Folding extension for the worktop

Dec 2025 Tutorials

We used to have a folding table and shelf combination on our kitchen unit. The folding table could be folded outwards and the shelves were originally intended for shoes. In the end, however, it was more of a dog and stuff shelf. We were a little unhappy with this and decided to change it.

A small folding table should be placed in the upper area to extend the work surface and a small shoe rack in the lower area.

You can find the instructions for the shoe hanger on this page: Shoe hanger

Das Bild zeigt den Tisch angeklappt von vorne

Das Bild zeigt den Tisch angeklappt von der Seite. So kann man die Unterkonstruktion sehen

Das Bild zeigt den Tisch aufgeklappt von unten

For this you need

Tools

Wood saw
Drill + Wood drill
Brush
Sandpaper
Meter measure

Material

Wooden board (optional; I used it for the back wall; mine is approx. 120x50cm)
Table top (40x35cm)
Support for table top (30x30cm)
Hinges
Small wooden parts (1x 2x8cm; 1x 2x15cm)
Holding magnet for fastening while driving

& how to build the folding table

Step 1: Customize the back panel

Das Bild zeigt die Rückwand des Schuhregals. Eine große Holzplatte angepasst an die Form des Ausschnittes

Saw
Wooden board

First, I adapted the wooden board (back wall) to the curves and recesses. To do this, I kept stopping the board and working my way forward piece by piece.

Step 2: Saw the table top and small parts to size

Das Bild zeigt die Tischplatte, die Kleinteile und die Stütze für den Klapptisch

Saw
Table top
Small parts wood

Now I have sawn the table top and small parts to size. It will be 40 cm wide and 35 cm deep. That’s the maximum space available. I wouldn’t make the table top much bigger, otherwise it could become unstable.

I calculated the size of the small parts based on the support and the total space available (40 cm). See also step 3.

Step 3: Sawing the support to size

Das Bild zeigt die Maße für die Stütze des Klapptischs

Saw
Wood for support

Now I have sawn the support. You can see the dimensions in the picture.

Step 4: Painting & sanding

all wooden parts
Wood color
Sandpaper

After all the wooden parts were cut to size, I sanded everything down and painted it twice. Before each repainting, I sanded all the parts again.

Step 5: Attach small parts

Das Bild zeigt die Kleinteile die an der Rückwand befestigt werden.

Small parts
Hinges
Screws

I have now attached the small parts to the top of the back wall. The back wall is attached to the kitchen block. The worktop protrudes slightly from the kitchen block, so I decided that the folding table would not be completely flush with the worktop, but slightly below it. It was important that the small parts with the hinges were positioned low enough so that the table top could still be folded down.

In addition, the longer small part lies in the recess of the support (if this is on the rear wall). It must therefore also be adapted to this.

I attached the small parts to the back wall with screws from behind.

I then attached a hinge to each small part.