IKEA EKEDALEN Spare Parts: Complete Guide to the Extendable Table with Hidden Extension
The EKEDALEN is the IKEA extendable table that favors a pure Nordic aesthetic. Its secret: an extension leaf entirely concealed under the tabletop, invisible when not in use, without a visible joint once in place. You pull on the frame, insert the leaf, and push the two sides back in. No screws, no complex manipulations.
This guide is intended for two profiles. Those who own an EKEDALEN and want to understand how it works, how to maintain it, and what parts are available. And those who are considering buying one and want to know exactly what they are getting before placing an order.
Anatomy of the EKEDALEN: What You Really Have in Your Hands
The first instinct when looking at an EKEDALEN is to believe it is made of solid wood. It is not entirely – and it is important to understand this in order to care for it properly.
The tabletop is made of particleboard covered with an ash veneer (in oak versions). This veneer is a thin sheet of real wood, stained and varnished with transparent acrylic. The visual effect is realistic, the texture is that of natural wood. But the veneer remains a thin layer: a deep scratch will reach the support underneath. This is the limit to know, and it determines all the maintenance.
The frame and legs are, however, made of solid wood: birch, pine and beech depending on the parts. This mixture gives the table its structural robustness. The frame supports the weight of the tabletop and the extension mechanism – it must be solid, and it is.
The table legs are made of plywood with ash veneer, stained and varnished. They reprise the aesthetic of the tabletop while being more resistant to bending than a simple plank.
The extension mechanism is the heart of the EKEDALEN. The two half-tabletops slide on rails integrated into the frame. The extension leaf is stored flat under the tabletop, held in place by notches. To use it, you pull the two halves apart by pulling on the frame, remove the leaf from its housing, slide it into the central opening, and push the two sides back in until they lock. No tools, no adjustments. That's the intelligence of the system.
EKEDALEN Variants: Sizes, Colors and Formats
The EKEDALEN exists in several formats. Knowing exactly which one you own is essential before ordering any parts.
Compact Format — 80/120 x 70 cm
The small space version. At its minimum size of 80 cm, it is suitable for 2 people sitting comfortably, 3 at ease. With the extension leaf deployed (120 cm), it accommodates 4 people.
The depth of 70 cm is correct for a standard meal but is just enough for a family table with service in the middle. It is an apartment table, designed for studios and open-plan kitchens.
Height: 75 cm (standard dining room).
Intermediate Format — 120/180 x 80 cm
This is the most versatile version in the range and, by far, the best-selling. At 120 cm, it accommodates 4 people without crowding. At 180 cm with the extension leaf, it accommodates 6 people.
The depth of 80 cm is more generous: enough to place dishes, glasses and bread side by side without elbows touching. This format is suitable for classic dining rooms in Parisian apartments or houses with a dedicated room.
Height: 75 cm.
Large Format — 180/240 x 90 cm
The family version. At 180 cm it seats 6 people, at 240 cm with extension up to 8. The depth of 90 cm is very comfortable – the most generous in the EKEDALEN range.
This format is more common in houses than apartments, not because of its weight but because of its size: 240 cm long requires a room sized to circulate around without acrobatics.
Height: 75 cm.
Summary Table of Dimensions
| Format |
Folded Size |
Extended Size |
Depth |
Capacity |
| Compact |
80 cm |
120 cm |
70 cm |
2-4 people |
| Intermediate |
120 cm |
180 cm |
80 cm |
4-6 people |
| Large |
180 cm |
240 cm |
90 cm |
6-8 people |
Available Finishes
The EKEDALEN is offered in three main finishes:
Oak pattern (stained ash veneer): this is the "natural" finish of the series, the one that gives the EKEDALEN its Nordic identity. The wood is light, slightly golden, with the veins of the ash clearly visible under the lacquer.
Dark brown: same structure, same mechanism, but dark tint. The look is more contemporary, more contrasting with white or light grey seats. The veneer is the same, with a mahogany stain applied in the factory.
White: white lacquered finish, the brightest of the three. Suitable for light Scandinavian or contemporary interiors. The white surface shows more marks and requires regular cleaning.
The EKEDALEN chair: completing the service
The EKEDALEN is not just a table – it's a complete series. The EKEDALEN chair is available in several colors of structure (white, dark brown, oak pattern, black) with a seat cover removable and machine washable. This is the strong point of the series chairs: change the look without changing the chair.
The range also offers a high bar stool version (for a high table or kitchen island), with the same principle of a removable cover.
The EKEDALEN chairs go with the table of the same name, but also with other IKEA tables (BERGMUND, LIDÅS, KRYLBO) – which makes them useful if you mix the series.
Choosing the Right Format: The Real Questions to Ask Yourself
Before ordering, three questions to answer:
The available space in the extended position. Many people calculate the space for the folded table and forget the circulation around it once it is open. Allow at least 90 cm between the extended table and the wall or furniture. Below that, guests have to get up sideways to pass – uncomfortable on a daily basis.
The frequency of extension. If you only open the table once or twice a month, the compact or intermediate format is sufficient. If you receive guests often and want to go from 2 to 6 people regularly, invest in the intermediate format: the maneuver is smooth and the mechanism is designed for frequent use.
The surface facing the uses. Ash veneer is beautiful but delicate to deep scratches. With young children or intensive use, dark brown or white (thicker or lacquered surfaces) tolerate everyday mishaps better than a light natural veneer.
The Extension Mechanism: Correct Procedure and Points of Vigilance
The EKEDALEN mechanism is designed to be intuitive. But if misused, it can seize up or – more seriously – become misaligned.
Correct Extension Procedure (for two people)
IKEA and experienced users agree on this point: never extend an EKEDALEN alone. The tabletop is heavy. The mechanism requires that you pull both sides simultaneously with the same force, otherwise the rails become slightly misaligned. Over time, repeated misalignment leads to play in the sliding.
- Position yourself at each end of the table with another person.
- Grasp the frame under the tabletop.
- Pull simultaneously and evenly outwards until the two half-tabletops stop.
- Remove the extension leaf from its housing under the tabletop.
- Insert it into the central opening, top side up.
- Push both sides simultaneously until they lock.
Folding Procedure
: same logic in reverse. Unlock, pull out the leaf, store it under the tabletop in its housing, close.
Mechanism Maintenance
The sliding rails are made of wood. Over time and with dust, they can become less smooth. Slight seizing is normal after several years – it is not a sign of breakage.
Use exclusively a silicone lubricant spray on the rails. Never use conventional oil or grease: these products penetrate the wood, attract dust and eventually create an abrasive effect. Silicone spray forms a dry film that lubricates without embedding itself.
Procedure: open the table, clean the rails with a dry cloth, apply the silicone spray along the entire length of the rails, open and close the table several times to distribute, wipe off the excess.
Once a year as preventative maintenance, even if everything is working well.
Tabletop Maintenance: Protecting the Veneer
The ash veneer of the EKEDALEN is stained and varnished – which gives it good resistance to liquid stains and moderate heat. But the acrylic varnish is not indestructible.
What damages the tabletop:
- Deep scratches (knives placed without placemats, hard children's toys)
- Direct and prolonged heat (dishes coming out of the oven placed directly)
- Stagnant moisture (wet tablecloth left for several hours, glass placed without a coaster)
What protects the tabletop:
- Systematic placemats for all hot dishes
- Cleaning with a damp cloth (water + a drop of mild soap) followed by immediate drying
- Felt pads under objects placed permanently (vase, fruit bowl)
For small superficial scratches, a wood touch-up pencil of the same shade (available in hardware stores) can mask the scratch. For deep scratches that reach the particleboard, replacing the tabletop is the only definitive solution – a superficial touch-up masks but does not rebuild.
Specific Cases to Know
The extension leaf that no longer inserts easily
This is the most frequent problem reported on this type of mechanism. Two possible causes. First: the rails have accumulated dust or limescale (in hard water areas) and have lost their smoothness. Solution: cleaning then silicone spray. Second cause, rarer: the leaf itself has slightly swollen due to ambient humidity. If you live in a very humid environment or if the table is near an exposed window, the wood may move slightly. Very light sanding of the edges of the leaf (150 grit paper, two or three gentle passes) may be enough to restore the necessary play.
The tabletop that is not perfectly level once extended
A slight offset between the central leaf and the two half-tabletops is sometimes visible to the touch. This is generally not a mechanism problem – it is the wood that has moved slightly. If the offset is less than 1 mm, it is within the normal tolerances of a wooden furniture. If the offset is more pronounced, check that the leaf is correctly positioned in its interlocking notches before closing the two sides.
The EKEDALEN versus the BJURSTA: same mechanism?
This is a question that comes up often, especially for users looking for compatible parts. Both tables use the same principle of hidden extension leaf, and depending on the production generation, some parts of the mechanism share the same family of components. However, the dimensions of the tabletops and the formats are different – the extension leaves are not interchangeable between the two models. For pure mechanism parts (hooks, slides), a check by article number is necessary before any substitution.
Assembly after moving
The EKEDALEN disassembled and reassembled loses some rigidity with each cycle. The alignment dowels wear slightly. If the table wobbles after a move, check that all the dowels are well inserted into their housings before tightening the leg bolts. Insufficient tightening torque is the number one cause of instability after moving.
FAQ
How to find the exact article number of my EKEDALEN?
The IKEA label is glued under the tabletop, usually on one of the rails or on the frame crossbar. It indicates the 8-digit article number. This number is the essential reference for ordering the correct part: several versions of the EKEDALEN have coexisted, with mechanisms slightly different depending on the generation. On FixMyKea, each spare part is indexed by article number – this number guarantees compatibility with your exact version of the table.
Can the table be extended alone?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The tabletop is heavy and the mechanism must be pulled symmetrically from both sides. Pulling alone from one side exerts an asymmetrical constraint on the rails. In the short term, nothing breaks. In the long term, the rails become progressively misaligned and the mechanism loses its smoothness. Get into the habit of doing the operation with two people – it's also easier.
Can the veneer be sanded and revarnished?
Yes, but with limits. The EKEDALEN veneer is thin. Light sanding (minimum 180 grit, never 80 grit) can erase superficial scratches, but it thins the veneer further with each pass. One or two very gentle sandings are possible over the life of the furniture. Beyond that, we risk going through the veneer and reaching the particleboard underneath, which is no longer recoverable. If you sand, then apply a wood oil or a transparent acrylic varnish compatible with the ash wood.
Is the EKEDALEN chair solid for intensive daily use?
The EKEDALEN chairs are designed for standard dining room use. The solid wood legs are robust. The point of attention is the seat cover: the Orrsta fabric (the standard light grey cover) is pleasant but sensitive to repeated greasy stains. The advantage of the removable cover system is to be able to wash it regularly – or replace it in case of wear without changing the chair.
Does the EKEDALEN exist in a version without extension?
No. The EKEDALEN is an extendable table series – it's its product identity. IKEA does not offer a fixed version of this model. If you do not need extensibility, other IKEA tables (MÖRBYLÅNGA, LISABO) offer a Nordic wood look with a fixed tabletop.
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