playlists, and a birthday cake to match the plot. It created an atmosphere that was both whimsical and period accurate, and guests loved stepping into the world as soon as they walked through the door.
9. Sarah’s Custom Posters for Every Character (WANDERSTAR)
Sarah crafted posters for both the Lone Rock Port and Doublestar Cantina that included custom logos and character callouts. Guests had a blast finding “their” character poster and posing with it. It was the perfect way to instantly immerse everyone into the world of Wanderstar.
10. Meg’s Space Portal, Galaxy Treats, and Color Changing Cocktails (WANDERSTAR)
Meg and her group painted a full space portal in their hallway, baked galaxy macarons, and served color-changing cocktails behind the bar. Guests arrived in full character, spoke in accents, and even staged a costume change for the victim when they returned as their new role. It was creative, hilarious, and the perfect first time Foulplay party.
Ready to Transform Your Living Room?
Whether you want circus tents, space portals, secret meeting zones, period era decor, or something entirely your own, the real magic comes from how you bring the story to life.
Shop all our murder mystery party themes
Want more ideas? Explore our Pinterest boards for decor, costumes, and theme inspiration to help you create your own unforgettable world.
