Unless you happen to live in a stately home, dedicating a huge chunk of your floor plan to a massive dining table that only sees full capacity once a year is a waste of precious square footage. At the same time, nobody wants to be the host forcing friends to balance plates on knees because there isn’t enough room, so this where the best extendable dining tables can help.
Thankfully, modern designs have moved beyond the clunky, finger-pinching death traps of old. Today’s extendable dining tables blend clever engineering with classic or contemporary style, from butterfly leaves that fold away invisibly to drop-leaf designs perfect for tight nooks.
Whether you’re planning for your next dinner party or simply want a more flexible dining setup, choosing the right extendable table is all about merging practicality with timeless style. Here’s my pick of the best.
Read more: 10 best dining tables for entertaining in style
The best extendable dining tables in 2025 are:
- Best overall – Oak Furnitureland Romsey extendable dining table: £739.99, Oakfurnitureland.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Argos Home Banbury extending dining table, natural: £136, Argos.co.uk
- Best for large family gatherings – John Lewis Foxmoor 6-8 seater extendable dining table, sage green: £629.30, Johnlewis.com
- Best statement table – Cox & Cox Astoria round dining table, extendable: £1,225, Coxandcox.co.uk
How we tested
To find the best extendable dining tables, I tested a variety of designs, assessing functionality and style, checking how smoothly they extended and retracted, as well as their stability when fully extended. I evaluated the quality of materials, durability, and how well the table integrated into different spaces. Special attention was paid to the ease of use of extension mechanisms and the table’s compactness. I also considered value for money, ensuring that each table offered a balance of practicality, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.
Read more: 6 best dining chairs that are comfortable and stylish
Oak Furnitureland Romsey extendable dining table
Best: Overall
Dimensions: W130cm to 180cm H77cm x D80cm
Seats: 6-8
Why we love it
- Solid oak construction
- Top quality craftsmanship
- Extends easily
Take note
- Some guests will have to navigate the chunky legs in the eight-seater configuration
The Romsey is a classic beauty. Its sturdy build and warm oak tones exude a timeless charm that blends seamlessly into any dining space. The table is compact enough for everyday family meals, but its extending feature means you can easily accommodate extra guests – with no elbow jostling.
The table feels like a proper investment, crafted from solid oak, meaning it’s built to last. Its simple, fuss-free design ensures it won’t date, either. Perfect for a cosy dinner or a lively feast, this table has both style and function covered. Plus, it’s easy to extend and shrink back. This one’s a great shout for everyday dining and occasional entertaining.
Buy now £739.99, Oakfurnitureland.co.uk
Argos Home Banbury extending dining table, natural
Best: Budget buy
Dimensions: W106cm to 135cm x H74cm x D80cm
Seats: 2-4
Why we love it
- Ideal for small spaces
Take note
- Very snug seating
I loved this round-to-oval dining table, with its classic butterfly-style extension mechanism in the centre – ideal if you don’t have the space (or inclination) to store any extra pieces. It’s made from solid wood and will look as smart in the kitchen as it will in the dining room.
The Banbury is on the smaller side – it will comfortably seat four adults but, in reality, six is rather cosy. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in affordability. Simple and stylish with smooth, user-friendly functionality, it’s a steal at less than £200.
Buy now £136, Argos.co.uk
La Redoute Jimi birch dining table
Best: Scandi-inspired design
Dimensions: W65cm to 130cm x H75.8cm x D85cm
Seats: 2-6
Why we love it
- Nifty extending mechanism
- Sleek design
The Jimi boasts a slinky mechanism that allows the table to go from a space-saving two-seater up to a generous six-seater in a matter of moments: simply slide, twist, and unfold the top. It proves an impressive party piece. Thanks to its invisible platform locking system, its clean, contemporary lines stay uninterrupted, in whichever configuration you have it.
The table boasts a distinctive Scandi aesthetic, with its smooth white top (think lacquered MDF in a polyurethane varnish finish) contrasted with its pale natural wood frame in solid birch. In short, I loved this stylishly modern and compact table.
Buy now £289, Laredoute.co.uk
Habitat drio extending dining table
Best: For versatility
Dimensions: W120cm to 240cm x H75cm x D95cm
Seats: 4-10
Why we love it
- Plenty of room for guests
- Sturdy
Take note
- Needs two people to extend it
Getting top marks for versatility, this handsome furniture piece can transform from a cosy four-seater right up to an impressive 10-person table – ideal for large family gatherings. The clever design allows for three configurations – add one or two extension leaves in the centre, to suit your dining needs.
It boasts smooth veneers with an attractive grain, giving it a sleek, contemporary finish, while its fuss-free boxy shaping is one for minimalists who appreciate a clean line. I found the table to be solid and sturdy – it takes two people to extend it.
Buy now £399, Habitat.co.uk
Ikea ingatorp extendable table, white
Best: For extra legroom
Dimensions: W155cm to 215cm x H74cm x D87cm
Seats: 4-6
Why we love it
- Lots of leg-room
- Sturdy and smart design
This may look like a humble furniture piece but, true to form from Ikea, it boasts an ingenious design that maximises legroom, putting guests’ comfort at the fore. Where most extendable tables comprise a fixed base and add-on leaves, these legs come with you when you pull out the table to its full extension. With one simple pull, the side leaf is then revealed and placed on top, leaving you with a larger dining table that – like magic – still has a leg in each corner.
Further to the clever design, the white-painted wooden table offers an understated elegance, with a clean-lined top. This is a stylish space-saver with seriously shrewd functionality.
Buy now £199, Ikea.com
John Lewis Foxmoor extendable dining table
Best: For large family gatherings
Dimensions: W150cm to 230cm x H76.5cm x D90cm
Seats: 6-8
Why we love it
- Accommodates large parties
- Country kitchen style design
With its folding two-leaf concealed mechanism, this (already substantial) country kitchen table reaches its full extension at an impressive 230cm – ideal for large family gatherings when you need space for extra guests. Part of the brand’s wider Foxmoor range, which borrows heavily from traditional Shaker styles, the table is crafted from a responsibly sourced, FSC-certified acacia wood, and boasts a contrasting painted frame in cream or sage green.
True to form for John Lewis, this is a top-quality furniture piece, and while it is hefty, extending it is simple and easy to do. Conservatively speaking, this one sits up to eight, but with dining benches, it’ll easily stretch to 10.
Buy now £629.3, Johnlewis.com
Next Jackson 6-8 seat extending dining table
Best: Mid-century-inspired design
Dimensions: W160cm to 200cm x H76cm x D90cm
Seats: 6-8
Why we love it
- Chic and stylish
- Well-hidden extendable leaf system
Take note
- Not crafted from real walnut wood
Taking a cue from mid-century modern designs is this sleek extendable dining table from Next. It boasts a warm walnut effect finish, making it appear much more expensive than it is – real walnut furniture pieces can come with eye-watering price tags. The table boasts a classic integrated extendable leaf system, meaning all you have to do is pull it apart, unfold the hidden section in the centre, and push it back in place.
This one will go from a six-seater to a comfortable eight-seater, without upsetting the clean silhouette. I loved the detailing on this one: think smooth rounded edges and subtly curved joints that marry the legs to the tabletop.
Buy now £525, Next.co.uk
Cox & Cox Astoria round dining table, extendable
Best: Statement table
Dimensions: W135cm to 184.5cm x H76cm x D135cm
Seats: 4-8
Why we love it
- Striking design
- Roomy underneath for larger dining chairs
Take note
- Expensive
My luxury pick comes courtesy of Cox & Cox, a brand that always delivers on style and quality. The Astoria is a statement piece, with its barrel-like plinth and rustic wood finish. It’s fashioned from reclaimed wood, scoring sustainability points, and comes complete with characterful knots and nail marks, making each table unique.
As a round four-seater it is a beauty, but stretch it out to its full oval shape and it is really striking – cleverly, the extension piece is hidden neatly within the base. Thanks to its leg-free design, this one can accommodate luxurious armchair-like dining chairs, for extra comfort.
Buy now £1225, Coxandcox.co.uk
Dusk Brooke rectangular dining table, wood
Best: Elegant design
Dimensions: W150cm to 220cm x H75cm x D90cm
Seats: 6-10
Why we love it
- Contemporary design
- Smooth action
Take note
- Crafted from MDF
This is a real game changer for anyone who loves to host, as the table extends from a cosy six-seater to a spacious 10-seater in a flash. It’s ideal for dinner parties or spontaneous family gatherings, with plenty of room for everyone to spread out in style. With its concealed leaf in the centre, the extension mechanism is smooth and simple, so it’s no hassle at all when you need to pull up extra seats.
Sturdy yet elegant, this furniture piece promises longevity, without compromising on style. Whether it’s a casual meal or a grander affair, we found this one adapted beautifully to our needs. I loved the table’s sculptural criss-cross base design, and, true to form, from Dusk, it’s also relatively affordable.
Buy now £254, Dusk.com
Calligaris Abrey extendable dining table
Best: Luxury option
Dimensions: W200cm to 296cm x H76cm x D100cm
Seats: 6-10
Why we love it
- Sleek contemporary design
- Versatile
- Effortless mechanism
Take note
- Expensive
The Abrey extendable table combines versatility with elegance, offering a range of finishes that elevate its stylish design. Available in a luxurious ceramic marble effect, a sleek glass top, or classic wood, it caters to a range of tastes and interior schemes.
The extendable feature is the real showstopper, effortlessly extending to seat up to 10 guests without compromising on its clean, minimalist look or its curvy shape. I loved the way the leaves perfectly matched the curvature of the tabletop. The extension mechanism itself is seamless, despite the table’s heft, ensuring smooth transitions. This is one highly sophisticated dining table to fill a larger space, but it’s also perfectly practical.
Buy now £4791, Calligras.com
Oak Furnitureland Newton extendable dining table
Best: Light oak table
Dimensions: W180 to 230 x H77cm x D90cm
Seats: 6-8
Why we love it
- Solid oak
- Smooth mechanism
- Light wood finish
This dining table brings a beautiful blend of rustic charm and modern practicality. Crafted from solid oak, the light, natural finish adds warmth to any dining space, while the clean lines keep it contemporary. The standout feature is its extendable function via a concealed butterfly leaf in the centre, taking it to an impressive size for hosting.
The extension mechanism proves smooth and easy to use, while its robust construction promises durability, but the design remains elegant, balancing sturdiness with style. The natural grain of the oak adds organic character, too, making each table unique. This is a solid investment piece in more ways than one.
Buy now £869.99, Oakfurnitureland.co.uk
Your extendable dining table questions answered
What is the best extendable dining table?
Oak Furnitureland’s Romsey offers timeless charm, with its solid oak construction. Compact for daily meals but easily extendable for guests, it balances quality craftsmanship with practicality, making it an excellent investment.
For a more contemporary option, Dusk’s Brooke rectangular extendable table combines affordability with modern style. Its smooth extension mechanism and sculptural criss-cross base make it a standout, perfect for hosting without breaking the bank.
How were the tables tested?
I lived with each of these extendable dining tables to see how easily they transitioned from a compact breakfast station to a full-blown dinner party setup. Here’s what I was looking out for.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Ali Howard has been writing about interior design for The Independent since 2019, so you can be sure her verdicts are reliable. She has reviewed everything from the best corner sofas and best sofa beds to the best dining tables and best bean bag chairs. When it comes to extendable dining tables, she has tested them in her home, so knows what to look out for and how much to pay.
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