{"id":19974,"date":"2022-06-30T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=19974"},"modified":"2025-09-04T15:29:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T19:29:33","slug":"drop-leaf-gateleg-and-draw-leaf-tables-how-are-they-different","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/drop-leaf-gateleg-and-draw-leaf-tables-how-are-they-different\/","title":{"rendered":"Drop Leaf, Gateleg and Draw Leaf Tables: How are they Different?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dealing with a small space but still want to be able to host a dinner party? Let\u2019s chat about three table solutions that can help. They are the drop leaf, gateleg and draw leaf dining tables. Drop leaf, gateleg and draw leaf dining tables help you save space and still host a dinner party.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drop leaf and gateleg tables date back as far as the late sixteenth century in England. They were used during the Colonial period of the 17th<\/sup> century as well, to help save space in small houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s appealing about these tables is how they tuck away table extensions.<\/a> Each one does this a little differently. Let\u2019s take a look at what they are and how they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a drop leaf table?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A drop leaf table has a fixed section in the center, with hinged sections or leaves on either side that fold down<\/strong>. The leaves can be folded to hang down vertically on the sides when the table is not in use. They can be lifted up and secured by brackets to extend the table and expand its surface space. They usually have a square or rectangular shape. Drop leaf tables are practical and easy to use, with no concern for extra parts to add and no heavy pulling or lifting involved.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
Leaves fold down to hang vertically and save space on the Amish Square Hamel Dropleaf Extension Dining Table<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s a popular practice to fold down just one side of a drop leaf and push it up against the wall to create a smaller table for fewer people to dine, or to create a desk or workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a gateleg table?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A gateleg table is similar to a drop leaf, but the leaves are supported by table legs that swing out from the center to support the hinged surfaces<\/strong>. A gateleg table will offer less surface area when leaves are folded down than a drop leaf table. The legs of a gateleg table are attached at the top and bottom by stretchers. This structure creates a gate-like look in the table, thus the name, gateleg table. Sometimes, gateleg tables are referred to as swing tables because of the pivoting action of the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Renwick Gateleg Dining Table<\/a> closed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Renwick Gateleg Dining Table <\/a>open.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A gateleg is easier to store away than a drop leaf table since the extensions fold down and<\/em> the legs swing in to fold up the table. They are great to bring out if you only need a table to entertain with a few times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gateleg table is considered another form of a drop leaf, or a sibling to the drop leaf, that folds and expands with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Renwick Gateleg Dining Table<\/a> tucked away.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is a draw leaf table?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A draw leaf table is an extension table with leaves that store in the table and attach at each end of a rectangular center section<\/strong>. They store in the table underneath the top center section. To expand the table, the leaves slide or are drawn out and attach at the ends as the center section drops down to align with the extensions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
Amish Grainvalley Drawleaf Extension Dining Table<\/a> conveniently stores extensions in the table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Grainvally<\/a>
The Grainvalley Drawleaf Extension Dining Table<\/a> extends easily.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Draw leaf tables were used during Elizabethan times and gained traction in the early 20th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons to Use a Drop Leaf, Gateleg or Draw Leaf Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n