Has anyone seen a better cheaper table than this one from IKEA?

[Caligula]

I need one that can go as small as possible so as not take up space, but be as big as possible to fit loads of people at christmas etc.

Am having a dilemma about whether to buy \link{http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=52813&langId=-20&parentCats=155641622515801\this one} and wondering what the disadvantages would be, or if someone has seen something better.

I think that one looks good, Cal. The drawers look handy and it is a nice wood. The only question mark I would have is re how stable it would be half opened? If the middle bit is quite solid and non wobbly it should be fine though.

Yes my other thing was that when it's half-opened, you can't sit at one side because there'll be the flap in the way.

Decisions decisions

Hmm. The flap in the way would be a big black mark against for me as I'd expect half open to be its main use and would need at least 3 sides accessible to get 4 of us round it. Is it 2 of you who'll be using it routinely (can't remeber if you have more than one baby )?

No, 3. So that would be OK, I guess, one on each side and a flap at the end.

But as soon as you have 4, you have to open it up to its really big size.

I don't know if that would be a hassle or not. Probably not too much I guess.

I think as long as you can fit the main family contingent of everyday eaters round without having to faff about opening it it's fine.

We have a gate leg table - like that but old (it was my Grandma's) so no handy drawers. When we just had ds1 we only had one leaf open and the closed leaf side towards the wall - now we have both ends opened up permanently but we have the long edge against the wall - but can pull it out when we have visitors. The only thing is if you have more than 6 (for us that's only at Christmas!) the two that sit in the middle of the long sides have to straddle the fat bit, dyswim? I put my brother there usually - he's got long legs

I loike ours (and it has sentimental value) but ideally I'd like a table with a folding leaf inside it and legs on the corners, rather than that fat bit in the middle.

I loike ours? I've gone all yokel-ish

A friend of mine has that table Caligula. It's a good size and very solid looking. Would consider it myself if I needed a large extra table that could store away

We've got \link{http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=7&productId=50037&langId=-20&parentCats=155641622515801\this one} It doesn't fold up as small as the one you looked at, but we can get 5 people around it comfortably with only one leaf up (2 each side, one on the end) Space is a premium for us too, we have the table in our living room. This was a good compromise.

We bought thhis table about a month ago and its fab.
Sit around every night for evening meal with just 1 flap up with me, dh and dd1. Have also used it with family round and you can easily fit 6 people round.
Very sturdy and excellant quality....lovely piece of furniture for small spaces