Hosting family meals can be much easier with these table leaf options!

Aside from the menu, one of the most perplexing challenges when it comes to hosting family meals is where to seat all the guests. Even hosts who are blessed with spacious dining rooms and large tables can find seating a conundrum when their table normally seats 10 and their guest list is 20. That's where leaf tables can really save the day. In this article, we'll discuss how to choose a dining table with the best leaf options for your home and family.

Self-Storing Leaves

Self-storing leaves can be conveniently stored directly beneath the dining table when not in use, which makes them a great option for homes that don't have the extra space to store removable leaves. In order to access self-storing leaves, both ends of the table slide apart with geared slides, and then the leaves can be removed from where they are stored below and placed into the table. Self-storing leaves normally range in size from 11” to 12” sections, and depending on the table, typically anywhere from one to four leaves can be self-stored. The first one or two self-storing leaves may have aprons that match the table for a seamless look, while subsequent self-storing leaves may not include aprons due to storage limitations below the table. Self-storing leaves are generally not available on round or square tables because of the limited storage available beneath them, although there is another great space-saving option for those shapes: butterfly leaves.

Butterfly Leaves

Like self-storing leaves, a butterfly leaf stores beneath the table, but instead of being one solid leaf from end to end, it is split across the middle so the two hinged ends can fold together like a pair of butterfly wings and then fold down beneath the table. To access a butterfly leaf, the ends of the table pull apart with geared slides, and then the butterfly leaf can be pulled up and out of the table, unfolding as it rises from below the table. The ends of the table can then be pushed back together so the leaf fits snugly in the middle. Butterfly leaves are an excellent space-saving option since the leaves don't need to be stored elsewhere, but most butterfly leaf tables are only designed with one 12”-18” leaf, so they may not be the best option for those who regularly need more leaves. They're perfect for smaller dining areas that wouldn't be able to accommodate an expanded table with multiple leaves. Butterfly leaves can transform a square table into a rectangle or a round table into an oval, but can also be found on rectangular and oval tables, and different base styles including leg tables and pedestal tables.

Removable Leaves

Aside from butterfly leaves, removable leaves are typically the leaves you'll find offered with round or square tables, but unlike butterfly leaves, removable leaves can be combined, creating a table that's as long as you need. A table with removable leaves pulls apart with geared slides, and for larger tables, the task is best done with one person at each end to pull the table apart. The leaves can then easily be placed into the table and removed when not in use. Just like a hardwood table, removable leaves need to be stored in areas where humidity stays between 35% to 40% to minimize potential for swelling, cracking or warping.

Handcrafted hardwood dining tables offer so many possibilities when it comes to leaf tables and the customization options available. If you think a leaf table would be a great solution for your home, take a look at our website or visit your nearest CVW retailer to get started!