If you’re limited on space in your home or apartment, you might be trying to decide whether to get a pool table or a dining room table. If your heart is set on a pool table, you might be wondering if you can double-use it as a table for eating.
A pool table can be used as a dining table as long as you purchase a conversion top and some dining room chairs. This allows you to safely eat on the pool table without needing to buy a totally different table.
You might be wondering what a conversion top is and where to get one. We will cover that in this article. We will also discuss why using a pool table as a dining room table without a conversion top is not a good idea.
Can I Use My Pool Table as a Dining Room Table?
In short, yes you can use a pool table as a dining table but you need to buy some additional supplies. There are upsides and downsides to using a pool table as a dining table.
Here are some things to consider before using your pool table as a table for eating:
- Size. Not all pool tables are the same size. If you live solo or just with one other person, a pool table will probably have enough room. It might not be a good option though if you live with kids or as part of a large family.
- Uneven surface. Not all pool tables are level, especially if you don’t have a conversion top. This can be annoying when trying to balance plates and bowls. It also makes spills and messes more likely.
- Felt. Felt is the green material used to make pool tables. It’s extremely absorbent so anything you spill will get stuck inside the felt. This can ruin the material and possibly attract bugs.
Now that you know what to be aware of when using a pool table as a dining table, let’s go over what a conversion top is.
Use a Conversion Top
If you want to use the pool table as a dining table, you need to purchase a conversion top. This is an even surface top that you lay on top of the pool table to cover the felt and make the pool table more level.
Conversion tops are easy to put on and remove making them ideal for switching back and forth between eating and playing pool.
They also protect the felt on the pool table. If you happen to spill or make a mess, you can simply wipe the conversion top with a rag like you would a regular dining table.
Conversion tops can be bought on Amazon or from furniture stores. You might also be able to find it in a gaming store.
Remember to Buy Chairs
You will need to get dining room chairs to be able to eat at the pool table. Make sure they are the correct height to make eating comfortable. Some people prefer to buy benches as this can work as well.
Keep in mind though that the chairs or seating you buy has to be moved out of the way when playing pool. Make sure they can be moved easily and that you have a free place in the house to store the chairs.
You can also get chairs the same color or material as your conversion top to make it look more like a real dining room setting.
Pool Table Vs. Dining Room Table Height
Pool tables are often a little taller than dining room tables.
Pool tables are 40 inches tall and most dining room tables are 30 inches tall. So, you will be sitting lower at a pool table than you would at a regular dining room table. Conversion tops usually add a few inches to the pool table height though so it will often fill the same as eating at a dining table.
You can also get your pool table customized. You can take some height off it. If you have some extra money in your budget, you can get a table custom-made and tell the builder that you will be using the table both for pool and for eating.
Should I Use My Pool Table as a Dining Room Table?
This just depends on your home and your preferences.
If you play pool often and don’t have extra space in your apartment, doubling a pool table as a dining table is a good choice. If you want your home to look more traditional with nicer furniture, a pool table might not be a great choice especially if the furniture you already have is classic or fancy.
Final Thoughts
A pool table can definitely be used as a dining room table. You just need to buy a conversion top and some chairs. You also need to consider the height of the table and the style of your home.