are my dining table requirements outlandish?
January 7, 2016 2:08 PM Subscribe
This is one those times I feel like there must be an obvious answer that everyone knows but me. I'd like to get a dining table that's not too heavy for two people to move; and is big enough to accommodate dinner guests; and which doesn't require tablecloths. How are these wants reconciled?
My family is 2 adults, 2 kids. The families we'd like to have over for dinner are typically 2 adults, 2-3 kids. So I'd like a table that can seat up to 8-9. (Note these are casual dinners with small children, nothing formal ever.)
The dining table we've been using for some years was a loaner from a relative. It was big enough to accommodate guest groups, but I recently gave it back to her because it was just so big and heavy and we were doing a renovation and I didn't have room to store it. I'd always hated it, anyway, because it was too heavy even for my husband and me to move together; and it had a nice veneer surface that wasn't practical for my family and we had to keep it covered all the time. I want something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
So, I'd like to have an easy care table that isn't too heavy for us to move. (That requirement eliminates glass and stone tops, I think.) But then how do we have people over for dinner where we need to seat 8-9 at the table? What am I missing? Are there materials that are less heavy that I ought to be looking for? How do most families solve this? I'm aware of the Ikea Bjursta series and may default to that, but I've heard that surface gets ruined and bubbles with the littlest spill on it. And, oh yeah, budget is definitely an issue.
My family is 2 adults, 2 kids. The families we'd like to have over for dinner are typically 2 adults, 2-3 kids. So I'd like a table that can seat up to 8-9. (Note these are casual dinners with small children, nothing formal ever.)
The dining table we've been using for some years was a loaner from a relative. It was big enough to accommodate guest groups, but I recently gave it back to her because it was just so big and heavy and we were doing a renovation and I didn't have room to store it. I'd always hated it, anyway, because it was too heavy even for my husband and me to move together; and it had a nice veneer surface that wasn't practical for my family and we had to keep it covered all the time. I want something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
So, I'd like to have an easy care table that isn't too heavy for us to move. (That requirement eliminates glass and stone tops, I think.) But then how do we have people over for dinner where we need to seat 8-9 at the table? What am I missing? Are there materials that are less heavy that I ought to be looking for? How do most families solve this? I'm aware of the Ikea Bjursta series and may default to that, but I've heard that surface gets ruined and bubbles with the littlest spill on it. And, oh yeah, budget is definitely an issue.
The way we solved this is we found a nice mahogany table on craigslist that had a leaf insert. When it's just us, we use it with the leaf out, and when guests come over, the leaf goes in. Not too heavy for two people to move.
posted by chevyvan at 2:14 PM on January 7, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by chevyvan at 2:14 PM on January 7, 2016 [8 favorites]
Get an old drop-leaf table. Reproduction Duncan-Phyfe or whatever. Can be collapsed as small as a bistro table, or enlarged to seat 12 or more.
Antique stores sell them cheap sometimes, particularly if finish is damaged.
posted by yesster at 2:16 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Antique stores sell them cheap sometimes, particularly if finish is damaged.
posted by yesster at 2:16 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
(Friend bought one here for about $130 recently, from Craigslist)
posted by yesster at 2:18 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by yesster at 2:18 PM on January 7, 2016
I second looking for something vintage. Not sure about where you are, but my area has both thrift stores with decent furniture sections and semi-antique stores that sell close-outs from estates, clearouts, etc. Both of these types of stores tend to have FREQUENT dining sets as frankly, most people don't buy dining sets there. I'd look for a place like this and check often, and you'll probably find something sooner or later.
Craigslist is another option.
posted by pie ninja at 2:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Craigslist is another option.
posted by pie ninja at 2:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
This is why the leaf was invented! I've been shopping dining-room tables and there are always a lot of them on Craigslist and in secondhand stores. If you're not too picky you should be able to get something well under $300.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 2:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 2:20 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
An example, for $125. Comes with 4 chairs. With the 2 extra leaves mentioned, it would easily seat 8 to 10 adults.
posted by yesster at 2:23 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by yesster at 2:23 PM on January 7, 2016
Also came in to say drop-leaf table. It is what we have.
It can fold up really small (like this) so it is easy for two people to carry and easy to store. And folds out nicely for a large party.
Ours is a William and Mary. The originals are expensive but there are lots of reproductions out there.
posted by vacapinta at 2:25 PM on January 7, 2016
It can fold up really small (like this) so it is easy for two people to carry and easy to store. And folds out nicely for a large party.
Ours is a William and Mary. The originals are expensive but there are lots of reproductions out there.
posted by vacapinta at 2:25 PM on January 7, 2016
Response by poster: I'm not understanding how a drop leaf table gets used in the dropped position. It looks like it would only seat two?
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:28 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:28 PM on January 7, 2016
Best answer: A lot of newer veneered tabletops, even from upscale stores, have very heavy particleboard cores. Avoid.
posted by jon1270 at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by jon1270 at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
Find a local furniture maker whose work you like and explain your needs (and your budget)! It doesn't cost to ask, and the process will help you nail down your preferences, and the conversation will introduce you to the available options and possibilities.
Otherwise, yeah, second-hand dining table with a couple of leaves.
(On preview: You can drop one or both leaves, depending on your needs!)
posted by notyou at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2016
Otherwise, yeah, second-hand dining table with a couple of leaves.
(On preview: You can drop one or both leaves, depending on your needs!)
posted by notyou at 2:30 PM on January 7, 2016
I'm not a fan of drop leaves because it creates awkward seating with one leave dropped and looks odd. As an alternative to drop leaf tables, you may wish to consider extension tables (See for example World Market's selections)
Closed up without the extension you seat 6. Add the extension and you can seat 8. In the version we have at home when my wife and I wanted to move it we just pulled out the extension and then moved the table.
There are also versions where all of the table tops are removable making moving really easy.
posted by Karaage at 2:31 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Closed up without the extension you seat 6. Add the extension and you can seat 8. In the version we have at home when my wife and I wanted to move it we just pulled out the extension and then moved the table.
There are also versions where all of the table tops are removable making moving really easy.
posted by Karaage at 2:31 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
The drop-leaf table I linked has several positions.
As is, it seats 2.
Open one drop leaf, it seats 3 to 4 in a semi-circle.
Open both drop leaves, it seats 4 to 6 in a full circle.
Add leaves, and it becomes an elongated oval.
posted by yesster at 2:33 PM on January 7, 2016
As is, it seats 2.
Open one drop leaf, it seats 3 to 4 in a semi-circle.
Open both drop leaves, it seats 4 to 6 in a full circle.
Add leaves, and it becomes an elongated oval.
posted by yesster at 2:33 PM on January 7, 2016
I want something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
Another way to not worry is to think of it as patina. A well-made table isn't ruined by having some dents and marks. Obviously you don't want veneer peeling, chunks breaking off, finish scratched all the way through, but there are ways to build things so they'll take abuse gracefully.
posted by jon1270 at 2:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
Another way to not worry is to think of it as patina. A well-made table isn't ruined by having some dents and marks. Obviously you don't want veneer peeling, chunks breaking off, finish scratched all the way through, but there are ways to build things so they'll take abuse gracefully.
posted by jon1270 at 2:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]
I think you need to accept that a cover is necessary. There are vintage tables with laminate tops, and you can look for those. But they are out of fashion today.
My opinion is that IKEA doesn't really have good options on this specific problem, and you need to look at other possibilities, like vintage (as suggested above) or custom-made. Another inspiration is : In the very olden days, even royals just had trestles and whatever boards because they moved around a lot within their homes and adapted to different social situations. For a long time, that was what I did, I had several different boards standing tall in my hallway, and interchanged them depending on the party or other uses.
During the holidays, we all suddenly realized that when grand-children arrive we may need to be able to re-configure our dining facilities dramatically. I think I am going to go with a system of trestles and laminated boards, though extension tables are also interesting.
posted by mumimor at 2:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
My opinion is that IKEA doesn't really have good options on this specific problem, and you need to look at other possibilities, like vintage (as suggested above) or custom-made. Another inspiration is : In the very olden days, even royals just had trestles and whatever boards because they moved around a lot within their homes and adapted to different social situations. For a long time, that was what I did, I had several different boards standing tall in my hallway, and interchanged them depending on the party or other uses.
During the holidays, we all suddenly realized that when grand-children arrive we may need to be able to re-configure our dining facilities dramatically. I think I am going to go with a system of trestles and laminated boards, though extension tables are also interesting.
posted by mumimor at 2:34 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was hunting for a dining table a couple of months ago and there were a zillion on craigslist.
A leaf of any type (I prefer leaves that you insert to drop leafs but YMMV) will make it more flexible in terms of size but isn't going to make a huge difference on the weight front.
I'm not sure you're going to get the durability you want in something light enough to move, so I would concentrate on getting it cheap enough not to care (see able re: craigslist). The quality you get for say $200 will also be a lot better than a new $200 table.
posted by quaking fajita at 2:35 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
A leaf of any type (I prefer leaves that you insert to drop leafs but YMMV) will make it more flexible in terms of size but isn't going to make a huge difference on the weight front.
I'm not sure you're going to get the durability you want in something light enough to move, so I would concentrate on getting it cheap enough not to care (see able re: craigslist). The quality you get for say $200 will also be a lot better than a new $200 table.
posted by quaking fajita at 2:35 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't get a drop leaf table because it's hard to get your legs under them when the leafs are dropped and they're not any lighter. I'd get a table with removable leaves. Usually they are round (often 48", big enough to seat 4) with no leaves in and pull apart so that you can insert removable leaves (usually 12'-18" wide) into the middle and make it a long oval. When you don't have guests you store the leaves somewhere in a closet.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 2:37 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 2:37 PM on January 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
One of my favorite dining tables was a drop leaf on wheels. Closed up, it was readily moved, even by one person.
I want something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
In addition to buying used, consider buying the floor model at a store. You get a price break and it probably already has a few scratches. Once it is pre-beat up, it is enormously less stressful when the kids add a few small dings. I didn't get my blood pressure up until they finally did something relatively major one day (like spilled fingernail polish on it or something like that).
posted by Michele in California at 2:40 PM on January 7, 2016
I want something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
In addition to buying used, consider buying the floor model at a store. You get a price break and it probably already has a few scratches. Once it is pre-beat up, it is enormously less stressful when the kids add a few small dings. I didn't get my blood pressure up until they finally did something relatively major one day (like spilled fingernail polish on it or something like that).
posted by Michele in California at 2:40 PM on January 7, 2016
We did an ikea hack of with the TORSBY table base and made a solid wood top. Our top is about an inch thick and really it's not very heavy to move. I don't know how it compares to the tempered glass but I bet it's similar. Since the top is separate you can always replace that part, either with an ikea version or something else, it's really just a rectangle. Nothing fancy.
The thing I like best about it is that the legs are at the outer corners so you have lots of unencumbered leg room, so you can squeeze a lot of people in. We've done 6 adults and three toddlers, but that was with family so it was a little tight.
You could also do two smaller tables like this. Stain, light poly (they sell it in a spray) and nthing that the dents and spills give them patina.
posted by pennypiper at 2:50 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
The thing I like best about it is that the legs are at the outer corners so you have lots of unencumbered leg room, so you can squeeze a lot of people in. We've done 6 adults and three toddlers, but that was with family so it was a little tight.
You could also do two smaller tables like this. Stain, light poly (they sell it in a spray) and nthing that the dents and spills give them patina.
posted by pennypiper at 2:50 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Here's a place that is producing the Formica/Chrome table. Check them out for pricing.
Copenhagen Furniture used to be on Van Ness in San Francisco, it seems they relocated across the bay in East Oakland. Now they've retired (*sigh* They were amazing!) They're re-opening in Sacramento, so keep an eye peeled. I highly recommend a Teak pull-out leaf table. Teak is forgiving and durable. My parents have a table they bought in 1970, and my sister and I grew up around it. Looks beautiful.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:26 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Copenhagen Furniture used to be on Van Ness in San Francisco, it seems they relocated across the bay in East Oakland. Now they've retired (*sigh* They were amazing!) They're re-opening in Sacramento, so keep an eye peeled. I highly recommend a Teak pull-out leaf table. Teak is forgiving and durable. My parents have a table they bought in 1970, and my sister and I grew up around it. Looks beautiful.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:26 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
It sounds like the tablecloth was used not to make the table look nice, but to protect the surface of an expensive table from scratches?
If you aren't worried about how the table looks, you can buy several 6' or 4' folding tables, and add more as needed if you have guests. If you want them to look nice for guests, you just put a tablecloth on then. These tables can easily be moved by one adult and fold down to a thin thing you can slip into a closet. You can also use them outdoors or take them somewhere in a car easily. I've lent mine to friends for big dinner parties. They are also fairly cheap.
The one disadvantage is they aren't that pretty without a tablecloth.
posted by yohko at 3:30 PM on January 7, 2016
If you aren't worried about how the table looks, you can buy several 6' or 4' folding tables, and add more as needed if you have guests. If you want them to look nice for guests, you just put a tablecloth on then. These tables can easily be moved by one adult and fold down to a thin thing you can slip into a closet. You can also use them outdoors or take them somewhere in a car easily. I've lent mine to friends for big dinner parties. They are also fairly cheap.
The one disadvantage is they aren't that pretty without a tablecloth.
posted by yohko at 3:30 PM on January 7, 2016
How about a removable leaf table and a table pad? Sounds like you could get one to fit just about any table.
posted by Beti at 3:38 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by Beti at 3:38 PM on January 7, 2016
We found a solid wood table with four leaves at a discount center. Once the kids are old enough, we'll just refinish it. In the meantime, its got lots of.... patina. ;)
posted by wwartorff at 4:11 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by wwartorff at 4:11 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
N-thing a removable leaf table and formica for durability. Or really, if you can find a removable leaf wood table on Craigslist for cheap, you might not care as much what happens to it.
posted by purple_bird at 4:22 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by purple_bird at 4:22 PM on January 7, 2016
i suspect this isn't what you want, but it's an alternative to a leaf that worked for us. we had made a solid wood table (i guess from pine that was stained - just cheap wood) and two benches. the table is long enough to seat 4-5 on one side (it gets a bit cozy, but on the bench you can sit close). normally it is pushed against a wall, with one bench underneath. when we have visitors we can pull it out from the wall and use both benches to seat 8-10. the style - pretty simple block shape, not very well finished - means that it doesn't need a tablecloth. the varnish keeps it in ok condition.
the key idea is that even though the table is relatively large, it being against a wall means it takes up little room. and the benches help with storage and allow people to sit closer. (i grew up with a formal "dining room", dominated by a table in the centre, that always seemed like a terrible waste of space).
posted by andrewcooke at 4:24 PM on January 7, 2016
the key idea is that even though the table is relatively large, it being against a wall means it takes up little room. and the benches help with storage and allow people to sit closer. (i grew up with a formal "dining room", dominated by a table in the centre, that always seemed like a terrible waste of space).
posted by andrewcooke at 4:24 PM on January 7, 2016
I had similar requirements when I was looking for a dining table, and I ended up with this one:
http://www.scandinaviandesigns.com/dining/tables/extension-tables/dinex-alfa-extension-dining-table-3/1846
It's a bit on the expensive side, but I decided it was worth it because it was exactly what I wanted. Reasons I love it:
1. It has leaves that are stored in the table and just slide out - no drop leaves to deal with, and no separate leaves that have to be stored in a closet or something when you're not using them.
2. Seats 4-6 without the leaves, 8-10 with the leaves (although I've crammed more than 10 around it on several occasions).
3. Relatively slim frame so even though it's wood it's very easy to move. In fact, I have furniture pads under the legs and hardwood floor, so I can just slide it from location to location on my own.
I don't have kids, but I do have a LOT of dinner parties with inebriated 20 and 30-somethings who act like kids and spill food everywhere, and I can report that it's held up very well for the 6 years I've had it, without any cover on it.
posted by scalar_implicature at 4:36 PM on January 7, 2016
http://www.scandinaviandesigns.com/dining/tables/extension-tables/dinex-alfa-extension-dining-table-3/1846
It's a bit on the expensive side, but I decided it was worth it because it was exactly what I wanted. Reasons I love it:
1. It has leaves that are stored in the table and just slide out - no drop leaves to deal with, and no separate leaves that have to be stored in a closet or something when you're not using them.
2. Seats 4-6 without the leaves, 8-10 with the leaves (although I've crammed more than 10 around it on several occasions).
3. Relatively slim frame so even though it's wood it's very easy to move. In fact, I have furniture pads under the legs and hardwood floor, so I can just slide it from location to location on my own.
I don't have kids, but I do have a LOT of dinner parties with inebriated 20 and 30-somethings who act like kids and spill food everywhere, and I can report that it's held up very well for the 6 years I've had it, without any cover on it.
posted by scalar_implicature at 4:36 PM on January 7, 2016
Response by poster: aw, ruthlessbunny, I grew up on Copenhagen! I love their stuff. Looking forward to the reopened store, but I suspect anything there will be beyond my current price limit for this.
The table I gave back was a beautiful Scandinavian Designs cherry finish extension table. Just too big and heavy, and yeah, I was always nervous about the finish, particularly since it was a loaner.
I'm going to investigate the formica tables, although I suspect that if the prices were in my range, they'd be posted on the site.
Secondhand was my first thought too but as we speak I'm preparing for an extremely expensive, 5 day fumigation of my home for bedbugs. That's why I have no money left for a nice table; and why after decades of clever Craigslisting I now have a paralyzing fear of secondhand furniture.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:28 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
The table I gave back was a beautiful Scandinavian Designs cherry finish extension table. Just too big and heavy, and yeah, I was always nervous about the finish, particularly since it was a loaner.
I'm going to investigate the formica tables, although I suspect that if the prices were in my range, they'd be posted on the site.
Secondhand was my first thought too but as we speak I'm preparing for an extremely expensive, 5 day fumigation of my home for bedbugs. That's why I have no money left for a nice table; and why after decades of clever Craigslisting I now have a paralyzing fear of secondhand furniture.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:28 PM on January 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
We bought a teak veneer table just like scalar_implicature's, thirty years ago, on sale for a third that price. It's been ideal. Light and easy to move but not flimsy, seats many people. I am not strong, but I can easily move it by myself. I recommend it.
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 6:28 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 6:28 PM on January 7, 2016
For many years Charles Webb in Cambridge, MA made what I consider the perfect diningroom table. Unlike most designs that take leaves, it works by having the two halves of the tabletop slide on a rigid base. The result is a table that is strong, attractive (in a mid-century way) and very light. Here is one that was recently sold at auction, if you flip through the photos you'll see how the leaves work.
I liked the design so much that I built myself a copy of it, which I've enjoyed for 25 years. Someday I'll even finish the last leaf.
posted by mr vino at 7:09 PM on January 7, 2016
I liked the design so much that I built myself a copy of it, which I've enjoyed for 25 years. Someday I'll even finish the last leaf.
posted by mr vino at 7:09 PM on January 7, 2016
Response by poster: That is a gorgeous table! Someday...
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:12 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:12 PM on January 7, 2016
The search term you're looking for is rustic. If you're into Pottery Barn, I think every table in that store would work in terms of kid-friendliness. There are already a bit rough and kid spills/scratches are just going to be part of the table. No biggie. Veneer is not your buddy here because veneers are quite thin. Every little nick and scratch is going to show. You have two requirements that contradict a bit - I think you want the durability of solid wood and the lightness of a table that MDF and veneer. You likely cannot have both. I'm not sure how often you are moving your table and PB's stuff might be heavier than you'd like, but the rougher style would work. Here's one option.
I would also get a bench, but make sure it fits under the table in both the extended and unextended configuration. If you're hosting a bunch of kids then they can all go on the bench. Makes life easier for everyone.
I am not a fan of drop leaf. I find them awkward and uncomfortable.
posted by 26.2 at 7:30 PM on January 7, 2016
I would also get a bench, but make sure it fits under the table in both the extended and unextended configuration. If you're hosting a bunch of kids then they can all go on the bench. Makes life easier for everyone.
I am not a fan of drop leaf. I find them awkward and uncomfortable.
posted by 26.2 at 7:30 PM on January 7, 2016
Best answer: We had similar requirements and ended up buying this outdoor table for use inside. Looks like it's not available any more but there are plenty of similar ones out there. We love it because the top is real wood but made to be durable for the elements, and so far hasn't been easy to scratch. It's not light but it's movable with 2 people. It seats 8 easily, you could probably squeeze 10 in a pinch. If you look carefully you can tell it's for outdoors because there are tiny gaps between slats to drain water, and there is a removable cut out for an umbrella, but no one ever guesses and we get lots of compliments on it. And, outdoor furniture is cheap! We paid under $200 during a sale I think.
posted by ellebeejay at 8:37 PM on January 7, 2016
posted by ellebeejay at 8:37 PM on January 7, 2016
ant something that my kids don't have to worry about scratching and spilling on... (either because it's durable or, preferably, because it's cheap enough that I don't have to worry.)
Our solution to this problem is that we have a nice-ish table (birch veneer from Ikea, but I really like it), and it's always covered by a clear vinyl tablecloth (we buy 7 yards or so of vinyl at JoAnn Fabric, I think the 8 gauge is good but they don't always have it in stock), so we don't have to worry about spills. The vinyl gets tears every couple if years, but it's easy to replace. But this way, even if something gets spilled and not wiped up for...a while...(kids!) the tabletop doesn't get damaged. And you still get the aesthetic of a wood table.
posted by leahwrenn at 10:59 PM on January 7, 2016
Our solution to this problem is that we have a nice-ish table (birch veneer from Ikea, but I really like it), and it's always covered by a clear vinyl tablecloth (we buy 7 yards or so of vinyl at JoAnn Fabric, I think the 8 gauge is good but they don't always have it in stock), so we don't have to worry about spills. The vinyl gets tears every couple if years, but it's easy to replace. But this way, even if something gets spilled and not wiped up for...a while...(kids!) the tabletop doesn't get damaged. And you still get the aesthetic of a wood table.
posted by leahwrenn at 10:59 PM on January 7, 2016
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posted by easily confused at 2:12 PM on January 7, 2016 [3 favorites]