Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 12:45 pm

Also known as extension tables, butterfly leaf tables are helpful solutions for small kitchens and dining rooms.

Traditional dining room tables can take up a lot of space, and if you don’t have the dining space adequate for that size table, tables with self storing leaves are the perfect choice.

Rather than settling for a tiny table, where you couldn’t accommodate guests on holidays or special occasions, you can use a  butterfly leaf table to allow for more seating whenever you need it!

Now there’s really no reason to hesitate before extending an open invitation for your friends and relatives to gather around the table at your house.  Just pull out the extra leaf!

Back in the day, we had to store extra leaves for our old oak dining table down in the basement.  But today’s tables with self storing leaves let you neatly and conveniently tuck them away under the table top.  It’s so easy to insert them, and then tuck them away after company has gone home.

So how do tables with self storing leaves work?

For a visual demonstration, take a look at the video above and see how easy it is to use a butterfly leaf table. They have a section in the center that can be self stored when not in use at large gatherings. The tables open easily with a single self equalizing, ball bearing extension leaf. The self storing butterfly leaf mechanism allows for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds!

Where can I find butterfly leaf extension tables?

We have several beautiful, solid wood tables with self storing leaves. Browse a selection of our favorites below:

Catalina Cherry Trestle Extension Table

Our modern Copeland Catalina Cherry Trestle Extension Table is custom handmade to order with solid American Cherry wood. Features elegant lines in its solid wood table top and rounded, angled taper legs. Authentic Mid-Century styling in the table top with sides curved slightly outward along the table width to create a boat shape. The table opens easily with a single 24″ wide self equalizing, ball bearing extension leaf. The self storing butterfly leaf mechanism allows for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds.

Catalina Walnut Trestle Extension Table

Our modern Catalina Large Walnut Dining Extension Table is custom handmade to order with solid American Black Walnut wood. Features elegant lines in its solid wood table top and rounded, angled taper legs. Authentic Mid-Century styling in the table top with sides curved slightly outward along the table width to create a boat shape. The table opens easily with a single 24″ wide self equalizing, ball bearing extension leaf. The self storing butterfly leaf mechanism allows for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds.

Catalina Cherry Round Extension Table

Our modern Catalina Cherry Round Extension Table is custom handmade to order with solid American Cherry wood. Features elegant lines in its round table top and rounded, angled taper legs. The table opens easily with a single 24″ wide self equalizing, ball bearing extension leaf. The self storing butterfly leaf mechanism allows for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds.

Audrey Cherry Extension Dining Table

Our modern Audrey Cherry Dining Extension Table is handmade to order with solid Cherry wood. Features elegant lines in its rectangular table top and trestle base with dynamic double ‘X’ legs. The table opens easily with a single 24″ wide self equalizing, ball bearing extension leaf. The self storing butterfly leaf mechanism allows for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds.

Sarah Shaker Tapered Leg Extension Table

 

The centerpiece of Copeland’s new Sarah Shaker dining room collection, this real cherry tapered leg extension table features a 24″W self-storing leaf. The extension mechanism incorporates self equalizing, ball bearing extension glides and a single 24″ self storing butterfly leaf for single handed operation to easily expand or close the table in a matter of seconds.

Shop all extension tables.

Do you think extension tables might be the solution to your space conundrum? If not, let us know what you do to save space in the dining room by leaving us a comment!