Can I have a leaf added to my dining table?

6 months ago

last modified: 6 months ago

Below is a 2025 photo (rug is now gone) of my 1992 Ethan Allen Canterbury oak dining table shown with its two leaves in that extend the table length to 108” (table width is 42”).

It seats 10 when extended but ends up being too small for some get togethers. Fortunately my room is long enough that I can put a card table on the end but it is not ideal as it is not quite long enough to seat 4 more and it’s not as tall/wide as the EA table.

I haven’t had luck finding the right size folding table. I was going to ask my general contractor to build me a table with removable legs to seat 4 more to attach to the end when needed (nothing fancy as it will have a tablecloth on it).

But… I just read a design article where the designer states they had the featured dining table‘s “telescopic extending system altered to take an additional leaf to seat 14”.

Is an alteration like this a better alternative for me? Will the table need a center support for the additional leaf/leaves? If so, any suggestions on where to get this done (I am in southern CT)?

Thanks in advance. I have really benefited from your tips over the years. The latest being a Heartland pad that turns my kitchen built-in to a great buffet or bar surface (thank you @BeverlyFLADeziner !!)

Featured Answer

PRO

Norwood Architects

6 months ago

If you add a leaf to the table (and that should be possible) I think the leaf will need legs too. Otherwise, I think there will just be too much unsupported length.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 months ago
I think it will not work on that table . The legs are built to handle the leaves you have but might get pretty wobbly adding another I use a sheet of 4x8 plywood to seat 12 and once we are past that we go buffet style with small tables around the main DR table .
Design Fan (NE z7a) thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Related Professionals
Oklahoma City Furniture & Accessories · Vincennes Carpenters · Bowling Green Carpenters · Georgetown Carpenters · Killeen Carpenters · Cookeville Cabinets & Cabinetry · Montrose Cabinets & Cabinetry · Lagrange Cabinets & Cabinetry · Natchez Interior Designers & Decorators · Twin Falls Architects & Building Designers · Martinsburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Bismarck Cabinets & Cabinetry · Muskogee Kitchen Remodelers · Worthington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Yuba City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 months ago
When I have seen tables with a third leaf, it requires a 5th leg for support under the table. It's very complicated to add the leaf and extend the additional leg.

I'd look into adding top extensions to either end of your table that clamp onto the apron of the existing table.
Design Fan (NE z7a) thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Maureen
6 months ago
We use a foldable banquet table which allows for 5 extra people. I add identical table cloths on both tables, so it’s barely noticed. One with adjustable heights may help.
Design Fan (NE z7a) thanked Maureen
Design Fan (NE z7a)
Original Author
6 months ago
Thank you for the varied suggestions!

@BeverlyFLADeziner is there a company you suggest that makes a quality topper? The ”clamp on” part sounds good!
PRO
oncape
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
You can extend and widen the table top, using a custom made table pad.

https://www.tablepadstore.com/table-extender-pads/
Design Fan (NE z7a) thanked oncape
PRO
The KEEPING ROOM
6 months ago
Sure, an expert cabinentmaker can do that, but it likely will be cost prohibitive. To do it correctly and a pro would ONLY do it correctly, would mean a total re-finish of the piece in additon to re-designing the leaf mechanism. I have done it several times for clients, but we are using high value tables such as Kittinger, Baker, or Councill. You would be better off to replace the table with one that fits your needs.