topic Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no? in Home

Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

GingerPeach — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 15:57:17 GMT

Years ago it used to be common to find dining tables with extension leaves so as to be able to convert the table from normal use to become a place where a larger group could be seated.

I see so many HGTV shows lately in which it seems to me the dining tables are all in one piece, consistently very long, and without the leaf option.

It makes me wonder if real life people like all of you on this board would prefer a table with leaves or a very long table to fit your maximum group that you might host on a holiday like Thanksgiving.

Here's just one example of a table with extension leaves:

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

elizabethl123 — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:00:24 GMT

ONE WITH LEAVES

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

151949 — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:03:22 GMT

My dining room table is 44" across , octagon shape, seats 4. When I add in one leaf it will seat 6 or 2 leaves it will seat 8. The problem is in order to add the leaves I have to rearrange my living room furniture to accomodate the size the table has expanded to. We keep the table at the small octagon shape 99% of the time.I keep telling my DH that I think at my age I'm done having big dinner parties.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

ALRATIBA — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:03:23 GMT

Growing up - leaf was used often for company dinners. Same at grandparent's house.

The leaf to the table I have now has been in the closet since the table was delivered it

Doesn't really matter all that much to me ... it's the style and color of the table that's important.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

StylishLady — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:05:44 GMT

Mine has two leaves that I can use when we have a larger number for dinner.

Usually I keep one in and one on reserve.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

ScrapHappy — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:09:06 GMT

I always wanted a large farm table. In my old house in California, I did (and still have) a nice dining set. The dining table has a leaf but my dining room could not accomodate the leaf. The California house was barely 1500 square feet. We moved to the Southeast to a much larger home, 7500 square feet, and one of the first things we purchased was a large farm table. It's 114 inches in length and I always have the leaf in. I just love it. I also have a dining room with my same dining table but now I can always keep the leaf in.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

giddy up — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:15:08 GMT

Sure, why not have leaves? It is a convenient option to add more surface to your table without having to keep it larger permanently. I have a kitchen island with hinged leaves on three sides. So if I need more work space/seating I can flip up as many as needed and then when I want a more streamlined look and ease of movement I flip down.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

GCR18 — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:23:39 GMT

I think the leaf is a great idea if you have a small room and use them infrequently. If the room is big enough for a big table, I'd go with the big table. I remember helping my mother put the leaf in when the grandparents came over. It was virtually impossible to move around the table when it was extended. My current table has one extension. I don't think I've ever taken it out.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

LilLadyNJ — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:34:43 GMT

I have had a dining table that seats 6 without leaf and 10 with the leafs. I rarely would use the leafs. I love the table and have no regrets about buying it, and if I had to buy another I wouldn't buy one with a leaf.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

SilleeMee — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:34:47 GMT

Personally I like drop-down style tables because for me I don't need a very big table. After company is gone I can just let down the sides of the table and not have to worry about a place to store those leaf-extension pieces.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

x Hedge — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:42:45 GMT

Well then call me old fashioned, because I like an expandable table. Drop leaf or removable.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

Desertdi — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:50:46 GMT

I no longer cook, and converted the dining room into a den. The solid pecan table (with leaf) is now stored in the garage. Nobody wanted it, even for free, because it is a lighter shade of wood....... I still use the breakfront and buffet in the den, tho.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

BirkiLady — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 16:57:46 GMT

My dining table is round and large. It sits eight people without any leaves and is the best place for conversation since everyone is able to see each other. With the leaves in, it's huge . . . and a joy to entertain! We don't eat in the kitchen ever (never have; never will) and a dining table (no matter how small) with leaves will always be important to my lifestyle whenever I do downsize (but I won't eat in a kitchen or with a view of a kitchen!).

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

DREAMON — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:06:37 GMT

I always had a dining table that extended and opened it when needed due to limited space.

I now have a large dining area and my 78" table is too small for my family. I want to get a larger table without extensions.

It's all about space and your needs.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

Snowpuppy — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:20:27 GMT

Agreed, totally about your space and needs.

I have a fixed rectangle dining table that seats 6 comfortably but I'd like to get a table with self storing leaves. Gone are the days when you had to store the leaves in a closet.

If you go the drop leaf route, it can give you a bit more table space but over time the mechanisms give way and the drop leaf becomes more of a droop leaf and the extensions begin to sag.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

froggy — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:29:49 GMT

I have leaves for both my kitchen table and dining room table. For very informal meals with just 2 guests I use the leaf for the kitchen table because it gives me more surface for things I want to put on the table - condiments, bread, butter, etc.

The dining room table seats six but there are times I use the leaf if there are two more people. I have an additional leaf but have never used it. I wanted to be prepared! When I bought my table pads I also got pads for the leaves.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:38:39 GMT

@GingerPeach... I have two leaves for my dining room table and use one all the time. I have one leaf for my kitchen table and never use it. Both are just dust collectors. I think most HGTV shows use really long tables, like 8' or more. I wouldn't need that on a daily basis, and would not like it all the time so without leaves I would have an issue. I also keep a tablecloth on my dining room table all the time, along with a place setting for four.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

Marsha2003 — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:42:31 GMT

I have a capstan type table that seats four in its smallest diameter and eight when fully expanded. That's perfect for the size of my dining room. If I have a larger group, I set multiple tables. I know that's not as communal as one long table, but it's easier to move around and you can't talk from one end of a long table to another anyway, so I'm fine with more than one table.

If you have a dining room that will accommodate one long table, I wouldn't bother with leaves.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

Regal Bee — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:42:06 GMT

I don't care for the leaves....makes the space around the table awkward unless you have a really large room.

When I have a larger group, I use both the dining room table and the full dining table in our family room. Then I switch all the couples up to the opposite table for dessert. It has worked out great and our guests seem to love it.

Re: Dining table extension leaf - yes or no?

TenderMercies — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:53:35 GMT

As long as you have a dining room large enough to accommodate the addition of the leaf, and you always have some kind of table cloth on the table otherwise to hide the seam, I would go for the leaf.