Have you been inspired by 16 year old Luke Littler's run to the World Darts Championship final?
With a record-breaking 3.75 million viewers tuning in to Sky Sports to watch his battle on the oche with eventual champion Luke Humphries, playing darts could be set for a boom in popularity.
As far as sports go, darts is one of the easiest and most accessible to pick up and play. Here's our guide to everything you'll need to start practicing your arrows...
Garage conversion ideas: Playing darts
The most important things you need to start playing darts are very obviously a dart board and a set of darts. A flash t-shirt and fancy nickname are purely optional at this stage!
Brass darts tend to be the least expensive for a beginner to purchase. As you get better and practice more, you might want to upgrade to nickel or tungsten darts - these are made from denser, heavier metals and tend to last longer.
Dartboards can be purchased from as little as £20 from your Argos or your local sports store, increasing in price depending on material and whether they come with a surround or not.
You'll also need enough indoor space to play and practice darts safely, which makes your garage the perfect location.
How much space do I need do play darts?
The oche length in darts - which is the distance between the front of the board and the toeline - should measure 7 feet 9.25 inches. While the bullseye should be 5 feet 8 inches from the floor. It's as precise as a Luke Littler bullseye!
Special rubber mats or dart carpets can be purchased to consistently mark out the oche - these also help protect your garage floor from bounce outs.
You'll need to ensure that you have no less than 9 feet of space in your garage to throw your best darts comfortably, and it goes without saying that you should always throw away from your garage door!
A dartboard surround or backboard will not only help to prevent walls from being damaged from errant arrows, but will provide you with a space to keep a note of scores against friends.
Converting your garage to play darts
While Robin Hood might have been able to take into account wind assistance when firing his arrows, you're going to need a indoor space to play darts.
Converting your garage with a Garolla electric roller garage door will give you the ideal conditions for playing darts. Our doors are fortified with high density polyurethane foam to create an insulated garage door with added strength and security, while a fixed guide rail system also prevents draughts from entering the garage. This means you'll be able to enjoy hitting double top in a warm, comfortable environment all year round.
Furthermore, because our electric garage doors roll up into an enclosed top box, you won't need to worry about any clunky framework - often associated with up and over or sectional garage doors - getting in the way of your dart throws.
To continue creating your own Ally Pally you'll want to ensure that your garage lighting is up to scratch. This will help you get a better feel of distance to the dartboard and prevent unwanted shadows from annoying you.
Finally, why not install a fridge so that you can enjoy a cold drink and snack while playing your new favourite sport? While the Luke Littler diet of omelettes, pizza and kebabs might not be for everyone, it's always handy to have a drink and bite to eat nearby.
Book a survey with Garolla electric garage doors
Whether you're creating a darts room for your adult self so that you can enjoy your hobby, or for your aspiring son or daughter who has been inspired by the World Darts Championships, get in touch with Garolla today to book your survey and see how we can hit the bullseye and create the darts room of your dreams in your garage.