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Every Thanksgiving my small dining table that normally seats 6, gets extended to seat up to 14 with the help of a handy piece of plywood that my dad made many years ago.
My dining room table and chairs were handed down to me from my mom and dad. The table doesn’t have leaves to extend it, so my dad made a nifty top that comes out every Thanksgiving and stays up to Christmas.
It gets stored against a wall in my garage. See the vertical pieces of wood? That is how long my dining table is.
When we have a need for a bigger table – birthdays, holidays and parties we get it from the garage. I cover my table with a blanket to protect it from scratches.
And the big table top goes on top. The two vertical boards you can see underneath are spaced the length of the table so they fit right against the edge of the existing table.
You can see how it looks underneath when the top is placed on.
For extra stability my dad made 4 braces that are screwed on underneath the table.
This is how the table looks underneath before the plywood tabletop is placed on.
Hubby putting the braces on.
How it looks when the braces are screwed on. The braces screw into the plywood table vertical pieces – 2 on each side, not the table itself.
Here is a profile view of the top in place on the table.
Now my 5’ – 8” table is 8’ – 1” long and 4” wider.
The actual size of the table is: 36″ x 67″. The size of the top is: 40″ x 98″
It could have been made larger, but my room dimensions would not allow for it to be any bigger. I wanted to still have ample room to walk around it.
I need a place for 10 on Thanksgiving this year.
But I can seat 14 comfortably. I bring in stools and chairs from other rooms in the house for the extra seating needed. It is hard to find tablecloths this long, I have found a few, but I usually use fabric yardage to make my own. This is my Thanksgiving cloth.
I keep things simple. Dollar Store leaves on the plates, pine cones I found outside for place card props, and some velvet ribbon to tie around the napkins. I have Waterford wine glasses mixed with some from Pottery Barn that I bought on clearance.
The decorative platter that sits atop the corner cabinet, comes down every Thanksgiving to serve the turkey.
I don’t usually do centerpieces because once the turkey is served it has to be moved. A few pumpkins and some bittersweet branches look seasonally festive and are easy to move once the turkey platter comes to the table.
Candles at each end are usually all that stay in the center of the table so that there is plenty of room for all the food and drink. I placed bubble glass drinking glasses on top of metal candle holder bases and then placed candles inside. I love the way the glass looks. When Thanksgiving is over – they will go back to drinking glasses. I made the place cards on my computer and used the font – Precious in 48pts.
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
THAT is a VERY neat idea!!!!! I LOVE IT! I always wanted a really huge table so when we built our house us and our carpenter built one out of 2 by wood. I bought ladder back chairs and my sis and I stained them all to match the table in a pecan stain. I loved the table but figured out after a few years it was just too large for the narrow room. IF I’d thought of something like this that would have worked wonderful! Anyway long story short, I couldn’t stand the thought of getting rid of the table so I kept it and now it’s in my sewing room and I dearly LOVE that I didn’t get rid of it because it’s PERFECT for in there! Back in Feb. we closed in our front porch and made me a sewing room and I love it in there because I have a nice place to work and it’s nice and thick so it will be there for forever! lol
What a great idea for a table “extension!” And I love the bubble glass candle holders. :)
Thanks Cheri-
I love bubble glass and think it looks perfect on my semi-rustic table setting. I look for it whenever I am out and recently found two more glasses at a local thrift store.
This is such an amazing idea and it works beautifully. Very clever. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy all of your family. Hugs, Marty
Thanks Marty-
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. xo
That’s brilliant! Your father must be a very smart man!
Thanks Maury-
My dad was an engineer and he always was tinkering in his workshop coming up with stuff like the tabletop. He has made some pretty amazing things and has taught me quite a lot about DIY.
Super post i super ideja!!!
Oh what a wonderful gift from your dad. So clever of him and so very thoughtful too. Your set table is just beautiful, I love it.
I miss my dad.
Thanks Sheryll-
My dad is 84 now and still gets around, but he is getting frail. He will be at my house on Thanksgiving and every year he checks to see how the table top is holding up after so many years. My brother, sisters and I always kid him and say – if you built it dad – it will last forever!!! He always built things to last.
My family has done something similar to our table, for as long as I can remember! Such a great idea! = ) Your table looks great & I really love the leaves on the napkins, great touch!
WHen I was growing up we had a recreation room with a billards table and a ping pong table. My mother would do the blanket/plywood thing on the billiards table and she had huge cloths that she placed over both. We had huge crowds and she would seat everyone. Great memories. Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Hi Lesley-
I fondly remember one of my childhood friends family doing the same thing over their pool table. They had a huge family and it made perfect sense and a memorable tradition. Happy Thanksgiving
Diane- I love how your Dad made that. How perfect AND it screws in place with braces…most people would never think to do that. How blessed you are to still have him as part of your life. I’m sure there are a lot of memories attached to that table/set!
I hope your Thanksgiving week is wonderful so far! xo Diana
Hi Diana -
So funny you mentioned the screws and braces. :) My dad is a PERFECTIONIST!!! It used to drive my brother, sisters,and I crazy when we were growing up. Now we see it as a blessing. He never did anything half way. I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving – give those Sweet Cheeks some extra kisses.
I can’t believe I have never thought of that before. What an amazing idea.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
P.S. I have another giveaway going on right now. Would love you to stop by and check it out.
That is such a clever idea. I only need to extend my table occasionally when family visit (maybe 2/3 times a year) and was looking at buying a new extension table but this idea is so simple even my hubby could do it :). Guess I know what he’ll be doing this weekend. I live in New Zealand so no Thanksgiving here. Thanks, Catherine
Thanks Catherine-
I only need the top a few times a year, – birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I forgot to add in the post that between T-Day and Christmas when it is not being used I use it as my gift wrapping area. It is perfect.
I just found out last week that I will be feeding Christmas dinner to 11-12 this year. I’ve been racking my brains since trying to figure out where to seat everyone, as my dining table only seats 8 with the extension (and that’s not exactly comfortably). Thanks for sharing this… I think you helped me solve my dilemma. :) Oh, and I just gotta say… I love how the leaves give a little pop of color on top of your place settings. Very nice!
Thanks so much. I do love the dollar store and finding inexpensive decorations like the leaves. I hope you enjoy your full house tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving
Dianne, Thank you! You’ve helped me to solve a huge problem! We usually have to eat in two different rooms! Although we’re not having Thanksgiving here this year, this will help us for all the other meals we have here for our family! I LOVE your blog!
Thanks Betsy – I know many a family that does the same thing or they butt two or more tables onto the dining table that extends into a foyer or hallway. No one ever seems to complain – it is all part of celebrating the day. I hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.
This is so clever! We don’t have space where our table is to do this, but in a future home I will definitely consider this. Thank you for sharing. :)
Hi Laura-
Having table leaves would be the best and easiest way to extend the table- but since this table didn’t have that option the top is the best solution. It does take up a lot of room and when I remove the top after Christmas the table looks so tiny and my dining room instantly bigger. :)
Simply brillilant! Thanks for the detailed instructions…my table is big enough with the leaves, but years ago I would have loved knowing how to do this! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Hi Mary Beth-
Thanks – Happy Thanksgiving
What a cool idea! But I’m wondering about the added height to the table top….I know it’s not much, but there are some tables that already feel are too high for me….I’m short :-) I’m like you too…if I can’t find a big enough table cloth, or even a runner I like (which means one I think isn’t overpriced..haha!) I make my own. Sooo many more options that way!
Love your table’s Thanksgiving scene! May you all have a Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Hi Connie-
The top only adds about an inch to the height of the table and doesn’t make a difference that you can feel. I have only found one cloth for the top – at Walmart of all places- and it is purple. I use it a Christmas. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
way nicer than anything I could do…I’m loving it!
That is absolutely fantastic idea!
Just brilliant!
Your table looks so nice! & that’s a great idea of how to extended it (plus a fun memory/heritage).
Hi Sarah-
Thanks. I could not have Thanksgiving at my house every year without the table top. It has come in quite handy. Between T-day and Christmas it is not used and I use it as my gift wrapping station.
Such a clever idea!
Thanks Brooke
What a stunning table you’ve set. Your Dad was a very clever man for coming up with a brilliant solution to you table size solutions – and perfect if you don’t need a massive table all year round. I certainly could do with my husband taking instiration from your Dad’s idea.
You have set it out lovely – your guests will be blown away – i wouldn’t mind an invitation to sit at your table that’s for sure.
Paula x x x
Thanks Paula-
My dad will be coming to my house tomorrow. I plan on showing him this post and the comments. They will make his day. I have used the same tablecloth for years, but do try to change things up a bit each year. The pine cones are my new addition. Happy Thanksgiving
This is an answer to a prayer. I host a small group Bible study in my home every Thursday- we have grown to 12 and outgrown my dining table. I have searched Craigs list for a large, inexpensive table to no avail. This is the perfect solution!! I think that I can do it – I will let you know. How blessed you are to still have your Dad. happy Thanksgiving!
Great idea — I think I’ll try it! Can you tell me the dimensions of the plywood board you use to seat 14?
Hi Diana-
It is 40″ wide x 98″ long. I am not sure why my dad used those measurements, but the nice thing is you can make it just about any size you need.
We do the same thing when we have family/friends over for Birthdays and Holidays. Our regular table only seats 6 but with a full sheet of 4ft by 8ft plywood on top it can easily seat 12.
Thank you! We’re thinking of doing the same thing to expand the table we’re using for my daughters dollhouse. So nice to see how someone else has done it!
This is so wonderful! We need to make one for our dining table. Do you know what thickness of wood he used, if he used plywood or mdf?
With the lines on the underside of the wood, it almost looks like a piece of panelling…any specifics you can share for materials would be so very helpful! Thanks!
Hi Taryn -
The top is made of 1/2-inch plywood. It is a higher quality plywood-so it won’t warp. The molding around the edge is 1/2-inch small trim that has one flat side and a rounded top edge. You could use 1/2 round. This is nice to add as the tablecloth falls over the edge more gracefully – no hard edge.
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