Over Extended – Dining Tables for a Crowd

By Lynda Simonton

I’m embarrassed to admit this but I often find myself limiting the number of people I have over for dinner based on the size of my dining table. Do I really want to have twelve friends versus six over and go through the hassle of hauling my table leaves out of the basement and up into the dining room? There seems like there should be a better way …

Well I have discovered there actually is! Many savvy manufacturers have devised clever ways to create expanding dining tables without any hassle. These tables can lengthen with a light touch or have leaves that store right in the table. No hassle, no storage, and no cobwebs to dust off when you want a larger table for a crowd.

Here are some of my favorites:

The Camino Dining Table from Dakota Jackson embodies the glamour, style, and craftsmanship you would expect from the designer. The 96” dining table extends to a grand 132” when you press the two 18” leaves on the ends into service.

Photo courtesy of Dakota Jackson

Ethnicraft’s oak Stretch Table has a smooth-glide butterfly mechanism that allows you to quickly and effortlessly expand the table. Just pull the end of the table and the extension flips out and is ready to go. The table is made from solid wood and the classic parson’s style table has broad appeal.

Photo courtesy of Ethnicraft

Cassina’s W31_32 1=2 was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. This piece is comprised of two overlapping tables. The smaller table underneath can be pulled out and the legs raised when more seating is needed. The dual tables make an interesting style statement when not in use.

Photo courtesy of Cassina

Sleek, elegant and able to expand with a light touch – The Chronos Dining Table is one of the latest additions to the Roche Bobois line-up. The glass topped table has two integrated extensions that easily expand thanks to clever engineering and gliding components.

So no need to hold back on the entertaining! Get one of these tables that can easily be readied for a crowd.