The Best Pool Table Felt Colours: Read This Before You Buy a Pool Table

Selecting the right colour for your pool table felt is like picking the perfect paint for your living room—it sets the tone for the entire space. Whether you're a seasoned player or a casual enthusiast, the colour of your table's playing surface can impact everything from your game to the room's ambiance.

Let's explore the world of pool table felts and how to make the best choice for your home billiards experience.

Summary of choosing pool table felt your TLDR

Here’s a quick rundown of the main ideas for what to consider when deciding on your pool table felt colour:

• Pool table cloth colour affects gameplay, aesthetics, and maintenance
• Traditional colours like green and blue remain popular choices
• Consider room decor, lighting, and ball visibility when selecting a colour
• Cloth quality and material impact performance and durability
• Proper maintenance is crucial for longevity, regardless of colour choice

Choosing Felt to Match Your Room’s Decor

A pool table is a fine piece of furniture for any home, especially in a modern, luxury estate. To match the elegance of your room, here are a few tips for selecting a colour that fits perfectly with your vision for a recreation room.

Use the colour wheel

The colour wheel can be your best friend. This handy tool helps create a harmonious palette that ties your space together. Here's how to use it effectively:

• Complementary colours (opposite on the wheel) create a bold contrast
• Analogous colours (next to each other) create harmony
• Triadic colours (evenly spaced) offer a balanced variety

First, if you haven't already, select a primary colour for your room and use the colour wheel to find coordinating hues. A good rule of thumb is the 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant colour, 30% secondary colour, and 10% accent colour.

Consider existing elements

Don't forget to consider your room's existing elements:

• Look at undertones in flooring, walls, and other fixed features
• Choose felt colours that complement or contrast these undertones

Balancing warm and cool tones can create a well-rounded look:

• Warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) create coziness
• Cool colours (blues, greens, purples) promote calmness

If you're unsure, neutral-coloured felt allows for easy colour scheme changes through accessories.

Lastly, consider the lighting in your space, both natural and artificial. Lighting can significantly affect how colours appear throughout the day. A vibrant colour in natural light may appear muted under artificial lighting, so assessing your options in various lighting conditions is essential to ensure you achieve the desired effect.

Test before you buy

Before finalizing your pool table felt colour selection, it’s essential to test your choices in your actual space.

One effective method is to use fabric swatches or paint samples to see how different colours interact with each other and the surrounding elements. Home Billiards has swatches for all of the felt we sell. Just ask. This hands-on approach allows you to visualize how the colours will look in your room.

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to selecting a pool table felt colour that looks great and enhances your room's overall aesthetic.

Traditional Colours: Timeless Elegance

When you think of a pool table, green and blue likely come to mind. These classic hues have stood the test of time for good reason.

Tournament Green, reminiscent of lush grass, offers a soothing backdrop that's easy on the eyes during extended playing sessions. It's the colour of choice for many professional tournaments.

On the other hand, Tournament Blue provides excellent contrast with the balls, making it easier to line up shots. It's like playing on a calm, serene, visually striking lake surface.

Pool Table Felt Colours to Avoid if You Want to Play Pool

We’re not judging you, but be aware that some felt colours, although they look fabulous in a modern room, can be challenging to play on. Here are some colours where you’ll want to consider your pool table’s purpose before selecting your pool table felt.

• Black: While it can create a modern aesthetic, black felt tends to absorb light, making it difficult to see the balls and pockets. This can lead to eye strain and hinder gameplay, especially in low-light conditions.
• Bright Neon Colours: Colours like neon green or pink can be visually overwhelming and may cause eye fatigue during extended play. They can also distract from the focus on the balls and the game itself.
• Red and Burgundy: Although these colours look elegant, they often contrast poorly with the darker-coloured balls, making it challenging to track their movement. This can be particularly frustrating during competitive play.
• Dark Charcoal or Grey: Similar to black, these shades can reduce visibility and make it harder to see the balls. They may also absorb too much light, leading to a dull playing experience.

Performance Factors: Not All Felts Are Created Equal

The type of cloth you choose can affect your game as much as the colour. Pool table felt comes in various grades and materials, each with its own characteristics.

The cloth you choose can impact ball speed and roll. Worsted cloth, for instance, offers faster, more consistent play compared to woollen varieties. It's like the difference between skating on smooth ice and rough ice.

Let's explore three popular types of pool table felt and their unique characteristics:

Different Types of Pool Table Felt: What's the Difference?

Championship Invitational

This cloth is the go-to choice for home use. Championship Invitational Pool Table Felt, made from a blend of wool and nylon, offers a smooth and consistent playing surface. It's like the family sedan of pool table felts—reliable, comfortable, and suitable for many players. The moderate speed of this cloth provides a good balance, making it perfect for casual games and recreational settings.

Championship Tour Edition

Think of this as the sports car of pool table felts. Designed for more serious and professional play, Championship Tour Edition is the high-performance option. It boasts a higher percentage of nylon and a finer worsted weave, resulting in a more responsive surface. This cloth is faster than its Invitational counterpart, offering a smoother and more precise ball roll. If you want to elevate your game, this might be the cloth for you.

Hainsworth

Hainsworth Cloth is the specialized athlete in the world of billiard cloths. Specifically designed for snooker tables, this cloth is made of Merino wool. Its unique feature is the nap - the direction of the fibres - which plays a crucial role in the distinctive style of snooker. Hainsworth cloth is generally slower than high-end pool table cloths, allowing for the precise control needed in snooker games. It's like playing on a finely manicured grass court instead of a fast hard court in tennis.

How to choose which pool table fabric to buy

When deciding, consider your skill level, playing style, and the primary use of your table, and then consult the descriptions above.

Customization: Make It Yours

If you can't find the perfect colour off the shelf, why not design your own? Whether you want to add a logo or an exotic finish, custom pool table options allow you to create a unique playing surface that perfectly matches your vision.

Maintenance: Keep It Looking Fresh

Proper care ensures your cloth stays in top condition, regardless of colour. Here are some tips:

• Brush the table regularly to remove dust and chalk
• Clean spills immediately to prevent staining
• Use the same colour chalk as your cloth to minimize visible marks
• Cover the table with a pool table cover when not in use

Pro Tip: Custom or rare colour choices might make it challenging to find matching chalk. It's like trying to find the right shade of lipstick—sometimes, you have to stick with the classics for convenience.

Conclusion: Your Table, Your Choice

Choosing a pool table cloth colour is a personal decision that depends on your style, playing preferences, and maintenance habits. Whether you opt for classic green or a bold custom hue, the most important thing is that it feels right for you.

Ready to explore your options? Check out our selection of pool tables for sale to find the perfect match for your home game room.

FAQs about choosing a pool table felt colour

How does the colour of pool table cloth affect gameplay and ball visibility?

Darker colours, like navy or burgundy, make lighter balls easier to see, while lighter colours enhance the visibility of darker balls. Certain colours can also reduce eye strain during long sessions.

Are there regional or cultural preferences for pool table cloth colours?

Yes, preferences vary by region and culture. Green and blue are common in Canada and the U.S., while English green is preferred for snooker tables in the UK. Some Asian countries favour brighter colours like red or gold for cultural reasons.

How does pool table cloth colour affect the resale value of a pool table?

Cloth colour can influence a pool table’s resale value. Traditional colours like green or blue appeal to more buyers and retain value better. Unique colours may attract specific buyers but typically have less impact on overall value than the table's condition and quality.