You're standing in your apartment doorway with a tape measure, staring at that 28-inch opening, wondering if your dream dining table will ever make it inside. You've already returned one table that got stuck in the hallway, and your back still hurts from trying to angle it through. The delivery guys left, you're out the restocking fee, and your dining room is still empty.
Here's what makes this frustrating: most furniture sites list the extended dimensions but skip the measurements that actually matter—how wide the table is when it's collapsed, whether the legs detach, and if the whole thing will navigate your building's tight corners. You need hard numbers before you buy, not after the delivery truck leaves.
This guide gives you specific collapsed dimensions, doorway requirements, weight specs, and extension mechanisms for tables that work in tight spaces. You'll know exactly what fits through a 28-inch, 30-inch, or 32-inch door before you place the order.
Having spent years researching furniture solutions for small spaces and urban apartments, I've seen how the wrong table choice creates a domino effect of problems—from delivery headaches to return fees to settling for something you don't actually want. The goal here is to arm you with the measurements and mechanism details that prevent those problems entirely.
Understanding Doorway Dimensions and Clearance Needs
Most apartment doorways measure between 28 and 32 inches wide. Standard interior doors sit at 30 inches, while older buildings often have 28-inch openings. Front entry doors typically measure 32 to 36 inches, but hallways, elevator doors, and stairwell turns create additional choke points.
A table needs at least 2 inches of clearance on each side to maneuver through a doorway without damage. For a 30-inch door, you're working with a 26-inch maximum table width when accounting for the door frame and safe handling space.
The collapsed width matters most, but don't ignore thickness. A 3-inch thick tabletop might need to go through on its edge, which means the table's height becomes the limiting dimension. Removable legs solve this problem—if the legs detach easily, you can slide a longer surface through doorways that would reject the assembled piece.
Extension Mechanisms Explained
Different extension systems affect both how the table moves through doorways and how it functions once inside.
Butterfly leaf tables store the leaf underneath the center of the table. You pull the ends apart, flip up the hidden leaf, and lock it in place. These tables ship fully assembled in many cases, so the collapsed width is your doorway concern. The mechanism adds thickness to the base, usually 4 to 6 inches total.
Drop-leaf tables have hinged sides that fold down when not in use. The collapsed width can be extremely narrow—some drop to 10 or 12 inches. These are your best option for very tight doorways because the folded profile is minimal. The hinges need periodic tightening, and the leaves require support brackets or swing-out legs when raised.
Pull-out extension tables have leaves that store inside the table's frame. You pull the ends apart and insert the leaf manually. This design keeps the collapsed footprint smaller than butterfly mechanisms. The track system adds some weight but allows for multiple leaf options.
Self-storing leaves slide out from the center on a track system without requiring you to fetch a separate piece. These tables tend to be heavier due to the track hardware, but they're convenient for frequent adjustments.
Tables That Fit Through 28-Inch Doorways
A 28-inch doorway requires tables with a collapsed width of 26 inches or less. Here are specific options with the measurements that matter.
| Table Model | Collapsed Dimensions (W×D×H) | Extended Dimensions | Door Width Needed | Weight | Extension Type | Seats Collapsed/Extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA INGATORP | 24" × 34" × 29" | 61" × 34" × 29" | 28" | 68 lbs | Drop-leaf | 2-4 / 4-6 |
| Winsome Alamo | 9.5" × 30" × 29" | 42" × 30" × 29" | 28" | 45 lbs | Double drop-leaf | 2 / 4 |
| Coaster Home Furnishings Casual | 17.75" × 29.5" × 30" | 47.25" × 29.5" × 30" | 28" | 52 lbs | Drop-leaf | 2 / 4 |
| East West Furniture Norfolk | 26" × 36" × 30" | 54" × 36" × 30" | 28" | 75 lbs | Butterfly | 4 / 4-6 |
The IKEA INGATORP works for extremely narrow doors because it measures just 24 inches wide when the leaves are down. The table weighs 68 pounds, manageable for two people. Assembly takes about 45 minutes with the included Allen wrench and clear instructions. The drop-leaf hinges attach with four screws per side, and the support legs swing out automatically when you lift the leaves.
One delivery detail worth noting: this table ships in one box measuring 37" × 27" × 4", which means it might not fit in a compact car trunk but slides into most SUVs or through apartment doorways without disassembly.
The Winsome Alamo measures 9.5 inches wide when fully collapsed—narrower than most doorways by a significant margin. This makes it ideal for studio apartments or rooms with very limited access. At 45 pounds, one person can move it alone. The double drop-leaf design means you can raise one or both sides depending on how many people you're seating.
Assembly difficulty sits at beginner level. The legs attach with four bolts each, and the table comes 90% assembled. Professional help isn't needed unless you have mobility issues.
Tables That Fit Through 30-Inch Doorways
Standard 30-inch doors give you slightly more room. Tables up to 28 inches wide when collapsed will clear the opening with proper handling.
| Table Model | Collapsed Dimensions (W×D×H) | Extended Dimensions | Door Width Needed | Weight | Extension Type | Seats Collapsed/Extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayfair Mango Wood Table | 28" × 40" × 30" | 68" × 40" × 30" | 30" | 95 lbs | Pull-out leaf | 4 / 6-8 |
| Target Threshold Minsmere | 30" × 48" × 30" | 66" × 48" × 30" | 32"* | 110 lbs | Butterfly | 4-6 / 8 |
| Crate & Barrel Origami | 18" × 36" × 30" | 72" × 36" × 30" | 28" | 85 lbs | Drop-leaf | 2 / 6-8 |
| Walker Edison Millwright | 30" × 60" × 30" | 78" × 60" × 30" | 32"* | 140 lbs | Pull-out leaf | 6-8 / 8-10 |
*Requires leg removal for 30-inch door
The Wayfair mango wood table measures 28 inches wide collapsed, fitting through a 30-inch door with careful angling. The pull-out leaf stores inside the table on a track system. Two people can extend it without removing the tabletop items—the mechanism is smooth enough that you won't scratch the finish.
At 95 pounds, moving this table requires two adults. The legs don't detach easily, so plan your route before attempting hallway navigation. Assembly takes 60-90 minutes and requires a Phillips screwdriver. The instructions are adequate but not exceptional—expect to reference the diagrams multiple times.
The Crate & Barrel Origami table solves the 30-inch door problem by measuring just 18 inches wide when both leaves are down. The name refers to how the leaves fold and lock into place. When extended to 72 inches, it seats six to eight people comfortably. The weight of 85 pounds means two people can handle delivery and setup.
This table ships partially assembled. The legs attach with bolts, and the drop-leaf hinges come pre-installed. Total assembly time runs about 30 minutes. The finish is durable enough to handle daily use without showing scratches within the first year.
Tables for 32-Inch and Wider Doorways
A 32-inch doorway opens up more options, but you still need to verify collapsed dimensions because "small" means different things to different manufacturers.
| Table Model | Collapsed Dimensions (W×D×H) | Extended Dimensions | Door Width Needed | Weight | Extension Type | Seats Collapsed/Extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Elm Mid-Century | 30" × 60" × 29" | 78" × 60" × 29" | 32" | 165 lbs | Self-storing leaf | 6 / 8-10 |
| Article Seno | 35" × 63" × 30" | 87" × 63" × 30" | 38"* | 180 lbs | Butterfly | 6-8 / 10 |
| CB2 Aqua Virgo | 29" × 65" × 30" | 94" × 65" × 30" | 32" | 155 lbs | Pull-out leaf | 6-8 / 10-12 |
| Room & Board Linden | 42" × 60" × 30" | 82" × 60" × 30" | 44"* | 200 lbs | Pull-out leaf | 6-8 / 8-10 |
*Legs must be removed
The West Elm Mid-Century table measures 30 inches wide collapsed, clearing a 32-inch door with minimal effort. The self-storing leaf slides out from the center without removing anything from the tabletop. This convenience costs you—the mechanism adds weight, bringing the total to 165 pounds.
Two people can move this table short distances, but navigating stairs or long hallways might require a third person. The legs detach with four bolts each, which helps if you encounter a narrow spot. Assembly is straightforward with an electric screwdriver. Budget 90 minutes for two people to complete the job.
The CB2 Aqua Virgo table fits through a 32-inch door at 29 inches wide. The glass top comes separate from the base, so you're moving two pieces instead of one assembled unit. This actually helps with delivery because the glass can slide through doorways on edge if needed.
At 155 pounds combined weight, the glass contributes significant mass. You need two people minimum, and furniture sliders help protect floors during positioning. Assembly difficulty ranks as intermediate—the glass must align precisely with the mounting brackets, and you want to avoid overtightening bolts that could crack the surface.
Weight and Moving Considerations
Table weight directly affects delivery success. Anything under 70 pounds allows for single-person maneuvering in a pinch. Tables between 70 and 120 pounds need two people for safe handling. Above 120 pounds, consider professional movers or accept that you'll struggle with stairs and tight corners.
Solid wood tables weigh more than veneer or engineered wood. A 60-inch solid oak table might hit 150 pounds, while a similar-sized table with an MDF core and wood veneer weighs 90 pounds. Glass tops add 40-60 pounds depending on thickness.
Furniture sliders reduce the effort needed to move tables across floors. These plastic or felt discs slide under table legs and distribute weight, preventing floor scratches and making repositioning easier. For carpet, use hard plastic sliders. For hardwood or tile, use felt sliders.
One detail that trips people up: table legs often extend beyond the tabletop edges. A table listed as 30 inches wide might have legs that splay outward, creating a 33-inch footprint at floor level. Measure the widest point, not just the top surface.
Assembly Difficulty by Extension Type
Drop-leaf tables require the least assembly. Legs attach with four to six bolts each. The hinges come pre-installed in most cases. Total time runs 20-45 minutes for someone with basic hand tool experience. No special skills needed.
Butterfly leaf tables involve more steps. You attach legs, install the butterfly mechanism track, and align the leaf so it sits flush when raised. Expect 60-90 minutes. The track system needs precise alignment, or the leaf won't lock properly. An electric screwdriver speeds up the process significantly.
Pull-out extension tables fall somewhere in between. Legs attach first, then you install the slide tracks or rails that hold the extension leaf. The leaf usually stores separately until you're ready to use it. Time required: 45-75 minutes. The most common mistake is installing the tracks backward, which prevents the leaf from locking in place.
Self-storing leaf tables often ship partially assembled to protect the mechanism during transit. You attach legs and verify the leaf slides smoothly. Assembly time: 30-60 minutes. These tables are more forgiving because the manufacturer has already calibrated the extension system.
Professional assembly costs $75-150 depending on location and table complexity. This makes sense for tables over 150 pounds or if you lack tools. Many furniture retailers include assembly for an additional fee at checkout.
Real Apartment Delivery Scenarios
Scenario 1: Third-Floor Walkup, 28-Inch Doorways
Building has a 32-inch front door, 30-inch stairwell turns, and 28-inch apartment entrance. The chosen table measured 26 inches wide collapsed with removable legs. Delivery team removed legs in the building lobby, carried the tabletop up separately, then brought legs up afterward. Total time: 25 minutes including reassembly inside the apartment.
The mistake to avoid: assuming the widest door determines success. In this case, the apartment door was the limiting factor, not the building entrance.
Scenario 2: Elevator Building, L-Shaped Hallway
The elevator door measured 36 inches, hallway was 48 inches wide, but the L-shaped turn to the apartment created a 90-degree corner with 40-inch clearance. A 42-inch wide table wouldn't navigate the turn even though it fit through every doorway.
The solution involved tilting the table on edge and rotating it through the corner. This worked because the table's thickness was only 30 inches, fitting within the corner's diagonal space. Lesson: measure corner clearances, not just straight-line doorways.
Scenario 3: Studio Apartment, Single 30-Inch Entry
One door leads from the hallway into a 400-square-foot studio. The table needed to fit through this single opening because there's no alternative route. A 28-inch wide drop-leaf table cleared easily, but assembling it inside the apartment required enough floor space to lay out parts.
The floor space issue gets overlooked during purchase. You need roughly 6 feet by 4 feet of clear floor to assemble most dining tables. In a studio, that might mean moving your bed or couch temporarily.
Scenario 4: Old Building, 26-Inch Door
Pre-war building with original doors measuring just 26 inches wide. The only tables that worked were drop-leaf models that collapsed to 18 inches or less. The buyer chose a double drop-leaf that measured 12 inches collapsed and extended to 48 inches.
This demonstrates why checking actual measurements matters more than trusting "small apartment" marketing language. Many tables marketed for apartments still won't fit through genuinely narrow old building doors.
How Many People Each Configuration Seats
Seating capacity depends on table dimensions and how you arrange chairs.
Collapsed/Small Configuration:
- 24" × 30" table: 2 people comfortably
- 30" × 36" table: 2-4 people (tight but functional)
- 36" × 48" table: 4 people comfortably
Extended Configuration:
- 48" × 30" table: 4 people
- 60" × 36" table: 6 people
- 72" × 40" table: 6-8 people
- 84" × 42" table: 8-10 people
Each person needs about 24 inches of linear space for comfortable seating. At 20 inches per person, you get more seats but elbows start bumping. At 30 inches per person, everyone has generous room.
Depth matters too. A 30-inch deep table allows for larger plates and serving dishes in the center. A 36-inch deep table is more comfortable for conversation and prevents knees from hitting the center support.
Round tables seat more people efficiently in small spaces, but they rarely collapse smaller than their diameter. An extendable round table that expands from 42 to 60 inches still needs a 60-inch path through your doorway when extended—you can't break it down for delivery.
Pre-Purchase Measurement Checklist
Before ordering any table, measure these dimensions:
Doorways:
- All doors between delivery point and final location
- Actual opening width (not door slab width)
- Door height if you plan to tilt furniture
Hallways:
- Straight sections (narrowest point)
- Corner turns (measure diagonal clearance)
- Ceiling height in stairwells
Elevators:
- Door width
- Interior dimensions (depth especially)
- Diagonal space for tilting large items
Final Location:
- Floor space available for assembly
- Distance from walls for chair clearance (add 36-42 inches per side)
- Clearance for table extension (will it block doorways when extended?)
Write these measurements on your phone or a piece of paper before shopping. Subtract 2 inches from each doorway measurement to account for safe clearance. Use the smallest number as your maximum table width.
What to Ask Before Buying
Contact the retailer with these specific questions if the information isn't listed online:
- What are the collapsed dimensions including legs?
- Do the legs detach, and if so, how many bolts per leg?
- What's the packaged box size?
- Does it ship assembled or flat-pack?
- What tools are needed for assembly?
- What's the total weight including packaging?
If customer service can't answer these questions, check reviews. Customers often mention assembly difficulty and actual measurements in feedback.
Return policies matter. Some retailers charge 15-20% restocking fees for furniture returns, plus return shipping. Know the terms before ordering, especially for large items that might not fit.
Alternatives When Nothing Fits
If no extendable table works for your space, consider these approaches:
Gateleg tables fold completely flat against a wall when not in use. They work like drop-leaf tables but with a narrower base that measures 6-10 inches deep. When opened, they provide a full dining surface. The gateleg design requires floor space to swing open, so you need clearance on the sides.
Console-to-dining tables start as narrow console tables (12-16 inches deep) and extend to full dining size with hidden leaves or a transformation mechanism. These tables typically weigh less than traditional dining tables because the base is smaller. They work well in multipurpose rooms where you need both console and dining functionality.
Folding tables offer maximum space efficiency but less style. Metal frame folding tables collapse to 2-3 inches thick and come in various sizes. They're not elegant, but they solve the doorway problem and cost significantly less than extendable dining tables.
Two small tables might work better than one large extendable table. Buy two 24" × 48" tables and push them together for dinner parties. Separate them during normal use. This approach gives you flexibility and eliminates extension mechanisms entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the legs from any dining table to fit it through a narrow door?
Not all tables allow leg removal. Tables with bolt-on legs can be disassembled, but tables with legs that are part of the frame structure cannot. Check product specifications or contact the manufacturer. If the legs are attached with brackets and bolts, you can remove them. If they're glued, doweled, or part of a welded frame, disassembly isn't possible without damage.
How much clearance do I need around the table when it's extended?
You need 36 inches minimum from the table edge to the wall for someone to sit comfortably and push their chair back. If people will walk behind seated diners, increase this to 42-48 inches. Measure your room carefully—an extended table that blocks doorways or makes the space impassable defeats the purpose of having an extendable table.
Do extension leaves need to be stored separately?
This depends on the mechanism. Butterfly and self-storing leaf tables keep the leaf attached or inside the table. Pull-out extension tables often come with separate leaves that store in a closet when not in use. Drop-leaf tables keep the leaves attached but folded down. If storage space is limited, choose a table with self-storing leaves to avoid dealing with a separate piece.
Will an extendable table wobble more than a fixed table?
Quality extension mechanisms maintain stability, but cheaper tables develop wobble over time as the tracks or hinges wear. Solid wood tables with metal tracks hold up better than particle board tables with plastic components. Check reviews specifically mentioning wobble or stability after extended use. A well-built extension table should feel as stable as a fixed table when locked in position.
Conclusion
The right extendable dining table fits through your doorways, assembles without professional help, and seats your guests without crowding your daily space. Focus on collapsed width first, then verify weight and extension mechanism. Measure your narrowest doorway, subtract 2 inches for clearance, and use that number as your maximum table width.
Drop-leaf tables work best for doorways under 28 inches. Butterfly and pull-out mechanisms handle 30-32 inch doors effectively. Remove legs when possible to navigate tight corners. Get exact dimensions from the retailer before ordering—don't rely on estimates or assume "small" means small enough for your space.
What doorway measurement is stopping you from finding the right dining table? Share your toughest furniture delivery challenge in the comments below.