The dinner table is where friends and family come together to talk, share, and make some of the best memories. That’s why it’s so important to find the right outdoor dining table for your backyard.
Dining tables come in all shapes and sizes, but we’re here to help you discover the table that exceeds your outdoor needs. In this article, we’ll share the features to look for in an outdoor dining table and how to shop for one.
Outdoor Dining Tables: Before You Shop
Consider Shapes
Dining tables are the perfect way to bring everyone together, and how you plan to gather your loved ones will help you determine the type of outdoor dining table you need.
Along with the number of people you’re looking to seat, you also want to consider the shape of your table. Most options are either circular or rectangular, and each serves its own purpose.
For example, round and oval outdoor dining tables are great for intimate gatherings. Conversations can easily be held without placing anyone too far apart, and the rounded design visually takes up less space.
The problem with smaller round tables, however, is that inviting more than four people means you’ll run out of space to seat guests. And opting for a larger round table to fit more people risks creating uncomfortable space between everyone.
Rectangular dining tables are best for seating between six and eight guests, and this number increases depending on whether or not the table comes with leaves. Leaves expand the table’s length and are ideal for shifting between sizes to save space or accommodate more people.
Overall, the best table is one that tailors to a gathering of any size. Whether you’re having a small get-together with old friends or celebrating a milestone with all of your extended family, the perfect table will make room for every guest.
Think About Style
Once you’ve landed on the shape you want, look at your backyard and determine if there’s a certain style that flows throughout. Maybe your space is boasting garden greens, or maybe there’s a simple, minimalist design with contemporary touches.
While you can certainly make your outdoor dining table the focal point of your yard, a little goes a long way with this furniture piece.
For example, something sleek and natural blends with the outdoors while still making a statement. Aluminum is a common choice that offers lightweight strength and durability, but hardwood offers the style and weather resistance you need in an outdoor table.
Pine, oak, and bamboo are a few great options for outdoor materials. These are resilient and difficult to scratch, making them ideal for curious kids and the unpredictability of nature.
Still, the best hardwood option by a longshot is teak. Not only does teakwood provide timeless and luxurious style, but its natural oils are also resistant to wind, moisture, and pests. That means heavy rain, humidity, and even termites can’t ruin your table.
Shop In-Store
Not sure if a size or style is right for your yard? The best way to find out is to see the product in person.
We believe that the best way to experience the furniture you’ve been eyeing is to get up close. That’s why many of our customers choose to host Neighborhood Showrooms to display everything in a comfortable environment and provide honest feedback.
If viewing the product in person isn’t an option, check to see if the company offers a risk-free at-home trial. The bottom line is you shouldn’t have to keep anything unless you absolutely love it.
Once you’ve thought through style, shape, and any other preferences, it’s time to review the must-have features of an outdoor dining table that make it long-lasting.
Finding The Right Outdoor Dining Table
Durable Materials
First things first, you need a table that’s ready to withstand everything nature might throw its way without being too bulky or sensitive to heat.
At Outer, we chose teak and aluminum for our Outdoor Dining Table for optimal durability and style. The aluminum frame and legs are resistant to heat, making them comfortable to the touch on scorching summer days and safe for the whole family.
Our tables are finished with a weather-resistant resin powder coat guaranteed to last more than 10 years. And the accompanying Director’s Dining Chairs are made with all-weather Textilene fabric to withstand all conditions without fading.
No matter the weather, you can rest assured your furniture is protected.
Innovative Design
It’s impossible to know exactly how many people you’ll need to seat on every occasion. So, choosing a modular dining table tackles this issue with a simple and innovative solution — table leaves.
An outdoor table with additional leaves makes room for more guests and can easily be sized back down when everyone heads home. Need to switch from date night to family game night? No problem! With our table’s functional design, you can easily seat up to twelve people.
And moving chairs around is a breeze! With our easy, foldable design, your chairs can be picked up and moved to different locations around your outdoor table or tucked away when not in use.
Deciding on a table without these innovative features limits you to one design, no matter the event. With the flexibility leaves and lightweight, foldable chairs allow, you can make the most of your space without having to permanently choose something too large or too small.
Easy Maintenance
Keeping your outdoor dining table clean shouldn’t be a constant chore. Selecting materials that are easy to maintain and store keeps your work to a minimum while extending your furniture’s lifespan.
Both teak and aluminum are super easy to care for. With teak, no regular maintenance routine is required. Aside from a light cleaning at the end of the season, the natural oils do most of the maintenance so you don’t have to.
For aluminum, cleaning off the frame is as simple as spraying it with a hose on a medium setting to loosen any dirt and then using a light cleaning formula and a soft bristle brush to wipe everything down. Give it a final rinse with the hose, let it dry, and you’re good to go.
And with our OuterShell design to efficiently protect your table from sunlight, dust, snow, rain, and more, cleaning is the last thing you have to worry about. You’ll only have to figure out what kind of food you’ll be serving at the next get-together!
Now that you’ve figured out exactly which features to look for in your outdoor dining table, it’s time to think about how you’ll decorate your new space.
Decorating Your Outdoor Dining Table
Pair With Chairs
You can’t have the best outdoor table without amazing chairs to match. Once you’ve found your dream outdoor dining table, you’ll want to get some quality seats.
It’s important to make sure your chairs pair well with your table. Anything too different or designs that clash could create an eyesore instead of a centerpiece.
As we mentioned above, going for neutral tones and natural styles is a great way to combine aesthetics and compatibility. And you’ll want to follow this expert tip when choosing your chairs as well.
The teak Director’s Dining Chair that comes with our Outdoor Dining Set is one of those classic, simple, and timeless designs. It’s outfitted with all-weather Textilene fabric to repel water, resist mildew, and endure harsher conditions without fading.
Roll Out The Bar Cart
There’s no better way to keep your outdoor space ready for any occasion than by having it set up with everything you need for a night of drinks. Decorate your table with some elegant glassware and roll out the bar cart — bonus points if it’s teak to match.
The best part of teakwood as your tabletop is that it is naturally stain-resistant. Whether it’s wine, cocktails, mocktails, or anything in between, you can rest easy knowing your outdoor dining table is working hard to fight against those pesky water ring stains.
Match With An Outdoor Rug
Another pro design tip when organizing your patio space is to look for an outdoor rug that matches the style of your yard. Find something that mixes neutral tones with a sleek design, and don’t forget to double-check if it’s weather-resistant and soft to the touch!
In addition to the functionality and feel, however, a major issue with most rugs is that they’re made from low-grade virgin synthetic fibers which often are not accompanied by safety regulations.
To do our part for the planet, we designed rugs that are eco-friendly and sustainably made. Our 1188 Eco-Friendly Rugs come in three beautiful neutral colors and three sizes, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your space.
Do It All With Outer
Finding an outdoor dining table that is modern, functional, weather-resistant, and meets your preferences can be a challenge. Most companies look for cost-effective ways to improve a product’s design while skimping on durability or vice versa.
But at Outer, we’ve made it simple and convenient to enjoy your time outdoors by offering a stylish, durable, and innovative aluminum and teak Outdoor Dining Table. With our Director’s Dining Chairs to match, your dining set is sure to be a conversation piece all on its own.
From big celebrations to intimate gatherings, be prepared for it all. Outer helps you keep things stylish and simple so you can spend more time enjoying your backyard oasis.