The Complete Lounge Apex Pool Table Buying Guide

A pool table can become the natural center of a room.

Someone picks up a cue while everyone else is still talking. A casual game turns competitive. Someone who hasn't played in years decides to take the next shot. Before long, the table isn't simply part of the furniture—it is part of how the room gets used.

That makes choosing one about more than finding a table you like and checking whether its dimensions fit between the walls.

You need room for the game itself. You need a practical way to get the table into the house. Construction, installation, lighting and long-term service all deserve consideration. And if the table will share its space with a bar, seating, television or other entertainment, those pieces need to work together rather than compete for the same room.

The goal isn't to fit the largest pool table possible into your space.

It's to create a room where people actually want to play.

Start with the room—but measure for the game

The dimensions of the pool table are only the beginning.

Players need to stand around the table and use their cues comfortably. A room can therefore be large enough to contain a pool table while still being frustrating to play in.

Before choosing a table, look at the entire usable space.

Pay particular attention to the narrowest points in the room. A fireplace, support column, built-in cabinet, bar, staircase or piece of furniture can matter more than the room's overall dimensions.

Then picture someone taking a shot from every side of the table.

Where does the cue go?

Is there a wall behind the player? A sofa? A bar stool? Could someone comfortably take the shot without changing their natural movement simply to avoid something in the room?

This is why the playing footprint matters more than the product footprint.

Don't ask only:

“Will the pool table fit?”

Ask:

“Will the game fit?”

Think about the cues your household will actually use

Room planning and cue length go together.

A room-size recommendation can be useful when you begin planning, but it shouldn't replace looking carefully at your actual room and the equipment your household expects to use.

Consider the longest cues likely to be used regularly and evaluate the space around the entire table with those in mind.

If one side of the table is close to a wall or another fixed obstruction, don't simply assume players will work around it without minding. Imagine repeatedly taking shots from that location.

An occasional awkward shot may not bother you.

Designing an entire side of the table around awkward shots probably will.

Choose table size for the experience you want

Buyers commonly encounter different pool table sizes, and it can be tempting to assume that larger automatically means better.

A better question is what makes sense for your room and the way you want to play.

Perhaps you're creating a generous dedicated billiards room where the pool table will be the main attraction.

Perhaps you're designing a multipurpose entertainment room with theater seating, a home bar or several games.

Maybe your household plays casually and socially. Or perhaps you have experienced players who care more deeply about the playing experience.

Those scenarios can lead to different choices.

Rather than choosing a size in isolation, consider the table, cueing space and remaining room together.

A slightly smaller table with comfortable space around it may create a better home experience than a larger table squeezed into a room simply because the cabinet technically fits.

Walk the delivery route before ordering

There are two spaces a pool table has to fit.

The room where it will live—and the route it must travel to get there.

Start at the likely delivery point and walk all the way to the intended location.

Look at doors, hallways, turns, stairs, landings, elevators and overhead obstructions. A basement or upstairs game room deserves particular attention.

Then check the delivery information for the exact table you're considering.

How is it packaged?

What are the shipping dimensions and weights of the individual pieces?

What level of delivery is included?

Who handles assembly?

These questions are especially important with substantial tables and slate components. Don't make assumptions based solely on the dimensions or appearance of the finished table.

The table only becomes part of your game room if its components can actually get there.

Understand what you're buying beneath the surface

Two pool tables can have similar silhouettes and finishes while being constructed very differently.

That's one reason price alone can be difficult to interpret from photographs.

Look beyond the color and style of the cabinet and examine the manufacturer's actual construction specifications.

What is the playing surface made from?

How is the cabinet constructed?

How is the table supported?

What materials are used in the cushions, pockets and other components?

Which parts can be serviced or replaced later?

You don't need to become an expert in pool-table construction.

You simply want to understand what you're paying for.

A beautiful finish tells you how a table looks in the room. It doesn't tell you everything about what is underneath it.

Understand slate before deciding whether you want it

Slate is one of the terms you're likely to encounter quickly when shopping for a pool table.

Rather than treating “slate” as a simple premium label, find out exactly how the table you're considering is constructed.

If a model uses slate, determine what type and configuration the manufacturer specifies. You may encounter tables constructed with different numbers of slate pieces, and that can affect practical considerations such as handling, delivery and installation.

If you're comparing a slate table with a non-slate alternative, consider more than the initial purchase.

Think about weight, where the table is going, how it will be installed, whether you expect to move it later, and what kind of ownership experience you want.

There isn't one construction choice that automatically makes sense for every household.

The important thing is knowing which one you're buying and why it suits your home.

Treat installation as part of the purchase

A pool table isn't simply another piece of furniture that gets placed approximately where you want it.

Setup and leveling can be important parts of getting the table ready for play.

Before purchasing, clarify exactly what the seller's delivery and installation service includes.

Does delivery mean curbside, threshold or placement in the room?

Is assembly included?

Who installs the cloth if that is required?

Who handles leveling?

If there is a problem during delivery or installation, who is responsible for resolving it?

If professional installation is required or recommended for the particular table, find out who provides it and whether service is available in your area.

These details may not be as enjoyable as choosing a finish, but they can make a considerable difference on delivery day.

Think carefully about upstairs and basement locations

An upstairs game room or finished basement can be a wonderful place for a pool table.

It can also introduce questions that a ground-floor installation may not.

Access is the first.

Stairs, turns, landings and ceiling obstructions can make the delivery route more complicated.

Weight is another consideration, particularly with substantial tables.

If you have any concern about whether a floor or structure is appropriate for the table you're considering, don't rely on a general statement online. Confirm the table's current weight specifications and seek appropriate professional guidance for your particular home.

This isn't an area where a generic rule is a good substitute for knowing the table and the building.

Plan the lighting before the table arrives

Pool-table lighting has both a practical and visual role.

You want to see the playing surface clearly, but the fixture also becomes part of the room. In a thoughtfully designed game space, the table and lighting should feel like they were planned together.

If you're building or remodeling the room, think about lighting and electrical placement before the ceiling and walls are finished.

Consider where the table will be centered, what else will happen in the room, and how the fixture relates to nearby lighting.

For exact fixture size, hanging height, and placement, use guidance appropriate to the particular table, fixture, and room rather than assuming one measurement works everywhere.

It's much easier to plan electrical placement around the table than to discover later that the table needs to be somewhere other than where the ceiling fixture was installed.

If you want a dining conversion, rehearse both uses

A pool table that converts into a dining surface can be appealing, particularly when you want one room to serve several purposes.

But think through the transition rather than considering only the finished photographs.

Where will the dining top go when you're playing pool?

How many pieces is it?

How will those pieces be handled?

Is there a nearby storage location that won't turn removing the top into a chore?

What happens to dining chairs when it's time to play?

And when the table is being used for dining, does the arrangement actually work comfortably for the people sitting around it?

A convertible table is most useful when converting it feels easy enough that you'll actually do it.

A feature earns its place when it works in everyday life, not only when the room is perfectly staged.

Think about the room around the table

The pool table may be the centerpiece, but it isn't the entire room.

Where will people who aren't playing sit?

Where will cues and accessories be stored?

Will someone carrying a drink need to pass behind a player lining up a shot?

If there's a home bar nearby, does pulling out a stool interfere with playing space?

If the room includes a television, will people naturally gather in a location that conflicts with the table?

This is where it helps to rehearse the room before buying anything.

Mark the table location. Add imaginary players. Pull chairs away from walls. Open cabinets and doors. Walk the paths people are likely to take.

A sophisticated entertainment room isn't simply a collection of beautiful pieces.

It's a room where those pieces work together.

Choose cloth color as part of the room

Pool-table cloth occupies a large visual area, so its color can have a meaningful effect on the room.

Traditional colors may suit one space beautifully. A more restrained or contemporary palette may work better in another.

Consider the cabinetry, flooring, walls, lighting, and other furnishings surrounding the table.

At the same time, remember that the cloth is a playing surface rather than purely a decorative textile.

Before choosing an unusual color or material, review the options offered or approved for the particular table and think about how the surface will look under the lighting in the room.

The goal isn't to make the pool table disappear.

It's to make it feel like it belongs.

Think about sunlight, children, pets, and everyday life

A showroom photograph can't tell you what daily life will do around the table.

Perhaps the room gets strong sunlight.

Maybe children will play frequently.

Perhaps a pet will be fascinated by anything hanging from a pocket.

Maybe the table will see several games every weekend rather than a few games a year.

Those realities should influence how you think about placement, protection and care.

Review the manufacturer's instructions for the cloth, finish and other materials on the exact table you choose. If you're considering a cover or other protection, check what is appropriate for that model.

The goal isn't to make the table precious.

It's to understand how to care for something you intend to use.

Ask about service before you need it

A pool table can remain in a home for a long time, which makes future service worth considering before purchase.

Cloth can eventually need attention. Cushions, pockets, or hardware may someday need service or replacement.

Ask whether replacement components are available for the model and how service is handled.

Also look at the warranty while you're shopping rather than after something goes wrong.

What is covered?

Who administers it?

Does installation affect coverage?

If service is needed in your area, who performs it?

The answers will depend on the manufacturer and seller, so verify the current policies for the exact table you're considering.

The question isn't whether something will go wrong.

It's whether the table can continue to be cared for if something eventually needs attention.

Remember that you may someday need to move it

You may be concentrating on getting the pool table into your home, but there is value in thinking briefly about what would happen if it ever needed to leave.

A future move, remodel, or change in how the room is used could require the table to be relocated.

Depending on its construction, moving a pool table may involve disassembly, transport, reassembly, and leveling rather than simply carrying it through the door.

Understanding that before you buy gives you a more complete picture of ownership.

You don't need to plan your next home.

You simply shouldn't be surprised that a substantial game-room centerpiece may require more care to move than an ordinary piece of furniture.

A short checklist before you choose

Before buying a pool table, ask:

• Who will use the table most often?
• What kind of playing experience do we want?
• Have we measured the room at its narrowest usable points?
• Have we considered cue clearance around every side of the table?
• Does the table leave enough room for furniture, walkways and other activities?
• Have we walked the entire delivery route?
• Do we know the shipping dimensions and weights of the pieces that will enter the home?
• Do we understand how the table and playing surface are constructed?
• If the table uses slate, do we know its configuration?
• Have we clarified delivery, assembly, cloth installation, and leveling?
• If the table is going upstairs or downstairs, have we considered access and any appropriate structural questions?
• Have we planned the lighting and electrical location?
• If the table converts for dining, do we have a practical plan for the top and chairs?
• Have we considered sunlight, children, pets, and frequency of use?
• Are replacement cloth, cushions, pockets, and hardware serviceable?
• Do we understand the current warranty and service process?
• Can we imagine this table working well in the room for years to come?

Create a room people want to stay in

A pool table can be an impressive piece of furniture.

But its best moments probably won't happen when the room is perfectly arranged and no one is touching it.

They'll happen when someone asks to play another game.

When a child finally makes the shot they've been practicing. When friends gather around to watch the last ball. When someone puts down a drink, picks up a cue, and stays a little longer than they planned.

So choose the table with the whole experience in mind.

Give it enough room to play. Make sure it can reach the room. Understand what it's made from, how it will be installed, and how you'll care for it over time.

Then let it do what a great home entertainment space is supposed to do:

Give people a reason to gather. 

If you're beginning to compare options, explore our pool table collection as you consider which size and style work for your room.