Investing in a pool dining table is the ultimate way to blend high-end entertainment with everyday functionality.

However, choosing the wrong bed material or underestimating the "cueing room" required for a comfortable shot can lead to expensive regrets. This guide is designed to help you navigate the complexities of the market, ensuring your table isn't just a "toy," but a true long-term investment for your home.

List of Contents: 

• 11 Money-Murdering Mistakes to Avoid
• How To Choose The Perfect Table (5 Step-Guide)
• English vs American Pool 
• Cloth buying advice
• Pre-Purchase Checklist 
• Room Size Guide 

Mistake #1: Not buying a slate bed pool table.

It’s all too easy to be enticed by an MDF table. They’re great for kids, make a perfect starter table, and at that price point, you can’t go wrong, right? Well, there are a few things you should bear in mind. 

While MDF is a type of hardwood made from wood fibres and is definitely cheaper, these "budget" beds are less responsive and lack longevity because they tend to warp and swell over time. Not only that, but you cannot recloth an MDF bed, which means once the cloth is worn, you’ll need to replace the whole table.

For a consistent, professional playing surface that lasts, choose Slate. It's the difference between a "toy" and a true investment.

Mistake #2: Picking the Wrong Ball & Cloth Combo 

You may think it’s obvious, but we highly recommend considering your choice of ball once you’ve selected your cloth. Certain ball colours have better contrast on specific cloths, which makes them stand out far better whilst playing. 

Reds and yellows are the standard pub-style colour combination, and should be used on cooler coloured cloths such as blue, green, or grey. They are often more visible in warmer lighting rooms, such as a dining room. 

If you choose a warmer colour cloth, like red or maroon, the blue and yellow balls will offer better contrast and visibility for playing your shots.

Mistake #3: Lack of Protection Against Spillages 

Imagine the horror: You host your first dinner party on your brand-new table, and a guest spills a glass of red wine all over your lovely table. As the cloth isn’t waterproof, that stain is now a permanent feature of your table.  

The Solution: Protecting your Luxury Pool Dining Table from spills is easy. We recommend placing a waterproof cloth on the table and a decorative tablecloth over it while you eat to shield the table underneath from any mess.

If you want to showcase the natural wood of the table but still protect it, a great visual tip is to first place the waterproof cover under the dining tops.

Another option is to use a regular or waterproof tablecloth on top of the dining surface. 

Mistake #4: Putting an “Indoor" Table in the Rain

Regular Pool Dining Tables are not suitable for damp or humid environments. 

The materials are made to withstand indoor conditions, and will be suited for placement within a dining room, kitchen, games room, garage, or even your enclosed garden room? 

Outdoor Pool Dining Tables are engineered to withstand the harsher weather conditions, making them perfect to go in the garden, on the patio, or even in the conservatory.

If you’d like to have an outdoor pool dining table, there are numerous options available:

Mistake #5: Sun Bleached Cloth

All professional cloth is a natural wool product. It goes through a dyeing process, but the original natural wool colour is not neutral.

If you leave your table uncovered in a room with heavy natural sunlight, UV rays will murder your cloth. This can result in bleached colors and adhesive glue that melts and fails in extreme heat.

The Fix: We highly recommend putting the dining tops back on after play to block out the sun.

Mistake #6: Leveling Your Table 

A table that isn't level is a game-killer. Gravity will pull your balls toward low spots, making you miss pockets and ruining your ability to plan your next shot. Even worse, an un-level table creates uneven weight distribution that can actually damage the structure.

We offer delivery and installation across all of our Pool Dining Tables, so our team can set this up for you. 

Pro Tip: If you’re installing on carpet, it will indent over time. You must re-level the table 2-3 weeks after installation once it settles. We highly recommend having 2 people for this, and using a spirit level on each side of the table to ensure it’s 100% level. Each pool dining table has different leveling mechanics, so our expert delivery team will teach you how to do this. 

Mistake #7: Not Measuring Your Room Before Ordering 

Most people think if the table fits in the room, they’re golden. This is a rookie error that turns your dream game room into a claustrophobic nightmare. You aren't just measuring for a piece of furniture; you’re measuring for the cue as well.

Check out our “Will It Fit?” Guide below. It breaks down the measurements and dimensions required for every table size and cue length.

Mistake #8: Waiting to Save Could Cost You Weeks

Lead times for Pool Dining Tables can fluctuate anywhere from 1 to 20 weeks. A common mistake is to wait until you’ve saved up the full amount before placing an order, only to find there’s a 5 month wait after you finally pay.

Instead, you could secure your delivery slot now, by using our 0% finance options. This allows you to: 

• Stick to your timeline: Avoid adding several months of waiting time onto your saving period 

• Pay when you play: You won’t start your monthly payments until your table is actually delivered 

• Avoid price changes: Ensure you get the table you want at todays price, rather than risking changes to prices or lead time while you wait. 

Instead of waiting months to make a decision, you can get the process started now and ensure your table arrives when you’re ready for it.   

Note: Finance is subject to status and formal credit acceptance. Terms and conditions apply.

Mistake #9: Choosing the Wrong Cloth

Choosing the right cloth can seem like a huge decision due to the sheer number of options available. People spend hours agonising over cloth types and colours. However, it’s simpler than you might think.

Most people will find that standard napped cloth is perfect for home use, as it’s durable and will last a long time whilst playing very well. 

However, If you play at an amateur or professional level, you might want to consider “speed” or “pro” cloth upgrades. 

But for the majority of our customers, the most important thing is simply the colour. Our advice is to pick the shade that matches your room's decor and you’re 90% of the way there.

We’re here to help. Our expert team can give you a quick recommendation based on your room and how often you plan to play. 

Mistake #10: The “Chair Stacking” Chore

Don’t get us wrong, chairs are great for Pool Dining Tables. However, the pain of stacking chairs in the corner of your dining room each time you’d like to play a game can often get frustrating.

The better way: Purpose built Upholstered Storage Benches. Not only are they extremely comfortable and have plenty of storage for all of your accessories, but they also slide neatly underneath your pool dining table, which makes it so much easier to play a game.

Mistake #11: The Back Breaking DIY Install

It’s easy to look at a pool dining table and forget what’s hidden inside. With a slate bed, they can weigh upwards of 250kg. To put that into perspective, that’s almost as much as a grizzly bear. 

Trying to move and build one of these yourself is a recipe for disaster. It isn’t just about the heavy lifting, it’s about precision. If the slate isn't leveled perfectly to the millimeter, your shots won't roll straight, and the game is ruined before it even begins. Plus, doing it yourself usually leads to sore backs and a lot of shouting.

This is why we offer Free Delivery and Installation on most of our pool dining tables. Our expert team handles the heavy lifting, fits the cloth, and levels the table perfectly so it is ready for a tournament the moment we leave.

How To Choose The Perfect Table (5-Step Guide)

Pick the Room & Measure It

A Pool Dining Table can suit many different rooms in your house, anything from the dining room to an open living area. The most crucial part of this is to ensure there is enough space for not only the pool table itself, but also the cue during play. 

7ft tables are often used for tournaments, and are the preferred choice for dining tables. 

Pool Dining Tables are usually 80cm in height to the dining tops, and they have shallow cabinets, which allows more room for accommodating seating during meals. 7ft tables offer 63cm of legroom. 

For this, we recommended taking all measurements and checking our Will It Fit? Guide first.

Pick the Type of Table 

When choosing your table, you’ll be asked to pick between American and English Pool Tables. There are some massive differences between the two games, which will directly impact your game. 

Click here for our full guide on the differences between American Pool and English Pool

Ball Return vs Drop Pockets: Which Pool Dining Table Design is best? 

Most Pool Dining Tables have an integrated drop-down ball return option, which stores the balls out of the way once they’ve been potted or whilst the dining tops are in place. This makes it easier to re-rack or use the table for dining. 

Other designs offer drop pockets, which are lined boxes at each pocket to store the balls once they’ve been potted. This means Pool Dining Tables with drop pockets can be slimmer in their design, whilst lowering the price as you’re paying for less internal components.

Customise Your Table 

Finishes 

We have over 70 different Pool Dining Table designs to pick from, with even more combinations of finishes. You can choose anything from Solid Oak to Solid Metal finishes for certain tables. 

Whilst we assure you there will be a design to match your vision, it’s important to weigh up all your options. 

As wood is a natural material, the finish, colour, and grain will vary from piece to piece. Each tree is unique, so stains and cuts will look different - that’s part of the beauty of real wood.

Cloth 

Most people default to "Standard" cloth like Strachan or Hainsworth. These are high-quality, "napped" wool products that look the part in any pub. But if you want a table that plays like a dream, you need to look at the Upgrade Cloths.

These premium options offer a wider range of high-end colors to match your style, but the real difference is the speed. Because they are finer and more tightly woven, they play significantly "faster," giving you that professional, effortless glide that standard cloth just can't replicate.

Choosing Chairs or Benches

The type of seating you choose could affect both the comfort of your guests and the "playability" of the room. Pool Dining Tables are designed to accommodate all types of seating arrangements due to their slim cabinet profile. 

Signature purpose built upholstered benches are often the preferred choice for space-saving as they are designed with dedicated storage for all of your pool accessories. They comfortably fit multiple people around the table during meals, and are designed to slide underneath most tables when the game begins, keeping the play-area clear of obstructions. 

Standard dining chairs work perfectly and there is plenty of legroom while seated. However, do bear in mind you will need to move these during play, so you will need additional room for this.

It’s worth noting that most Pool Dining Tables have level adjusters on each foot of the table, which can be used to increase the height of the table by a few centimeters. 

Accessories

When buying your pool dining table, you’ll want to ensure you have all of the required accessories to play, maintain, and enjoy your table. 

All Pool Dining Tables with Home Leisure Direct come with a complimentary accessory kit, which includes items such as balls, cues, triangle, and chalk. Check the individual product pages for further details on what’s included with your table. 

From the best cues money can buy all the way down to coloured chalk, we offer the largest selection of pool table accessories in the country. You can even pop down to our Bristol showrooms to see any piece up close before you buy.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Use this list to get the logistics out of the way before your table arrives. That way, once the table arrives, the only thing you have to worry about is who gets to take the first shot!

Phase 1: The Space & Logistics

Pool tables are heavy, precision-engineered pieces of furniture. Before our team arrives, walk the route they will take and move any furniture or rugs that could obstruct the path.

Pick the Room: Ensure the floor is level. A slight slope can be fixed by the installers, but a major dip in an old house might cause issues over time - Click here for our Will it Fit Guide?

Measure for "Cueing Room": Don’t just measure for the table. You need roughly 4.5ft (135cm) of clearance on all sides for a standard 57" cue to avoid hitting walls.

Access & Stairs: Before our team arrives, walk the route they will take and move any furniture or rugs that could get in the way. If the table is going upstairs, take a quick photo or video of the stairs so we can recommend the best option. 

We offer free ground-floor delivery on most tables. Delivery to lofts or basements is possible for a small surcharge. Call us at 0808 256 9484 if you have a tricky room.

Phase 2: The Table Specification 

Now for the fun part, customising the look and feel of your table.

Choose Table Size:

7ft is "pub size," while 6ft is often better for dual-purpose dining rooms where space is at a premium.

Select the "Bed" Material: 

Slate Bed: Professional, heavy, and perfectly flat. The gold standard for serious players.

MDF Bed: Lighter and more affordable. Great for kids, but can warp over time and won't play as "true" as slate.

Pick the Style & Finish:

With over 70 designs, you can choose between Modern (sleek lines, metal legs) or Traditional (turned wood). Matching your existing décor is easy with our range of wood and matte finishes. Click here to browse the collection.

Pick Your Cloth Type:

Napped Cloth: Standard for English Pool. It’s "fuzzy," providing more friction and better ball control.

Speed Cloth: Smooth and fast. Standard for American Pool.

If you’re playing for fun with the family, Napped is the classic choice. If you want a lightning-fast, professional feel, go for Speed.

Pick Your Cloth Colour:

Don't feel stuck with green! Grey, Black, and Blue are incredibly popular for diners as they blend seamlessly into a modern home.

Phase 3: The Dining Functionality

Since this table pulls double duty, think about the "switch" from game mode to dinner mode.

Dining Top Storage: When you are playing, where do the tops go? Consider adding a storage rack so they don't have to lean against a wall.

Our Signature Benches feature a hidden storage compartment and a low-profile design that slides completely under your table when not in use.

Phase 4: Finalising the Order

Once you’ve done that, you’re going to want to think about payment, installation, and accessories. 

Spread the Cost: We accept all major cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. If you’d rather spread the cost, we offer finance options with £0 deposit so you can start playing sooner.

Review Installation: Does your choice include professional installation and leveling? For a slate table, we highly recommend letting our experts handle the setup to ensure a perfectly flat playing surface.

Accessory Kit Check: Most tables come with a standard kit (balls, cues, chalk, triangle). Check if you want to upgrade to a "Pro Kit" for higher-quality cues and Aramith balls.

Room Size Guide

English and American Pool Dining Tables are measured differently, please check out Size Guide for details on this. 

Pool Dining Tables are usually 80cm in height to the dining tops, and they have shallow cabinets, which allows more room for accommodating seating during meals. 7ft tables are often used for tournaments, and are the preferred choice for dining tables, and these offer 63cm of legroom.