At a Glance:
Benefits and Flexibility of Extendable Dining Tables
Other Considerations When Deciding on an Extendable Dining Table
Top Extendable Tables from Bob Mills
Why Trust Bob Mills Furniture?
Extendable dining tables have always been a favorite of big families, but today they are more practical than ever before. Newer extendable table designs allow for easy storage of the leaves, whether they fold down or are removed and stored with the piece itself.
The extendable dining table isn’t just for families. There are also smaller extendable dining tables meant for small homes and apartments. There is no need to take up space with a full dining table when you are working with a small or open dining room and don’t entertain regularly. Extendable dining tables can be useful in many other situations as well.
Here are the top benefits of extendable dining tables and everything you need to know to help you make a decision.
Types of Extendable Tables
The main types of extendable dining tables are those with hinged extension leaves and those with slide-in leaves. Modern square and rectangular extendable tables with leaves that fold into the table are often not recognized as extendable at all by the casual observer, and you never have to hunt for the leaves when you want to host a dinner party.
Round extendable dining tables with hinged fold-down leaves work well as console tables that can be pulled out when needed for additional diners. This is very beneficial for homes that host frequent family gatherings.
Traditionally designed extendable dining room tables have slide-in leaves. In some cases, these leaves must be stored elsewhere. Getting an extendable dining table set with a storage dining bench gives you a place to store those leaves. Some designs offer a place to store the slide-in leaves within the table itself.
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Dining TablesBenefits and Flexibility of Extendable Dining Tables
The biggest benefits of extendable dining tables are their flexibility in use, improved functionality of your dining room, and versatility in how they can be used in your decor throughout your home. Here are some of the best ways you can take advantage of extendable dining tables.
Extended Dining Tables are Most Often Made from Natural Hardwoods
Natural hardwood dining tables have a lot of benefits on their own. Wood dining tables can last for decades or lifetimes depending on the type and quality of the wood. If there are stains or mars in the table, it can easily be re-sanded and refinished again and again through the years.
Wood extendable dining tables can fit into any dining room or home decor. Pale or distressed wood tables are best for transitional and farmhouse decor, while darker polished woods work in either contemporary or traditional spaces depending on the design.
Extendable and Foldable Dining Tables Work Great in Other Rooms
Having extendable dining tables is great for hosting large gatherings, such as around Thanksgiving. But where will you store those extra tables throughout the rest of the year? The right extendable or fold-down dining table can be placed on other areas of your home to add functionality. When the time for a large dinner comes around, you can instantly set up additional tables and seating quickly and efficiently.
Rectangular tables that extend on either end work well as console tables in your living room or transitional space. Round extendable dining tables with fold-down leaves also work well in an entryway. You can also use rectangular extendable tables in your home office space or craft studio. Keep the table covered with a decorative cloth to protect the surface during daily use.
Extendable Dining Tables are the Best Solution for Blended Families
Did you know that 40% of American families are blended? A blended family refers to one in which at least one of the children in the household is from a previous relationship or marriage. Such households often have a fluctuating number of members throughout the week or month as visitation schedules dictate. An extendable table opens up your dining room while being easily extended when the entire household is present.
Stand Ready to Host Dinner Parties and Family Gatherings
The biggest obstacle for people who love to entertain is having the space to do so. Extendable dining tables and other dining room furniture give you the ability to add or remove seating as necessary. If you’ve always wanted to play the hostess and never felt you had the opportunity, extendable tables make entertaining a reality.
Other Considerations When Deciding on an Extendable Dining Table
Size is the biggest consideration when choosing an extendable table for your dining room. Size can be a tricky thing to calculate, especially when you are looking at extendable tables. You need to make sure that the table fits the space when fully extended, and arrange other dining room furniture so that it doesn’t interfere with extending the table.
Measure the usable seating space in your dining room before comparing sizes of tables and seating. There should be about 30” between the edge of the table and the wall. This allows for up to a 12 inch chair depth and 18 inches between chairs and the walls so people can get in and out without everyone rising.
The number of place settings allowed in the table design is also important. Each adult place setting should take up between 12 and 15 inches. Children’s place settings can be reduced to 10 to 12 inches. Make sure that you choose an extendable table with leaves large enough to add at least one place setting per side.
Before jumping into this purchase, know how to take care of an extendable dining table. Spills must be cleaned up as soon as possible, and you should always use a tablecloth. Grit, grime, and rust in the slides or hinges of the extendable table can ruin it and be difficult to repair. Be prepared to put in effort for cleaning and maintenance at least once a week for daily use.
Top Extendable Tables from Bob Mills
Bob Mills offers a variety of extendable dining table sets for your home. Here are our top models.
Best for Traditional Transitional Styles
The Classic Home brown extendable table has a unique design in which the leaves are inserted into slides that pull out on either end of the rectangular table. Meanwhile, the ornate design of the supports works well with traditional and transitional dining rooms.
Best for Farmhouse and Rustic Dining Room Styles
The Coast to Coast Accents Vail counter height table and matching counter height dining chairs has a paler wood and classic but simple design that works in contemporary farmhouse spaces. The counter height design is especially appropriate when you have long-legged family members.
This extendable dining table design has a few other benefits. In this design, the leaves slide out and then are pulled up to be even with the rest of the table. This means you don’t have hinges to worry about, nor do you need to find a place to store table leaves.
Best for Modern and Contemporary Spaces
The Coast to Coast Accents Monico dining table has been styled for use in modern and contemporary dining room styles.
Although the simple design fits perfectly in the modern space, this table extends with a traditional design. The table slides apart from the middle, and extension leaves are placed on the slides to make the table longer. There are two 18” leaves so that you can add up to 4 place settings for larger gatherings.
Not sure about which of these might be right for your dining room? Our experts at Bob Mills are happy to help you design your ideal dining room furniture set.
Why Trust Bob Mills Furniture?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Extendable Dining Tables at Bob Mills
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop extendable dining tables online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best extendable dining table to fit your home — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
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