Here’s the Best Place to Put a Pool Table in Your Home

Is there a best place to put a pool table? Yes.

But don’t worry, there’s no complicated formula for finding the perfect spot, only a few easy checkboxes to run through.

In a nutshell, the best place to put a tool table is anywhere:

There’s enough space for free play

There’s good visibility

There’s secure and durable flooring

Accessories can be properly stored

It flows with its surroundings

It won’t disturb other people

Learn more about each of these considerations below.

There’s enough space to move and play around the table

Not only do you need enough space for the table itself, but you also need enough space to be able to move around the table and play with your preferred cue length.

The image above can help with this but the easiest way is to use our pool-size room calculator. Just input the cue length you intend to use and the length and width of the room you intend to play in (in centimetres or inches), our calculatorwill tell you the largest-sized American pool table.

If you’re working with limited space, shorter pool cues can open up more table options.

There’s enough natural light (or light in general)

Can you see what you’re playing? A bright space—but not so bright that it creates glare—is crucial for a proper play.

Ideally, you have plenty of natural light wherever your pool table is. Artificial lighting is also essential to be able to play at night, ideally installed directly above your pool table. Dimmer or adjustable lights can work too; experiment to see what works best for your space.

There’s secure and durable flooring

Pool tables are heavy; wherever you place them should be durable enough to resist indentation or scratching.

If you have a perfect room but are worried about pool table weight on your flooring, carpets or rugs are a great workaround, especially for floors in non-temperature-controlled spaces like garages.

Accessories can be properly stored

Pool involves much more than just the table; there are also cues, racks, balls, chalks, covers, and many other accessories.

When choosing a space, think about how well it can accommodate all of these additional accessories. Are there cabinets or drawers to put everything in or is there room to install them? If not, wall- or table-mounted storage options, like The Perfect Drawer, create storage space without too much clutter.

It flows with its surroundings

More than being a source of entertainment, pool tables are a form of decor. You may not worry about how your table matches the rest of the room if you’re putting it in your garage, but if you’re putting it in your living room, matching matters.

For example, if your space is filled with darker wood decor, a table with a darker wood frame will likely look better than a brighter, more modern-looking table.

You can also look at conversion tops for your table to make it multi-purpose, allowing you to use it for dining or ping pong, for example. These conversion tops can make for a more harmonious layout, making it easier to place your table in spaces it might not otherwise work.

It won’t disturb other people

Pool is a relatively tame game, but it still comes with its disturbances. Regular game chatter, the clacking of the balls, background music: these types of things are normal to the player but potentially annoying to non-players, such as family members in the home or next-door neighbours.

As a general rule, aim to make your space as sound-proof and playing as unobtrusive as possible.

Common areas to put a pool table

With these tips in mind, common places to put a pool table are basements, living rooms, spare bedrooms, garages, and outside covered areas (think under a gazebo).

Let’s learn the biggest pros and cons of each option.

Basement

Basements are spacious, private, and full of storage options, but they tend to be limited in natural lighting. This can be corrected but installing proper lighting is another cost to worry about.

Living Room

Living rooms typically offer ample space and lighting, but if family or friends spend a lot of time in your living room, taking up prime real estate with a pool table may not be the best option. One workaround is buying a dining conversion top for your table so that it doubles as a dining table.

Spare Bedroom

Using a spare bedroom is a great area for private, unobtrusive play but may limit which tables you can use if the space is small. Also, if you often have guests, this may not be a great option (unless you can still fit a bed in the room).

Garage

Space, durable flooring, storage options, and privacy are all pros of putting your table in your garage. However, if your garage isn’t temperature- or humidity-controlled, wear and tear can develop on your table faster.

Outside

Bringing your table outside opens up bigger table options, brighter play, and the joy of playing in the sun. It also makes your table more susceptible to the elements, so investing in a good cover is a must. If you’re close to neighbours, outside play can also limit how loud you can be.

While these are commonly used areas, don’t feel limited to them; if you find the perfect spot elsewhere using the information above as your guide, go for it!

FAQs about the best place to put a pool table

What is the recommended area around a pool table?

For a typical 7-foot pool table, you’re going to need a minimum room size of:

• 48 inch cue: 11’3” x 14’6” or 3.43m x 4.42m
• 52 inch cue: 11’11” x 15’2” or 3.63m x 4.62m
• 58 inch cue: 12’11” x 16’2” or 3.94m x 4.93m

For a typical 8-foot pool table, you’re going to need a minimum room size of:

• 48 inch cue: 11’8” x 15’4” or 3.56m x 4.67m
• 52 inch cue: 12’4” x 16’ or 3.76m x 4.88m
• 58 inch cue: 13’4” x 17’ or 4.06m x 5.18m

For a typical 9-foot pool table, you’re going to need a minimum room size of:

• 48 inch cue: 12’2” x 16’4” or 4.06m
• 52 inch cue: 12’10” x 17’ or 3.91m x 5.18m
• 58 inch cue: 13’10” x 18’ or 4.22m x 5.49m

Can I put a pool table in my garage?

In most cases, as long as you control for humidity and temperature, it’s okay to put a pool table in your garage. Learn more about putting a pool table in your garage.

How close can you put a couch to a pool table?

You can put a couch as close to your pool as you like, as long as it doesn’t affect your ability to move and play freely around the table.

Wrapping up

Hopefully, when the time comes, this checklist will help you decide the best place to put a pool table.

If that time is now, or you just want to see your options, check out our pool tables for sale.