Best Extendable Dining Table Options
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An extendable dining table is an item of furniture that adds purpose, function, and convenience to the home. They are used for big family affairs, small intimate dinners, and as a way to add a social gathering area to any home.
Like the living room, the dining room is a place for celebrations and socializing with dinner and drinks. It is a room that creates and holds lots of special memories. Hence, every home should consider investing in the right dining table to suit their space, and for most large families, a table that can host small and large groups is ideal. However, not every home can fit a table big enough to provide for large gatherings all the time.
Whether you have a smaller space or one large enough to fit a big coffee table year-round, a dining table with extensions creates more room and allows you to maximize your home.
This post will dive into the numerous benefits of having a table with extension capability and share the best extendable dining table options available to suit any size of home.
Extendable Dining Table Benefits
Extendable dining tables offer several benefits that make them a popular choice for many homeowners. Here are some of the key advantages:
Space-Saving
One of the primary benefits of an extendable dining table is its ability to save space. When not in use, the table can be compact, taking up less floor space. This is particularly useful for smaller dining areas or open-plan living spaces where you want to maximize space efficiency.
Versatility
Extendable tables are incredibly versatile. They can be adjusted to accommodate different numbers of guests, making them suitable for both everyday dining and larger gatherings. Whether it’s a quiet family dinner or a festive holiday feast, you can easily adapt the table to your needs.
Cost-Effective
Instead of purchasing multiple dining tables for different occasions, an extendable table can serve multiple purposes, saving you money in the long run. This versatility can also make your furniture selection more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Aesthetic Appeal
Many extendable dining tables are designed with aesthetics in mind. They often have a sleek and modern appearance, making them a stylish addition to your dining room or kitchen. You can find a variety of designs, materials, and finishes to match your decor.
Ease of Storage
Some extendable tables can be conveniently stored when not in use. The leaves or extensions can be folded away or stored separately, allowing you to reclaim space in your dining area for other purposes.
Adaptable for Small Spaces
If you have a small dining area but occasionally need a larger table, an extendable table can be a perfect solution. It lets you enjoy the benefits of a larger table when necessary without sacrificing valuable space on a daily basis.
Increased Resale Value
Quality extendable dining tables tend to hold their value well over time. Should you decide to sell your home in the future, having a versatile and attractive dining table can be an appealing feature for potential buyers.
Family-Friendly
Extendable tables are great for families with growing children. As your family expands or your children grow, you can adjust the table size to accommodate everyone comfortably during family meals or special occasions.
Entertainment-Friendly
Hosting dinner parties or gatherings becomes more manageable with an extendable dining table. You can quickly adapt the table to suit the number of guests you have, making it easier to entertain friends and family.
Practicality
Having an extendable dining table encourages social interaction and brings people together. It creates a central space for meals, conversations, and other activities, enhancing the functionality of your living area.
Best Extendable Dining Tables For Your Home
When choosing dining furniture, you will want to consider the room, the features you desire, how many guests you want to accommodate, how far you want the extension of the dining table, the price, and the materials. There is a lot to think about.
Hence, use this guide to choose your dining furniture to enjoy a combination of suiting narrow rooms and accommodating large groups for dinner.
The following are the various types of extendable options on the market. All are different due to their extension leaves. Some include a single extension leaf while others provide more. Having more than one extension leaf is typically for larger tables that can host extra people for entertaining.
Butterfly Leaf Dining Table
The butterfly leaf dining table is a safe and sturdy option for those happy to have their dining table on display at all times. The butterfly-style table is perfectly suitable if you prefer to have furniture on display to offer immediate convenience. It can be displayed extended or smaller, depending on your preference.
Once pulled open, the butterfly component either extends to provide more seating or can contract to make the table shorter.
Drop Leaf Dining Table
The drop-leaf dining table has hinges on either side of the central top that offer extra space. When the table is open, the hinges will secure the additional part of the table so that extra people can comfortably sit around and be a part of the party in the dining room.
The beauty of the drop leaf table is that once the sides are down, they can be stored on the side of a room as a display unit or used as a smaller table by adding seats.
Removable Leaf Dining Table
A removable leaf dining table makes life easy when you want to accommodate extra people at a moment’s notice. The central section of the tabletop, or sometimes the side, can expand or detract from making the table bigger or smaller.
The additional piece is slid and placed under the table when the tabletop is needed to seat more minor groups.
Self-Storing Leaf Dining Table
The self-storing dining table is ideal for those with minimal space yet still want the option to host their family or other people at a moment’s notice. You won’t want to stand during dinner or have your guests eat from the sofa. Hence, you can pull out your extension that sits underneath the dining table in no time and seat your guests and provide them comfort within seconds.
Self-storing dining tables see the extension leaf sit under the table so that it is out of view to make any dining room look finished and tidy.
Farmhouse
The farmhouse extendable dining tabletop style is upholstered with solid wood and solid oak. They often add warmth and character to a home thanks to their strong and timeless appeal. They are usually one-extension leaf tables that are easy to adjust. The farmhouse style is ideal for entertaining extra guests in larger groups.
Round dining tables are best suited to homes that host smaller groups. They often host four guests, but the extension leaves allow these tables to host up to eight people. The round style is preferred by those who enjoy a minimalist interior.
Unique Designs
Many distinctive designs are available, such as glass tables and ones that can change shape into unusual formations. Unusual extensible dining tables can have variable height tabletops or be built of intriguing materials, such as metal, instead of the conventional round or rectangular shape. A few may even offer additional extension leaves to accommodate sizable crowds.
Modern Styles
Modern tables are suitable for many different rooms, are comfortable for everyone at once, and add style and convenience.
The contemporary style of extendable dining table is often rectangular or square in design, creating lines and beautiful finishes in any modern home. They are simple in design yet available to extend out to comfortably seat as many guests as you like.
Small Space Savers
Extendable tables for small spaces are easier to find than you might think. Their fundamental purpose is to provide for all rooms, no matter how big or small they are. Should your request be to have a table that is big enough for two people, yet able to sit more for occasions, plenty of small, quality tables are available.
You can shop around and find many small enough to fit into the smallest spaces. Those that are self-storing make for a great option when you have minimal space.
Best Extendable Dining Table Overall
transform and add appeal to your living space for many years.
What To Consider When Buying Extendable Dining Tables
You will want to consider a few things when choosing an extendable dining table. From the price range to the quality and size of the table, you need to think about these things:
Room size. The size of the room is the first thing to consider. If you have a small space, you will want to choose a table that leaves you an area to move around. A drop leaf or self-storing table would be a good choice.
Materials. Investing in quality materials is the best option. It will ensure that the table remains safe and sturdy when extending and retracting.
Budget. The size, style, and material you choose will vary in price. There are plenty of options on the market to suit all budgets so that you can customize your dining room as you wish.
Seating desires. Each style of extendable table will offer various seating capabilities. Rounder tables often offer limited seating.
The shape of the room. The shape of your room will also dictate what extendable table you can choose. Only having a small corner to fit a table into will dictate what style you can choose.
FAQs
Should I consider a round or rectangular table?
Rectangular tables for the dining table were once the most common. However, there are plenty of shapes and sizes to choose from today.
The round table is becoming more popular thanks to its ability to suit small rooms yet offer plenty of seats for entertaining. These can extend to oval shapes so that you can host more people in your dining room.
Both types of tables are versatile. It all boils down to preference and the shape of your space. If you have space in the center of your dining room, either shape table will be suitable. Yet, if you have a narrow area for a table, with the possibility to pull it into a larger size for more significant occasions, then a rectangular or square shape might be best. One with drop leaf extensions will be easiest to fit into tighter spaces.
What material should I choose for my extendable dining table?
Choosing your material carefully is essential to attain a sturdy piece of furniture. Solid wood, such as oak, is an excellent choice for a timeless, quality piece of furniture to host guests. Wood is often the easiest to maneuver too.
There are glass and metal options available. These look great yet might be complex and heavy to transform. Hence, choosing high-quality wood is the best option.
How big of an extension do I need?
Typically, an extra 50cm of a table can accommodate two people. Therefore, it is for you to decide how many additional people you wish to host in your dining area. If you only require a table for four people daily yet want the option to host a further four people, opting for a table that can extend 100cm is ideal.
In Conclusion
In summary, the right extendable dining table for you will depend on your design preferences and remaining space at home. Should you wish to have four chairs and a small table for daily purposes yet have the option to extend out further for more significant occasions, the extendable table will be ideal for you.
The butterfly leaf extension table is most suitable for most homes. Although it might prove tricky to transform, they provide the best aesthetic appeal and option to host small or large groups.
It is possible to find great deals to suit any budget, and appropriately assessing your needs can help establish the best table for you before you start shopping. What style would be your choice?
