Cubist console-to-table review — 30 days of expandable table testing

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When I think of multifunctional furniture, I think of pull-out couches and stand-up desks. Canadian company Expand Furniture has taken the notion of space-saving to the extreme, creating furniture staples that expand and contract to your needs. From coffee tables and consoles that grow into 10-foot dining tables to murphy beds that double as office desks and bookshelves.

Space-saving furniture not only opens up your home for more play with kids, pets or gatherings but exists secretly and silently, ready to help you entertain large groups of friends. It provides a great solution for small living spaces, busy homes or minimalist mindsets.

Canadian company Expand Furniture began creating multifunctional pieces in Vancouver in 2012. What began as a dream to design and build a MurphySofa (a murphy bed with couch combo), turned into a successful business creating furniture that works for us, in multiple forms. I noticed that the company had mainly five-star reviews both on Google and on their own website, so I decided to put one of the brand’s most-popular expanding tables to the test.

Cubist Table quick facts

Dimensions as a console: 19.69″ deep x 29.13″ tall x 36.22″ wide
Dimensions as a table: Up to127.95″ deep x 29.12″ tall x 36.22″ wide (using five extensions)
Finishes: Glossy white, red, dark wenge acrylic panel. Rustico, antico, ombra, nebbia gray, walnut wood panel.
Price: $3,495
Warranty: 3-year warranty on hardware and mechanics
Shipping: Worldwide 2-3 weeks. Fully insured for safe delivery. Pre-assembled.
Where to buy: Expand Furniture

Cubist Table features

• Easy to expand and contract
• Self-storing extension compartment holds five leaves 
• Rotating centre support that doubles as extension storage
• Expandable up to 10.5 feet, seating up to 12
• Extensions have a twist lock system, safely securing panels together
• Wood grains span across all panels to connect giving a uniform look
• Fabric sliders underneath table legs to protect floors
• One of the largest expanding tables on the market

My experience

Setting up: The table is packed thoughtfully for shipping, it arrived intact and surprisingly fast.

The table is split up into two boxes — one very large and heavy box containing the console and one smaller box containing the five leaves. The large box is very heavy (103 lbs to be exact) so you definitely want at least two people for the initial setup. Unless you have double doors that open from the outside, you’ll need to remove the console from the box to get it inside. Once removed, it’s easy enough to maneuver through the door. Thankfully, it’s prebuilt so you can place the console wherever you like, slide in the leaves from the second box and you’re all set. 

Expanding the table is very straightforward. Simply pull on one side of the console (best to pull from underneath) and expand to the desired length. This step is easier with two people so one can hold the opposite end, but can definitely be done with one person. Pull out the desired number of leaves and then lock the extensions with a quick twist. The table comes with a small screwdriver found underneath the base. The entire console-to-table setup only takes a few minutes.

The extension storage compartment is attached to the base and rotates 360 degrees, adding solid support to the centre of the table without getting in the way.

My favourite features: Functionality. The console works well as a work desk during the day, and I love having the option of expanding it for our family of three (using one leaf and turning the storage compartment to sit diagonally) for a meal in the evening. It frees up a ton of space for my one-year-old daughter to run around and play and then come the weekend, I can pull it out to comfortably host a dinner party of up to 12. The website mentions seating up to 14, but I think guests would feel quite crowded, so would stick to 12 max.

I also love that it comes with built-in storage space for the extensions. I think it would irk me to have to store these upstairs under a bed or in a closet far away, but if that’s not an issue, there are other options at lower price points that could suit, such as the Junior Giant.

Lastly, I love that the panels fit together with the grain so the final look is sleek and uniform.

My least favourite feature: While the table is very sturdy and clearly well made, the wood panels do look like wood panels. For someone who is used to having a solid wood table, this may take some getting used to. Expand has done its best to match the look and feel of real wood, right down to the matching grains of the extensions, but it is still clear that these are panels. That said, the panels are scratch, heat and stain resistant making them easy to maintain and clean.

Suggested add-on: If you’re looking for a space-saving solution for table seating too, I recommend purchasing a set of the Nano Chairs, sold in sets of four, or as an add-on to your table purchase in sets of eight or 12. These chairs fold down flat and thin, easy to store in a closet, under a bed or in a garage. Folding hooks can be purchased for $35, and can be placed on a wall or in a closet — each hook holds two folding chairs. 

The black wood with black legs combo provides a sleek, minimalist look that I love, but the chairs come in a variety of colours and finishes to suit your style. They’re very sturdy — built with wood and steel — and comfortable considering they fold up so small. The padded seats keep guests comfortable during a long meal and they pack away effortlessly, making clean-up a breeze.

Recommendation: The Cubist Table is really an amazingly functional piece of furniture. It’s easy to expand, contract and clean and an overall excellent way to utilize space. The company seems to be known for its excellent customer service which is backed up by its online reviews.  If you’re looking to save on space but enjoy hosting mid to large-size groups, I highly recommend this table.

Where to buy: Expand Furniture — Cubist Table and Nano Chair Set

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ltaveroff@postmedia.com