Garden Side Tables

Where a garden side table earns its place

A garden side table solves a small, everyday problem: where to put things down. It gives a drink, a book, a snack or a phone a place to rest beside a lounger, at the end of an outdoor sofa or between neighbouring chairs, so nothing ends up on the grass. Every table on this page is a side table made for outdoor use, so it is at home on a patio, a terrace, a deck or the lawn. Because a side table takes up little room, it is also an easy way to give a quiet corner a purpose, such as a reading nook under a tree or a place for an evening drink by the back door.

Round or square garden side tables

Most of the tables we stock are round, and a round top is the easy choice beside a lounger or in a tight spot: there are no corners to catch a knee, and the curve looks soft against planting. A few are square. A square top lines up neatly with the arm of a sofa or the edge of a deck, and its corners give a tray a little more room. A few of the tables stand on a central leg rather than legs at the edge, so a chair or lounger can be drawn in close. Before you settle on a shape, think about who will reach for the table and from which side.

Aluminium and sintered stone outdoor side tables

Most of our outdoor side tables pair an aluminium frame with a top in composite, sintered stone or wood. Aluminium is light and strong, which is why it is a long-standing favourite for garden furniture frames. Sintered stone is made by pressing and firing minerals into a dense, hard slab, and it is the material to choose if you like the look and feel of stone under a cup or a plate. Composite is an engineered material and a practical middle ground for a top in daily use. If you are torn between tops, think about what the table will usually hold.

Wooden garden side tables

Wood features on many of the tables we stock, and it brings warmth, grain and a softer look among plants and flowers. We also stock designs in acacia, a hardwood often used outdoors. Some come in a natural finish. A few lean towards a rustic style, which suits informal planting or a wild corner. Short of storage space? A few fold, which makes them easy to put away when not in use. Wood rewards a little care, such as a coat of a suitable oil or protector when the surface starts to look dry.

Colours for your garden side table

Most of the tables we stock come in a broad palette: white, ivory, beige, grey, graphite, anthracite, brown, green, blue and red. Dark shades such as anthracite and graphite recede into planting and let the shape of the table speak for itself. White, ivory and beige brighten a shady corner and look fresh against pale walls, while brown blends with timber decking and fencing. Green melts into the borders, and blue and red add a bold accent among plain seating. A few come in bronze, a warm, deep tone. If your chairs are already in place, match the table to their frames for a calm look, or pick a contrasting colour so it stands out.

Placing an outdoor side table

Height matters more than size when you place an outdoor side table. Beside an armchair or a garden sofa, aim for a top level with the arm or a touch below it, so a cup is within reach without stretching. Next to a lounger, go lower, so the table is easy to reach while you are leaning back. Some of the tables we stock are low tables, which suit exactly that spot. Set the table close enough to reach without leaning, with room to stand up and walk past. Firm, level ground such as paving or decking gives the steadiest footing, and on a lawn it is worth checking the table does not rock before you put a drink down.

Caring for a garden side table

Looking after a garden side table comes down to little and often. Brush off leaves, then wash the table with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse and leave it to dry. Skip scouring pads, bleach and harsh solvents, which can dull a finish. Wipe up wine, oil and bird droppings soon after they land, whatever the top is made of. Through long spells of rain or rough weather, a cover or a dry spot in a shed or garage keeps the table ready for the next fine day. When you move it, lift rather than drag, which protects both the table and your paving.