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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get rid of the dining table?

35 replies

FatBurger · 21/08/2023 21:33

Ok, so hardly the AIBU of the century!

We had an extension 12 months ago which has an island that seats 8 comfortably..since having the kitchen extension we've used the dining table once, for Christmas dinner (10 people). We always eat at the island, kids included.

The dining room is largely a toy storage room now. With the dining table in there's not enough room for a comfortable chair or sofa as well and hardly enough floor space for the kids (4&7) to play so they end up dragging all their toys through to the lounge or kitchen (which has a sofa area) because it's where the floor space, and we, are.

I'm proposing to remove the dining table (it's an extendable one) and replace it with a comfortable chair and a rug. But will I regret it? For the one or 2 times a year we'll use it we could get a trestle table and store it in the garage.

The current dining table is too heavy and cumbersome to take apart and store when not in use.

So WIBU to get rid of it?

YANBU - Get rid, you don't need it

YABU - Think of Christmas

OP posts:
BrianBettyGrable · 21/08/2023 21:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Hellosausag · 21/08/2023 21:34

Yeah I’d get rid and get something temp for those couple of occasions you do need it.

Original poster
FatBurger · 21/08/2023 23:24

Decision made then!

OP posts:
Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 21/08/2023 23:25

Get rid and get a gate leg table that will just sit at the side of the room being small until you need it.

MrsJamin · 21/08/2023 23:28

Can I just say I bloody hate sitting at bar stools round an island. If you have people round for dinner they might also want to be able to put their feet on the floor whilst eating.

declutteringmymind · 21/08/2023 23:29

Will you miss the table top space?

We only really use our 10 seater about 2-3 times a month but h has meetings, kids make their projects, do homework, play ping pong on it etc.

If not then go for the trestle table as required.

Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 10:57

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 21/08/2023 23:25

Get rid and get a gate leg table that will just sit at the side of the room being small until you need it.

I'm struggling to find one that seats 8.

OP posts:
Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 10:59

declutteringmymind · 21/08/2023 23:29

Will you miss the table top space?

We only really use our 10 seater about 2-3 times a month but h has meetings, kids make their projects, do homework, play ping pong on it etc.

If not then go for the trestle table as required.

The kids paint and do crafts/ homework/ board games etc on the island anyway. And want to be in the room with me whilst they do those things (and I'm almost exclusively in the kitchen). The table top realistically becomes a dumping ground!

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 22/08/2023 11:06

If it’s barely used then yeah, get rid of it. That space can be much better used.

Opposite to a pp, I for some reason love sitting on bar stools as opposed to a normal table! Unless you have elderly guests or guests with limited mobility coming regularly, it shouldn’t be an issue and the occasional need for a bigger table/normal chairs can be dealt with for the occasion.

Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 13:02

We bought bar stools that are particularly comfy, as we knew they'd be used a lot. People have commented on how good they are (unprompted). They aren't suitable for everyone or every occasion, which is why I want an alternative, I just don't need the alternative taking up space all the time.

OP posts:
CantFindTheBeat · 22/08/2023 13:06

We've done the same thing, OP.

Only thing we have to do is beg & borrow chairs for Christmas, as we have room to store the table, but not 10 dining chairs.

FoggyDay58 · 22/08/2023 13:41

FatBurger · 22/08/2023 13:02

We bought bar stools that are particularly comfy, as we knew they'd be used a lot. People have commented on how good they are (unprompted). They aren't suitable for everyone or every occasion, which is why I want an alternative, I just don't need the alternative taking up space all the time.

Off topic I know, but can you say more about the bar stools? Yours sound like the dream. Picture, or even a link, would be great.

PS yes, ditch the dining table.

UniversalTruth · 22/08/2023 13:45

You don't need a 10 seater fold away table, you need a 4 seater kids table or how ever you want to split the group for Christmas surely.

Vettrianofan · 22/08/2023 13:46

MrsJamin · 21/08/2023 23:28

Can I just say I bloody hate sitting at bar stools round an island. If you have people round for dinner they might also want to be able to put their feet on the floor whilst eating.

Same here. I would need a hoist to get in and out of one because of my arthritic hips😆

TheDogsMother · 22/08/2023 13:54

The layout of our open plan space doesn't allow for a permanent table so we got one of these and had a longer top made for it. It sits against the wall most of the time but can seat up to 8 when needed.

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-324396722.aspx#searchkeyword=Console%20Tables%20ampm&shoppingtool=brandpage

Hillarious · 22/08/2023 14:15

The tables recommended by @50fedup look good. I couldn't NOT have a dining table, but they look like a good option for Christmas. I work for an organisation which hosts very special dinners, and their table are nothing to write home about. However, once dressed with tablecloths etc, you'd have no inkling of what's underneath.

jannier · 22/08/2023 14:23

Vettrianofan · 22/08/2023 13:46

Same here. I would need a hoist to get in and out of one because of my arthritic hips😆

Show quote history

Me too I leave rather than sit on one if we're eating out ....why can't breakfast bars be a normal height? If I turned up to someone's house and had to sit on one I'd hate it.

jannier · 22/08/2023 14:25

FatBurger · 21/08/2023 21:33

Ok, so hardly the AIBU of the century!

We had an extension 12 months ago which has an island that seats 8 comfortably..since having the kitchen extension we've used the dining table once, for Christmas dinner (10 people). We always eat at the island, kids included.

The dining room is largely a toy storage room now. With the dining table in there's not enough room for a comfortable chair or sofa as well and hardly enough floor space for the kids (4&7) to play so they end up dragging all their toys through to the lounge or kitchen (which has a sofa area) because it's where the floor space, and we, are.

I'm proposing to remove the dining table (it's an extendable one) and replace it with a comfortable chair and a rug. But will I regret it? For the one or 2 times a year we'll use it we could get a trestle table and store it in the garage.

The current dining table is too heavy and cumbersome to take apart and store when not in use.

So WIBU to get rid of it?

YANBU - Get rid, you don't need it

YABU - Think of Christmas

I think the toys will still come through to wherever you are.

Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 19:46

jannier · 22/08/2023 14:23

Me too I leave rather than sit on one if we're eating out ....why can't breakfast bars be a normal height? If I turned up to someone's house and had to sit on one I'd hate it.

Show quote history

I won't sit on them when out. Hate them generally, but love ours! We hadn't got rid of the table before as I expected to keep using it. The bar stools were more for people to perch whilst I'm cooking or the kids to do crafts on. But we love them!

We did consider one of those step down tables attached to the island, but I wanted more prep space and a normal height table would have killed my back.

OP posts:
Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 19:48

jannier · 22/08/2023 14:25

I think the toys will still come through to wherever you are.

Show quote history

I'm not bothered about that so much. But if I had space for a comfy chair or sofa in the play room I would spend more time in there rather than the sofa in the kitchen.

OP posts:
Original poster
FatBurger · 22/08/2023 19:48

And thanks for all the links, I'll take a look

OP posts:
Iknowthis1 · 22/08/2023 19:50

It's not like, for example, getting rid of a bath, where it's a big deal if you regret it. If you miss the table put it back. It's worth at least trying not having a table.

NotTheSlugandLettuce · 22/08/2023 20:30

Will no one think of Christmas !!!

CoffeeCantata · 23/08/2023 08:43

Go for it. We did this because we have a kitchen table for family use (seats 5 or 6 at a push). For years our dining room was taken up with a massive antique table which for most of the time was just used as a dumping ground for all kinds of stuff.

We bought one of those folding tables which seats 8 and we get it out when necessary, cover it in long table cloths etc and no-one is any the wiser. It lives behind a wardrobe when not needed and the dining room is now a calm and attractive space with seating away from the TV etc etc.

We'e never regretted it!