Anyone shopping for an extendable Tulip table usually has two numbers in mind: how much space it takes up every day, and how many people it can seat when friends and family come round. The most common Google searches are about sizes: 90 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm. This guide brings together every size of our extendable Tulip tables, closed and open, with a guide to seating and the space to leave around them.
First things first: extendable means laminate
One important point: our extendable Tulip tables, round and oval, come only with a laminate top, not marble. The top has to open and take a leaf, and laminate is light, stable and resistant to scratches, stains and moisture. The base is the familiar single pedestal in cast aluminium, which leaves everyone's legs free. If you have your heart set on marble, a fixed Tulip table is the right choice.
Round extendable Tulip table: sizes
The round extendable Tulip table is a round table for everyday use that becomes an oval when opened. It comes in five sizes:
- 100 cm diameter, open 145x100 cm: seats 4 closed, about 6 open.
- 107 cm diameter, open 152x107 cm: seats 4 (up to 5) closed, about 6 open.
- 120 cm diameter, open 170x120 cm: seats 4-5 (up to 6) closed, 6 comfortably and up to 7-8 open.
- 127 cm diameter, open 177x127 cm: seats 5-6 closed, 6-8 open.
- 137 cm diameter, open 187x137 cm: seats 6 (up to 7) closed, up to 8 open.
Many people look for a 90 cm extendable: in our range the round extendable starts at 100 cm. If you really only have room for 90 cm, consider a fixed round Tulip table; our guide on choosing the right round Tulip table size will help you decide.
Oval extendable Tulip table: sizes
The oval extendable Tulip table starts from a generous size and, when open, reaches almost two and a half metres:
- 165x85 cm, open 215x85 cm: seats 4-6 closed, 6-8 open. The narrowest version, ideal for long, shallow rooms.
- 160x110 cm, open 219x110 cm: seats 6 closed, about 8 open.
- 169x111 cm, open 219x111 cm: seats 6 (up to 7) closed, 8 open.
- 179x111 cm, open 229x111 cm: seats 6-7 closed, 8-9 open.
- 199x121 cm, open 249x121 cm: seats 6-8 closed, 8-10 open.
Seating figures are a guide: chairs with arms or very wide seats reduce the number of places, while light chairs without arms let guests sit closer. To compare with our fixed models, see oval Tulip table sizes and seating.
How much space you need around the open table
The most common mistake is measuring the room with the table closed. When it is open you still need at least 80-90 cm clear on every side to pull out a chair and stand up, and 100-110 cm if people need to walk behind the chairs. A quick rule of thumb: add about 180 cm to the length and width of the table when open.
- A 120 cm round table opened to 170x120 fits an area of about 350x300 cm.
- A 169x111 oval opened to 219x111 needs about 400x290 cm.
- A 199x121 oval opened to 249x121 needs about 430x300 cm.
If the room is tight, plan it this way: size the room comfortably for the closed table, then check that there is still the minimum space to sit down when it is open. On special occasions people accept a little less elbow room; every day, they don't.
Round or oval: which extendable to choose
The round extendable is perfect for kitchen-diners, square rooms and households of two to four who entertain now and then: a compact, sociable table every day, with two or three extra places when you need them.
The oval extendable suits larger dining rooms and households that already sit six: closed, it offers the capacity of a large table; open, it seats eight to ten. The 165x85 version is the answer for narrow living rooms, where an oval 110-120 cm wide would block the way through.
In short
Start from the number of people who eat at the table every day, choose the closed size on that basis, then check that the room can take the open size with at least 80-90 cm all round. Remember that the extendable comes only in laminate: if marble is a must, go for a slightly larger fixed model. You will find the whole range in the extendable Tulip tables category in the shop menu, and if you are unsure about the size of your room, get in touch and we will help you choose.