No space, no problem—the best extendable dining table will give you all the seating room you need
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The 4 Best Extendable Kitchen and Dining Tables for Families, Tested
Updated on Jul. 30, 2025
Maybe your kitchen is only big enough for a small table, or maybe you don’t want a massive dining table hogging up precious space on the regular but need it when you have the entire extended family over for Sunday dinner. Enter: The best extendable dining tables. These sneaky surfaces are the secret to saving space without compromising seating room, according to Karen Chenowith, design and sales consultant at Sofas ETC.
“Having an extendable dining table is perfect for special occasions when you will be hosting dinner for a large group,” Chenowith says, adding, “Then, after the event, you can close it to a more manageable size.”
We’ve rounded up the best extendable dining tables below to help you pick the right one for your space and your budget. Whether you want something mid-century modern, rustic farmhouse or even something that doubles as living room furniture, these tables consistently receive five-star ratings from our expert testers.
On Sale
Best Overall
Expand Coffee to Dining Table
Pros:
- Converts from a coffee to dining table
- Several finishes and colors available
- Leaves hidden inside the table
- Discreet locking wheels
Cons:
- Heaviness makes it difficult to assemble
Want to host a party but have a small home? With the Expand coffee-to-dining table, you can hide a 12-person dining table right in your living room. Using a hidden handle beneath the surface, the table converts from a low coffee table to a full dining table. For more room, fold out the leaves for extra space during holidays and parties. As a bonus, the table set also includes wall hooks to hang the folding chairs, further freeing up extra space.
“This is a versatile table and great for small spaces due to its narrow profile and multi-functional use,” says Product Tester Sheri Kaz, who uses one in her own home. “It can be used as a coffee table or an expanded dining table, and with the folding chairs, it’s perfect for small spaces.”
While it can be difficult to move due to the weight, locking wheels on one side make it easier to maneuver from place to place. No matter your hosting needs, this table has you covered. That’s why it’s our top pick for those seeking a sturdy, reliable table that also doubles as durable living room furniture.
Best Wood
Seb Extendable Dining Table
Pros:
- Heirloom quality lasts through years of use
- Gorgeous, rustic farmhouse design
- Extendable panels are easy to install
Cons:
- Pricey
Our best wood extendable dining table, the Seb Extendable Dining Table, offers true heirloom quality that withstands the test of time. Apart from simple assembly and easy installation of extendable panels, we love the pretty, rustic farmhouse feel that adds warmth to the space. Choose between several different sizes that sit four to eight folks.
“This is such a high-quality table for the price,” says Senior Editor Katie Bandurski, who owns the version that does not extend. “I love the timeless look, and the variety of sizes ensures there’s a good fit for any kitchen. Delivery was seamless, and assembly took minimal time and effort—all I needed to do was attach the legs to the table and bench. This table is heirloom-quality status and, with proper care, should last a lifetime.”
After nearly a year of use, Katie says the Seb table has held up remarkably well. “The only real maintenance I’ve had to do is tighten the legs on the bench,” she says. “The wood is still incredibly beautiful. I try to use coasters and placemats, but we’ve had several slips and spills, and the tabletop is more forgiving than you’d expect. I fully expect this to be our ‘forever’ kitchen table.”
Best Mid-Century
Serif Extendable Dining Table
Pros:
- Appealing mid-century design
- Easy-to-follow directions
- Sturdy, heavy materials
- Hidden tray for storing leaves when not in use
- Durable construction, ideal for family with kids and pets
Cons:
- Pricey
- Minor cosmetic damage likely from delivery
Mid-century designs are increasingly popular due to their clean lines and muted tones, which complement a variety of home styles. One of our favorite expandable dining tables is this mid-century table from Burrow. Apart from the sturdy, heavy materials, the table offers a convenient storage tray for the extra leaves when they’re not in use. It’s the perfect pick for families that want style and substance.
“The table provides a smooth, flat surface that’s stain- and scratch-resistant, so it’s great for a variety of family activities like cooking and crafting,” says editor Mary Henn, who owns the table. “While you should only use wood-safe products for a deep clean, a wet rag should do the trick for cleaning up daily messes.”
Mary does note that the table arrived with a few small chips and splinters in the wood. While most were barely noticeable, it was a bit disappointing considering the price. However, after a year of use, Mary says the Burrow Serif table has held up well. The table’s solid, weighty materials have held up well, resisting scratches and stains, even in a busy home with dogs and young kids. The standard 59-inch top comfortably fits four adults and a highchair, which suits her everyday needs.
“It’s an incredibly sturdy table,” she says. “Some minor scratching has occurred on the tabletop, so I’m not sure I can say it’s totally scratch-proof. However, I’ve spilled food on it more times than I can count and haven’t noticed any staining.”
Best Farmhouse/Trestle
Danna Extendable Dining Table
Pros:
- White-glove delivery was fast and included full assembly
- Solid, sturdy feel
- Easy extension mechanism with built-in leaf storage
- Legs stay in place during expansion
- Affordable
Cons:
- Made of manufactured wood
- Feels tight when seating 8 (but it is advertised as seating 6 when extended)
Our favorite farmhouse/trestle option is the Danna table, which arrived at Mary’s house via Wayfair’s white glove delivery service. While it’s made from a MDF and solid wood mix, it’s incredibly solid and heavy—and the manufactured wood makes it very affordable. The table arrived late on a Friday night and delivery was overall quick and efficient, according to Mary.
“The only signs of the recent delivery were a few pieces of styrofoam on the floor and some protective wrapping around the extendable leaf, which was neatly tucked beneath the tabletop,” she says. “The table itself was in pristine condition, with no scratches, dents or defects. It actually looked even better in person than it did online. I was really impressed by the quality and design.”
For Mary, the two standout features include the extension mechanism and the sturdiness of the table. She notes particularly that the table easily supports her toddler’s clip-on high chair without any wobbling. In addition, extending the table is quick and easy. You just pull from both ends, lift the center leaf and unfold it, and it fits into place. When you’re done, it folds right back up and tucks beneath the tabletop. There’s no need to store the leaf separately, which is a huge plus (especially if you’re tight on storage space).
Overall, we love the sturdy build, white glove service and look of this farmhouse-friendly option. While it may not be as high quality as some of the pricier options on this list, it’s a very acceptable budget option for big families and folks who love entertaining.
What To Look for When Buying an Extendable Dining Table
Type and Mechanism of Extension
According to Chenowith, there are three main things to consider when shopping for an extendable dining table. But first, the type of table. A butterfly leaf is best for those who don’t have storage space or who need a smaller table, as the leaf folds in half and stores inside the table. Drop-in and drop-leaf tables look more finished when in use but require storage of the removable leaves.
In my research between butterfly leaf and drop-in tables, the drop-in tables have the lead in smooth extension while butterfly leaf tables can be finicky to collapse after use. Self-storing leaves are available on some extendable tables, which provides more convenience after use.
Size and Flexibility
Second, consider size. Many expandable tables are large enough to fit 12 to 14 people when fully extended, whereas they can hold 4 to 8 guests when collapsed. This provides incredible versatility for everyday meals to large holiday dinners with the whole family. However, ensure that the table fits in your space when fully extended to ensure comfortable seating.
“The size of your room will dictate what size table would be best,” Chenowith says, explaining that a general rule of thumb is that you want to have about 3 to 4 feet between your table and the wall so you have space to pull out a chair or walk around.
Durability
The most important component of an extendable table is the extension mechanism, so ensure that any option you choose uses high-quality materials or design components. Chenowith also says that users should consider the sturdiness and quality of construction.”If you need an extra large extension table, ensure it has the proper support system to accommodate all the leaves.”
Material and Finish
The most popular materials for extendable tables are solid oak, mahogany, teak, rosewood, walnut or other wood or veneered wood varieties. Wood is durable and versatile enough to blend into most dining or living spaces, creating a warm and cozy feel. But, solid oak, mahogany, teak, rosewood and walnut tables run at a high price point and can scratch or crack if not cared for properly.
To keep any unsealed wood table in top shape, wipe it down with a damp cloth after use and avoid heavy-duty cleaners. Also, consider this Food Grade Mineral Oil to keep the wood looking and feeling fresh and prevent cracking.
Style and Versatility
There are many different styles of extendable tables out there, including minimalist, modern and traditional. But many options are versatile enough to fit in most spaces seamlessly. For example, the Seb Extendable Dining Table is praised for being versatile enough for modern and traditional homes with its simple, timeless design.
The Expand Coffee to Dining Room Table is made for those who love unique and modern furniture that also provides versatility and function. When considering the best style for your space, consider how each would fit in your home with all your current fixtures.
How We Found the Best Extendable Dining Table
To narrow down our list of candidates for the top extendable dining tables, we first looked at the trusted retailers that consistently have some of the best dining table sets, such as Pottery Barn, Wayfair and Home Depot.
We considered tables with the highest average ratings from the most shoppers and read through hundreds of reviews to find the most popular tables among customers, evaluating them on their quality, durability and functionality. For this article, we aimed to include a variety of styles and price points to fit everyone’s budget.
Once we identified extendable tables with the best reputation, we then secured our top picks to test them in person. We carefully documented each table’s arrival, setup process and overall first impressions. From there, we tested each pick inside our own homes for a month. During this time, we documented our experience, noting any difficulties and traits as they bubbled up. We focused on the following criteria while testing: setup and delivery, condition, material, quality, ease of extension, overall look and durability.
We treated each table as though they were our own—this includes working on them, wiping them down with spray cleaners and expanding them as-needed for hosting. This gave us a pretty accurate picture of how each table performs in a standard family setting.
Additional Testing in 2025
In 2025, we tested additional tables to further expand our list of favorites. Our newest inclusion is the Danna table, which impressed our tester with its solid construction and affordable price tag. After a month of daily use, we added it to our list as the best farmhouse/trestle extendable table we tested.
Why You Should Trust Us
Two years ago, when Amanda Tarlton and her husband moved into their first house, they bought their first extendable dining table. It ended up being one they found on Facebook Marketplace. Nonetheless, throughout the shopping process, they learned a lot about kitchen tables—what to look for, what to avoid, how to know if it’s good quality, etc. Beyond that, she has over a decade of experience in journalism and media, specifically in the home and lifestyle space. For more than 10 years, she has been writing product reviews and buying guides, so she’s a pro at sniffing out the best things to buy in a particular product category.
For this piece, our editors personally tested each of these featured tables for at least a month (or over a year, in some cases) in their own homes. This helped us gather data on how the tables perform in everyday life and determine which options are worth buying—and which (if any) are worth skipping.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
FAQ
Is an extendable table worth it?
Whether or not an extendable table is right for you depends on your intended use and personal preferences. Do you need extra seating now and then? Do you want to save on space? Do you entertain often? You can’t go wrong with an extendable dining table if you have the budget and the room to store leaves or inserts. It holds its value well over time and is highly versatile.
What are the disadvantages of extendable dining tables?
While there are many advantages to an extendable dining table, there are also a few disadvantages. The biggest, perhaps, is that they require storage space, as most come with leaves or brackets that you’ll need to store somewhere when they aren’t in use.
Extendable dining tables can also be cumbersome to assemble. If not properly maintained, the mechanisms can get sticky and become tough to pull apart. Plus, the leaves can be heavy. Lastly, extendable dining tables can be more expensive because of the additional parts required.
Are extendable tables sturdy?
Extendable dining tables aren’t inherently more or less sturdy than traditional dining tables. As is the case with any of the best dining tables, the sturdiness depends on the quality of the construction and the materials used. If the joints and hinges are well-made and the table is constructed of solid wood or a similarly durable material, it should be just as sturdy—if not more so—than any other table.
