Yes, You Too Can Have an Eat-In Kitchen: IKEA’s Wall-Mounted Drop Leaf Tables

If when you hear the phrase “eat-in kitchen” you think a) yeah right, or b) does standing next to my countertop count?, then to you I say this: consider the wall-mounted drop leaf table. Often even the smallest of kitchens can accommodate this type of table because of its signature space-saving feature: prop it up when you want to use it; drop it down flush against the wall when you don’t. If you think you can swing it in your own kitchen, IKEA has three terrific options to choose from, all under $40:

• 1 NORBO Wall-mounted drop-leaf table in birch, $29.99 from IKEA: Made of solid birch and measuring 31″x23″, this is my favorite of all the wall-mounted tables at IKEA. I like the shape and the natural wood.
• 2 NORBERG Wall-mounted drop-leaf table in white, $39.99 from IKEA: A little smaller than the NORBO, this table measures 29″x23″ and is made of particleboard with a melamine tabletop, which makes it easy to wipe down. You also get a bit of a wider shelf to work with after you fold the table down.
• 3 BJURSTA Wall-mounted drop-leaf table in brown-black, $39.99 from IKEA: This is the longest and narrowest table of the bunch, measuring 35″x19″. It, too, is made of particleboard with an ash veneer, but the clear lacquer coating makes it easy to clean. It also has a decent shelf to store things on when the full table is not in use.

Do you have a wall-mounted drop leaf table in your kitchen?