by Marc Kenobi

Board gaming tables aren’t just for playing games, they’re for storing, displaying, and celebrating them. If you’ve got a dedicated gaming table, you’ve probably looked at a stack of game boxes and wondered, How much can I actually fit on this table? Today, we’re putting some of the hottest games to the test, seeing how many copies can comfortably sit on an Ironside 2.0 5’x3’ recessed gaming table, and what happens when we start adding expansions—both to the game and the table.

The Hotness Test

We’re taking four games from today’s BoardGameGeek’s Hotness list to see how they fit.

Harmonies (Small Box, Big Impact)

This gorgeous tile-laying game sees you building habitats and attracting animals. It plays quickly and doesn’t take up much space when stored. The Haromies box is compact, about 8.5”x8.5”. On a standard 5’x3’ gaming table, you could comfortably stack about 30 sealed copies, turning your table into a very colorful cube. 

You could set up four games at once, with space for player areas without having to defend your space with your elbows, making it a great fit for game nights where multiple groups play simultaneously. Either side of the Grassland/Ocean thematic playmats would pair nicely. 

Brass: Birmingham (The Heavyweight)

A modern classic, Brass: Birmingham sees you take on the role of an entrepreneur in Birmingham during the Industrial Revolution between the years 1770 and 1870. The game comes in a large box, roughly 12”x12” but is heavier and thicker than average. You could fit about 24 boxed copies across the surface, but in reality, you’d probably want to play just one copy instead of wasting money on superfluous copies. 

Unboxed, you’d be able to comfortably fit two full games at the same time, though space might get tight with player boards and poker chips in play. Given the game’s dark thematic, you might want to use the Desert playmat for a bit of contrast and to help you see the pieces.

SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Sprawling Science)

SETI is a sprawling game stretching out into the cosmos, much like the extraterrestrial signals it’s based on. In the game, you launch probes across the solar system and analyze signals from the far reaches of the universe. That adventure awaits you in a box that’s fairly moderate in size, about the same as Brass: Birmingham, but once on the table, the game requires space for a sprawling rotating star chart, data cards, dozens of research tokens, and player resources. 

You could probably fit two games in play at a push, but a table extension would be a game-changer. It would allow more players to run their own scientific missions without feeling cramped. The Cosmos playmat is a perfect match to the game’s theme, and if space games are your thing and you happen to own Terraforming Mars as well, its reverse is perfect for that as too.

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth (Two-Player, Perfect Fit)

This two-player showdown sees one player taking on the role of the fellowship, desperately attempting to destroy the ring, while the other is Sauron trying to recover his lost ring and cover the world in darkness. A reimplementation of 7 Wonders Duel, it features several ways to win and a familiar drafting mechanic.

Duel for Middle-Earth is packaged in a smaller, slimmer box, than most games and is roughly the size of a large novel, maybe one hardback of the trilogy on which it’s based. That means you could fit a small fortress of around 50 copies on your table if you wanted to flex your Tolkien fandom. But let’s talk gameplay—this one doesn’t require a massive footprint, so you could set up five to six games at once, perfect for a tournament night where everyone fights for Middle-Earth. The Grassland thematic playmat would pair nicely with the open fields that feature so heavily in the story.

Expanding the Play Area

When the table starts to feel crowded, a table extension can be a lifesaver. Adding a 3’x2’ extension lets you:

• Set up a full six-player Brass: Birmingham game with room for drinks.

• Add extra side areas for SETI research stations without squeezing player boards.

• Allow more pairs to duel in Lord of the Rings without forming a party to search for more table space.

• Create a dedicated rulebook/reference area, so you don’t have to shift components to check a rule.

• And if you’re completely out of table space but refuse to stop collecting?

BoxThrone Shelves

There comes a time in every board gamer’s life when storing their games (especially if they've for some reason bought dozens of copies of the same one) just can't stay on the table anymore. That’s when shelving steps in. BoxThrone shelves are designed with gamers in mind, offering sturdy, adjustable storage that keeps your prized collection safe while making it easy to grab your next game. Instead of stacking games on the floor or cramming them into bookcases, give them the display they deserve.

The Verdict?

From small-box gems to sprawling epics, a great gaming table isn’t just about playing games, it’s about managing them, displaying them, and making every session as smooth as possible. Whether you’re fitting multiple games in at once, expanding with table extensions, or finally admitting you need better shelving, the right setup ensures your table stays ready for whatever hot new title you pick up.

The real question is: What’s hitting your table next?