How to choose a folding table

The folding table is a convenient transforming furniture, which easily changes its dimensions by folding. Similar designs are folded in whole or in part, in the first case a compact box for transportation is obtained, in the second - a bedside table or just a small table. Folding tables are used in various spheres of life, this furniture helps to save space in small apartments or make a picnic or stay at the cottage more comfortable.

Sphere of use of folding tables

Folding furniture is convenient for its compactness and is simply indispensable for small flats and trips. Because the furniture transformer has found application in almost all areas of human life. To select the right table, you need to understand what function it will perform, since this determines the type of the optimally suitable model. It is impossible to name one universal model, which is optimal for use at home and outside it, each modification is suitable for individual cases.

Folding tables are used:

• For kitchen or dining room. The dining table is most often a model with inserts or a book. That is, when folded, it also performs its functions, but takes up less space. The table in such a room does not need to be moved or moved, because the kitchen is suitable for items made of heavy materials. The main criterion of choice for this type of room is design, color and size. When folded, the table should allow you to move freely around the room. In the decomposed form to accommodate the necessary number of people, but do not take up all the free space.

• For living rooms. In these rooms, the table is used much less often than in the first case, and therefore fit models that fold fully or in a folded form represent a nightstand. The kitchen table and the living room table are distinguished only by design, since for these rooms furniture is chosen with a slightly different orientation. By design, they are similar to each other.
• For giving, picnicking or traveling. The use of desks for these events requires the design to have certain qualities. It should be compact, lightweight and with a simple folding and folding mechanism. For this purpose, the table-book is optimal, which transforms into a flat structure during transformation, which is convenient to carry and store. Another convenient model for transportation is a table-suitcase. This design when folding turns into a small suitcase with a handle.
• For children. Folding children's tables are not only saving the place, but also money. Children grow very quickly, they grow not only from clothes and shoes, but also from furniture. Children's folding table is a design that is adjustable in height and angle of the seat. Such furniture will grow with the baby. Another modification - a table that transforms into other types of furniture. For example, a table with a chair, which easily folds into a normal high chair with a ladder. Or the usual children's folding table, which if necessary decomposes or is removed when there is no need. It is convenient for small children's rooms, in which there is no possibility to establish a table permanently.
• For remote trading. Tables for remote trade are used for transfer markets that are not equipped with stationary counters. These are light and small book tables, often have a countertop made of waterproof fabric, which facilitates the weight of the entire structure. Such a modification of the countertop is the only fundamental difference between the table for trading and for giving.
• For massage. With the rest of the categories, there is only one thing in common: the ability to transform. In the rest it is a purely specific equipment that is not suitable for household use.

Classification of folding tables

Folding tables are classified according to various signs. The first, already described above - the scope of application. Further, the tables are divided according to the type of material used. They are made from:

1. Tree.
2. Plastic.
3. Aluminum.
4. Glasses
5. Laminated fiberboard.
6. Plywood and other.

Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Plastic is a universal material that is not afraid of moisture and dirt, but it does not look presentable enough to use such a table for a dining room or living room. The same applies to aluminum structures, which are also more suitable for dachas. Wood and fiberboard are not moisture-resistant materials, but furniture from them fits well into the interior of living rooms.

From each type of material furniture differs also in the form of a countertop, which is made square, round, oval, rectangular or any other arbitrary shape. Another important feature of folding tables, according to which they are classified - the design of the table and the mechanism of its transformation.

Types of folding tables by design type

Buy table folding shops, manufacturing companies and thought-out design specialists offer in a variety of, sometimes even unthinkable, modifications. Among all the variety of unexpected solutions stands out a few of the most common groups:

• Stationary tables with the possibility of transforming the countertop. Such models are optimally suited for indoor use, as their transportation causes some difficulties. These tables are made in two basic variants of transformation - folding and collapsible. In the first case, the table top falls down like a book, but there remains a small, usable space for the table. In the second case, the two halves of the table are moved apart and a detachable section of the table top is inserted into the center, due to which the table is enlarged. Wings sometimes carry not only an increasing, but also a decorative function. For example, when unfolding, the table takes the form of a flower or simply changes its geometry.

• Portable and compact folding table. Picnic, cottage area, tent city - that's the ideal place for tables of this design. Portable tables are most often formed on the principle of a book, where both halves drop like butterfly wings. The suitcase, already mentioned above, also belongs to this category.

• Roll-up table. As a rule, this design provides for folding not only the table, but only the countertop, which is made of soft fabric. The design of this table provides a stand-alone frame, which is laid out and covered with a soft, unfolding table top. Such tables are not very convenient for dinners with a large number of dishes, because they have a small load capacity and are not very stable. The fabric for the countertop is reinforced with thin wooden bars, so it is perfectly suitable for small picnics or remote trade.

• Demountable tables. These models do not add up, but are divided into separate components. Their difference from ordinary tables is the simplicity of the whole procedure, which does not require the availability of specialized tools. All parts are simply unscrewed from the grooves and, if necessary, installed back. It should be noted that some folding tables have not only a transformation system, but also the ability to regulate their height.

• Built-in furniture desks. This category is not just a table, but whole sets for a bedroom, living room or kitchen. Such tables are transformed into beds or simply pulled out of the furniture and, if necessary, easily pushed back. Some configurations work on the principle of a book - they can be thrown back to the main cabinet wall if necessary. Such tables are mounted and to the wall - a very convenient design for a small kitchen. It is a small block to which the table top and the table leg are attached. If necessary, the table top reclines, and the leg is placed under it, creating a fulcrum.

• Unusual table configurations. There is no limit to the design fantasy, therefore the mechanisms for laying out tables are also very diverse. For example, a coffee table is square in shape, which can easily be transformed into multi-level furniture. Such a table consists of separate squares, each of which has long and flexible loops that allow changing their position in space. There are many such daring design solutions and they should also pay attention. Demonstrates such an original table folding photo below.

Choosing and buying a folding table

When choosing a table, you should take into account that its optimal location in the room is at a distance of 50 cm from the wall. It should occupy the minimum possible amount of space when folded. To accommodate a company of 4 people at the table, it is sufficient to have a length of 90 cm and a width of 70 cm. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account not only the table size relative to the room, but also the estimated number of people that will need to be seated at the table.

The next important factor to think about is choosing the style, design and coloring of the table. Do this best before you go to the store, because when looking at the variety of models that are presented there, it's not difficult to get lost. Here everything depends on the style of the room, under which the table is selected. For example, a folding wooden table of unusual shape perfectly complements the interior in a classic style. And for a room in the style of high-tech, the ideal option will be glass furniture.

When the desired table is precisely defined, its image is drawn in the head in all details or at least in general, the time to go to the store and look after this model in its material embodiment. Here it is necessary to pay attention not only to the design of furniture, but also to the quality of its execution. To begin with, evaluate the material itself, it is desirable that it is durable and strong. When choosing a folding table for the street, choose a waterproof or coated material.

The second item in the evaluation of the table is the hardware check. In folding models, it is an important factor, as it not only supports the table, but performs a certain work in the process of its operation. All hinges must be securely fastened and made of quality metal.

Next, you should evaluate the ease of transformation of the table. The main possible mechanisms have already been described above. If you need a simple table that is laid out in one motion and is also just assembled, then it's better to choose a regular book. If they do not frighten the design decisions that make the table more beautiful, but also complicate the process of its decomposition, they stop at them.

Often the manufacturers offer folding chairs in the set. When buying, you should inquire about their availability. This will not only save money - the purchase of a table and chairs will cost extra separately, but it will also help to choose a set of suitable furniture that will look very harmonious.

How to choose a glass folding table

Glass folding tables are a topic for a separate conversation, as there are separate evaluation rules for its selection. General in this case, only the stage of assessing the quality of the material, but if there are a lot of variants in the usual tables, then glass itself is evaluated only in glass. The thickness of it should not be less than 10-12 cm, as the table with a thin tabletop will not last long. The presence in the glass of voids or air bubbles, various foreign inclusions and chips is excluded.

Check the quality and reliability of all fixtures, there must necessarily be seals between the table top and the base. Not necessary - silicone corners for the safety of the table top. The exception is a glass table oval folding or in the form of a circle, in this figure the corners are simply missing and special protection is not needed.