What takes up half the usual space but seats twice the number of people? Answer: A drop-leaf table. Okay, that riddle may have been a bit nonsensical, but the answer is still the perfect solution to small space dining.
The drop-leaf table is the Transformer of tables and can be "more than meets the eye". It can be a petite sofa table, disguised desk or maybe a practical hall table, but when dinner guests drop in it becomes a dining table for four to six. Because drop-leaf tables have flat sides when "dropped", they can easily be pushed against a wall when not in use. These tables can be primary dining tables or can serve as secondary tables that are pulled out only for entertaining.
In a small kitchen with no real dining space, the drop-leaf table has a tiny footprint but still provides seating for two on a daily basis. The table can be expanded and the wicker chairs turned around to seat two more diners in a pinch.
Drop-leaf tables are not as easy to find as tables with the leaf extensions, but in a tiny apartment, who wants to store an extra leaf to a dining table? There are beautiful vintage tables (our favorite) with a great variety in finishes, shapes and styles. Feeling handy? Southern Living has plans to make your own drop-leaf table.
We found a few options, new and old, ranging from rustic to contemporary. . . even a glass drop-leaf table:
1. Swedish, round table with cross stretcher base from 1st Dibs.
2. Hans J Wegner Drop Leaf Dining Table from Room & Board.
Pasted from
3. For really tiny spaces and a low price point, the Muddus table from Ikea.
4. Oval drop-leaf sofa table from Lane Furniture.
Do you have a drop-leaf table? Does it work for you? What are other innovative ways to use a drop-leaf table in a small space?
(Image: Don Freeman/House Beautiful via Habitually Chic)
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I like this table that folds away so I can hide it.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=885&f=32913
I use adjustable height bar stools. They easily move from my breakfast bar to table when guests are over.
I know there's a bit of stigma with ikea given it's ability to be very hit or miss, but we've had this drop-leaf for over a year and in our current living space it's been the perfect solution: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718
We open up one side to seat 2 people nicely, or serves as a buffet bar if a table isn't needed. For entertaining it comfortably seats 6 with both leafs up (though the gate legs are more tricky to sit around than other drop-leafs).
In my former home, I had a pedestal dining table that was square with the four drop leaves in place, good for most days. The leaves locked under the table top with magnets. when flipped up, they locked with pull-out hardware. I could open two leaves for an oval and all four for a circle that sat 6 comfortably or 8 closely. It was perfect for my smallish dining room. I only wish I could have shipped it!
In my one bedroom apartment I had a very low asian style table that we would fold up and put into the closet when done eating. We would just sit on floor cushions. It made it interesting when the parents would visit.
My favorite Craigslist score is a Duncan Phyfe-style dining table that seats 2 at it smallest, 12 at the largest. It has 3 leaves to go in the middle, and drop-leaves on the ends. Perfect for having a bunch of people over for dinner or D&D.
I'm still working on collecting enough chairs to seat 12 people though...
tjmackie, that IS a great table!
We have used our drop leaf as a desk, a buffet, our main dining table, and now, a sofa table. It wasn't that expensive (bought it at Boston Interiors years ago) but wow, I had no idea how useful it would be.
I got one from ikea. Its Black has a small foot print, and i found it in the as is section. It was 100 bucks as is, and I think 150 new. Its been a great investment!
Pier 1 (surprisingly) has a great one which I currently use as a sofa table / dining table when needed. It's behind our couch which is in the middle of the room, so when it's just the two of us, I just flip up one side and pull up to dining chairs and we can eat and watch tv, and then when we have company we push the sofa forward a bit, pull the table out all the way, flip up both sides and it comfortably seats 6, 8 in a pinch. It's perfect.
http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/Furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/155/List/0/catpageindex/8/Level/a/ProductID/2091/ProductName/Drop-Leaf-Table/Default.aspx
two, not to, dining chairs, I meant to write!
I found my gate leg table at an antique store in Cambridge, Mass., and I only paid $100 for it! I need to budget money for the right chairs, and right now, it's in our entryway. We really love it!
I like the C&B gateleg table, but the on-site reviews are pretty mixed... some say it's pretty flimsy, even when it's a positive review. And some say it is somehow an awkward height... but I guess that's why you have those bar stools! I might have to go with the ikea norden on this one; doesn't seem to be a weird height, and has a little storage--too bad it doesn't come in black. Then again, the norden is only 1.375 inches shorter than the C&B. Odd.
I have a fabulous drop leaf table that seats 4-6 and collapses to an occasional table 8" deep and 3' long. It's the rockingest piece of furniture because our apartment is 600sq ft and it allows us to have dinner parties without an overwhelming dining room area. Picked it up at a pawn shop for $40, and it's beautiful.
I just purchased a kitchen table from this company: http://www.newtableconcept.com/
They are based in Milan. They can send just the hardware or I had a whole table shipped to my friend in Paris where I will pick it up and bring it back in my luggage. The videos explain it, it is amazing!
We are moving into a fairly small apartment soon.
I am wondering if Maruis stools for a dining table will work. We are planning on a drop leaf table which will also double up as kids' craft table.
The stools will be stacked away when not in use & table folded up to have more space for free play for the kids.
Will matching the ikea marius stools http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30184045/ with dining table http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718
look good as well?
What do you think?
I have to know more about the table in the first pictures. Can anyone please help me?