Your Ultimate Guide to Dartboards With Cabinet Setups

A dartboard with a cabinet is a brilliant way to protect your walls, keep your gear tidy, and create a proper, professional-looking darts zone in any room. It takes the game from a casual pastime to a polished experience, mixing functionality with style by neatly packing away your board and accessories when you’re done. Think of it as a smart investment that turns your setup from a temporary hobby into a permanent fixture in your home.

Why a Dartboard Cabinet Is a Game Changer

If you’ve ever winced at the sight of a stray dart leaving a tiny crater in your wall, you already get half the reason a cabinet is essential. But its benefits go way beyond just saving your paint job.

Think of a standalone dartboard like a pop-up card table; a dartboard with a cabinet is more like installing a permanent, elegant dining set. It signals a real commitment to the game and creates an organised space that helps you focus and enjoy every throw.

From Clutter to Centrepiece

Without a proper home, darts, flights, and chalk can easily get lost or just create mess. A cabinet solves this instantly by giving you a central hub for all your equipment. Most designs even come with built-in holders for your darts and integrated scoreboards, turning a messy corner into a streamlined and impressive feature.

The key benefits of upgrading to a cabinet are pretty clear:

• Complete Wall Protection: The doors shield the surrounding wall from those inevitable stray throws, saving you from annoying and costly repairs.
• Longer Board Life: Closing the doors protects your bristle board from dust, moisture, and accidental knocks, keeping its playing surface in top nick.
• All-in-One Organisation: With scoreboards and dart holders built right in, everything you need for a game is neatly tucked away in one place.
• Looks Great: Let's be honest, a quality cabinet just looks good. It transforms your darts area from a simple game into a stylish piece of furniture that complements your room's decor.

A Growing Trend in Aussie Homes

This shift towards more complete, professional home setups isn't just a feeling; it's a real trend. Here in Australia and New Zealand, dartboard cabinets have become a must-have, with sales jumping by an estimated 25% in the Asia Pacific region between 2020 and 2024.

This boom is tied to the rise in home-based fun, pushing the regional market to a value of roughly AUD 165 million. Local retailers see it too, with cabinets now making up over 40% of their dartboard-related revenue. You can dig into more of the numbers on the dartboard cabinet market growth on growthmarketreports.com.

A cabinet does more than just hold a dartboard; it creates a destination. It’s the visual anchor that says, "This is where we play darts," inviting family and friends to join in the fun.

Whether you're a casual player just wanting to protect your walls or a serious competitor creating the ultimate practice space, a dartboard with a cabinet is a smart move. At Darts Online, we stock premium setups from trusted brands like Winmau and Target, ensuring you’ll find the perfect centrepiece for your home, club, or pub.

Choosing the Right Cabinet Style and Material

Picking the right dartboard with a cabinet is a bit like choosing a new piece of furniture. It’s got to do its job perfectly, sure, but it also has to look the part in your room and be tough enough for game after game. The style and material you land on will shape its look, how long it lasts, and even the vibe of your dart nights.

When you get down to it, your choice really comes down to two main camps: the classic, timeless feel of solid wood, or the sleek, budget-friendly appeal of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). Each one brings its own personality to the table.

Solid Wood: The Enduring Classic

Solid wood cabinets are the traditionalist's choice, loved for their rugged durability and premium feel. Timbers like oak, pine, or mahogany bring a natural warmth and unique grain that can instantly lift the look of any games room or living area. There's a real substance to a solid wood cabinet—the doors have a satisfying weight to them, and you just know the whole thing is built to last for years, if not decades.

This is the perfect option if you see your dartboard setup as a permanent fixture and a long-term investment. Taking a moment to understand choosing the right hardwood for longevity and style can really pay off here. Plus, solid wood tends to handle the odd bump or scrape with grace, often adding a bit of character rather than looking damaged.

MDF: The Modern and Versatile Option

On the other side of the coin is MDF, an engineered wood product made by compressing wood fibres together with resin. This process creates an incredibly smooth, uniform surface, which makes it the perfect canvas for clean, modern finishes like polished black, crisp white, or even custom colours.

MDF cabinets are usually easier on the wallet and lighter than their solid wood cousins, which can make mounting them a bit simpler. They offer fantastic value and a sharp, contemporary look that fits right in with many modern homes. The trade-off is that they can be more sensitive to moisture and might not shrug off a heavy knock quite as well as solid wood.

The choice between solid wood and MDF isn't just about budget; it's about the story you want your space to tell. Solid wood speaks of tradition and heritage, while MDF offers a clean canvas for a modern, minimalist vibe.

Finishes That Define Your Style

The finish is what really brings your cabinet to life. It’s that final touch that makes sure your dartboards with cabinet setup feels like it truly belongs in your space.

• Natural Wood Stains: From light oak to deep walnut, these finishes let the natural beauty of the wood grain shine through. They’re ideal for creating that classic, rustic pub atmosphere.
• Polished Black or White: A sleek black or white finish delivers a clean, sophisticated look that’s incredibly versatile. It can feel both timeless and contemporary, fitting into just about any room design.
• Veneers: Some cabinets use a thin layer of real wood—a veneer—over a core of MDF or plywood. This clever trick gives you the authentic look of a pricey timber at a much more accessible price point.

To help you weigh your options, here's a quick breakdown of the common materials and finishes.

Cabinet Material and Finish Comparison

Ultimately, the right material and finish depend on your personal style, how you plan to use the cabinet, and the overall look you're aiming for.

Beyond the Doors: Key Features to Consider

It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference in how much you enjoy your setup. Good quality hinges mean the doors will open smoothly and hang straight, while the type of scoreboard can completely change the feel of a match.

Scoreboard Types

• Chalkboards: You can’t beat the classic, old-school pub feel of a chalkboard. They’re simple, effective, and have a certain nostalgic charm.
• Whiteboards (Dry-Erase): These offer a cleaner, more modern alternative. They’re a breeze to wipe clean and don’t create any chalk dust, which is a massive plus for many homeowners.

The Australian market has seen a fascinating shift in cabinet preferences over the years. Back in the 1980s, many were DIY plywood builds, but now premium imports are projected to capture 85% of the market by 2025. With the Asia Pacific region showing a rapid 7.2% growth in the global dartboard cabinet sector, e-commerce sales right here in Australia and New Zealand have jumped by 28%. At Darts Online, we're proud to be part of that wave, shipping over 10,000 units every year.

Whether you're drawn to the classic charm of a wood-stained finish or the sleek appeal of a modern black design, the perfect cabinet is out there. For a fantastic example of a traditional and sturdy option, take a look at the Formula Sports Solid Wood Cabinet in our store. It really embodies the classic style and solid construction that players have trusted for years.

How to Nail Your Installation and Setup

You've picked the perfect dartboard and cabinet—now for the final piece of the puzzle: getting it on the wall. A proper installation isn't just about making it look good; it's about creating a safe, level, and regulation-ready playing area that will see you through countless games.

Think of it like hanging a heavy mirror or a prize piece of art. You need to find the perfect spot, make sure it's secure, and get the measurements dead right. A bit of extra time and care here will pay off every single time you step up to the oche.

Finding the Perfect Spot on Your Wall

Before you even touch a drill, scout your location. It’s not enough to find an empty patch of wall. The right space needs plenty of clearance for the thrower and anyone else who might be in the room.

Make sure you have:

• Sufficient Throwing Distance: You'll need at least 2.37 metres of clear space from the face of the dartboard to the throw line.
• Good Side Clearance: Aim for at least a metre of open space on either side of the cabinet. This stops players from feeling boxed in and protects nearby furniture or doorways from stray darts.
• A Solid Foundation: The best wall for a cabinet has wooden studs. These internal supports provide the strongest possible anchor point for the screws, which is crucial for safety and stability.

You can find studs with a cheap electronic stud finder or even the old-school tap-and-listen method. Mounting directly into studs is the only way to go.

This flowchart breaks down the decision-making process, helping you weigh up the cabinet's style, material, and features to find your ideal match.

Achieving Regulation Height and Mounting

Getting the height right is absolutely non-negotiable for an authentic darts experience. The official regulation height is 1.73 metres (or 5 feet 8 inches) from the floor straight to the dead centre of the bullseye. This measurement is the standard for both steel-tip and soft-tip darts.

Here’s the simple way to mount your cabinet perfectly:

1. Mark the Bullseye Height: Measure 1.73m up from the floor and make a clear, level mark on the wall. That’s your bullseye line.
2. Measure Your Cabinet: Now, measure the distance from the centre of the dartboard mounting area inside the cabinet up to the cabinet’s top mounting holes.
3. Transfer the Marks: Add the measurement from Step 2 to your bullseye line on the wall. Mark your drilling points there. This clever trick ensures that once the cabinet is hung, the bullseye will land exactly on your 1.73m mark.

Precision is everything here. Double-check your measurements before you drill anything. Your best mate for this job is a spirit level—it guarantees the cabinet will hang perfectly straight and won’t throw off your game.

For more in-depth advice on hanging cabinets of all types, a good complete cabinet installation guide can offer some excellent general tips.

Final Steps: Securing the Board and Oche

With the cabinet firmly on the wall, you're on the home stretch. It’s time to fit the dartboard and mark the throw line. Most cabinets come with a pre-installed bracket or disc system. You’ll just need to attach the matching screw or fitting to the back of your board, making sure it’s perfectly centred.

Then, just lift the board into the cabinet and slot it onto the bracket. A quality cabinet will hold the board snugly, which helps deaden sound and stop any wobbling during play. It also makes it a breeze to rotate the board regularly, which is key to making it last longer.

Finally, measure out your oche. The regulation distance from the face of the dartboard to the front of the throw line is 2.37 metres (or 7 feet 9 ¼ inches). Use a tape measure to mark the spot on the floor, and that's it—you're officially ready to play.

Must-Have Accessories for Your Cabinet Setup

A great cabinet is the foundation of your dart zone, but it’s the accessories that really bring it to life. Think of them as the finishing touches that solve common frustrations, boost your game, and give your setup that polished, professional feel.

It's a bit like buying a new car. It's fantastic on its own, sure, but it's the premium sound system, custom floor mats, and brilliant headlights that make every drive an absolute pleasure. These accessories do the exact same thing for your darts setup.

Illuminate Your Game with Proper Lighting

If there’s one upgrade that makes an immediate, noticeable difference, it’s a dedicated lighting system. Poor lighting is the absolute enemy of accuracy. It casts tiny, frustrating shadows across the board, making segments tricky to see and causing serious eye strain over a long night of darts.

A purpose-built dartboard light fixes this in an instant. These systems are engineered to flood the entire face of the board with consistent, shadow-free light, making every single target pop. The result? You can focus better, throw more consistently, and stop second-guessing your aim on those game-winning doubles.

Great lighting isn't a luxury; it's a performance enhancer. Eliminating shadows means you can trust what you see, allowing your muscle memory and skill to take over without visual distractions.

Many of today’s best lighting rigs are designed to work perfectly with dartboards with cabinet setups. A brilliant example is the Target Arc LED Cabinet Light, which attaches neatly to the top of your cabinet. It bathes the board in perfect light without ever getting in the way of your throw. It’s a simple addition that truly changes the game.

Protect Your Space with a Dart Mat

Even with a cabinet to guard your wall, bounce-outs are just part of playing darts. It happens. When a dart hits a wire and drops, it can easily chip your hardwood floors, dent laminate, or even put a hole in your vinyl. A quality dart mat is your first and best line of defence.

These heavy-duty rubber or carpet mats are designed to absorb the impact of falling darts, keeping your floors in pristine condition. But they pull double duty. Most dart mats also come with the official oche (throw line) distances clearly marked for both steel-tip and soft-tip darts.

This means you get perfect, tournament-standard positioning every single time you play, with no need for measuring or sticking down messy tape. It’s a clean, professional solution that happens to save your floors, too.

Essential Add-Ons for a Complete Setup

Beyond lights and mats, a few other key accessories will round out your dart zone, making it more organised, functional, and fun for everyone.

• Dedicated Dart Holders: While many cabinets include basic dart storage, a separate stand or caddy offers more room, especially if you have multiple sets for different players. It keeps all your gear neat and right where you need it.
• High-Quality Scoreboards: The scoreboards inside most cabinet doors are handy, but a larger, wall-mounted whiteboard or chalkboard can be much easier to see and use, particularly when you’ve got a few mates over for a match.
• Electronic Scoring Systems: For anyone looking to bring their setup into the modern age, an electronic scoring system is a fantastic choice. These clever devices track scores automatically, call out checkouts, and even let you play against a computer opponent, adding a whole new dimension to practice.

By carefully choosing the right accessories, you can elevate your dartboard and cabinet from a simple game into a fully-featured entertainment hub. Each piece adds another layer of convenience and professionalism, helping you build the ultimate personalised dart zone that you and your friends will love for years to come.

Finding the Perfect Cabinet for Your Venue

Think of it like buying a car. You wouldn’t get a zippy sports car to haul tools and timber, nor would you buy a massive work ute for a tight city commute. In the same way, figuring out your main reason for buying—whether it's for a bit of family fun, hardcore practice, or commercial entertainment—is the first step to finding a cabinet that will serve you well for years.

For the Home Enthusiast

For most of us playing at home, a dartboard cabinet pulls double duty. It's a shield to protect your walls from stray darts, but it’s also a piece of furniture. That means aesthetics and smart design are key. You’ll want something that looks right at home with your existing decor, whether that's a sleek, modern black finish for the living area or a classic rustic wood stain for the man cave.

Look for handy space-saving designs with built-in scoreboards and dart holders. These are brilliant for keeping everything neat and tidy. When the doors are closed, it should look like it belongs in the room, not just a game randomly tacked onto the wall. A great setup means your dart zone is always ready for a throw, but can be discreetly packed away when you have guests over. For an all-in-one solution that ticks all these boxes, the Winmau Blade 6 Dartboard Cabinet Bundle is a fantastic choice, giving you everything you need to get started.

For the Serious League Player

If you’re a competitive player, your priorities shift. It's less about how it looks and much more about performance and pure durability. You're going to be throwing thousands of darts, so you need a robust cabinet that can handle countless hours of practice. Solid, heavy-duty materials are a must, as they provide a stable, vibration-free mount for your board, which is crucial for consistency.

Pro-level features suddenly become much more important. Things like integrated lighting systems are a game-changer, helping to eliminate shadows and give you a crystal-clear view of the target. High-quality, easy-to-clean whiteboards are also better for quick scoring during those intense practice sessions. For the serious player, the cabinet is less a piece of furniture and more a vital piece of training equipment.

The right cabinet transforms a practice area into a professional training ground. It’s the framework that supports consistency, focus, and improvement in your game.

For the Pub or Club Owner

In a commercial setting like a pub or club, a dartboard cabinet faces its toughest test. It needs to be incredibly durable to withstand constant, heavy use from patrons of all skill levels. Heavy-duty construction is absolutely non-negotiable here. Lockable doors can also be a massive plus, protecting the board and accessories from damage or theft after hours.

But these cabinets are also part of your venue's atmosphere. Investing in quality setups can make a real difference and boost participation. After all, Australian darts leagues grew by 18% from 2021 to 2025, and a huge 70% of social venues now use cabinets to protect their gear. It's a smart move, especially when you consider that stray darts damage unprotected setups 40% more often. A professional, well-maintained dart area sends a clear signal that you take the game—and your customers' enjoyment—seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dartboard Cabinets

Picking the right dartboard cabinet can throw up a few questions. To help you nail the right choice, we’ve put together some straightforward answers to the queries we hear most often from players just like you.

Will Any Dartboard Fit Inside a Standard Cabinet?

In nearly every case, the answer is a resounding yes. The vast majority of dartboard cabinets are designed around a standard, regulation-size bristle dartboard, which measures 18 inches (or 451mm) across. This means boards from all the top-tier brands like Winmau, Unicorn, and Target will slot in perfectly.

The only other thing to think about is depth, but even that's not really an issue these days. Modern cabinets are built with today’s staple-free boards in mind, so there’s plenty of room. To be doubly sure, we always include clear compatibility details in our product descriptions here at Darts Online.

How Do I Clean and Maintain My Wooden Cabinet?

The best approach is to treat your wooden cabinet like any other nice piece of furniture in your home. A simple dusting with a soft, dry cloth is usually all it takes to keep it looking sharp.

If you spot a few minor scuffs or the finish is looking a bit tired, a good quality wood polish will bring that shine right back. It's wise to steer clear of any harsh chemical cleaners, as they can easily strip the finish and harm the wood underneath. The biggest tip? Keep it in a dry, stable environment to stop the wood from warping over the years.

A dartboard cabinet is both a functional piece of sporting equipment and a piece of furniture. A little care ensures it performs its dual role perfectly for years to come.

What Is the Benefit of a Cabinet Over Just a Wall Surround?

A surround does a fantastic job of protecting the wall immediately around the board, but a cabinet is a complete, all-in-one solution. The best way to think about it is that a surround is purely for function, whereas a cabinet delivers function, protection, and style.

Here’s how they stack up:

• Total Protection: The doors of a cabinet shield a much larger area of your wall from those inevitable stray darts.
• Board Longevity: Closing the doors keeps your dartboard safe from dust, bumps, and knocks, which really helps extend its life.
• Integrated Features: Many cabinets come with built-in scoreboards and storage for your darts, keeping your whole setup neat and tidy.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Let's face it, a cabinet just looks classier. It gives you a polished, traditional look that can be closed away neatly to blend in with your room’s decor.

Can I Install a Cabinet on Any Type of Wall?

Absolutely. You can hang a cabinet on most common wall types, but how you mount it is crucial for keeping it safe and secure. If you have plasterboard or drywall, the best bet is to find the wooden studs inside the wall and screw the cabinet directly into them for a rock-solid hold.

If the studs aren't in a convenient spot, you’ll need to use heavy-duty wall anchors designed specifically for plasterboard. For brick or concrete walls, you’ll need a masonry drill bit and the right plugs and screws to match. Whatever you do, make sure the mounting is solid – the combined weight of a cabinet and dartboard is pretty hefty.

Ready to find the perfect centrepiece for your dart zone? Explore a huge range of high-quality dartboards with cabinet setups from the world's leading brands at Darts Online and get everything you need delivered fast, right across Australia and New Zealand. https://www.dartsonline.com.au

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