A games room does not need a large space or a big budget. What it does need is a clear plan, the right tables, and enough room to actually use them. Get those three things right and you will have a space that gets used every day, not just when guests come over.
These seven games room ideas are drawn from real setups we have helped customers build across the UK. Some are compact rooms built around a single table. Others are dedicated entertainment spaces with multiple games. All of them work because the basics were done properly from the start.
Every great games room has a focal point. For most people, that is a pool table. It anchors the room visually and provides the most gameplay. Everything else you add should work around it.
The first decision is English or American pool. English tables are smaller, typically 6ft or 7ft, and suit tighter spaces. American tables normally start at 7ft and go up to 9ft, offering a more open style of play with bigger pockets and a larger playing surface. If you are unsure which suits you, our English vs American pool tables guide explains the differences clearly.
A slate bed is non-negotiable if you want the table to play well over time. MDF beds are cheaper but they flex and warp. A slate bed table will still play well in ten years.
SPACE TIP You need at least 5 feet of clear space on every side of your pool table for a comfortable cue stroke. Use our free Pool Table Size Calculator to check your exact room before you buy anything.
“The biggest mistake people make is buying the table first without measuring the room. We always tell customers to sort the space planning before anything else.” Michael West, SAM Leisure
For a premium finish, the SAM Atlantic Champion and the SAM Magno are two of our most popular choices with our home customers. Both are available in a wide range of cloth colours and cabinet finishes. If you want something that also works as a dining table, the Naroki pool dining table is worth a look. It converts in seconds and looks like a designer piece of furniture when the top is on.
An air hockey table brings a completely different energy to a games room. It is loud, competitive, and gets everyone involved regardless of age or ability. That is why it tends to be the most-used table in a room, even when there is a top-quality pool table sitting next to it.
The key thing to understand when choosing an air hockey table is the difference between home and commercial spec. Home models are quieter and more affordable, which is fine for occasional use. Commercial grade tables are built for constant play. The airflow is stronger, the surfaces are faster, and they last considerably longer under regular use.
For a home games room, the SAM Black Track or the SAM Black Ice II are worth serious consideration. Both carry the commercial-grade build quality that makes SAM tables the choice of arcades and leisure centres across the UK, but they are designed and finished for a domestic setting. Browse the full air hockey table range to see all available sizes and finishes.
In terms of space, a 6ft to 7ft air hockey table works well in most home games rooms. Allow at least 2 to 3 feet of clearance on each end. One side can sit against a wall if space is tight. For more detail on sizing, see how much space do you need for a pool table and apply the same planning logic to your air hockey table.
Table football is one of those games that never gets old. It works for two players or four, it is quick to pick up and play, and it scales well from casual games nights to genuinely competitive play.
The quality difference between entry-level and mid-range table football is significant. Cheaper tables wobble, have loose rods, and the players do not move properly. A well-built table has solid rods, smooth bearings, and a playing surface that feels consistent. The SAM Tecno is a solid choice at the home level. At the premium end, the Toulet range combines exceptional build quality with furniture-grade aesthetics.
Browse our table football range to compare models and finishes. A standard table is around 5ft long and 2.5ft wide, with around 3 feet of clearance needed on each side for comfortable play.
Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of a games room setup and one of the most impactful when done properly. For a pool table specifically, the lighting above the table directly affects how well you can see the balls, read the cloth, and play accurately.
The ideal setup for a pool table is a dedicated pendant light or bar light hung 30 to 36 inches above the playing surface. This gives even light across the whole table without creating shadows. Avoid ceiling downlights as your only source as they create uneven coverage and glare on the cloth.
For the rest of the room, dimmable ambient lighting gives you flexibility. Keep it bright for competitive games and bring it down for a more relaxed atmosphere later in the evening. Wall lighting, floor lamps, and LED strips under furniture can all add depth to a room without any major electrical work.
LIGHTING TIP SAM Leisure stocks a range of canopy lights and table lighting designed specifically for pool tables. These are sized to match the table dimensions and provide the even, shadow-free coverage that makes a real difference to your game. Browse pool table lighting here.
The most common mistake when setting up a games room is buying the tables first and then trying to fit them in. The better approach is to map out the room before anything arrives.
Start by measuring the room and marking out the footprint of each table including the clearance space needed around it. Do this on paper or on the floor with tape. It takes twenty minutes and saves you realising your air hockey table is too close to the wall to play comfortably.
If you are planning multiple tables, think about zones. A pool table and an air hockey table can coexist in the same room, but they work better when each has its own defined area. A natural break, such as a change in flooring or a piece of furniture, can help separate the zones visually without any structural work.
| Table Type | Typical Size | Clearance Needed | Min. Room Size |
| English Pool (7ft) | 7ft x 3.5ft | 5ft all sides | 17ft x 13.5ft |
| American Pool (8ft) | 8ft x 4ft | 5ft all sides | 18ft x 14ft |
| Air Hockey (6ft) | 6ft x 3ft | 3ft each end | 12ft x 9ft min |
| Table Football | 5ft x 2.5ft | 3ft each side | 11ft x 8.5ft |
Flooring in a games room does two jobs. It protects the tables and it affects the feel of the room. Hard flooring, whether wood, laminate, or tile, is easier to keep clean and works well with most table styles. If you use rugs, keep them away from the playing areas so they do not create trip hazards or uneven surfaces around the tables.
Seating is worth thinking about more than most people do. You want somewhere comfortable to sit between games without the seating eating into the playing space. Bar stools work well along a wall. A small sofa or a couple of armchairs in a corner gives the room a more relaxed feel and means it can work as a general lounge space outside of game time.
Avoid large sofas or bulky furniture that pushes into the clearance zones around your tables. The tables are the priority. Everything else should support the room without compromising the play space.
If you have the space, a room that combines a pool table, an air hockey table, and a table football table is one of the best things you can add to a home. The variety keeps every visit fresh and there is always something for everyone regardless of age or ability.
The key to making a multi-game room work is discipline with the space planning. Do not cram tables in. If the clearance is not right, the tables become frustrating to use and people stop playing. Better to have two tables with proper space than three tables that are awkward.
A layout that works well is to place the pool table at one end of the room as the main feature, the air hockey table along a side wall, and the table football table near the entrance or in a secondary zone. This keeps the pool table as the focal point while making the other games accessible without crossing through each other’s play space.
SAM Leisure has been supplying pool tables, air hockey tables, and table football tables to homes and venues across the UK for over 40 years. All tables come with professional delivery and installation so everything arrives level and ready to play.
Visit our Coventry showroom to see the full range in person and get advice from our team. Or contact us online and we will help you plan your space and choose the right tables for your room.
It depends on which tables you want to include. A 7ft pool table alone needs a room of at least 17ft x 13.5ft with 5ft of clearance on all sides. If you are adding an air hockey table or table football table, you need to account for their footprints and clearance zones separately. Use our free Pool Table Size Calculator to check your exact dimensions before buying.
For most home setups, the SAM Atlantic Champion is our most recommended option. It is built to tournament standards, available in 6ft and 7ft sizes, and comes in a wide range of finishes to suit any room. Browse our full pool table range to compare models.
Yes, as long as the room is large enough to give both tables their proper clearance space. If the room is tight, prioritise the pool table and use the remaining space for a compact air hockey or table football option. The space planning table in this guide gives you the key dimensions to work with.
Yes. All SAM Leisure pool tables come with professional delivery and installation as standard. This includes slate levelling, cloth fitting, and full setup so the table is ready to play when the team leaves. Contact us to discuss your delivery requirements.
Commercial tables are built for constant heavy use. They have more powerful blower motors, harder playing surfaces, and more robust construction overall. Home tables are designed for lighter, less frequent use and are more affordable. For a home games room where the table will get regular use, a commercial-spec table like the SAM Fast Track or Black Track is worth the extra investment.
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