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Whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or need an extra surface for working or for entertaining, a folding table can help give you the temporary setup space you need. The best folding tables are more portable than other tables, and they won’t take up much space when in storage. Here’s everything to know about what to look for when buying your next table, plus our top choices for folding tables for any situation.
What Are the Best Folding Tables?
Luckily there are many new clever and durable space-saving options that have popped up in the past few years. These models are increasingly innovative, ranging from a traditional folding table to some that can collapse completely or even hide within another piece of furniture altogether. Here’s what to look for before buying one.
Strength: These are all sturdy enough to hold a laptop, but if you’ll be setting up some heavy equipment like a desktop or sewing machine, make sure it can handle the weight. Electronics aside, if you’ll be using this for handwriting activities, you’ll want one with a smooth surface, since something like grooved wood isn’t going to work well.
Cleaning: Resistance to stains and spills makes clean-up a whole lot easier if this is going to be used for eating meals or having drinks. It’s also a good idea to look for a smooth surface if possible.
Mobility: Wheels or casters can come in handy for easily rolling it from room to room, making it versatile for eating a meal while on the couch or working on your laptop while in bed. And if you have an outdoor space like a small yard or porch, these can set you up for a day of working, or just relaxing, outside with a drink and everything you need within reach. Variable height settings add another degree of convenience too.
Foldability: A folding table that tucks away out of sight can transform a small apartment almost instantly. Within a few seconds, you have enough space to roll out a yoga mat and stretch, exercise, or just rethink how to get the most out of your newly found floor space.
Safety:If you have kids or pets around, it’s best to go for something without sharp edges where they could potentially get hurt. Same goes for yourself too, with things like joints that can pinch skin, or tables that can’t hold much weight and collapse in your lap.
For saving space and setting up inside and out, we’ve picked our four favorite foldable tables here.
