Dating back more than three hundred years, the drop-leaf table is a wonderful example of how the practical can also be beautiful. With a fixed center and hinged leaf of either side that can be dropped easily, these tables are a perfect addition to any room and any style--especially in smaller spaces. Some were designed as sofa tables, which are extra long. Others are gate-legs, which means the leaf is supported by legs that swing out from the center (like gates).
Here are some examples of the many styles and sizes of drop-leaf tables, from Shaker to Danish Modern.
Images:
FIRST ROW
1 House Beautiful. Drop-leaf table from Wertz Brothers in Los Angeles. It looks like a Sheraton table but it's hard to say. I bookmarked this bedroom ages ago because I love the warm honeyed hues of the vintage drop-leaf table, which serves as a bedside table and a wonderful perch for a vase and a stunning lamp.
2 Pete & Sandie's Minimal Farmhouse. What a pretty- and space-conserving-scene!
3 Mid-century modern drop leaf gateleg closes up to a compact console table. Danish Modern LA, $795.
4 Antique American mohogany table from Streets of London on Ruby Lane, $795..
5 Antique 19th century American walnut table from Streets of London on Ruby Lane, $895. I like the big curvy Empire style feet on this one.
SECOND ROW
6 Lauren Nelson Design gives a great example of how a drop-leaf can fit so snugly in almost any space. Decorpad
7 A vintage drop-leaf table has been painted white for a shabby chic beachy feel from Canadian Cottage.
8 Pine drop-leaf table with cherry finish made in England from Vintage Pine, $1695.
9 There are quite a few online sources for good Shaker furniture, which tends to have simple and graceful design. For example, check out this table fromShaker Workshops, which can be DIY from a kit or purchased ready to go (prices range from $600 to $1,700 depending on size).
Sources: As credited above.
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I bought this drop leaf from this Los Angeles based company for my small loft and I use it as a dining table, desk, and console. Love how much space it saves http://www.glpdesignsinc.com/furniture/furniture-catalog/antique-designs-2/florentine-drop-leaf-table/
I have the drop leaf table that was given as a wedding gift to my great grandparents in 1917. It's beautiful, practical and very sentimental.
I have a BIG drop-leaf table from Ikea (the full-size Leksvik dining table, which I think they don't sell anymore) that has been of marginal use to us. It's probably our choice in placement, but we found it mostly unusable with the leaves down. Plus, we bought it with a set of 8 chairs so that we'd have seating when it was expanded, then had nowhere to put the chairs when it was folded down (99% of the time). Of course, we should've bought stacking chairs, but this was before we knew what we were doing as space-savers :)
It's been impossible to sell. We have it on Craigslist for almost nothing, and have had no bites, even though it's in great condition. Stupid Ikea.
My parents have two antique tables that are the kind that fold in on themselves, with three leaves in the middle that stack kind of like a sliding glass door. THOSE are awesome, because even fully compressed there's no blocked seating area.
I love space saving furniture.
When I moved, I didn't have a dining table, and the new place just didn't have a good space to put a table. I wanted to be able to have a space to eat, work and serve guests, but wouldn't take up a ton of space. After a lot of deliberation I found this one by Winsome Wood, a handy dandy drop leaf on wheels with two stools that hang up underneath.
http://www.winsomewood.com/photogallery/?item=39330
i have a gate leg table that doubles as a sofa table when not in use. it's so perfect.
My grandparents had at least five drop leaf tables in their house when I was growing up. Most of the time they were just used as sofa tables, or in big bedrooms as accent furniture. They came in very handy on Thanksgiving and other big family holidays when we could set a few of them up in the great room and have plenty of seating for everyone.
Thank you for this post. I am buying a condominium that is great in many ways but lacks a dining area. After a lot of consideration, I bought my first piece of furniture for the place: an oval-shaped gateleg drop-leaf table. It's more than vintage; it's old. But it's more practical than many modern pieces. I have many questions about proper placement and this post gives me some good ideas.
P.S. The white bedside table is particularly charming.
OOo! OOO! That first honeyed one looks JUST like one I grew up with... and this is in my kitchen now as a sideboard and extra table. I love it! Never thought about putting it in the bedroom.... what a great idea!
I have a vintage dropleaf table as a dining table. With leaves down it is nicely compact. With leaves up, it just doesn't have the smoothness of a non-drop table, with all the minor frustrations that implies. I'm really looking for a non-drop to replace it with.,
Beautiful and practical. They are true heroes in small spaces.
I have one that looks a lot like #3 but the middle is closed off and stores 4 wooden folding chairs. My mom bought it at a yard sale and kept it in the garage as extra seating for large family dinner events. When I moved into my current small apartment, and saw an identical set at a local MCM store for almost $1000, I encouraged her to send it my way so it could put to appropriate use. It is a lifesaver for me!
<head slap!> We are moving into a much smaller home with room for only one small dining table. I've been fussing over how to fit another table into the place that I could press into service on holidays and dinner party nights...tight fit, but fine for a party. This is PERFECT. I can use one as a sofa table except when needed. Can't believe I didn't think of it before. Thanks!