Extending Dining Table Mechanisms Explained: Butterfly, Drop Leaf & Draw Leaf
Buyers choose extending dining tables on closed size and open size, but it is the mechanism in between that decides whether the table is opened weekly or once a year. In this report Furniture in Fashion sets out how butterfly, drop leaf and draw leaf extensions differ and which problem each one solves. Butterfly leaves store inside the frame, which suits homes with nowhere to keep a loose panel, at the cost of a deeper apron and tighter knee room at the centre. Drop leaf designs are the only format that reduces footprint in both directions, making them useful in galley kitchens and through rooms in terraced housing. Draw leaf and modern sliding mechanisms keep the surface flush and open in one movement, which is why they suit frequent use. The analysis includes seating capacity by table length, the room length required once clearance is counted, and guidance on leg positions at the extended size....
