How to Choose Extendable Dining Tables for a Bungalow

The best way to choose an extendable dining table for a bungalow is to start with how the room flows. Most bungalows place the dining area within an open plan living space, a through lounge or a kitchen diner, so the table needs to sit comfortably out of the main walkways when closed and still leave clear routes when extended. A compact table with an easy extension mechanism, a stable base that does not obstruct feet or walking aids, softened corners and supportive chairs will suit the majority of bungalow homes, whether you are a family, a couple or downsizing after years in a larger house.

Single storey living has real advantages, but every room tends to multitask. Our selection of modern extending dining tables UK includes compact designs that suit this kind of flexible space. Here is how to choose well.

Understand how your bungalow is laid out

Bungalows vary widely. Many built in the mid twentieth century have a hallway with rooms leading off it, including a lounge with a dining area at one end. Others have been opened up into a large kitchen, dining and living space at the back of the house, often with patio doors onto the garden. Some have a separate dining room that has become a study or guest room over the years.

Before choosing a table, identify the routes people take through the space. In a bungalow, the dining area is often on the way to somewhere else: the kitchen, the garden, the bedrooms. Mark those routes and keep them clear. A table that blocks the path to the patio doors will be pushed against a wall within a month.

Measure for both sizes and every walkway

Measure the area available for dining, then allow space around the table. As a general guide, leave around 70cm behind chairs where people only sit and around 90cm where people need to walk past. If anyone in the household uses a walking frame or wheelchair, more generous clearance will make moving around far more comfortable.

Check the extended size against the same clearances. In many bungalows, the extended table will be used mainly when family visit, which often coincides with more people moving about the room. Plan for that busier moment, not just a quiet dinner for two.

If the space has a dining table and chairs set already in mind, measure the chairs pulled out as well as tucked in. Our modern dining table and chairs sets UK list dimensions for the table and seating, which makes this easier.

Choosing a shape that suits single storey living

Round and oval tables have no sharp corners to catch a hip or a sleeve, which makes them a comfortable choice in open plan bungalows where people often walk close to the table. A round table that extends to an oval works particularly well in square dining areas and encourages conversation.

Rectangular tables make efficient use of long, narrow spaces such as the dining end of a through lounge. Look for designs with rounded or softened corners for the same reason. A slimmer rectangle, around 80cm to 90cm wide, can keep a walkway open along one side.

Square tables that extend to a rectangle are a good compromise in compact kitchen diners. They sit neatly in a corner day to day and pull out into the room when needed.

Why the base matters

Table bases are easy to overlook, yet they affect comfort more than most people expect. Four legs at the corners provide good stability and legroom along the sides, but they can make it awkward to seat a fifth or sixth person when the table is extended.

A central pedestal or a well designed twin pedestal frees up space around the edges, so chairs can be placed wherever they are needed. It can also make it easier for someone using a wheelchair to pull up close to the table. Avoid bases with low, wide feet or stretcher bars that sit where people put their feet, as these can become trip hazards.

Whatever the design, the table should feel completely steady when someone leans on it to stand up. That matters for everyone, and especially for older family members.

Chairs that are easy to use

Seating can make or break a dining area. In a bungalow, where many households include older adults or plan to stay for the long term, it is worth choosing chairs that are supportive and simple to get in and out of.

• Seat height. A seat that is too low is hard to rise from. Most dining chairs sit around 45cm to 48cm high, which suits standard table heights.
• Arms. Chairs with arms provide leverage when standing up. Check that the arms clear the table apron so the chairs can tuck in.
• Firm, padded seats. Upholstery that is too soft makes rising harder. A firm, well padded seat strikes the right balance.
• Easy to clean. Faux leather and leather wipe clean easily, which is helpful with grandchildren visiting.
• Manageable weight. Chairs should be light enough to move easily but stable enough not to tip.

Our leather dining chairs UK sale include supportive designs with comfortable padding that are simple to keep clean.

Choosing a mechanism you can manage

An extendable table only helps if extending it is straightforward. Butterfly mechanisms, where the leaf is stored inside the table and unfolds in the middle, are usually the easiest because there is no heavy leaf to carry from another room. Separate leaves need lifting and storing, which can be a nuisance on a single level with limited cupboard space.

Try the mechanism if you can, or read the product details carefully. Runners should glide smoothly, and the leaf should lock firmly into place. If two people are needed to extend the table, consider whether that will be practical in your household.

Making the most of garden views and light

Many bungalows have dining areas facing the garden, often with patio doors or large windows. Position the table so diners can enjoy the view, but keep a clear route to the doors when the table is extended.

Lighter table tops, whether pale oak, white or glass, help a space feel bright, which is helpful in bungalows with deep floor plans where the middle of the house receives less daylight. If your ceilings are on the lower side, keep the furniture visually light too: slim legs, open chair backs and a pendant that does not hang too low over the table.

Connecting dining and living areas

In open plan bungalows, the dining table sits within sight of the sofa, the television and often the kitchen. Choosing finishes that relate to one another helps the space feel calm. That might mean a wooden tabletop that echoes a coffee table, or dining chair upholstery in a colour drawn from sofa cushions.

A low sideboard can define the dining zone and store the table leaf, placemats, table linen and serving dishes on the same level, close to where they are used. Our modern sideboards UK sale include low designs that also work as a room divider behind a sofa.

For ideas on how the dining table and seating area can share a room gracefully, our guide on styling dining tables with sofas in UK homes is worth reading.

Planning for visiting family

Many bungalow owners find the dining table is used quietly by one or two people most days, then needs to seat the whole family at weekends or holidays. An extendable table handles this well. Keep two or three folding chairs stored nearby, or choose a table whose extended size suits the largest group you host regularly.

Think about who will sit where. Place the most supportive chairs at the most accessible positions, near the walkway rather than squeezed into a corner. If a family member uses a wheelchair, leave one position free of a chair altogether so they can pull straight up to the table without anyone needing to shuffle round.

Bringing it together

Choosing an extendable table for a bungalow is about comfort, flow and flexibility. If legroom and access are high on your list, our guide to pedestal base dining tables for UK homes explains the benefits in more detail. You can browse dining tables, chairs and storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

What shape dining table is best for a bungalow?

Round or oval tables suit square, open plan spaces and have no sharp corners. Slim rectangular tables with softened corners suit long through lounges.

Are pedestal tables good for older people?

They can be, because a central base leaves more space for legs, chairs and wheelchairs. Make sure the table is fully stable when leaned on.

What height should dining chairs be for easy standing?

A seat height of around 45cm to 48cm suits most people at a standard dining table. Chairs with arms and firm seats make standing up easier.

Where should I store an extension leaf in a bungalow?

A butterfly table stores its leaf internally. If your table has a separate leaf, a low sideboard or a cupboard near the dining area keeps it within easy reach.