Build a Custom Gaming Table

Pick a theme

One of the first things that you will need to decide on is the type of gaming table you want. The easiest way to do this is to consider what type of games you typically play. For example, if you are playing Call of Cthulhu you will not need the same kind of table that you use for Magic: The Gathering. It is all about what you are wanting to play the most. Once you have this firmly in mind, you will then have the overall “theme” that you may want to go for. One of the best gaming tables that I ever saw was designed with Dungeon’s & Dragon’s in mind, and looked like it came straight from a tavern on some fantasy world. Now that you have the overall theme and game in mind, you can begin planning the overall dimensions.

Choose your dimensions

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that you are looking to create a table for playing your Warhammer campaigns and skirmishes. In that case, you will probably need a minimum surface area of at least 6’x4’, though you will probably want to create one even larger (say 8’x6’) so that you have plenty of room. Now that you have the surface area determined, you can figure out the height. A standard table is roughly 29 inches tall, so you will want to make your table a bit taller so you can both sit at the table and stand over it comfortably. I would recommend that you have the top of your table be a minimum of 34 inches tall, with an “under-base” (the thick part of the table) being about four to six inches tall. This base will allow you to create a hollow area that you can use to store your gaming materials (i.e., books, dice, miniatures, terrain features, etc.) in without cluttering the rest of your room.

Customize the interior

If you are going to create a storage area within the table that you can use to put your materials away, you will then want to decide what type of table top you want. Some tables have a hinged top which allows you to easily lift the top up and retrieve the materials within. Others you can lift up, completely exposing the interior of the table. This is also a viable option since you could make the interior of the table the playing area. When you are done for the night, you can then simply place the top back onto the table, hiding the playing field from sight. I particularly like this method since you can easily leave the field in the exact same position that you want it for the next gaming session. Another option that you have is to actually have the “interior” side of your table top covered in a white board material and grid lines so that you have a ready-made playing surface by flipping the top over.

Customize the exterior

Remember back to when I mentioned you needed to think about a “theme” for your table? This is another part of the project where that is really going to come into play. For example, if you are interested in playing a Star Trek role playing game, you may want to make your table look like it would fit in with the rest of the décor of Quark’s bar on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or perhaps a bridge or science station from Star Trek. This may seem a little difficult, but it all depends on the materials that you utilize, and how much time and effort you take in putting everything together.

Keep in mind that you have been provided some guidelines on how to build a custom gaming table. These are not step by step directions on how to make the table from the ground up. The reason for this is that such tables are going to be as unique as the person making it. As, was said earlier a table that has been made for TCGs may not be the best for roleplaying games, or table top games. Just use these guidelines to help ensure that you make your new table will truly enhance your future gaming sessions. Browse through the gallery of pictures to see some of the more fantastic looking custom gaming tables that we found online to get some inspiration as to what you can do with your own project.