Pool tables can provide hours of entertainment for yourself and for guests. But if you're considering purchasing a pool table for a spare room in your home, it's important to make sure that it fits with room left over to actually play. Since many rooms are 12 feet by 12 feet, will a pool table fit in your spare bedroom? We've done the research to bring you the answer.
Pool tables come in many standard sizes, but the typical home table is 8 feet long. When taking into account that the length of a pool cue is 58 inches, players won't have much room to move around and shoot without hitting a wall. This means that a 12 feet by 12 feet room is too small for a standard home pool table.
So how much space do you need for a standard home pool table to still be able to play comfortably? Are there smaller pool tables that would fit better? Keep reading to find out these answers and more, so that you can hopefully find a way to put a pool table into your home.
What Size Room Do You Need For A Standard Home Pool Table?
To figure out the minimum space needed for a pool table of any size, there are several factors to consider. These include:
- Size of the playing area
- Length of a standard pool cue
- Amount of space needed for a comfortable backswing
Adding all of those factors together will tell you how much room you would have left over for any room in which you are considering putting a standard pool table so that you can decide if it will fit.
We mentioned that a typical home pool table is 8 feet in length. The playing area (the green carpeted area) of the table is 44 inches by 88 inches. If we assume that you'll be using a standard pool cue, which is almost 5 feet long, plus an additional 6 inches for the backswing, then you would need a room that is 14 ½ feet by 18 feet for a standard home pool table.
What Other Pool Table Options Are There?
Pool tables come in sizes that are both smaller and larger than the standard home pool table. Smaller tables, called "bar boxes" because they are usually found in bars or pubs, may fit in a 12 feet by 12 feet room with some adjustments to your pool cue (more on that later). Larger tables that are 10-12 feet long would be a great fit for a large, roomy basement. The room dimensions needed for each size table are listed below.
Small Bar Box
Small bar box tables are 6 feet long with a playing surface that is 37 inches by 74 inches. Combined with the length of a standard pool cue and the length of the backswing, this table may fit in a 12 feet by 12 feet room. You would only have about 6 inches of space left over between the end of your cue and the wall unless you use a shorter cue stick.
Large Bar Box
Bar boxes (7 feet in length) and large bar boxes (a few inches over 7 feet) are smaller than the standard home pool table. They have a playing surface of 37-41 inches by 74-82 inches, depending on which size you're looking at. A pool table of either size would fit into a room that is 13 feet by 13 feet.
Regulation Size
Regulation size tables are larger than home pool tables. At 9 feet in length, this is the size pool table that is used in pool tournaments. They have a playing surface of 50 inches by 100 inches. You would need a room that is 15 feet by 19 feet to play comfortably with this size pool table.
Snooker Table
Snooker is a game that is similar to pool, but the object is to pocket 21 balls (6 colored and 15 red) in a certain order. This game is played on a larger pool table called a snooker table. They are 10 to 12 feet long and have a playing surface that is 56 inches by 112 inches or 70 inches by 140 inches, depending on the length. This means you would need a room that is 17 feet by 23 feet to even fit a table this big into it.
Can You Use A Shorter Cue Stick?
If you want a pool table in your home, but your room isn't large enough to accommodate a pool table and a standard size cue stick, you can consider using a shorter stick. Shorter sticks come in lengths of 48 and 52 inches, which could give you up to an extra foot of space.
While some people may find it uncomfortable to use a shorter cue stick, you can decide if it is worth the sacrifice to be able to have a pool table in your home.
How Far Away Does A Pool Table Need To Be From The Wall?
Pool tables need to be a minimum of 5 feet from the wall to allow room to position your cue stick. Since cue sticks are almost 5 feet long, you could hit the wall or someone else with your stick if the table is too close.
How Do You Place A Pool Table In A Room?
It is important to measure the room carefully before you put a pool table in it. Pool tables are heavy, so you don't want to have to move it around to get it to fit correctly. Consider any features the room might have as well, such as flooring, columns, light fixtures, and cabinets.
Read more: What Is The Best Flooring For A Pool Table?
Most pool tables are assembled in your home, so you shouldn't have to worry about getting it through a door, but make sure anything that you want as a permanent feature around your pool table is in place and functional before putting the table together.
Once you've measured carefully, assemble and place the pool table in the center of the room. If there are columns or other features of the room, find a spot with at least 5 feet of clearance around all sides of the pool table so that you and your guests can play comfortably without hitting anything and ruining a perfect shot.
What Is The Most Popular Pool Table Size?
Regulation-size pool tables are the most popular since they are used in tournaments and pool halls. For avid pool players, this is the size you may want to consider for your home if you have room. If you're wanting to just play for entertainment, though, an 8-foot pool table or smaller is best for use inside the home.
What Are The Best Pool Tables For Home Use?
Here are our recommendations for the best pool tables for home use, from the least expensive to the most expensive.
Hathaway Fairmont Portable
While shorter than the standard home size pool table, this 6 ½ foot pool table is portable and can be folded away when not in use. That way, you can bring it out when you just want to play for a little while or have guests that you want to entertain.
Click here to see this pool table on Amazon.
MD Sports Billiard Table Set
This 7 ½ foot table is great for smaller rooms. Made of black wood and felt, it comes with the pool balls, ball rack, 2 cue sticks, and 2 chalks.
Click here to see this pool table on Amazon.
Mizerak Donovan Billiard Table
This pool table is contemporary, but with red felt, it still has a classic look. The felt is a wool blend, so it resists wear. It comes with balls, a rack, 2 cue sticks, and 2 chalks, but it also comes with a brush.
Click here to see this pool table on Amazon.
Simba Shopping Billiard Table
This 8-foot pool table comes with all of the accessories pictured so that you can play pool or snooker. It also has an automatic ball return system and has green felt for a vintage look.
Click here to see this pool table on Amazon.
Harvil Slate Pool Table
This pool table has slate under the felt, making the surface completely flat for better ball control. It comes with a set of balls, 4 cue sticks, 2 ball racks, and 2 brushes, among other accessories. For the price, you also get professional installation.
Click here to see this pool table on Amazon.
There Are Options Available!
If the standard home table won't fit in your space, but you still want a pool table, hopefully this article helped you to see your options. Consider a smaller table or a shorter cue stick before giving up on having a pool table altogether. And maybe by going smaller or creating a larger space, you can have a pool table that will entertain your family and guests for years to come.
Before you go, be sure to check out these other home decor guides that may be of interest to you:
21 Wall Decor Ideas For Basement
Where Should Stairs Be Located In A House (And Can You Relocate Them)?