7 Money-Saving Tips For Escape Room Designers
Escape rooms are one of the fastest-growing businesses in the UK, and it doesn’t require any particular skill set. Most escape room owners run their venture as a side hustle, often on weekends and evenings. It isn’t uncommon to rent out an empty space either at the back of a shop or pub or even in a small retail or storage venue and turn it into an escape room. These are often inexpensive and a perfect place to get started.
So, you could find yourself becoming an escape room designer for your side hustle.
An escape room designer is responsible for designing, creating and managing a live-action puzzle game experience in an interactive, entertaining environment. They create the puzzles and props that players must use to solve them and find their way out of the escape room. Escape room designers come up with creative ideas, design custom games, and build immersive sets that challenge players and encourage them to think outside the box. Escape room designers also have a tough task as they need to build immersive and exciting rooms on a shoestring budget. So, here are some of their favourite tips to create unforgettable atmospheres that don’t break the bank.
#1. Find a Scrap That Pays
Many designers forget that they can actually make money off of their scraps and unused materials. If you’re an escape room designer, one of the smartest money decisions you can make is to find a scrap that pays.
Scrapping is a great way to offset the cost of supplies and materials. You can scrap items like wood, metal, cardboard, or paper and sell them to a scrapyard or recycler. You’ll typically get paid by weight for your materials, so the heavier your load, the more money you can make.
Not only does scrapping reduce your expenses, but it also helps reduce your environmental impact.
#2. Repurpose Puzzles or Props in Other Rooms
Creating an escape room is a big investment, so it makes sense to get the most out of every purchase. A great way to do this is to repurpose items from other rooms into your new ones. If you already have a few escape rooms built, look for ways to reuse puzzles or props from those spaces in the new one you’re designing. Not only will this save you money, but it will help keep your inventory fresh and interesting for players.
If you are repurposing items from one room to another, consider how they might look or function differently in the new room. You can adjust the puzzle difficulty level or even add extra components to the prop or puzzle to make it unique and interesting. You can also think outside the box and find clever ways to use pieces in new and unexpected ways.
#3. Repurpose Second-Hand Items as Props
When designing an escape room, the props can help to add realism and set the scene for the players. One way to save money is to repurpose second-hand items as props. Many businesses will sell used or no-longer-needed items that you can use as props in your escape room. For example, if you are designing a medical or science-themed escape room, you can look for businesses that sell used medical or breathing apparatus items. These items can add some realism to the room and make it more believable for the players.
#4. Attend Public Auctions
Attending public auctions is an excellent way to purchase items at a great price. Auctions are a great way to buy props and puzzles for your escape room without spending a lot of money. By attending public auctions, you can acquire a wide variety of items quickly and cheaply. Not only can you find items that you need, but you may also come across some unexpected gems that will help you create the perfect escape room, such as devices and technology from the 1980s and 1990s, which can be ideal for a themed room. From an old computer to period toys, these can help you create the perfect decor. Be sure to do your research before bidding so that you know what you’re getting into.
#5. Build it Once
When it comes to designing an escape room, one of the most important factors to consider is making sure that the environment is sturdy and robust. This helps to ensure that the game remains in good condition over time, reducing the risk of any damage occurring that could require costly repairs. If your escape room experiences significant damage, this can set you back financially, which is why it is important to build your room with durability in mind.
To build a sturdy escape room, use solid wood, metal, or heavy-duty plastics. Double-check that all furniture, props, and decorations are secure and won’t break easily when touched or moved. You should also pay close attention to the locks and keys used in the game, ensuring they are durable enough to withstand repeated use. Finally, make sure that all electrical wiring is installed securely and safely so that it won’t become damaged over time.
#6. Buy Props and Puzzles From Other Escape Rooms
When it comes to finding props and puzzles for your escape room, look no further than the escape room community. Buying from other escape rooms is a great way to save money and acquire unique and creative items for your own design. The escape room community is full of creative people who are constantly creating new ways to surprise and delight their guests. This makes them a great resource for finding props and puzzles that can be repurposed for your own designs.
The great thing about buying from the escape room community is that you can usually get these items at a fraction of the cost. Often, fellow escape room owners are willing to part with their props and puzzles for much less than they would cost if bought new. Additionally, many escape room owners also have leftover props or puzzles from their past events that they are willing to sell at discounted rates.
#7. Sell Your Unwanted Props
You can also sell everything you don’t need anymore when you dismantle a room back to the escape room community. A broken prop may have some value as long as someone creative can turn it into a puzzle!
Hopefully, these few ideas will help you get started with an escape room venture.
*This is a collaborative post.
