A well-chosen transformable table will organically fit into the interior of any room. The area of modern apartments does not always have enough free space for a full-fledged dining table.
Therefore, buying a folding table is the most rational decision for a family.
Brief overview of the article
Types of transformable tables
In tables with a transformation function, the height, shape and size of the tabletop can be changed. The choice of table depends on the function of the product you like. A small table can have a mechanism for lifting the tabletop without changing its area. Such tables are located in the area of upholstered furniture for relaxation.
Some models, without changing height, transform into a full-fledged dining table. They are installed against a free wall in the living room for temporary storage of things. When folded, they do not stand out in the overall interior of the room.
Tables made from chipboard panels
Chipboard panels are a relatively new material for creating interior furniture. It is durable, moisture resistant and affordable.
Thanks to modern production technologies, the models are presented in a wide range of colors and in various shapes.
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Design features of the table
Transformable tables can have a sliding or folding option to change the tabletop parameters. Additional built-in guides allow you to expand the panels to the width of the insert, and increase the tabletop area of the sliding transforming table. The insert can open like a book and be located in a special niche.
The design of folding tables is equipped with auxiliary panels, which are attached to the frame on hinged supports. When unfolding the side panels, additional support posts must be opened to stabilize the table.
Round models
Such tables are offered today in a variety, so the buyer can easily select the right option. A small round table is the most suitable option, because it quickly turns into a convenient table or structure for storing kitchen utensils.
Many people refuse such an acquisition, thinking that it is not attractive in appearance.
And others do not like round-shaped tables, since there is an opinion that the table should exclude the presence of traumatic corners. But the transforming table has retractable sides that turn into an oval table.
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Initial material for making a table
Furniture manufacturers use various materials to make coffee tables. The most common ones are:
- waste from wood processing plants. Plates made from finely dispersed fractions and wood shavings are decorated with decorative film or natural veneer;
- special glass. Glass made using special technology has an aesthetic appearance, is completely safe to use, and fits organically into any interior;
- metal. Usually a metal profile made of non-ferrous metals is used to construct the table frame;
- wood. A transforming table made of precious wood will be a wonderful decoration for a classic-style living room.
Recommendations for drawing up a drawing
A drawing is a schematic representation of future furniture. The correct sketch affects both appearance and functionality - a discrepancy of even one millimeter can render the entire structure useless.
The drawing can be drawn on paper, or you can resort to the help of specially developed programs. The online designer is convenient because you can not only make a sketch of the table, but also calculate the materials and make a cutting map. You can use your own parameters for future furniture, or take standard sizes as a basis.
Advantages of a transforming table
Not every living room in a modern apartment allows you to allocate a permanent place for a bulky, roomy table. A round transformable table with an folding function can handle this task. The size of the tabletop increases several times and allows you to place the required number of people at the festive table.
In its normal position, the product looks like an ordinary transforming coffee table, which can be located in the upholstered furniture area or separate functional areas in the room. The transformation mechanism allows you to get a full-fledged dining table in a matter of minutes.
Assembly
At the assembly stage, you also need to be extremely careful and not miss any details. Prepare all the necessary tools and fasteners, arrange them so that they are at hand. Upon completion of the assembly of the entire structure, check the functionality of the main mechanism: transform the table several times to make sure that everything functions correctly and is secured properly.
Useful to know when choosing
When choosing a transforming table for the living room with a folding function, you should first soberly evaluate and make sure the reliability of the product’s transformation mechanism. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. There are models of tables that can be transformed into a dining table and a work table.
The cabinet itself, on small casters, can be used as a dressing table when folded, allowing you to free up living space. It is important to decide before going to a furniture store about the functionality of the table.
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Decor
There are several options for decorating a kitchen table:
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Hand painted. Having a stencil, paints at hand and minimal experience in this direction, it is possible to create an original table. In this case, the ornament will depend solely on the style in which the kitchen interior is decorated.
Film. This is an affordable method, using which, in accordance with technology, you can get stunning results. It is especially relevant if you need to update an outdated table model.
Decoupage. Gluing various ornaments and fragments with varnish applied on top will help transform the simplest table beyond recognition. One of the elementary ways is newspaper clippings in retro style.
Mosaic. Multi-colored pieces of glass are used. Undoubtedly, you will have to work hard to make the surface perfect, but the option is wonderful.
Most talented designers are convinced that the future, undoubtedly, lies in transforming tables.
Perhaps this is exactly your option, using which you will create a freer kitchen space, turning a small-sized kitchen into a cozy, warm home corner.
Color solution
When choosing the color of a functional transforming table, you should be guided primarily by personal aesthetic taste. However, there are some unwritten rules that help harmoniously fit a transforming table into the interior of a room.
For a small room, light furniture should be used. When choosing a transforming table for the kitchen, you need to try not to go beyond the color scheme of the interior of the room.
Flaws
Despite all the obvious advantages of this furniture accessory, it is important to understand that there are also disadvantages. For example, transformable tables often break - the folding mechanism becomes unusable. It is extremely rare for a system to be repaired.
The first, important advantage is its small size.
Combination with the interior
It is difficult to dispute the feasibility of using a functional compact transformable table in the living room. By visualizing the appearance of interior items, one gets the impression of how harmoniously it looks in the combination of colors and shapes that fill the room.
A compact dark table made of natural wood fits perfectly on the surface of a luxurious large carpet in light colors. Once assembled, the transforming table, decorated with small figurines, will become a stylistic decoration of the living room.
Sizes and shapes
Since practicality and convenience are the most important advantages of transforming tables, it is important not to make a mistake with the size and shape. They depend on the purpose and design features.
A coffee table can have modest parameters. However, if you count on it in cases of receiving guests and holding home events, then the width of the tabletop when unfolded should significantly exceed the original size, as well as the height of the table.
The shape is selected taking into account the style of the room. Rectangular and square tables highlight the simple interior well. Round tables add coziness.
Use Cases
There are no completely universal tables. However, some models of transformable tables can satisfy even the most unexpected desires of the customer. The mechanism for the transformable table allows you to transform a compact piece of furniture into a desk or dining table.
Such a table on a spacious balcony or loggia would not be amiss. A compact console table against the wall in the living room easily turns into a full-fledged dining table or workspace after unfolding the panels.
Styles of transformable furniture to suit any living room interior
The design of the transformer is selected in accordance with the style of the room.
- Modern urbanism, a little brutal style. It has several varieties, including high-tech, loft and fusion. Any variations of metal, plastic and glass are suitable as suitable furniture.
- Classic models made of natural wood are suitable for historical styles - Renaissance, Empire, Baroque and English conservatism.
- Modernism of the early twentieth century and Art Deco are very specific trends; products with colored countertops and a simple layout will fit perfectly into such a living room.
- Minimalism does not accept any excesses, but structurally simple furniture made of metal and plastic coexists in it.
- Provence is a type of country style; the warmth and comfort of the interior is emphasized by dining sets made of painted wood with an “aged” effect. Transformable tables of this type will decorate a retro-style living room and emphasize the ethnic flavor.
The main thing is that the piece of furniture matches the overall style of the living room. This applies to colors and decor.
Style decision
On specialized websites you can look at colorful photos of transforming tables in voluminous catalogs and choose the right model. Models made of glass and metal, decorated with natural stone, will inspire lovers of HI-TECH style.
Strictly shaped products made of polished wood emphasize the restraint of modern style. The combination of rustic simplicity and elegant details of the Western classics of a wooden transformable table with the effect of time-burdened wood is characteristic of the PROVENCE style.
Bedroom furniture
Manufacturers offer interesting examples of tables for the bedroom that transform into a closet, bed, cabinet or sofa. By purchasing one of these models, you kill two birds with one stone: make a great impression on your guests and free up space for something else.
The combination of a computer desk and a bed is what you need for a one-room apartment or a teenager’s bedroom.
Before installing the transformer in the bedroom, find out whether it needs to be attached to anything. Some models are built into the wall, others are best installed in the middle of the room.
Photo of a transforming table in the interior
Natural wood tables
To create transforming tables, combined structures are used: the frame and tabletop are made of wood, and the rotating mechanisms are made of metal.
They have a large selection of options for the kitchen, living room and children's room.
Thanks to the decorative finishing, the tables acquire a unique style and design, with the natural pattern preserved.
Transformers with additional inserts
Transformable tables, in which the tabletop is “extended” by additional fragments, can be placed in a separate category. They are mounted on retractable guides - either on the sides of the table or in the center. Depending on the model, expansion modules can be stored either in the underframe or separately.
In some models, the size of the tabletop depends on the number of additional modules inserted - the table can be expanded by 1, 2 and sometimes 5 sections.
In the photo: the Cattelan Italia Party console increases its length from 50 to 300 cm due to additional fifty-centimeter tabletops that are placed on a sliding frame. You can use from 1 to 5 additional tabletops, depending on the desired size.
In the photo: Cattelan Italia Ikon Drive transforming table with a composite tabletop made of natural wood. Two side inserts are stored under the central tabletop and are installed using a special fastener, forming a perfectly flat surface.
In the photo: a table with additional sections for the Friulsedie Boston T50 tabletop.
Mechanisms used
Such tables are equipped with mechanisms that allow you to increase or decrease their height and depth. Some are lifted by a lever, others are lifted automatically, others are lifted by a shelf, and so on.
Let's look at a brief classification of the main available models:
- Opening like a book: This table has a double shelf and to enlarge it you open the top like a book, with the legs raised to form a supporting base for the structure;
- With a lifting and lowering mechanism: in this case, just lift the shelf and the legs rise automatically. In this case, it is possible to change the height up to a millimeter, thus adapting the dimensions more to specific needs;
- Turntable: In this case, the shelf rotates and often opens like a book, and the legs are taller to support the weight;
- Extendable: The table has side recesses from which two shelves protrude, making the support base wider.
Many tables combine several of the movements just described, some in truly original ways.
Table with folding or tilt-and-turn mechanism
This model is one of those that simply cannot be ignored. These tables differ from others in that they use a folding or tilt-and-turn mechanism.
Principle of operation
To carry out the transformation, you first need to rotate the tabletop 90 degrees, and only after that you can proceed to unfolding it according to the book principle. These models are still new to most consumers, since manufacturers recently began to use this transformation mechanism.
Retractable side elements or simply moving the tabletop can help increase the working surface of the tabletop.
Ease of use
It all depends on the impression of the owner himself. There is no doubt about it, these tables allow you to increase the working surface area exactly 2 times. The transformation itself takes a minimum of time, although it requires preparing additional space for opening.
Tips for choosing
Choosing a transforming round table model that will leave you feeling completely satisfied is not so easy. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with its design. Drawings on the layout of the mechanism will help you with this, from which you can easily understand exactly how to lay it out correctly so that it can take on its maximum shape and size. This way you can find out how much the countertop area will increase when unfolded , whether it can fit in the space that you are going to allocate for it, whether the mechanism and prefabricated elements are strong enough.
If you have any questions while choosing a folding table, be sure to ask the seller. Otherwise, your shyness will cost you dearly later.
The transformation of the tabletop can be implemented in such models according to one of the following principles: moving apart in two directions on the sides or coming out from under the other. There are also more original models in which the edges of the circle break up into several fragments. These external elements are easily removed downwards, leaving only one internal element. As before, in some stores you can find a round sliding transforming table that uses a “book” transformation mechanism .
When assessing the characteristics of a particular folding table model, we advise you to pay attention to small elements and details of the sliding mechanism. You must be confident in their strength. Do not agree to buy a transforming table equipped with a complex mechanism. Let it be a model that requires no more than 4 movements to transform.
Even before purchasing, you need to decide what features you expect from this piece of furniture. Only after this can you go to the store and choose your future table.
Furniture base
Today, manufacturers use various materials to create folding tables. still popular:
- tree;
- plastic;
- glass;
- metal.
But there are also original solutions - combined models that use a combination of different materials.
Tree
Wooden tables have been used in our country for many centuries, and today interest in them does not decrease. They manage to remain among the leaders thanks to their high strength and reliability, but not all owners are satisfied with the bulkiness of the furniture.
A round wooden transforming table will serve you longer than models made from other materials. Even after decades, it will retain the same appearance as it had when you bought it in the store.
Most often, manufacturers use the following types of wood to create this furniture:
- nut;
- oak;
- ash;
- larch;
- pine.
All these options are quite affordable, although if you wish, you can choose an exotic one - a table made of mahogany.
Glass
This furniture was able to gain popularity due to such advantages as sophistication and smooth lines, as well as visual lightness . But not everyone decides to buy it because of the fragility of glass, especially if it is chosen for the kitchen. However, the glass used for tables today is different than it was decades ago. It undergoes a special hardening procedure, which makes it more durable and resistant to many negative influences.
The line of many manufacturers has a sufficient number of combined folding models, for the manufacture of which leather is used as finishing, wooden inserts, metal legs and wicker elements. Glass furniture is also varied in terms of color solutions. You can purchase products with a work surface made in white, black, dark brown, transparent or gray.
A round transformable glass table is a very practical thing for the home . It is very easy to care for, as even heavy dirt can be easily removed. The work surface can withstand any temperature that may be exposed to it in the kitchen. Glass demonstrates high resistance to any liquids:
- paints;
- oils;
- fats
True, these tables have one drawback - after wiping with a cloth, stains remain on the surface.
Plastic
Today, among all available models, plastic transforming tables stand out at the most affordable price . Therefore, even if it becomes unusable as a result of careless handling, buying another plastic model will not hurt your budget. However, even tables made of plastic can compete on equal terms with models made from natural materials. Thanks to modern technologies used by manufacturers, this furniture can add style to any room. What helps them achieve this effect is the ability of plastic to imitate any natural materials, be it wood, marble or granite.
Hanging table-shelf
This model is most often used for interior decoration and saving space in children's rooms or rooms for students and schoolchildren.
The shelf is assembled, a full-fledged desk is unfolded. Convenient, compact and practical model.
