A pool table can be a wonderful addition to any home. This classic game of skill promises fun for all ages and can quickly become the center of attention at any party. However, if you can’t seem to find the space for one in your home, you may be out of luck. Or maybe not.
Most experts recommend a room size of 14 feet 10 inches by 19 feet for a 9-foot regulation-size table. However, you may be able to fit the same-sized pool table in a smaller space if you have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. If you want a billiard table badly enough, you’ll find a way to make room.
1. Create a Man Cave
Do you have a spare bedroom or office in your home that you never use? If it’s big enough to fit a pool table in, it’s time to convert that space into a man cave — the perfect place for a billiard table. If the room is small, consider making the table the main attraction and putting a television and a few chairs in the corner.
Consider how you’d like to use your man cave and go from there. Whatever you and your friends enjoy doing most should take center stage. If the room is a bit on the bigger side, you have options. Make the television the main focal point and place the table, along with a few other recreational features, in a different area of the room.
2. Make It the Game Room Centerpiece
If you don’t have your heart set on creating a man cave, you might decide to create a game room for the whole family. If you have space, consider including your pool table, a football table, a pinball machine, a table for card games and a stellar sound system. You might even build a minibar for adult game nights.
However, if you only have room for a few tables or games, consider making the pool table the centerpiece. Choose one with ornate wood carving or a light-up surface to draw everyone’s attention to it. Then, completely outfit the room to match the pool table. Buy furniture and decorations that will complement it without upstaging it. This will give the room a more cohesive look and a fun, yet sophisticated vibe.
3. Purchase Cue Sticks of Various Sizes
If there is enough space to fit the pool table in a man cave, game room or basement, you may think your search for the perfect area is finished. However, you may run into an issue the first time you pick up the cue stick to play. If the table is too close to walls or furniture, you won’t be able to pull your stick back far enough.
Before you give up and list your billiard table on eBay, know there is a solution to this seemingly devastating issue — shorter cue sticks. Yes, they do make such a thing. Along with your nearly 6-foot-long cue sticks, purchase a few child’s size or half-sized cues as well. This will allow you to still shoot your shot even in the tightest of spaces.
4. Put the Table Outside
If you do not have enough room inside your home for a pool table, think about placing it outside your house. If you have a shed or garage you don’t use, you could put a table in there. This may take some cleaning up or renovating on your part, especially if you want the space to look more like a game room. Depending on how much you want to change things, renovations may cost as little as a few hundred dollars, which may be a worthwhile investment.
Alternatively, you could place it on your back patio. Of course, you’ll want to make sure the area is completely covered to protect the table from the elements. If you live in a location that is warm all year, putting your pool table on your covered back patio can be a brilliant idea.
5. Buy a Smaller Pool Table
While you might not love the idea of settling for a smaller pool table, space truly does dictate how big of a table you can purchase. If you’ve tried the above suggestions and still can’t see yourself squeezing a pool table into your home, garage or back patio area, a smaller table may be the only other option.
Luckily, retailers do sell 8.5-, 9- and 7-foot tables, and all are rectangular with a 2:1 ratio. If your room is smaller than 18 by 14 feet, you can still fit a pool table in there. Of course, if you’re practicing for a tournament, you’ll want a full-sized version. You might even have a few tables in mind.
Make Room for a Pool Table With These Tips
With these clever hacks, you can make room for a pool table anywhere. Now all you need to do is load up on snacks, invite your friends over and enjoy your new toy.
Dylan Bartlett is a men’s lifestyle blogger from the City of Brotherly Love. He runs the site Just a Regular Guide, looking at other topics related to health and wellness, relationships, the outdoors and DIY. You can follow him on Twitter @a_regular_guide to get frequent updates on his work.
