An important element of the kitchen is the dining table. The overall impression of the room, as well as the mood of the residents, will depend on its appearance and convenience. An excellent choice would be a sliding table, which saves space.
Features
When choosing a dining table model, you need to focus on the amount of free space in the kitchen. You should not buy dimensional furniture in a small room. Many inconveniences will appear: the edges will cause injuries not only to children, but also to adults. Size will be an obstacle when moving other furniture, as well as during cleaning. Non-sliding tables are original, but even for a modest option, you need a kitchen of at least 10 sq. 2 . And in most apartments there are very small rooms.
A sliding dining table is a great choice for a small kitchen. It is compact and neat, besides functional - if necessary, it can be used to receive guests. To understand how compactness and large size are combined in a design, you should familiarize yourself with its device. An ordinary table has a tabletop and legs that are connected by fasteners. The sliding structure has removable or retractable worktop elements. The design has a built-in mechanism, thanks to which the spreading and increase in the area of the countertop is carried out.
Sliding tables come in different models. Some of them are suitable not only for the kitchen, but also for the living room. There are oval sliding tables, round, square, rectangular. In modern designs, there are devices that allow you to instantly perform the transformation due to the rotation of the special handle. But this function is usually in luxury furniture, which is an order of magnitude more expensive.
Extensible worktop, drawer
The mechanism of this sliding table consists of guides along which the main panels of the countertop roll out to the sides. Free and easy sliding is ensured by rollers, limited at the edges by locking parts to protect against falling out of the rails. When the parts of the countertop are moved apart, an additional panel is installed in the opening that appears. So the surface increases.
A draw bar is a frame on which a countertop is fixed. Such designs have been used for more than one century, they are called one of the most durable. To the tsar’s carry the “book” table. With it, the size of the countertops increases by 50%. Usually there is a drawer-tray in them, which allows you to store kitchen appliances or napkins. Retractable elements are usually located under the main cover, and can be separately. In shape, these structures are rectangular, oval or round.
Original sliding table-transformer with a round countertop. Usually he stands on 1 leg, which during the transformation is divided into 2 legs-supports. Although cracks are visible in the joints, they are usually small and do not interfere with the placement of cutlery. And if you put a tablecloth or napkins, then the shortcomings will not be so noticeable. Usually this mechanism is present in wooden structures. Now tables are made of high-strength glass - Stalinite, triplex.
Glass
A sliding glass table is much more complicated. It is considered a multifunctional transformer, the size of which can be increased with the help of two side panels that move to the countertop on the sides. When folded, the countertop is lowered, so a small glass table appears.
Special legs, which resemble those of an ironing board, raise the countertop. With the help of the height adjustment function, it turns out to fit the required size and fit comfortably both on the sofa and on the chairs. In glass sliding kitchen tables, docking seams are noticeable, but they harmoniously look in the overall design of the product.
"Butterfly"
This dining table has been known since the Soviet period. This design is classified as a classic. When unfolded, the structure can be installed in a small corner of the kitchen, since it occupies about 50 cm of area. When a feast is planned, it is put forward in the center of the room and lifted by countertops hanging on the sides, which must be fixed with extended legs-spacers.
If necessary, lay out only one side. At such a sliding table a lot of people are accommodated. It may have special drawers designed to store kitchen utensils. A plus of designs of "butterflies" is multifunctionality. This sliding table combines 4 pieces of furniture:
- cabinet with drawers;
- table - 26 x 90 cm;
- table for 8 people;
- table for 12 people.
With hinged mechanism
Such a sliding table is presented in the form of narrow shelves fixed against the wall in a convenient place of the room. If necessary, they are turned into a dining surface. Usually they are used in the interior of a small kitchen (about 6 m 2 ). To use the design, you need to raise the hanging part of the countertop and slide the spacer out from under it, on top of which the countertop is laid.
The size of the hinged structures are diverse: from small surfaces (for a family of 2 people) to a large kitchen table (for 4-5 people). In the latter case, the function of double transformation of the folding table is assumed. Then on the wall there are 2 panels, folded up and securely fixed.
One of them is designed to install a small table for one person. The second allows you to place two. This model is called a table-picture. If the design panels are made full-height and fixed in the ceiling area, you get a huge folding table that will allow you to receive a large number of guests.
Coffee table
The base of this sliding table for the kitchen is a large pedestal. She has wheels for movement. Externally, the design is similar to a classic coffee table, which combines wonderfully with a sofa in the kitchen. The worktop of the product can rise above the base and laid out like a “book”. Chairs or stools can be placed on the table.
The lack of design is considered a slight non-aesthetics. The side view is a bit strange, so this model is preferable to cover with a long tablecloth. This table is convenient for those who do not often have feasts, and most of the time is spent on a low sofa sofa.
Dimensions
When choosing a kitchen sliding table, you need to determine the size. It is important to calculate how wide the structure will be laid out so that it is completely convenient to use. The height of the tables for the kitchen can be in the range of 70-78 cm. Such parameters correspond to the physiological characteristics of the average human figure.
The height of those products that have a function of turning into a coffee table is noticeably different. At such height is 44-45 cm. Their width varies (it all depends on the characteristics of the table). When choosing this furniture, sellers indicate the nuances of the design, report on the types of completed inserts and show the layout process using an example.
If furniture is purchased through an online store, then you need to choose a platform where detailed information about the goods is provided and the material for the production of countertops, underframes, legs, as well as their sizes, is indicated in the description.
In width, sliding tables of domestic production start at 26 cm (“butterfly” view) and 80 cm in length. The maximum length is 183 cm (transforming table with a pedestal), 215 cm (“butterfly” with sections and reinforced legs) and 227 cm (classic collet tables with inserts in the middle).
Popular models include the following:
- From solid wood, chipboard or MDF - dimensions 60 x 90 cm. They have an additional countertop, a transformation function "book", with the help of which in unfolded form it will be possible to increase the surface to 120 x 90 cm. Production - Russia.
- Design on chromed metal legs with a glass sliding table top and Russian-made photo printing. In the folded form, the dimensions are 70 x 90 cm, and in the unfolded form - 70 x 135.
- Folding beech made in China. When folded, the size is 1200 x 800 x 760 mm. In expanded form, the length of the table is 1640 mm.
- A sliding version made of solid wood and MDF with veneer trim manufactured in Malaysia. Dimensions are 120 x 80 cm. The size of the central insert is 30 cm, it can be increased to 150 cm in length.
Materials
For the production of sliding tables for the kitchen, various materials are used. Budgetary options are those with legs and a collet (frame) made of solid wood, with a tabletop made of chipboard or MDF, pasted over with wooden veneer. Sliding wooden tables decorated with carved inserts are original, but their cost is quite high.
Nowadays, products with stone worktops made of lightweight, durable artificial stone or ceramic tile are quite in demand. They are more suitable for stylish modern kitchens with an abundance of household appliances. The designs are practical because they are resistant to high temperatures and are not afraid of cuts. Folding products from shockproof glass are relevant. The hardened materials that make up the countertops include triplex, satin, optivite or stemalite.
Colors
A classic is the shade of natural wood, oak or wenge. White sliding tables are also relevant now. Thanks to light solutions, traditional furniture becomes visually light and does not clutter up the space in a small room. If the size of the kitchen allows the use of solid and dark furniture, then the best choice would be natural.
Options with glass countertops are made in different colors. Black folding tables can be with a completely mirrored surface or only partially. There are countertops with photo printing, having brightly colored glass, or transparent, which create the effect of additional area in the room.
The base in these structures can be legs made of wood or metal, and in some models it can be a stylish stand made of white wood. Countertops are decorated with ceramic tiles or mosaics. This decor looks great, is practical and does not interfere during cleaning.
The choice
When choosing a sliding dining oval table with a round or square design, the size of the room must be taken into account. It does not take up much space, but if necessary, the size can be increased almost 2 times. This should be considered when choosing the right model. Caring for the comfort of people, it is necessary to calculate the supply of space.
There are advantages and disadvantages to tables with different shapes of countertops. When folded, they are round, and when expanded, they become oval. Square tabletops are also very popular, which after transformation acquire rectangular shapes. Round products have the following advantages:
- At a table of this design, more people are accommodated, since there are no corners that “take” usable area.
- The model is suitable for caring parents, because there is no risk of childhood injuries due to the absence of sharp corners.
The tangible minus of the sliding table is that it cannot be placed against the wall. In addition, due to the large diameter of the countertop, access to dishes in the center of the table is difficult. This should be considered when serving meals for large lunches and dinners.
The square structure can be installed against the wall, which will save space. When folded, it does not take up much free space. It is also made in the shape of a “butterfly,” and it is like a small pedestal.
Self assembly
Upon purchase, the sliding table is delivered disassembled. Typically, the store offers assembly for an additional fee (approximately 10% of the cost). If you want to save money, the owner can do this work on his own.
When assembling it is necessary:
- View the attached drawings.
- Check for all the necessary kit items.
- Provide an image of the finished table to determine where which parts should be located.
- Carry out a “fitting”, assembly of parts (without tightening the fasteners).
- Clarify the sequence of work, check for holes and drill manually if there are none.
- Tighten all the details of the table.
Care must be taken to assemble the glass structure. In this situation, it is preferable to order a job from professionals.
Original solutions
Furniture made of beautiful wood, glass and metal will make any kitchen attractive. For a small room in the studio apartment, you can place a folding hinged table. The design, fixed on the wall, fits perfectly into the interior and saves space. It is attached to the wall, built into a rack, window sill or bed. Modern design ideas can turn a table even into a wall mirror.
With the help of functional furniture details, a small room will become more spacious and comfortable. A small sliding table with metal legs can be placed in the corner near the kitchen, and if necessary, spread out. The option will be original when the surfaces of the table and corner are combined in color.
The original table is a “butterfly”, in which there are several built-in drawers or it performs the function of a curbstone. Often countertops are made of chipboard, MDF, and expensive options are made of wood. The color of the wood is in perfect harmony with laminate or parquet, carpet or pastel-colored floor tiles. To accommodate guests at such a table, you need classic chairs with armrests, or a sofa from the upholstered kitchen corner.