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Drop leaf tables are really handy if you don't have masses of space but still need somewhere proper to eat. They've been around for ages, and there's a good reason why people keep buying them.
1. How Much Space You'll Actually Save
The main point of these dining tables is that you can make them smaller when you're not using them. During the week, you might only need space for two people having breakfast or a quick dinner. Keep the sides down and it takes up hardly any room. Then when you've got people coming over at the weekend, you can put the leaves up and fit everyone round it. You're not stuck with a massive table taking up half your kitchen when it's just you there most of the time. If you live in a flat or a smaller house, this makes a real difference to how much space you've got to move about in.
2. Extra Storage Underneath
Quite a few drop leaf tables have drawers or shelves built in, which is useful. You can keep your table mats, spare cutlery, and other bits in there instead of having to find space for them somewhere else. Some of the ones on wheels have shelves on the sides too, so you can put things on them. It means you're getting a table and some storage in one go, which is better value and keeps things tidier. Worth checking what storage comes with it before you buy.
3. Whether You Want It to Move Around
Some drop leaf tables are fixed in one spot, but others have wheels so you can move them. The ones with wheels are good if you might want to shift the table about. Maybe you want it pushed against the wall most days, then pulled out into the middle when you're eating. Or perhaps you'd use it in different rooms depending on what you're doing. Just make sure the wheels lock properly so it doesn't roll about when you're trying to eat. If you know exactly where it's going to stay, a fixed one is fine.
4. What It's Made From
You can get drop leaf dining tables in different materials. Bamboo ones are quite light and look decent. Oak is sturdy and lasts well. You can get them painted white or grey, or in brown wood finishes. Just think about what will go with the other furniture you've already got. And remember that wooden tables generally hold up better over time than cheaper materials. Have a look at what's available and pick something that fits in with what you've already got at home.
5. How Many People Need to Fit Round It
Work out how many people you normally need to seat before you start looking. Most drop leaf tables fit two to four people when they're opened out, which suits most small families. A few bigger ones might take six. Measure the space where you're planning to put it, and don't forget you need room for chairs as well as the table itself. There's no point getting a table that seats four if you can't actually fit four chairs round it once it's in your kitchen. Be realistic about the size you need and the space you've got.
