Every November the same call comes in: "We have fourteen people coming and a table that seats six." The good news is that a modern home can flex a lot further than most people think. The catch is timing. If you want new furniture in place before guests arrive, you need to order early, because most of what we sell is built to order in Italy, Denmark or Canada. Here is how we help Dallas hosts plan.
Start with the table
An extendable dining table is the single most useful hosting piece. It lives at a normal size for weeknights and grows when the family shows up.
From Bellini Modern Living we carry several extension tables with ceramic tops on glass or wood bases, including the Ferraro, Genoa, Isabella and Palazzo. Bellini's Ibiza comes in fixed 79", 87" and 95" lengths, so if you would rather skip the mechanism and simply buy a long table, that is an easy way to do it.
ALF Italia builds its dining tables in small and large versions across families like Artemide, Canova, Matera, Oceanum and Versilia, and the Oceanum also comes in an XL fixed size. Several ALF tables extend; ask us which ones have a leaf, because it varies by collection.
A quick rule for headcount: allow roughly 24 inches of table edge per person. A 95" table gives you four on each side plus one on each end when the chairs are slim. We covered this in more detail in our guide to extendable dining tables that seat 10.
Sleeper sofas for overnight guests
If family is staying over, a sofa bed in the living room or study beats an air mattress every time. Innovation Living, from Copenhagen, makes the two we recommend most.
- Neah is available in full, queen and king sizes with slim, standard or curved arms. It opens flat and sits like a real sofa the rest of the year.
- Vilander is a sleeper sofa offered with cushion arms or wide arms, and there is a walnut top arm tray accessory that turns the arm into a small side table.
Measure before you commit. A sofa bed needs clearance in front of it equal to the open bed length, so check the room in both positions. Browse our sleeper sofa collection or stop in and open one on the floor.
Benches: the fastest way to add two seats
A bench on one side of the table seats three where two chairs would go, and it slides underneath when you are done. Elite Modern, made in the USA, builds the Amara, Prism and Zina benches. The Zina bench is part of a bedroom group, but it works just as well at the end of a table or in an entry when you need a place for coats and boots. ALF Italia also offers the Heritage bench.
Extra dining chairs and barstools
Buying two more of your existing dining chair is the tidiest option, and we can usually add to an order from the same maker. If your chair has been discontinued, a set that contrasts on purpose looks intentional. Kube's Anna dining chair and Whiteline's Olga come as sets of four, and Amisco's Linea comes as a set of six.
Do not forget the kitchen island. Counter stools from Amisco, Kube and Elite Modern seat the teenagers and the cousins who prefer to hover near the food. Elite Modern's Bolo, Carina, Costa and Vivian come as stationary counter stools or swivel barstools, so you can match the island to the table. See our barstools and dining chairs.
Order in time: honest lead times
This is the part that matters most in the fall.
- In-stock items ship within about a week and are usually received within four weeks of purchase.
- Special-order items take 4 to 16 weeks depending on the manufacturer. Italian and Scandinavian pieces are typically on the longer end.
All arrival dates are tentative and based on manufacturer lead times, so if you want a special-order table for late December, an order in early fall is the safe play. If the calendar is tighter, ask us what is in the warehouse or on the showroom floor. Floor samples can often go home quickly; our floor sample guide explains how that works.
White-glove delivery is available across Dallas–Fort Worth. Clear the room, re-measure doorways and stairs, and plan to have an adult 18 or older home for the delivery window. Details are on our delivery page.
A simple hosting checklist
- Count your maximum guests, then add two.
- Measure the dining room with the table fully extended and chairs pulled out (about 36 inches behind each chair).
- Decide where overnight guests sleep and measure that room for a sofa bed in the open position.
- Order special-order pieces first; fill gaps with in-stock chairs, stools and benches.
- Book delivery for at least a week before the event so there is time to inspect and settle in.
FAQ
How early should I order an extendable dining table for the holidays?
For a special-order table, plan on 4 to 16 weeks depending on the manufacturer, so early fall is the safe window. In-stock tables usually arrive within four weeks.
Is a sofa bed comfortable enough for a week-long guest?
The Innovation Living Neah and Vilander are designed to work as everyday sofas first, and the Neah opens to a full-length full, queen or king bed. Come in and try one; comfort is personal.
Can I mix a bench with my existing dining chairs?
Yes. Keep the seat height within an inch or so of your chairs and pick a finish that echoes the table base or the chair legs, and the mix reads as deliberate.
Come see extendable tables, sleeper sofas and benches together in our 20,000 sq ft showroom at Bova Contemporary Furniture, 4490 Alpha Rd Ste 300, Dallas, TX 75244. Call or text (972) 716-9600, or browse dining, Innovation Living and Elite Modern online first.