The best extendable dining tables with self storing leaves keep their extension pieces inside the table, open smoothly with minimal effort and close back to a neat, unbroken top. Because the leaves never leave the table, there is nothing to store in a cupboard, nothing to lose and nothing to warp in a cold loft. For UK homes where storage space is scarce, this is often the deciding factor when choosing an extending table.
A self storing table answers a very practical question: where do the leaves go? Our full range of modern extending dining tables UK sale includes several self storing designs, so you can compare mechanisms side by side.
A self storing table keeps its extension leaves within the table structure when they are not in use. There are a few common ways of doing this.
Each method keeps the leaves with the table. The difference lies in how much effort it takes, how many people you need and how seamless the extended top looks.
Separate table leaves sound simple until you try to store them. They are long, flat and easily damaged. In flats and terraced houses with few large cupboards, they often end up under a bed or behind a sofa, where they can be scratched or knocked.
Leaves stored in garages or lofts face another problem: temperature and humidity. Wood and veneers can warp or change colour when kept in very different conditions from the table itself. When you finally bring them out for Christmas, they may not sit flat or match the main top.
Self storing leaves live in the same conditions as the table. They age at a similar rate and are always to hand, which encourages you to actually use the extension rather than squeezing everyone around a too small table. If you would like to see how tables and chairs work together across sizes, our modern dining table and chairs sets UK collection is a useful place to compare.
The best mechanisms can be operated by one person. Butterfly designs are usually the quickest. Stacked leaves are simple but involve lifting a flat panel into place. End leaf designs need you to pull each end out separately, which is easy on smaller tables but more involved on long ones.
Metal runners with a smooth glide make a real difference. They should run quietly and evenly, without catching or twisting. Wooden runners can work well too, though they may need occasional waxing to keep them moving freely.
Once extended, the leaf should sit level with the main top, with narrow, even joins. Alignment pins or clips that hold the halves together prevent gaps from opening during use.
When closed, a good self storing table looks like a single solid piece. There should be no visible sagging beneath the top or awkward gaps where the leaf hides.
Self storing mechanisms appear across many finishes. Wood is the most traditional and pairs naturally with butterfly and draw leaf designs. Our wooden extending dining tables UK sale range includes oak, walnut and painted options with integrated leaves.
High gloss and ceramic tops often use butterfly or flip mechanisms with metal frames. They tend to show less colour variation between leaf and top, since their finishes are less affected by light exposure than natural wood.
With solid wood, the leaf receives less daylight than the main top, so a slight colour difference can develop over time. Extending the table every few weeks lets the leaf see some light and keeps the tones closer.
Think about your everyday needs first. Most households use their table for two to four people most days. A table that seats four when closed and six when open suits many homes. Larger families might prefer six closed and eight open.
Measure the room with the table at its extended length, and allow 70cm to 90cm between the table edge and walls or furniture so chairs can be pulled out. Check that doors, radiators and cupboards remain accessible when the table is open.
In open plan kitchen diners, consider which direction the table will extend. It may be easiest to extend it towards the living area, so the kitchen walkway stays clear.
A self storing table frees you from finding space for loose leaves, but dining rooms still need somewhere for plates, glasses, table linen and serving dishes. A sideboard near the table keeps everything to hand and gives you a surface for serving when the table is full. Our modern sideboards UK collection includes designs that complement extending tables in wood, gloss and mixed materials.
Coordinating a sideboard with your table creates a joined up look. Our styling guide on ways to style dining tables with sideboards in UK homes offers practical ideas for arranging both pieces in rooms of different sizes.
A few habits keep the mechanism working well for years.
Self storing mechanisms are available on both round and rectangular tables, and the shape changes how the table behaves when extended. A rectangular table grows along its length, which suits long, narrow dining rooms and kitchen diners. A round table opens into an oval, which suits square rooms and spaces where people walk around the table from every side.
Round tables tend to feel more sociable for small groups, since everyone can see one another. Rectangular tables make it easier to seat larger numbers and to place a bench along one side. Think about how you most often use the table, then choose the shape that suits that everyday pattern.
Plan your chairs for both lengths of the table. For daily use, you might keep four chairs around it. When extended, two more can come from elsewhere in the house, such as a desk chair or a pair of occasional chairs from a bedroom or hallway. Choosing chairs in a style that works in several rooms makes this easier.
Check how the legs of the table sit when extended. On some designs, the legs stay at the corners of the original top and the extended section overhangs. On others, the legs move outwards with the ends. This affects where chairs can sit comfortably, so it is worth checking the extended layout before deciding how many seats you can fit.
Clear answers to these questions help you compare tables fairly and avoid surprises once the table is in your home.
Self storing tables suit flats and smaller houses where cupboard space is limited, families who host regularly and want extension to be quick, and anyone who has struggled with loose leaves in the past. They also suit renters, since there are fewer separate pieces to manage when moving home.
If your dining area is tight, our guide to placing a rectangular dining table in a small UK room has helpful advice on clearances and layout that applies to extending tables as well.
We offer a choice of self storing extending tables at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.
It is an extension leaf kept inside the table when not in use, usually beneath the top or at the ends. You do not need to store it separately.
A butterfly leaf is one type of self storing leaf. It folds in half on a hinge and sits in a cavity within the table. Other types include stacked leaves and draw leaves at the ends.
Most self storing tables, particularly butterfly designs, can be extended by one person. Longer tables are easier with two people pulling from each end.
It is made from the same material, but solid wood leaves can age slightly differently because they receive less light. Extending the table regularly keeps the colours closer.
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