If you’re thinking about purchasing an extending dining table for your kitchen, dining room or any other space in your home, you may want to keep reading. We take a look at the pros and cons of extending dining tables.
Pro: fit more guests
If you often have guests around for dinner and need more seating, an extendable dining table is a great way to fit everyone in one space. For everyday use, you can keep it at its standard size; then, when people come over to have dinner, you can extend it to seat everyone at the same table. Family gatherings are made much simpler and more comfortable when you have a table that fits all of your guests.
Pro: multiple styles
Extendable dining tables come in a variety of different styles to suit all rooms. If you like a modern, minimalistic style, you can opt for a painted extendable dining table in colour to complement your walls. Those that prefer the traditional look have lots of options to choose from, too; many dark and light wooden extending dining tables work fantastically in traditional dining rooms. The shapes can also vary from square or rectangular to round and oblong, so you can choose the shape and style to fit your room and the space you have available.
Pro: adaptable
People don’t often stay in the same house for their entire adult life; you’ll move when the need arises for a different property. One advantage of buying an extendable dining table is it gives you more options and can adapt to different-sized dining spaces. Your current home might have enough room for the table to extend fully, but your next home might not. This won’t be an issue if you have an extending dining table because you can use it when it’s in its smaller form to save space.
Pro: impressive
Extending dining tables are impressive; no matter how many times you’ve seen one in action, it’s somehow amazing to watch the table extend to fit another two or more guests. Your friends and family will also be impressed when they see the table in action. Impromptu dinner guests, no problem; it will only take seconds to expand the table and add more seating.
Con: less durable
Extending dining tables have more parts and pieces that might make them vulnerable to breaking, unlike solid single-piece dining tables. That’s not to say they’re weak and likely to break, just that they’re less durable when compared to a single-piece dining table. The addition of the mechanism that extends the table and the cut through the middle adds more weak spots, reducing the durability and strength of the table.
Con: more maintenance
The mechanism in the middle of the table will need to be maintained to ensure the table lasts for many years. This is something that’s not required with standard tables that don’t extend. It’s a good idea to look at the maintenance required before buying an extending dining table.
Con: more expensive
Another disadvantage of extending dining tables over standard dining tables is the cost. They’re more complex to make, which increases the cost of purchasing them. This higher cost might make the table too expensive for some people. For other people, the extra cost is worth the additional benefits and the space they will save in their homes.
Con: storage
Depending on the table, you may need to find a place to store the middle section when it’s not in use. This isn’t the case for all tables; some store the middle section below the table, so you won’t need to fit it into a cupboard. However, if you do need to do this, it can increase the likelihood of the middle section being damaged and possibly being lost if you don’t use it on a regular basis.
If you have the budget but limited space and want the ability to entertain more guests, an extendable dining table is a great solution. They’re really practical, and as long as you look after the mechanism properly, they’ll last for many years. Those that don’t entertain often and have the space for a decent size table can stick to a standard dining table as an extended option wouldn’t be helpful.
FastNarrative 