When it comes to maintaining a formal dining room set, there is one very important piece that furniture consumers tend be misguided with: the table leaf. The usual move is to lean it up against the wall in your closet, right? Wrong!!
You see, your leaf is made of wood just like the rest of the table. Over time, as you probably know, wood can warp. If you have it leaning up against a wall, there is a good chance that over time your leaf will bend and warp. Then, when Thanksgiving rolls around, you end up with a leaf for your formal dining set that either does not fit at all, or leaves gaps and warps in your table.
The best method for storing your leaf and have it maintain its shape is to lay it flat on the floor somewhere. Wrap it in a sheet or pillow case to protect it and then have it lying on the floor with the top down so that no matter the climate it will maintain its shape. Under a bed is the best place to keep it out of the way, especially if it is a piece that you use only once or twice annually.
The other option is to look for a table that offers you a leaf that stores in the table. Becoming increasingly popular, these tables have gears that allow the leaf to fold over and slide in under the table. The wood is kept from warping while, the leaf is kept out of the way, and you don’t have to worry about lugging it to and from the table every time you need 16 inches of extra space.
Though the leaf seems like a minor piece to your dining set, the reality is that when you do need it it becomes one of the most important pieces. Knowing how to store and maintain it, then, can be vital. Hopefully, now, the next time you go to use your leaf you wont have a warped piece of wood on your hands that simply does not fit.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
