Choosing a folding (sliding) kitchen table

Equipping a small kitchen is not easy at all. In a small room you need to install all the equipment, place a lot of dishes, and also find a place for a dining area. Ease the task can folding table – for a small kitchen is salvation.

Types of tables-transformers for the kitchen

First of all, it is necessary to divide folding kitchen tables by the method of operation. There are working and dining. Folding work table for the kitchen is ordered when discussing the project of cabinet furniture. It is problematic to make it when everything is ready. Therefore, further we will talk about transforming models of dining tables.

According to the method of increasing the useful area of the folding table for a small kitchen is folding and sliding. Folding, as a rule, have simpler mechanisms, cost less. Basically, in such models, part of the tabletop is attached with the help of hinges. When it is necessary to increase the working area, the hidden part is raised / unfolded. This very “part” can be small or very even solid. In some models (classic table-bookcase), the folding part is many times larger than the stationary one, in others it is only a small part of the table top

Sliding kitchen tables are of two types. In the first, the increase in area is due to the fact that “expanders” or “extenders” are installed manually between the sliding parts of the tabletop. These models cost a little. There are their mechanized brethren, in which the entire process occurs due to the action of mechanisms, all you need to do is to pull or push in a certain place. These models are more expensive. Sometimes, much more expensive.

Tables-books

One of the simplest and most reliable types of folding kitchen or dining tables is a book table. They were popular back in the days of the USSR, slightly modified there are now. The idea is that part of the tabletop hangs on hinges. If necessary, an additional leg is pulled out, and the “hanging” part turns into a “normal” one.

Soviet-era book tables in the assembled state were something similar to a nightstand. The table top was narrow, on both sides of it almost to the floor hung folding parts. In this version, the furniture stood until the guests arrived. On it you could put only a couple of vases or decorative “things”. There are such models today, but there are others – with small folding “wings” that can be attached to one or both sides, can be rectangular or have rounded edges.

In general, the table-book today has many more options. It’s up to you to choose. If you need a table only for taking a large number of guests, the classic option for you. If you need a functional dining folding table for a small kitchen with the possibility of increasing the size, look at other options. There are a couple of pieces in the photo above. The one in the middle is good if you put it against the wall so that there is room on the right and left. The rightmost one is good to put in the corner, and the leftmost one is a classic option with large “wings”.

Such a folding table for a small kitchen is a godsend. In the folded state it is functional and behind it can fit one or two people. If the area needs to be increased, the “wings” are raised in a few movements.

Folding with a rotating tabletop

Another interesting model that allows you to double the size of the tabletop. Two absolutely identical pieces of table top are fastened together with the help of special hinges. When you need to unfold the table, the table top is turned horizontally by 90°. In this position it rests on half of the frame. On the vacated space, the second part of the table top is unfolded.

The mechanism is simple and reliable, works for years. But you need to memorize in which direction to turn which corner (you can slightly pull, checking) and lower the folding part slowly and carefully.

Sliding kitchen table

Sliding models are distinguished by the fact that the table top is divided into two parts. If you pull on them, they move apart along the guides, and additional parts of the tabletop are installed in the vacated space. As already mentioned, you can install “expanders” manually, but there are also special mechanisms.

Such models were also known in the times of the USSR, but they were not distinguished by variety. There was one additional board, which increased the area of the table by about 1/3. In the modern version, there are models in which you can install two additional boards. One “extender” or two to put – you decide (in the photo above). But such arbitrariness is possible only in simple models without any mechanisms.

There is a folding table for a small kitchen with a different transformation mechanism (pictured above). In this variant, the central part does not move, and two halves are taken out from under it. For them you need to pull to the sides. When they come out completely, the central part will slightly lower, leveling the surface. The assembly process is in the reverse order – lift the center part, push the sides into place, lower the table top. This method seems to be less convenient: you can’t cope with the task alone. There are also questions about scratches when “sliding” parts of the table top back and forth.

There is a folding table for a small kitchen made of glass with a similar principle of operation. But it is arranged in a different way. The frame of the table is made sliding, and at the edges, under the main tabletop are hidden “additive elements”. First, the frame is sliding, then the table top is unfolded.

Folding tables with mechanisms

Mechanisms for folding tables are different. They are made of aluminum (more expensive) or galvanized steel. Galvanized over time can rust in some places, as the table top sometimes spills liquids. But such rust that would destroy the mechanism completely in the room does not happen.

Folding kitchen tables for small kitchens with mechanisms are the same plan as folding – with one or two additional elements that are inserted between the halves stretched to the sides. The difference is that the mechanism itself does all the work. You only need to pull a little. The minus of this option – the price, and also the possibility of breakage of the mechanism.

Choice of shape

Folding table for a small kitchen can be any shape: round, oval, square, rectangular. All of them there are small sizes, not all should be put in a room of small area. It is better not to put in a small kitchen round table. It will not be pushed to the wall, it should stand on a free patch, which is unrealistic for 5-7 squares. A little better in terms of the number of seats oval tables. But this is also not an optimal option – rounded edges do not allow you to put the furniture to the wall. It is also an option that requires space.

There is, however, one option, but the table is not round, but semicircular. In such folding tables, the tabletop is divided into two parts and one of the sides is straight. Here is such a model can be put against the wall. What is good about this option? A round table top carries less danger in terms of injury.

So the choice, in general, and a small – in a small kitchen it is better to put a square or rectangular folding kitchen table. They can be installed near the wall, can be put in the corner, allowing you to optimally use the available space.

Unusual folding tables for a small kitchen

Above we talked about kitchen tables of the traditional form: legs, frame, table top. But in small rooms – an area of 4 meters or a little more – there is not always room for such furniture. Even a small square table is not always possible to put. For such cases, there are special solutions. For example, there are folding tables, which in the assembled state practically do not take up space.

In fact, this is a tabletop, which is attached to a horizontal or vertical surface with the help of hinges. To keep it open, a folding leg or side stops are made. As you can see, the table top can be attached with a long or short part, it can be of different areas. The choice of attachment method and size depends on the layout, furniture arrangement, the number of people who need to be seated.

This solution is mostly individual, made independently or to order, so you determine the dimensions on the spot. But do not forget the aisles and the fact that you need to put chairs or at least stools.

More variations on this theme: folding table for a small kitchen attached to the etagereka. In this variant, even the place under the stationary part of the tabletop does not “walk”, and serves for storing utensils or products.

And as an appetizer – a variant of the original folding table for a kitchen in the art deco style. On the back side of the tabletop is pasted/painted a picture, photo, etc. The legs are made in the form of a frame. The mechanism of folding / unfolding is the same, only the execution differs, but it is really unusual. By the way, as an option, instead of a picture can be a mirror.

Another tip: if possible, the tabletop is better to do with rounded corners. And the more round the corners are, the better. In a small space, the risk of hitting the corner is always there, and if it is round, the consequences will not be so painful.

What materials are made of

Folding table for a small kitchen can be:

As you can see, there is no ideal. Everywhere there are pros and cons. It remains to choose which ones appeal to you more or which ones will better “fit” in your interior.