Hi Donna,

My husband has just built a new dining room extension. We have a lovely table just cosy for two, and don't want to buy a bigger one. Have you any ideas about making a removable tabletop to fit over the existing table for when we have friends round for dinner? Hope you can help, we have some ideas, but a bit of expert advice wouldn't go amiss.

Regards.
Gail Thornton.

Our Homes And Property Expert replies:

Dear Gail,

Sounds like a great idea. Only I'm not convinced a large tabletop on a small table beneath will be sufficiently stable to withstand the glassware and china for a dinner party. If you're sure the legs will support a larger top, then I'd cut a piece of MDF with a jigsaw, and then cover with a tablecloth each time you use it for a more polished look. Remember though, that this is still quite a big piece of furniture to store.

Instead, you might be better having a look at the tabletops and trestle legs on offer at Habitat and Ikea. These can be quickly erected when needed and stored with minimal fuss when not required. Both have ranges including glass and MDF table tops and unfinished wooden trestles and screw-on legs starting from as little as £40 per table.
A more permanent alternative would be to buy a table which folds, so that you can simply extend it when needed. Habitat have a great classic style called Karina which has two drop leaves, enabling you three positions from fully folded to a table for two, to a fully extended table to seat up to six people, for only £99.

Meanwhile Ikea have a folding table called Jussi (pictured above) which extends from 90cm x 62cm (to seat four people), to 90cm x 124cm (to seat six people) when unfolded, for just £85. Contact Habitat on (0845) 601 0740 or Ikea on (020) 8208 5600 for details of their ranges and to locate your nearest store.

Have a great dinner party!
Donna