How to choose the right book-table?

A book-table is a favorite attribute of furniture in our country, which found its popularity back in Soviet times. Now this product has not lost its relevance and is quite in demand. What are the advantages of such a piece of furniture, and how to choose the right table-book, let's figure it out.

There is a huge assortment of book tables on the furniture market. They are a folding structure. When assembled, such an attribute does not take up much space, and its appearance resembles a curbstone. But, expanding it, you get a table for receiving guests, at which you can easily accommodate up to 10 people.

Book tables can be divided into several types. Basically, they are divided by destination.

• For the living room usually such products are rectangular structures, where two doors open upward, forming a large dining table. These flaps are supported on legs.

• For kitchen the design of such a sliding table is practically the same. Only the stationary part can be additionally equipped with a chest of drawers where you can store kitchen utensils. Often tables for the kitchen are made on a metal frame, and the side flaps, when opened, rest on thin metal legs. Their dimensions are slightly smaller than those used in the living room, while their design can be equipped with wheels. Often, using such a table in the kitchen, it is pushed close to the wall, and only one sash is raised.

Book tables are made from several types of materials.

• Solid wood... Quite durable material, products from which have a long service life. Furniture from it looks rich. In most cases, it is quite beautiful and has decorations in the form of artistic carvings. Wood is not afraid of moisture, a product made of this material does not deform or swell, and if such a table loses its appearance, it is quite easy to restore it.

• Chipboard. It is a cheap wood substitute made from sawdust pressed with formaldehyde resins. Unscrupulous manufacturers in the manufacture of this material can use toxic glue, so do not be lazy to ask for quality certificates for products from chipboard. By its appearance, this material is perfectly flat slabs that are not subjected to any processing. At the same time, they are covered with a film on top, which imitates the surface of various types of wood, for example, wenge or sonoma oak. In addition, this material does not tolerate increased moisture. When water acts on the chipboard, the surface of the plate is deformed, and bubbles appear.

• Metal. The frame or legs of a book table are usually made of this material. It is strong, durable, environmentally friendly. Do not be afraid that such a product will break under the weight of the dishes.
• Plastic... They are usually used to cover kitchen countertops. This material is quite durable, it resists damage well, is not afraid of moisture and water.The plastic table can also be used outdoors, for example, on the veranda. Such products are inexpensive, and their service life is quite long.
• Glass... This material is rarely used for the manufacture of this attribute of furniture. Glass book tables are mainly made according to individual projects of designers to order. This is due to the fact that glass is a rather fragile material, and raising and lowering the sash, it is easy to damage them.

Nowadays book tables can be found in completely different sizes. Moreover, they vary in all respects: height, width and length.

In Soviet times, the living room table-book was produced in one size. In principle, the size of the models in most cases has not changed much even now. When unfolded, such a piece of furniture has the following parameters: length - 1682 mm, width - 850 cm, height 751 mm, length of the stationary part - 280 mm.

The largest attribute can have dimensions of 2350x800x750 mm. Such a table will allow a rather large company to fit behind it, while no one will interfere with anyone.

The standard for kitchen tables is the following dimensions: length 1300 mm, width 600 mm, height 70 mm.

For small-sized kitchens, you can purchase this piece of furniture with mini-dimensions 750x650x750 mm. Despite such small dimensions, it may well be equipped with additional storage space.

Modern designers offer book tables, which are rather narrow when folded, and practically do not take up space, while when unfolded they have the dimensions of standard tables.

Choosing a book-table, you will come across a wide range of colors for this product.

Here you can find a huge selection of products for the living room with a natural wood finish; tables in the colors of Italian walnut, ash, and bleached oak are quite popular. In this case, the coating can be either matte or glossy.

There are also monochrome products of various shades. Relevant here are white, black table, as well as bright colors, for example, red or turquoise.

The kitchen attribute often has an ornament on the countertop. There can be imitation marble or photo printing depicting still lifes or cities of the world.

In shape, book tables are of two types:

• oval;
• rectangular.

For small kitchens, the oval book-table was slightly reduced in length, making it round. This made it possible to additionally win a few centimeters of free space in this room, while retaining the number of seats for the attribute.

Various kinds of fittings are used in the manufacture of book tables. And here the basis for the high-quality functionality of this piece of furniture is the reliability of the hinges.

In Soviet times, piano loops were used for the manufacture of this design. But they were rather unreliable, and at the most crucial moment, the tabletop with the dishes covered on it could simply fall off. Modern manufacturers have left the use of this fittings, switching to more modern and reliable components.

The table-book mechanism can be of three types, although the basic idea remains the same. There is a stationary part and two lifting sashes. The side parts of the tabletop, rising on hinges, are installed on a support.In this case, you can expand only one sash, or both at once. The legs act as a support here. There may be one or two of them. In the second case, the design is more stable, and therefore reliable.

In the event that the movable part of the tabletop is installed on two supports, the legs can be roll-out and hide inside the stationary part, or screwed into certain places. And if the leg of this attribute of furniture is one, then it is usually roll-out, and screwed on hinges to its stationary part.

In most cases, book tables, especially with regard to products for living rooms, have a simple appearance, strict forms. This allows them to be installed in both classic and modern interiors. But there are also design models that are suitable for certain stylistic solutions of the premises.

• So, for Provence style living room it is worth buying this attribute in white.

• For a high-tech kitchen a glass table is perfect.
• In a country style kitchen it would be appropriate to look at a table-book made of natural wood of light colors, perhaps not even varnished.

In Soviet times, book tables were not very diverse. They were made of wood and had either a matte finish or shone with a gloss. Now this furniture attribute is decorated in a different way.

So, for the dining table in the living room, the decoupage technique is often used. Original patterns will help make this furniture attribute a highlight of the entire room.

Photo printing is increasingly being used for kitchen tables. At the same time, it does not matter whether these attributes of furniture are made of glass or made of plastic, this type of decor looks quite modern and stylish, the main thing is that it should be in harmony with the rest of the room's furnishings.

The design of the book tables is quite simple. And more often it is quite similar.

For rectangular models, the corners of the table top can be straight or rounded.

Drawers can be built into the stationary part, and access to them can be both from the side of the product and under the lowered sash. The tabletop of the stationary part can also be raised, where the storage places for the dishes will be hidden.

Choosing a book table is quite simple and depends on just a few factors.

• We decide for what purposes is it needed this attribute of furniture. If for installation in the kitchen, then you should choose more compact options. If for receiving guests in the living room, then you should pay attention to larger tables.
• We define support type... Remember that the safest option is to mount each part of the tabletop on two screw-in legs. Although a single-legged design is quite suitable for a small kitchen table, especially since it will minimally interfere with those sitting at the table.

• We define budget... Depending on its size, you can choose the material and design in which this furniture attribute will be executed. So, almost everyone can afford a folding product without additional storage space, made of laminated chipboard. But for products made of expensive wood or glass, you will have to spend a lot.

Book tables have quite a few advantages. When folded, these products take up little space. They can combine several functions at once: desk, dining table, chest of drawers.

In our market, book tables can be found from various manufacturers. They are produced both in Russia and in other countries of the world, for example, Italy, Germany.Polish models of this piece of furniture from the company are quite popular. Goliat. According to buyers, this is a fairly high-quality product at an attractive price.

In furniture stores, you can find a wide range of book tables. Here are some interesting models that will become a highlight in the interior of your home.

A clear glass product will be an excellent option for a modern kitchen.

For a small kitchen, a book-table is perfect, complete with folding chairs, which are removed inside the stationary part of the product.

A solid wood coffee table will adorn any classic interior, and its design in the form of a book will allow it to be placed both in the middle of the room, giving it a rounded shape, or to attach it to the wall by lowering one or both tabletop doors.

For even more information on the types of book tables, see the next video.