A dining table needs to suit everyday life and the occasions when more people gather around it. Breadboard extensions add length at the ends of your table, giving you the flexibility to use a longer surface and return to the original size when you prefer.
At Vintage Mill Werks, we custom-make each set for the table it belongs to. Our standard options add 11 or 16 inches per end, with custom sizes also available. The extensions slide into place and can remain installed full time, or be removed and stored separately.
The original workshop photographs in this article show an Oxford Baluster dining table in British Tan with 11-inch extensions. They reveal the support arms, the receiving openings, and the finished appearance, so you can understand the construction before choosing this option for your own table.
In this article: How they work · Choosing a size · Construction details · Compatible tables · Installation · Removal and storage · Planning your order · FAQs
What are VMW breadboard extensions?
Our breadboard extensions are removable tabletop sections that fit at the ends of a dining table. They increase the table’s length while keeping the added surface at its ends. Two attached wooden support arms slide into receiving openings beneath the tabletop.
This makes a removable extension an option to consider when you want a shorter table for daily use and a longer surface for gatherings. If the longer configuration suits your room year-round, the extensions are also built to remain installed full time.
They do not fold down, tuck underneath the table, or store inside it. When removed, the extension and its attached arms need their own storage space.
Choosing 11-inch, 16-inch, or custom breadboard extensions
The right extension size depends on the table length you want and the room available when both ends are extended. Our standard 11-inch and 16-inch options produce the following changes:
| Extension size | Total length added |
|---|---|
| 11 inches at each end | 22 inches |
| 16 inches at each end | 32 inches |
For example, a 72-inch table with two 11-inch extensions measures 94 inches long with both installed. With two 16-inch extensions, that same starting length becomes 104 inches. These are length calculations; confirm your selected table’s dimensions when ordering.
Measure your room for both the original table length and its full extended length. Allow for chairs, movement around the table, and nearby furniture. Added length alone does not determine seating capacity; chair dimensions and the position of the table base also affect the arrangement.
Also consider where the complete extensions, including their attached support arms, will fit when stored. If neither standard size suits your plans, request a custom size before ordering your table.
How we build our breadboard extensions
Each extension has two wooden support arms attached underneath. The arms align with openings in the table’s end apron and slide inward to support the added tabletop section. There are no locking pins.
The extensions match the 1.5-inch tabletop thickness. They do not extend the full depth of the apron, which is the framing below the tabletop.
The underside photograph below shows this distinction: the extension continues the tabletop above, while its support arms pass through the framing beneath it.
We hand-sand the edges and corners of the table and extensions. They are not designed with sharp, square edges or corners. The installed photographs show this finished edge detail and the joint where the extension meets the table.
The two extensions made for your table are interchangeable between its ends. Each set is still custom-made for that individual table, which is why the extension option needs to be specified when the table is ordered.
Which dining tables can have breadboard extensions?
Breadboard extensions are available across our Dining Tables collection for flat-edged designs, with three exclusions:
- Round tables cannot have breadboard extensions.
- The Tulip edge detail is not compatible with breadboard extensions.
- Butcher block tops are not available with breadboard extensions.
If an eligible table’s listing does not show an extension option, request it through our furniture customization process before placing your order. This is also the route for custom extension sizing.
Breadboard extensions must be ordered with the table. Each set is custom-made for that table, and the table requires additional fabrication to accommodate the support arms. We do not offer them as a later add-on for a table you have already received.
How to install your breadboard extensions
Use the extensions made for your table. The following photos show one end. Repeat the process at the other end.
Step 1: Locate the receiving openings
Look at the end of the table with the extension removed. Find the two openings in the apron beneath the tabletop. These receive the extension’s wooden support arms.
Step 2: Align both support arms
Support the extension and hold it level with the table. Point the two attached wooden arms toward the receiving openings and line up both arms before sliding inward.
Step 3: Slide the extension into place
Keeping the arms aligned, slide the extension inward while supporting it. Continue until it reaches its installed position against the end of the tabletop. There are no locking pins to insert.
Step 4: Check the installed position
Check the extension where it meets the tabletop. The photo below shows the installed position on the Oxford Baluster table. For help with a fit concern, email info@vintagemillwerks.com with photos of the tabletop joint and the support arms underneath.
How to remove and store breadboard extensions
To remove an extension, support it and slide it straight outward until both wooden arms are clear of the table. The extension and its attached arms come away together.
Store the removed extensions in a cool, dry indoor area, such as a closet or pantry. Plan for separate storage when choosing an extending table, because these extensions do not fold or tuck underneath it.
If you prefer the longer table for everyday use, you can leave the extensions installed full time. They are built for that use.
Planning a dining table with breadboard extensions
Think about the table in both configurations: the size that works for everyday meals and the longer size you want for gatherings. Choosing the extension option with your original order lets us build the table and its matching set together.
Explore the VMW dining tables with those dimensions in mind. For an unlisted extension option or a custom size, email info@vintagemillwerks.com with the table name or link, intended table dimensions, preferred extension size, and finish. Our team will confirm the configuration and any custom details by email before you order.
We make our furniture in Southern California. These workshop photographs show the construction behind one of the options we build into our tables. Learn more about Vintage Mill Werks and our approach to making furniture for your home.
Frequently asked questions about breadboard extensions
Standard sizes are 11 inches and 16 inches per extension. Custom sizing is also available through our customization request process.
Align the extension’s two wooden support arms with the openings at the end of the table, then slide the extension into place. There are no locking pins.
No. VMW breadboard extensions are fully removable. Slide them out and store them separately in a cool, dry indoor location, such as a closet or pantry.
Yes. The extensions made for your table are interchangeable between its two ends. Each set is custom-made for its own table.
Yes. They are built to remain installed full time if desired.
Our flat-edged dining tables can be ordered with breadboard extensions, except designs with the Tulip edge detail or butcher block tops. Round tables are also excluded. If an eligible listing does not show the option, email info@vintagemillwerks.com before ordering.
No. Breadboard extensions must be ordered with your table. Each set is custom-made for that table, and the table requires additional fabrication to accommodate the extensions.
They match the 1.5-inch tabletop thickness, not the apron depth.
No. The edges are hand-sanded. The breadboard extensions and table are not designed to have sharp square edges or corners.
Email info@vintagemillwerks.com before ordering your table. Include the VMW table name or link, table dimensions, desired extension size, and finish preference. Customer Service will review the details with you.