Choosing Game Table Fabric: A Guide

Choosing the perfect fabric for your game table is about more than just looks - it's about setting the stage for unforgettable game nights and treasured memories with family and friends. In fact, the fabric you pick can shape your entire gaming experience, so you'll want to choose wisely!

In this guide, we'll walk you through picking the best fabric for your gaming table. Whether you're after the plush feel of velveteen or a hardier playing surface like speed cloth, we'll discuss the features that make these fabrics unique. You'll also learn about picking the right color and caring for the material to keep your table in pristine condition.

So, if you're ready to enjoy a night unlike any other with your new gaming table, let's jump into it. 

Understanding The Fabric Types For Game Tables

When you're choosing fabrics for your game table, two of the most popular options are velveteen and speed cloth. Both of these materials offer unique qualities that impact the aesthetics and functionality of your table.

Here's a breakdown of their differences and how each one contributes to your gameplay experience:

Velveteen

Velveteen is a soft, luxurious fabric with a velvety feel. It provides a smooth surface that is gentle on your game pieces and is perfect for different types of game tables. The texture of velveteen will give your table a softer playing surface that is best for card games and moving lighter pieces.

Velveteen is durable enough for a game table, but it's not as resistant to wear and tear compared to speed cloth. Of course, this means it's best for casual players and softer gameplay, where your pieces don't undergo much intense movement.

It's also important to note that velveteen isn't water-resistant, so you'll need to be careful to avoid spills and stains. In this case, a good game table maintenance routine will go a long way. Alternatively, when you invest in a wooden gaming table from Bandpass Design, your table comes complete with handy cup holders, so you won't have to worry about accidents ruining your table!

Speed cloth

Speed cloth is a woven, tightly knit fabric with a little bit of stretch, which gives it a more structured surface compared to velveteen. Plus, it is slightly cushioned with padding underneath, which makes it ideal for game pieces like dice that need to roll or glide smoothly.

Choosing your game table is about more than just the type of games you want to play; it's also about how long your table will last. Fortunately, our products are all designed to stand the test of time. We pay special attention to table construction and how the fabric will complement your gaming table as a whole.

What we love about speed cloth is its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It stands up really well to more frequent use and heavier gameplay. In fact, it's a great choice for a poker table. Plus, it's spill-resistant, making it perfect for a family gaming table, too! 

Color Considerations For Your Game Table Fabric

Picking the right color for your gaming table fabric can be tough. After all, you'll need to think about how it's going to look in your home. Plus, if you're picking a wooden game table, you'll want to choose accessories and colors that complement the wood, too. Fortunately, all of our material and color options are hand-picked to suit your table (not to mention that their functionality is unmatched!).

Creating color palettes

Before you design your table, you'll need to consider the color palette you want to create. Are you after warm or cool tones? Or perhaps you'd prefer something more neutral? Either way, knowing which of our fabric colors to pick is the first step to buying the table of your dreams.

Warm colors

Warm tones like Merlot, Coral, and Burgundy are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere. This makes them ideal picks for family gaming tables. These colors also work well in more traditional dining rooms, home offices, living rooms, and other small, intimate spaces where your table will be the focal point of the room.

Merlot pairs beautifully with warm wooden furniture, while Coral can add a pop of color without overwhelming your space. However, if you want a more sophisticated look, then Burgundy may be the best choice for you.

Cool colors

Cooler tones like Royal, Ocean, Dove, Forest, and Navy can add a more airy feel to a room. These colors are perfect for modern, minimalist, and even contemporary spaces where you want to create a sense of openness.

Ocean and Royal will provide a calm, serene atmosphere to your space and can enhance almost any contemporary or open-plan living area. On the other hand, Dove is better for more neutral, modern homes. Of course, Navy is always a great pick if you want a little more elegance in your dining room without using bright colors. 

How To Select Fabric For Long-Term Durability

Choosing the right fabric for better durability will ensure that your game table stays in tip-top shape and maintains its look over time. Here is how to assess each material:

• Velveteen: This fabric is much softer. While it may look more elegant, it's better for lighter use or more formal tables. It can provide a smooth playing surface for dice and card games, but it will need to be well-maintained. Additionally, it may not be the best pick for households with families since it's slightly less durable when it comes to heavy use.

• Speed cloth: Speed cloth is spill-resistant, water-repellent, and super durable. Of course, this makes it a better choice for families with children or for game nights where the table will likely see heavier use. So, if you play board games with bigger game pieces, then we'd suggest picking speed cloth over velveteen.

Maintenance tips

When you invest in a gaming table, you want it to last for years while still looking fresh. However, you'll need to prioritize consistent care and cleaning to keep your table in good condition.

For velveteen, you may need to use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum. This will prevent dust from building up and keep the plush texture clean. You should also blot any accidental spills with water and a mild soap. However, you should be careful to avoid scrubbing the fabric to keep it smooth and functional.

On the other hand, speed cloth usually only needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth. You can also use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum to get rid of any dust, but you'll need to be careful not to overdo it. Speed cloth is also more likely to fade, so you should keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid sun bleaching.

FAQs

What is the fabric you put on a table?

Game tables are usually covered with fabrics that are designed to improve your playing experience. These include felt, baize, speed cloth, and velveteen. Felt and baize, much like velveteen, are softer materials and provide more friction. This is ideal for card or dice-based games.

What is the green fabric used to cover gaming tables?

The green fabric that is typically used on traditional gaming tables is felt or baize. These fabrics are slightly textured, which helps to control the movement of certain game pieces like dice. Thanks to the additional friction that these materials naturally have, they're super popular for poker and billiard tables.

What fabric for board game table?

A board game table should be covered with a soft fabric that allows for game pieces, cards, and dice to be moved smoothly along the surface. The most common coverings are speed cloth, felt, baize, velveteen, nylon, and neoprene.

What is the name of the fabric used to cover billiard tables and card tables?

Typically, billiard and card tables are covered with a woven wool known as baize. This fabric is used because it is less likely to cause piling with use, so the surface stays smooth and playable for longer periods. Of course, it still requires some maintenance to stay in tip-top shape, much like any other game table fabric.

Can I customize the color of my table fabric?

While traditional gaming tables don't typically offer customization, Bandpass Design game tables are all designed to suit your preferences. With our products, you can customize almost every aspect of your table, including the wood type, inset fabric, material color, and so much more. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a casual or serious tabletop gamer, investing in a high-quality gaming table is a must. Not only can they completely transform the way you play board games, but they're also multi-functional (if you pick the right table, that is).

Since you'll want your table to last, choosing a fabric that works for your needs and gaming preferences is essential. Fortunately, Bandpass Design has you covered. With our fabric options, you can easily build the gaming table of your dreams.