Space saving tables, round, drop leaf, wall mounted, nesting, and expandable, each save space, in a different way, and each works best, for a different room, a different job, and a different number of people, so choosing the right type, starts with measuring your space, folded and expanded, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for both footprints, and with chairs, that can be pulled out, without hitting a wall, a door, or a walkway, and with a walkway clear, at all times. A round table, has no corners, to bump into, and seats more people, in a small corner, than a square table, a drop leaf table, folds down, when not used, and lifts, when needed, a wall mounted table, folds down, against a wall, when not used, and lifts, when needed, nesting tables, tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, and an expandable table, is small daily, and larger for hosting, as in the expandable dining tables guide. All measurements in this guide are in inches and cm, as approximate ranges only, and sizes vary by product, so check listings before you buy, and measure your space first, as in the measuring guide in this series.
Key takeaways
- Round tables have no corners to bump into, and seat more people in a small corner, than square tables, which have corners that stick out, and need more space to pull out chairs.
- Drop leaf tables fold down, when not used, and lift, when needed, so a small apartment, or corner dining nook, can have a table, without a large table blocking the room every day.
- Wall mounted tables fold down, against a wall, when not used, and lift, when needed, so a corner can be a dining spot, when needed, and a walkway, when not needed, but they need anchoring, with manufacturer hardware and weight limits.
- Nesting tables tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, so a living room can have side tables, without a large table blocking the room every day.
- Expandable tables are small daily, and larger for hosting, so a small home can seat guests, without a large table blocking the room every day, as in the expandable dining tables guide.
- Measure folded and expanded, width, depth, height, chair pull out, and walkway, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for both footprints, before you buy, and keep exits, door swings, and walkways clear at all times.
Round Tables: No Corners, More Seats in a Corner
Round tables, with a diameter, approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, for two people, and approximately 36 to 48 inches, 90 to 120 cm, for four people, work best, in a corner, or in a small dining area, because a round table, has no corners, to bump into, and it seats more people, in a small corner, than a square table, which has corners, that stick out, and which need more space, to pull out chairs, and a round table, with a pedestal base, rather than four legs, leaves more room, for chairs, and for feet, under the table, so a person can sit comfortably, with knees under the table, and with feet on the floor, without a leg, in the way, of a chair, or a foot, and without a corner, to bump into, when walking past, the table, in a small room, where every inch matters.
Use a round table, if you have a corner, or a small dining area, where a square table, would be too large, or too awkward, for the space, and where chairs, need to be pulled out, approximately 24 inches, 60 cm, behind each chair, as a comfort guide, without hitting a wall, a door, or a walkway, and with a walkway clear, approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, as a comfort guide, not a building code, so you can walk past, easily, even when chairs are pulled out, and so you can get out, easily, even in the dark, and so a door can open fully, without hitting the table, or a chair. Use a table height, approximately 29 to 30 inches, 74 to 76 cm, for most dining tables, and a chair height, approximately 17 to 19 inches, 43 to 48 cm, for most dining chairs, so a person can sit comfortably, with knees under the table, and with feet on the floor, without the table being too high, or too low, for the chair.
Avoid a round table, that is too large, for the space, because it will block a walkway, a door, or a window, and it will make the room feel cramped, even if it is tidy, and avoid a round table, that is too small, for the number of people, because it will not hold plates, glasses, and food, for two, or four, people, and it will be ignored, and meals will end up, elsewhere, on a coffee table, or a sofa, instead of at the table, and avoid a round table, with four legs, that block chairs, or feet, if you have a small space, because a pedestal base, leaves more room, for chairs, and for feet, under the table, and a round table, with a pedestal base, will feel more spacious, than a round table, with four legs, however good it looks, in a photograph. For a general awkward corner overview, see the awkward corner pillar in this series, which links to this guide, and to the other Furniture guides, as they go live.
Drop Leaf Tables: Fold Down Daily, Lift for Hosting
Drop leaf tables, with a leaf, that folds down, on one side, or both sides, expand from a narrow console, or a small table, to a larger table, by lifting a leaf, and locking it, and they work, in a corner, or against a wall, where a table can be folded down, when not used, and lifted, when needed, so a small apartment, or a corner dining nook, can have a table, without a large table, blocking the room, every day, and so a corner can be a dining spot, when needed, and a walkway, when not needed. Use a drop leaf table, if you have a corner, or a wall, where a table can be folded down, when not used, and lifted, when needed, with a leaf, that is easy to lift, and lock, without help, and without tools, if possible, so the table will be lifted, when guests come, rather than left folded, because the leaf is hard, or heavy, to lift, and so a table, that is left folded, when guests come, will not seat guests, and guests will end up, elsewhere, on a coffee table, or a kitchen counter, instead of at the table.
Measure a drop leaf table, folded and expanded, width, depth, height, chair pull out, and walkway, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for the folded footprint, and for the expanded footprint, and walk through both, pull out chairs, open doors, and check at night and in daylight, before you buy, as in the measuring guide, because a table, that fits folded, but does not fit expanded, will not work, for hosting, and a table, that fits expanded, but is too large folded, will block the space, every day, not just when hosting, and a table, that is measured, folded and expanded, will fit, daily, and when hosting, without blocking a walkway, a door, or a window, when it is expanded, for guests, and without blocking the room, every day, when it is folded, for daily use.
Avoid a drop leaf table, with a leaf, that is stiff, heavy, or hard to lift, because it will not be lifted, when guests come, and a table, that is left folded, when guests come, will not seat guests, and avoid a drop leaf table, with a leaf, that does not lock, because a leaf, that does not lock, will slip, collapse, or fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and avoid a drop leaf table, that is unstable, when expanded, or when folded, because it will wobble, tip, or fail, when it is used, and it must be fixed, returned, or replaced, before it is used again, however much you like it, because an unstable table, is a safety risk, not just a wobble, and it must be stable, before it is used, especially with hot food, or hot drinks, on it.
Wall Mounted and Nesting Tables: Fold Away, Tuck Away
Wall mounted tables, with a table top, that folds down, against a wall, when not used, and lifts, when needed, with a bracket, that holds the table, when lifted, and when folded, work best, in a very small space, such as a studio apartment, a kitchen corner, or a hallway, where a floor table, would block a walkway, a door, or a room, and where a table, that folds away, against a wall, can be a dining spot, when needed, and a walkway, when not needed, so a small space, can have a table, without a large table, blocking the room, every day. Anchor a wall mounted table, safely, using manufacturer hardware and weight limits, with studs or rated anchors, and with landlord permission before drilling, because a wall mounted table, that is not anchored safely, will fail, damage the wall, and fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and it must be anchored, following its instructions, as in the anchoring guide, in this series, to follow.
Nesting tables, with a set, of two, or three, tables, that tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, work best, in a living room, where side tables, are needed, for drinks, books, or a lamp, but where a large table, would block the room, every day, and where tables, that tuck away, can be a side table, when needed, and a single table, when not needed, so a living room, can have tables, without a large table, blocking the room, every day. Use nesting tables, if you have a living room, where side tables, are needed, for drinks, books, or a lamp, but where space is tight, and where tables, that tuck under each other, will save space, when not used, and will pull out, when needed, without moving a whole unit, and without blocking a walkway, a door, or a seating area, when they are tucked away, and when they are pulled out, for use.
Avoid a wall mounted table, that is not anchored safely, because it will fail, damage the wall, and fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and avoid a wall mounted table, with a weight limit, that is guessed, because a table, that is overloaded, will sag, bow, or fail, and food, glasses, or hot drinks, will spill, when a table is pulled, or leaned on, and avoid nesting tables, that are too large, for the space, when pulled out, because they will block a walkway, a door, or a seating area, when they are pulled out, for use, and they will be moved, or ignored, rather than used, however good they look, when tucked away, under each other, in a corner, where they are not seen, and not used.
Comparison Table: Round, Drop Leaf, Wall Mounted, Nesting, Expandable
Comparing space saving tables, round, drop leaf, wall mounted, nesting, and expandable, helps you choose, the right type, for your space, your job, and your number of people, rather than the type, that is cheapest, or that looks best, in a photograph, but does not match, your space, your job, or your number of people, and a type, that does not match, your space, job, or number, will fail, or be ignored, rather than used, however good it looks, in a photograph. Round: best for a corner, or small dining area, seats two, or four, people, with a diameter, approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, for two, and approximately 36 to 48 inches, 90 to 120 cm, for four, with no corners, to bump into, and with a pedestal base, that leaves more room, for chairs, and for feet, under the table, but it does not fold away, when not used, so it takes up space, every day, even when not used, for dining, and it is best, for a space, where a table, is used, every day, for dining, and where space, is not so tight, that a table, must fold away, when not used. Drop leaf: best for a corner, or against a wall, seats two, daily, and four, when expanded, with a leaf, that folds down, when not used, and lifts, when needed, so a small apartment, or corner dining nook, can have a table, without a large table, blocking the room, every day, but it needs a leaf, that is easy to lift, and lock, without help, and without tools, if possible, and a leaf, that does not lock, will slip, collapse, or fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks. Wall mounted: best for a very small space, such as a studio apartment, kitchen corner, or hallway, seats two, when lifted, and folds away, against a wall, when not used, so a small space, can have a table, without a floor table, blocking the room, every day, but it needs anchoring, with manufacturer hardware and weight limits, with studs or rated anchors, and with landlord permission before drilling, and a table, that is not anchored safely, will fail, damage the wall, and fall. Nesting: best for a living room, where side tables, are needed, for drinks, books, or a lamp, seats no one, for dining, but holds drinks, books, and a lamp, when pulled out, and tucks under each other, when not used, so a living room, can have tables, without a large table, blocking the room, every day, but it is not a dining table, and it will not seat guests, for a meal, however good it looks, when tucked away, and it is best, for a living room, not a dining room, where a dining table, is needed, for meals, every day, and when hosting. Expandable: best for a small home, that hosts guests, seats two, daily, and four, six, or eight, when expanded, with a leaf, a drop leaf, or a butterfly mechanism, that adds a leaf, as in the expandable dining tables guide, so a small home, can seat guests, without a large table, blocking the room, every day, but it needs a mechanism, that is easy to use, stable when expanded, and stable when folded, and a mechanism, that is stiff, heavy, or hard to use, will not be used, and a table, that is left folded, when guests come, will not seat guests.
Choosing by Room: Dining, Living, Kitchen, and Studio
Dining room: use a round table, or an expandable table, with a job, of dining, daily, and when hosting, and with a size, that leaves a walkway clear, approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, as a comfort guide, and with chairs, that can be pulled out, approximately 24 inches, 60 cm, behind each chair, without hitting a wall, a door, or a walkway, and with a table height, approximately 29 to 30 inches, 74 to 76 cm, and a chair height, approximately 17 to 19 inches, 43 to 48 cm, so a person can sit comfortably, with knees under the table, and with feet on the floor, without the table being too high, or too low, for the chair.
Living room: use nesting tables, or a small round table, with a job, of holding drinks, books, or a lamp, and with a size, that does not block a seating area, a walkway, or a door, and with tables, that tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, so a living room, can have tables, without a large table, blocking the room, every day, and so a living room, feels intentional, not crammed, with tables, that are too large, for the space, and that block a seating area, when they are pulled out, for use. Kitchen: use a drop leaf table, or a wall mounted table, with a job, of dining, or preparing, in a small kitchen, where space is tight, and where a table, that folds down, when not used, and lifts, when needed, will save space, when not used, and will be a dining spot, when needed, without blocking a cooker, a sink, or a walkway, and with a material, that is easy to clean, because a kitchen table, gets splashes, steam, and grease, and a material, that is hard to clean, will become dirty, however tidy it starts.
Studio: use a wall mounted table, or a drop leaf table, with a job, of dining, working, and preparing, in a single room, where space is very tight, and where a table, that folds away, against a wall, when not used, will save space, when not used, and will be a dining spot, a work spot, or a preparing spot, when needed, without blocking a bed, a sofa, or a walkway, and with a size, that leaves a walkway clear, and a door swing clear, so a studio, stays safe, and easy to walk through, even in the dark, and even when carrying bags, or a child. Avoid a table, that is too large, for the room, because it will block a walkway, a door, or a window, and it will make the room feel cramped, even if it is tidy, and avoid a table, that is too small, for the job, because it will not hold plates, glasses, and food, for two, or four, people, and it will be ignored, and meals will end up, elsewhere, on a coffee table, or a sofa, instead of at the table.
What to Avoid With Space Saving Tables
Avoid a table, that is too large, folded, or expanded, for the space, because it will block the room, every day, or when hosting, and it must be moved, returned, or replaced, however much you like it, because a table, that does not fit, will not be used, and it will become a pile, or a display unit, rather than a dining table, or a side table, that is used, every day. Avoid a table, that is too small, for the job, because it will not hold plates, glasses, and food, for two, or four, people, and it will be ignored, and meals will end up, elsewhere, on a coffee table, or a sofa, instead of at the table, and hosting will feel stressful, rather than enjoyable, however good the food looks.
Avoid a mechanism, that is stiff, heavy, or hard to use, because it will not be used, and a table, that is left folded, when guests come, will not seat guests, and avoid a mechanism, that does not lock, because a leaf, that does not lock, will slip, collapse, or fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and avoid a table, that is unstable, when expanded, or when folded, because it will wobble, tip, or fail, when it is used, and it must be fixed, returned, or replaced, before it is used again, however much you like it, because an unstable table, is a safety risk, not just a wobble.
Avoid a wall mounted table, that is not anchored safely, because it will fail, damage the wall, and fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and avoid a table, that blocks a walkway, a door swing, or an exit route, when expanded, or when pulled out, because it is a safety problem, not just a tidy problem, and it must be moved, however tidy it looks, and however much you want it, in that space, when hosting, or when pulled out, for use. Avoid a table, that is overloaded, because a table, that is overloaded, will sag, bow, or fail, and food, glasses, or hot drinks, will spill, when a table is pulled, or leaned on, and a table, that is overloaded, will become unstable, even if it was stable, when empty.
Checklist: Space Saving Table Without Waste
- Measure the space, folded and expanded, width, depth, height, chair pull out, and walkway, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for the folded footprint, and for the expanded footprint, before you buy.
- Choose one type, round, drop leaf, wall mounted, nesting, or expandable, that matches your space, your job, and your number of people, rather than a type, that is cheapest, or that looks best, in a photograph.
- Choose a table height approximately 29 to 30 inches, 74 to 76 cm, and a chair height approximately 17 to 19 inches, 43 to 48 cm, so a person can sit comfortably, with knees under the table, and with feet on the floor.
- Use a chair pull out of approximately 24 inches, 60 cm, behind each chair, as a comfort guide, and a walkway of approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, as a comfort guide, not a building code.
- Test a mechanism, if you can, with a leaf, that is added, removed, folded, or unfolded, without help, and with a lock, that holds the leaf, when expanded, and when folded, and with a wall mounted table, anchored, safely, using manufacturer hardware and weight limits, with studs or rated anchors, and with landlord permission before drilling.
- Check weight limits, and manufacturer instructions, before you buy, with a weight limit, that matches hosting, not just daily use, and with a table, that is stable, when expanded, and when folded, and when pulled out, for use.
- Plan daily seating, and hosting seating, with extra chairs, stored elsewhere, in a bedroom, cupboard, hallway, or garage, if you have one, with a chair, that is light, easy to carry, and easy to stack, or fold.
- Keep exits, door swings, and walkways clear at all times, with a door swing, that is clear, so a door can open fully, without hitting the table, or a chair, and check at night and in daylight, with doors open and chairs pulled out.
- Live with the table for a week, then adjust one thing at a time, rather than buying a full dining set on day one, and avoid a table, that is too large, folded, or expanded, or too small, for the job, for the space.
Conclusion
Space saving tables, round, drop leaf, wall mounted, nesting, and expandable, each save space, in a different way, and each works best, for a different room, a different job, and a different number of people, so choosing the right type, starts with measuring your space, folded and expanded, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for both footprints, and with chairs, that can be pulled out, without hitting a wall, a door, or a walkway, and with a walkway clear, at all times. A round table, has no corners, to bump into, and seats more people, in a small corner, than a square table, a drop leaf table, folds down, when not used, and lifts, when needed, a wall mounted table, folds down, against a wall, when not used, and lifts, when needed, nesting tables, tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, and an expandable table, is small daily, and larger for hosting, as in the expandable dining tables guide.
Use the guides in this series for each type and job: awkward corner pillar, corner bookshelf, expandable dining tables, measuring a corner, shelf styling, narrow storage, anchoring, floating shelves versus bookcases, cube layouts, corner desk, and corner storage per room, each with its own measurements, safety, and styling, so you can choose the right type for each corner, rather than forcing one type into every corner, and so you can choose, a table, that matches your space, your job, and your number of people, rather than a table, that is cheapest, or that looks best, in a photograph, but does not match, your space, job, or number. Done that way, a space saving table will feel intentional, tidy, and easy to use, daily, and when hosting, without waste, damage, or a large piece that does not fit.
Related reading
- Awkward Corner Ideas for Every Room in a Small Home
- Corner Bookshelf Ideas for Small Spaces and Awkward Corners
- Expandable Dining Tables for Small Spaces and Corners
- How to Measure a Corner for Furniture in a Small Home
- Corner Shelf Styling Ideas for Small Spaces and Bookshelves
- Corner Entryway Ideas for a Tight Corner
- Rug Calculator
- Narrow and Slim Storage, How to Anchor Bookshelves Safely, Floating Shelves vs Bookcases, Cube Storage Layouts, Corner Desk and Work Nook, and Corner Storage for Each Room, in this series, to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best space saving table for a small corner?
Use a round table, if space is tight, because a round table has no corners to bump into, and it seats more people in a small corner, than a square table, which has corners that stick out, and which need more space to pull out chairs. Use a drop leaf table, against a wall, if space is very tight, because a drop leaf table can be folded down, when not used, and lifted, when needed, so a corner can be a dining spot, when needed, and a walkway, when not needed.
Should I choose a drop leaf or an expandable table?
Choose a drop leaf table, if you have a corner, or a wall, where a table can be folded down, when not used, and lifted, when needed, with a leaf, that is easy to lift, and lock, without help, and without tools, if possible. Choose an expandable table, if you host guests, with a table, that expands from a small size, for daily use, to a larger size, for hosting, as in the expandable dining tables guide, with a mechanism, that is easy to use, and with a table, that is stable, when expanded, and when folded, so it does not wobble, or tip, when it is used.
Are wall mounted tables safe for a small home?
Yes, if anchored safely, using manufacturer hardware and weight limits, with studs or rated anchors, and with landlord permission before drilling, as in the anchoring guide. Avoid a wall mounted table, that is not anchored safely, because it will fail, damage the wall, and fall, and it can spill food, glasses, or hot drinks, and hurt a person, however good the table looks, and avoid a wall mounted table, with a weight limit, that is guessed, because a table, that is overloaded, will sag, bow, or fail.
What size table do I need for two people in a corner?
Use a round table, with a diameter, approximately 30 to 36 inches, 75 to 90 cm, for two people, and approximately 36 to 48 inches, 90 to 120 cm, for four people, with a table height, approximately 29 to 30 inches, 74 to 76 cm, and a chair height, approximately 17 to 19 inches, 43 to 48 cm, so a person can sit comfortably, with knees under the table, and with feet on the floor. Measure folded and expanded, width, depth, height, chair pull out, and walkway, in inches and cm, with tape on the floor, for both footprints, before you buy.
Are nesting tables useful or just decorative?
Nesting tables are useful, in a living room, where side tables, are needed, for drinks, books, or a lamp, but where a large table, would block the room, every day, and where tables, that tuck under each other, when not used, and pull out, when needed, will save space, when not used, and will be a side table, when needed, without blocking a seating area, a walkway, or a door, when they are tucked away, and when they are pulled out, for use. They are not a dining table, and they will not seat guests, for a meal, however good they look, when tucked away.
What should I avoid with space saving tables?
Avoid a table, that is too large, folded, or expanded, for the space, because it will block the room, every day, or when hosting, and avoid a table, that is too small, for the job, because it will not hold plates, glasses, and food, for two, or four, people, and it will be ignored, and meals will end up, elsewhere, on a coffee table, or a sofa, instead of at the table. Avoid a mechanism, that is stiff, heavy, hard to use, or that does not lock, and avoid a table, that is unstable, when expanded, or when folded, because it will wobble, tip, or fail, when it is used, and it must be fixed, returned, or replaced, before it is used again.
