Reducing clutter at the table?

[MadLordOfMilk]

Anyone have advice on how to reduce clutter at the game table? I've been looking at some cool ideas, for example, having players put some visual down when they have conditions so people can see them at a glance. The problem is, even if my group(s) did this, nobody would really notice as there's so much stuff lying around the table it'd kinda go unnoticed. Also, things tend to get really cramped if we don't have a somewhat large table to play at. Does anyone have advice on reducing the clutter at the table?

 

[Mark Hope]

No. Sorry. In fact, in my experience, it doesn't matter how big or small our table is. It always ends up covered in clutter. Play at crazy_cat's place on a regular-sized dining table? Covered in munchies, drinks and dice. Play at Jade77's place on an 8' x 4' custom gaming table? Covered in munchies, drinks and dice. Yes, we can clear the deck and get a battlemat down if needed, but all that does is move the clutter to the sides so that you have to reach over a small wall of crap to get to the minis .

Side tables might be a good idea. Or wenches who bring you your stuff on command. Yeah. I'd go with wenches. Or knaves, if you prefer.

 

[arscott]

Put the battle map and other important game-related stuff on a raised section in the center of a large table, leaving the lowered edges for books and various clutter that such tables accumulate.

 

[Crothian]

Get people table trays to sit next to them that they can use fior their own personal space.

 

[Glyfair]

Get people table trays to sit next to them that they can use fior their own personal space.

And they are not too expensive, either. Especially if you look for a sale.

The biggest issue here is space around the table. You do need space for the tray tables. Still, even one or two people having them can make a big difference.

 

[Klaus]

Our DM keeps his stuff and laptop on a separate table.

We use a Fiery Dragon battlemat, some Dungeon Tiles, and sheets from Character Builder. We'll soon be using the condition markers and action tokens from Fiery Dragon's Battlebox.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Raised platform in the center of the table, this can be made with some blocks and clear plexiglass, put your maps, mins, etc. on top of it.

Tackle boxes - great for holding stuff.

Player trays - this is something a friend of mine made, thin wood slab 15 by 12 inches, he then glues small binder clips on it. The players then would clip the character sheets, notes, etc. to them.

 

[carmachu]

Anyone have advice on how to reduce clutter at the game table? I've been looking at some cool ideas, for example, having players put some visual down when they have conditions so people can see them at a glance. The problem is, even if my group(s) did this, nobody would really notice as there's so much stuff lying around the table it'd kinda go unnoticed. Also, things tend to get really cramped if we don't have a somewhat large table to play at. Does anyone have advice on reducing the clutter at the table?

Have you tried snack trays or smaller tables behind your players for stuff to put on to keep the table clear?

 

[Obryn]

Raised platform in the center of the table, this can be made with some blocks and clear plexiglass, put your maps, mins, etc. on top of it.

I am so doing this.

+XP!

-O

 

[kitsune9]

Anyone have advice on how to reduce clutter at the game table? I've been looking at some cool ideas, for example, having players put some visual down when they have conditions so people can see them at a glance. The problem is, even if my group(s) did this, nobody would really notice as there's so much stuff lying around the table it'd kinda go unnoticed. Also, things tend to get really cramped if we don't have a somewhat large table to play at. Does anyone have advice on reducing the clutter at the table?

This is kind of my problem too. I have too many books lying around, too many minis, and the adventure itself. Here's some steps that I'm taking to reduce clutter:

1. My laptop. My adventure, NPC's, etc is on it. For player handouts, I'll give them a physical copy, but everything else is on the laptop.
2. For books (namely monster manuals) I'll just scan the pages I need, so I won't have to take the book.
3. For minis, I'm more organized with a tackle box that has multiple trays. It holds the D&D minis perfectly in the trays with the big ones in the bottom area. I have the trays picked out that the top one is standard adventuring minis, second one is for the adventure monsters that I've picked out, and the third one is namely grunts minis and the bottom will hold the big minis.