Hi AT:SF,
In my apartment the would be dining room is used as a bedroom, so we end up eating around the coffee table in our living room.
Does anyone know of a coffee table that converts to a dining room table? (reasonably priced would be best - but we are desperate!)
Thanks!
S. Quinn
Note: Include pix and your question gets posted first.
Email us with QUESTIONS in subject line: sf(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com
Link To All Good Questions
Dear S. Quinn,
You are not alone! This is a question that pops up on AT periodically (see here and here), and there are some good ideas in a range of prices.
There are two basic directions you can go: convertible coffee tables that can be raised to dining height, with or without the option of an expanding surface area, and coffee tables that are designed for Japanese-style (floor-seated) dining. The ones we've come across are listed below:
Height-Adjustable Tables
• The Mascotte Table
• Ligne Roset Knock-off
• The Hydra Table
• Another option, though harder to find, is a vintage Castro Convertible Coffee Table. They surface area can double in size and seat up to eight people. When we see them on eBay we post them on Scavenger (you can see examples here, here, here , and here.)
Floor-Seated Dining Tables
• Tetra Coffee Table
• Mealbox
Any other ideas or options out there?
We did a diy version of this. Our coffee table has wooden legs (they are thick enough to provide stability - I imagine this wouldn't work as well with skinny legs). We went to a hardware store and bought some shorter legs that we attached screws to and stained to match the coffee table. When we need a dining table we simply screw in the "extenders" and voila.
view amy (rustyletter)'s profile
Did you see this? AT:NY today, if you want to DIY a table...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/tables-dining-occasional/popup-coffee-table-mechanism-024897
view Jeni_Rae's profile
Calligaris, an Italian furniture company makes several models of coffee/dinning tables. I believe they used to have a retail outlet in SJ but I'm not sure if they still do...google it.
our small dining room table is from them and it more than doubles in size to seat 8 when you open it....
view chris_94131's profile
there's a company called BNT out of Toronto that sells a piece similar to the Calligaris but less expensive...can be ordered through www.yaletownsofa.com ( my store) or e me at bgball@shaw.ca
view bball's profile
This is my fave: http://www.eco-furniture.com/docs/living_clgrs_ventureconvertibletbl.html
A little expensive, but it is made in Italy of recycled materials, and it is two tables in one.
view k2's profile
I happen to have an almost identical table to the picture you posted above except it is in a deep cherry color. I was just trying to price it out to see what it would sell for. I noticed a table which I believe is the same as mine on Ebay with a starting bid at $10. I think that's an amazing steal. After doing some research, I think that table and the one I have might be slightly older, more like 20's-40's.
Good luck.
view m2tall2's profile
Hello,
We recently saw a coffee table at someone's house where the top lifted up and forward to eating level. Also provided storage in the table itself. Here are two I've found looking online today:
http://brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=520528&wid=12&cid=1206&sid=120605&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t2
http://www.furnitureontheweb.com search for Lift Top Coffee Table
Good luck
view mbarrineau's profile
Hello,
At a Brooklyn design fair this weekend I spotted a pretty nice convertible option called the Grasshopper Table by a group called Big Prototype (www.bigprototype.com).
It's a large rectangle top (bamboo, a neutral colored ply, or Corian) with angular metal legs. In the lower position the legs cross; then you have to tilt the table over and open the legs to get the dining-table height. You could comfortable seat 4--6 people at the table. It starts at $1,400.
Hope this helps someone with a larger space and plumper wallet than mine! I keep hoping for a convertible table that works with a piston-like mechanism but doesn't look too modern in that dentist-office way.
view diedrich's profile