Garden Dining Tables

Choosing a garden dining table

Every table on this page is a dining table made for outdoor use, so the real choice comes down to the number of people you want to seat, the space you have and how the table will look beside your house and planting. Think about how you like to eat outside, too. A table for quick weekday suppers can be compact and easy to wipe down, while one for long, lazy lunches needs room for serving dishes and elbows as well as plates. We also stock tables that suit a dining room or kitchen, which helps if you want your indoor and outdoor spaces to share a look.

Round, square or rectangular garden dining tables

We stock round, square and rectangular tables, and the shape you pick changes how a meal feels. A round table keeps everyone in the same conversation and has no corners to catch a hip on, so it suits a small patio or a corner of the lawn. A square table sits neatly against a wall or fence and works well for a couple or a small family. A rectangular table is the one for larger gatherings, lining guests up on both sides and fitting tidily down the length of a terrace.

Look at the base as well as the top. A central pedestal leaves room for knees right round the table and makes it easier to squeeze in an extra chair, while trestle legs at either end keep the long sides clear for seating.

Wooden garden dining tables

Wood features in many of the garden dining tables we stock. It brings a warm, natural look that sits comfortably against lawn, gravel and stone, and softens the hard edges of a paved patio. We stock teak and acacia, both hardwoods long used for outdoor furniture, along with rustic designs that have a relaxed, farmhouse feel.

Left untreated, teak and acacia gradually weather to a soft silver grey, a finish that suits an informal garden. If you would rather keep the warmer original tone, wash the table down, let it dry fully and apply a suitable outdoor wood oil from time to time. Lifting the feet off wet grass also stops water sitting against the end grain.

Aluminium and sintered stone outdoor dining tables

For a top that needs no oiling, look at sintered stone or composite. Sintered stone is hard and smooth, so it wipes clean after a meal, and composite is another easy-care choice for a busy family garden. We also stock tables in aluminium, a metal that does not rust, which makes it a practical pick for a table that stays outside.

Style matters as much as material. We stock modern designs that keep things crisp and uncluttered beside rendered walls and large paving slabs, and industrial designs with a more rugged, workshop feel that works well against brick or in a courtyard.

Colours for a garden dining table

We stock garden dining tables in quiet neutrals as well as brighter shades. Natural wood tones, beige, ivory and white feel light and soft against greenery and pale stone, while grey, graphite and anthracite look sharp beside modern paving or black window frames. Most of the tables here come in grey, beige or brown, easy shades to pair with other garden furniture.

If you want the table to stand out, we also stock green, blue and red, which add a cheerful note to a plain patio or a dull corner. A bright table works well with neutral chairs, while a neutral table lets you bring in colour with cushions, pots and a parasol that are easy to swap when you fancy a change.

Measuring up for an outdoor dining table

Before you buy, measure the space and mark the outline of the table on the ground with string or chalk. Allow room behind the chairs so people can stand up without stepping onto a border or off the edge of the decking, and keep a clear route past the table for carrying food out from the kitchen.

Firm, level paving keeps a table steady, and on a lawn it is worth checking that the feet will not sink after rain. Compare the table height with your chairs, especially ones you already own, and make sure any chair arms will tuck under the edge.

Caring for a garden dining table

A little routine care keeps an outdoor dining table looking its best. Brush off leaves and wipe the top with warm, soapy water after messy meals, then let it dry. Avoid harsh cleaners and scouring pads, which can dull a finish, and put a mat or board under very hot pans whatever the surface.

A fitted, breathable cover keeps off bird droppings, tree sap and standing water between uses. If you have room in a shed or garage, moving the table under cover during long spells of wet weather will help it stay in good shape, and checking the fixings now and then keeps it sturdy.