You’ve just cooked an amazing dinner for eight, and your guests are ready to enjoy the meal in style! You serve each person a beautifully prepared plate…and then you tell your guests to take whatever seat they can find?? Oh, your dining room table only seats four, huh?! So some guests will be sitting around the coffee table or in the nearest folding chair? No biggie–your friends understand. Plus, your home can’t accommodate a big table, so you have no other option, right?
Think again! Expandable dining tables come in a variety of sizes and styles, many with internal hidden extensions that lengthen the furnishing so it can seat 6, 10 or more with a few easy maneuvers. Check out the sleek wooden selections below and imagine the impact they could have on your future dinner parties!
Rectangular Expandable Dining Tables
By far the most common in expandable dining table shapes, the rectangle saves the day time and time again! What better way to accommodate a group than to stretch the table lengthwise? Take the Parsons Expandable Dining Table, with its clean-lined, perfectly proportioned form. This table seats 8 when extended. [from West Elm]
For a similar shape, try CUBUS from Vitamin Design. This expandable table is crafted of solid wood. Not to mention,Vitamin is known for its eco-friendly practices, such as obtaining materials from sustainable forests and treating furniture surfaces with natural oils. [from archiproducts]
Dark wood, a boxy shape and an expandable form make this next table similar to the selections above. Yet this model, called DOMINO LEGNO, boasts aluminum details that add unique flair. [from Ozzio]
Speaking of aluminum, why not combine this material with wood for a two-toned table? MITO has an aluminum frame with an inside double extension to lengthen the piece. Not to mention, the table can be ordered with either a wooden or plastic laminate top. [from Ozzio]
Want the darkness of rich wood and the benefits of a scratch-resistant table? Try a laminate top! The Baron Extending Dining Table wows with its shiny metal legs and offers the convenience of hidden leaf expansion. [from DiningRoomFurniture Collection]
Let’s lighten things up with the AMBER table from Vitamin Design. Easily expanded to meet your group dining needs, the piece is available in four basic lengths and three widths. Choose from European oak, knotted oak, ash, beech, core beech, American walnut and cherrywood. [from archiproducts]
Want to go lighter? The Acuto table from Bauline utilizes hidden expandable technology for those who want to extend the dining surface to more than 3 meters! This ash piece is ultra modern, and angular beveled legs give it true character!
Quartetto starts as a square, yet it can expand into a rectangle or morph into an even larger square depending on the extension configuration. Crafted of oak, this piece can also function as an office desk or meeting table. [from Bauline]
We now move into tapered leg territory with the Triad Extension Dining Table. Coated in a rich black stain, this piece seats 6. Need more room? Use the extension leaf to accommodate 8! [from Crate & Barrel]
The Huxley Extension Dining Table incorporates both traditional and modern elements. Constructed of ash with a chocolate brown topcoat, this piece boasts beveled trim, tapered legs and a self-storing extension leaf that takes seating from 6 to 8. [from Crate & Barrel]
The Oslo Extension Dining Table features Scandinavian design that is curved yet clean-lined. Walnut veneer tops it off, and a leaf guarantees seating for up to 10. [from Crate & Barrel]
Time for some pedestal action! Our next featured piece includes a double pedestal empire base and a healthy shine. And yes, it’s expandable… [from DiningRoomFurniture Collection]
Round Expandable Dining Tables
Round tables are perfect for corners and other tight spaces. The wooden selections below are conveniently adjustable. Take the Avalon 45″ White Extension Dining Table, a pedestal table with 19th-century style. As a circle, the piece seats 4. Add the leaf, and the table becomes an oval that seats 6. [from Crate & Barrel]
Thanks to its segmented base, the Opera table from Bauline has a distinguished presence…
…but the real surprise is in the extension! This table expands to reveal a hidden leg, one internal leaf, and up to 5 external leaves that ensure you can accommodate a slew of dinner guests! [from Bauline]
With all this talk of enlarging the furniture, we can’t forget about the importance of reducing its size at times. Crafted from hardwood solids and cherry veneer, the Abbott Place Pedestal Dining Table from Hooker Furniture is a traditional piece with a modern twist. Not to mention, if you need to make it smaller, two 10″ drop leaves allow the table to squeeze into the tightest of spots. [from DiningRoomFurniture Collection]
Outdoor Expandable Dining Tables
We wrap up today’s post by taking the party outdoors. The Dexter Outdoor Expandable Dining Table offers a contemporary take on the picnic table. Built from sustainably harvested wood, the piece seats 4 but can be expanded to seat 6. [from West Elm]
The Regatta Extension Dining Table is made from eco-friendly teak supported by the TFT, a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible forest conservation. Wide slats and galvanized steel hardware are appealing details. [from Crate & Barrel]
Are you ready to host that dinner party now?! Don’t forget that a wide selection of options allows you to pick the piece that’s best for you. Whether you’re a fan of modern design or you prefer a more traditional look, there’s a table for your taste. Even if you’re not welcoming an army of guests, consider a small expandable table, such as a round piece that can easily become an oval when company arrives. Happy dining!
