No matter how old or young you are, there’s no denying the enjoyment that you get from sitting down with friends and family to play some games.
If you’ve always dreamed about hosting games nights but didn’t have the space to do it right, this is a DIY project you can get excited about.
A custom gaming table can be used for all manner of fun, whether you like to play cards, miniatures, or board games, and with one taking center stage in your house you’ll never have a shortage of visitors.
You can follow either a basic design or make it as premium as you choose, depending on how often you like playing games.
How do you build a DIY gaming table and is it hard to do?
A basic gaming table design with built-in storage can be built in a few hours with some basic hand tools, and you can create one for puzzles, cards, or RPGs.
To build something more impressive like a table with a built-in TV screen that can play software-driven games, it’s a larger project but still possible for someone with the right know-how.
If you’re ready to start hosting some serious game nights at home and want to know how to create the table that can let you do it, this tutorial is for you. We’ll show you the simple steps to build a basic gaming table, as well as some other fun ideas you can try if you want to up the ante.
If you’d like to see a graphical breakdown of DIY gaming tables, we got you covered:
Share this Image On Your Site
Contents
Types of Gaming Tables You Can DIY
For every type of gamer, there’s a DIY table out there to suit them. If you’re someone who likes to diversify with the games they play and you’d rather have a custom table that can do it all, there are ways to get that also.
Check out some of the cool ideas for DIY gaming tables that are possible with a little bit of time and effort.
Computer gaming desk
If computer games are more your style, you can save yourself a lot of money by creating a custom gaming desk to house your hardware.
Computer gaming desks can be modified to whatever you need, with space for multiple screens, height adjustments, and cool lighting.
RPG table
RPGs and tabletop games are some of the best times you’ll ever spend with friends, and if you want something more than the basic fold away card table you’ve been playing on, making a DIY gaming table is the way to go.
You can add features like dice towers and cardholders to give everyone their own special spot to play from.
Card table
A card table is ideal for people who have poker nights or like to play other casino games.
These tables can be covered in felt for the full casino experience, have room for people to keep beverages or store their cards, and if you’re clever enough, can even be converted into other games like roulette and craps.
Boardgame table
For the family who loves to indulge in family game night once a week, having a dedicated space to play your favorites can be a great bonus.
A board game table doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles as the games themselves provide that, but you’ll need enough space for all the players, some drink holders, and comfortable edging to rest your elbows on.
High end gaming table
If you’re someone who loves tabletop and RPG gaming but wants your table to be able to play software-driven games as well, a high-end table is for you.
These tables not only have enough space for everyone to gather around and play, but they’re able to display things like maps and other cool digital spectacles that enhance the gaming experience like never before.
Puzzle table
A special table for putting together jigsaw puzzles, featuring a bordered edge to prevent pieces from getting lost and a flat surface for playing. These are better than doing puzzles on the coffee table or the dining table, and ensure nobody ruins your hard work.
The Features of a Good Gaming Table
To determine the best gaming table for you, it helps to look at some of the common features they have.
This way, you can see if it has the right stuff to suit the games you play, as well as how many players usually join you, and any other special requirements you might want for a custom-built table. Check out some popular features to see what your dream table should have:
- Recessed playing area: A recessed playing surface that keeps all of the parts of the game stored safely inside, and prevents pieces from getting lost. The size of the inset will depend on the type of game being played.
- Edging: Edging or a border is helpful to have around a table to create this recessed effect, but also to give players someone to rest their arms or elbows. It could be padded or made of a harder material.
- Storage: Additional storage space can be found in drawers or underneath the table. This gives you somewhere to keep the games you play while they’re not in use.
- Cup holders: A beverage holder set at each player position to prevent spills on the table and make it more enjoyable.
- Base/legs: Either legs or a solid base for the bottom, depending on if you need storage space and what type of seating you have planned.
How to Make a Custom Puzzle and Gaming Table
There are several different custom gaming table designs to make, depending on your skill level and the availability of materials.
To make this tutorial available to everyone, we’ve chosen a fun table that can be created without having to purchase pieces of lumber or use power tools, meaning it’s accessible for all.
For this project, we’re going to show you how to make a simple puzzle table that you can use to create and store puzzles on, but also a space for playing cards and other games.
Measuring 36 x 24” in size, it’s got enough space for a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle and other activities, it’s a handy accessory to have if your family regularly plays games.
Tools and Materials
As a simple puzzle and game table tutorial, this can be achieved with just basic supplies that most people have at home. However, a trip to the craft store might be required for some of the more specialty items. For this DIY gaming table, you’ll need:
- 36 x 24” wood framed dry erase board (or larger if desired)
- E6000 glue
- 2 x decorative side handles
- 1 x white thin foam sheet
- White acrylic paint
- Colored spray paint for frame
- Washi tape
- Utility knife
- Drill
Step by Step Easy Guide
To create your own jigsaw puzzle gaming table, there’s very little needed, as the dry erase board provides the base for the project. This is a great project you can involve the family in and there’s no need for power tools or dangerous supplies, so everyone can create their own if they want.
- Check the space between the border and the dry erase board to see which side has the smallest gap. As you’ll be playing with cards and jigsaw puzzle pieces, you don’t want them to be able to get stuck inside.
- Paint a coat of white acrylic paint on the chosen surface, and once dry, do another.
- Cover the inside of the board with sheets of paper to prepare for spray painting the border. Once covered, spray the edges with whatever color you’ve chosen and then remove the paper gently.
- With the paint dry, attach one handle to either side, allowing you to carry the board around. Depending on the type of handle you’ve chosen, you can either drill them in or drill a small hole and fill it with the E6000 glue to keep it secure. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
- Measure and cut the white foam board to create two separate mats, measuring half the dimensions of the dry erase board. These will be used for holding cards, game pieces, and jigsaw pieces. Use the washi tape to create a decorative border around the edges.
- The game board is now complete. You can keep the extra playing mats inside the board, and they’ll stay in place thanks to the border, as will any smaller cards or jigsaw pieces you’ve left there.
Related Questions
There’s nothing more fun than a wholesome game with friends and family, and with your very own gaming table, you’ll find that you play a lot more often.
No matter the types of games you enjoy and who you play them with, you’ll get so much enjoyment and satisfaction out of creating one for yourself. If you’re thinking about creating a DIY gaming table at home, check out the answers to some common FAQs about them.
What Desk Should I Get For Gaming?
There are many styles of gaming desks available and depending on the type of game you play and what’s involved with it, you’ll find one with the features you suit best.
Computer gaming desks are designed to hold monitors, keyboards, and a mouse, whereas a tabletop role-playing game table is better suited to spread out games and campaigns that are played with friends.
What Size Should a Game Table Be?
The standard size for a game table is between 3 and 3.5 feet in width. However, if you’re playing games that need more surface area or have a large number of players, you might require a table with more space.
For a casino-style setup, 3.5 feet should be the maximum width to ensure the dealer and players can reach comfortably, which is needed for most of the games.
How Big Should a DND Map Be?
For players of Dungeons and Dragons, a gaming table can be a great accessory to have. If you plan on building a table for this tabletop game, you’ll need at least a five-foot square of space to fit the map on it as well as space for the players to sit on the outside.
The table should also have grids available for the miniatures involved in the game, with the largest size required being one-inch squared.
