These are the minimum size dimensions you'll need for the playing area (this means the area required for one table tennis table), based on the standard of competition being played...

• International Events, World Championships & Olympic Games
  14m x7m (46 feet x 23 feet)
  
  
• National tournaments
  12m x 6m (40 feet x 20 feet)
  
  
• National league / Representative matches
  10m x 5m (33 feet x 16 feet 6 inches)
  
  
• Local league / Local tournaments
  9m x 5m (30 feet x 16 feet 6 inches)
  
  
• Recreational play / Coaching
  8.5m x 4m (28 feet x 13 feet)
  
  

Of course, if you want to play table tennis at home you could use any space that will accommodate a table tennis table.

However, any area smaller than the recommended size of 8.5m x 4m (28 feet x 13 feet) will mean that you'll be restricted in either the type of strokes you can use and/or your style of play.

But remember, the idea is to HAVE FUN, so if you've only got a restricted space available but you still want to play, just adapt your style.

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Here's a reminder of the table tennis table size dimensions...

9 feet (2.74m) long,
5 feet (1.525m) wide and
2 feet 6 inches (76cm) high

... and the net is

6 feet (1.83m) long and
6 inches (15.25 cm) high.

Uniform lighting over the whole of the playing area is essential.

by courtesy of the ITTF

In my experience, lots of venues which are used for table tennis don't have any specialist lighting.

Instead, they rely solely on general room lighting which is just not good enough. Consequently, many venues are too dark.

The minimum light intensity over the whole of the playing surface (measured at the table surface height) and the clear height from the floor to the light should be as follows:

• World Championships & Olympic Games
  1,500 lux
  5m (16 feet 6 inches) above the floor
  
  
• Other International and National tournaments
  1,000 lux
  4m (13 feet) above the floor
  
  
• National league / Representative matches
  500 lux
  3m (10 feet) above the floor
  
  
• Local league / Local tournaments
  500 lux
  3m (10 feet) above the floor
  
  
• Recreational play / Coaching
  300 lux
  3m (10 feet) above the floor
  

The minimum ceiling height will therefore be determined by the lighting criteria, so the minimum ceiling height will be 3m (10 feet) above the floor.

A good floor and/or floor covering is of paramount importance and, as your standard of play increases, it'll probably become your number one priority.

Whatever type of flooring you have, the most important criteria is that it's non-slip, because players have to be able to move rapidly and re-position their feet without slipping.

The floor must also be smooth and level and able to support the weight of the table tennis table and the players.

Wooden semi-sprung floors provide the best surface whereas solid concrete and carpeted floors are totally unsuitable.

The flooring must also provide a good contrast between the table top surface and the surrounding areas, both for the benefit of the players and the spectators, so it should be non-reflective.

All the top international table tennis tournaments now use specialist sports flooring such as Taraflex^® made by French company Gerflor.

The reddish colour of this flooring, together with blue tables, provides a fantastic setting for table tennis.

The ideal room temperature is 15-20^○C with a relative humidity of 40-50%.

It's also important that there's adequate ventilation because any condensation will make the floor slippery and will cause the ball to slide off your racket if you're using reverse rubber.

If there are any air conditioning units, you'll also need to ensure that they don't cause any air currents which will deflect the flight of the ball.

Spectators' comfort should also be considered, but obviously the playing conditions take priority.

The colour of the walls is important because the players need a good contrast between the floor, table and wall colours.

They should be non-reflective and painted with a dark colour up to a height of at least 2.5m (8 feet).

Above 2.5m the walls should be painted a lighter colour so that you get maximum benefit from the lighting.

Also, if there are any windows or other external light sources, they'll need to be covered up.

If you're using a table tennis room size that can accommodate multiple tables, they should be arranged side by side rather than long ways.

For example, within a badminton court you can get four tables side by side. This provides enough room for recreational play or coaching...

Ideally, you should also have a gangway so that you can easily access each court without the need to disturb the other courts.

For more information about different table layouts, see my article here.

Barriers between your table tennis tables will be very useful to stop the ball from straying too far and minimise interruptions from other tables.

However, these table tennis barriers must be collapsable rather than solid, so that they won't harm any player who runs into them.

Ideally they should be about 1.5m (5 feet) long and 75cm (2 feet 6 inches) high and should completely enclose the playing area.