Looking for a patio table but have no clue where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
Our outdoor living experts at Outer have created the ultimate guide for selecting your newest piece of patio furniture. We’ll break down exactly what key features you should look for during your search to make sure you’re buying the best of the best.
From the type of materials to keep an eye out for to the easiest ways to style your patio table, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about shopping for your patio table.
What To Look For In A Patio Table
Not all patio tables are built with the high-quality craftsmanship and durable materials that you might expect.
When it comes to selecting your new patio table, there are a few key features to search for to ensure you’re getting the best product for your needs. Let’s take a look!
1) Quality Materials
First on our list of what to look for when you’re shopping for a patio table is quality materials. This is arguably the most important aspect you’ll want to consider during the search for your next piece of outdoor furniture.
While shopping for your new patio table, it’s important to pay close attention to the type and grain of the wood used. There are plenty of wood varieties available, but some are better than others when it comes to long-lasting outdoor furniture.
If the appearance of your potential patio table is dull or has a loose grain with cracks in it, it’s best to keep looking. Instead, opt for a patio table that’s smooth to the touch.
At Outer, we use only Grade A teak in our outdoor coffee tables, from responsibly managed teak farms in central Java. This ensures that our range of tables is created using the mature heart of the teak tree and guarantees the highest possible quality.
Each Outer patio table is expertly crafted and features warm, honey tones with a tight grain and fewer knots in comparison to Grade B teak, which is often used by mass retailers.
Using lower-quality teak in furniture production can result in splitting and warping. There’s no need to worry about that with Outer.
2) Timeless Style
Of course, quality materials are great, but it’s what you create with them that counts.
During the design process for our range of outdoor tables, we knew we wanted to combine maximum functionality with the sleek, sophisticated look that Outer is so well-known for.
The result is three distinct yet equally stylish patio table options in our range: the Teak Outdoor Coffee Table With Tapered Leg, the Teak Outdoor Coffee Table With Square Leg, and the Teak Outdoor Coffee Table With Concrete Inlay.
Designed for spaces of all shapes and sizes, our tables are the perfect addition to any patio. Whether you’re pairing one of our coffee tables with a sofa from our teak range or a sectional from our aluminum range, your patio will look timeless and stylish for many years to come.
3) Durability
Let’s be honest — what good is a patio table that looks beautiful if it’s only going to last you a year or two? This is exactly why durability is key when it comes to finding the perfect outdoor table.
Teak has been nicknamed the king of timber thanks to its hard-wearing nature. Pair that with well-designed construction and you’ve got a patio table that will outlast any other on the market.
Teak’s natural, built-in oils help to keep it free from mold and protected from the elements and pests. This means less time worrying about the condition of your patio table and more time enjoying it with friends and family gathered around.
4) Sustainability
While we’d love to think that each and every patio table is made from sustainable materials, we know that’s not the case. But at least with Outer, you know we’re doing our part for the environment.
The teak we use in our patio furniture is sustainably sourced from Central Java in Indonesia. For each tree harvested to create our outdoor pieces, three more trees are planted in its place to help reduce our carbon footprint.
Our entire teak collection — from our tables to our seating options — is also proudly certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®, the leading international authority on sustainable forest management.
This certification means our teak collection is officially harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.
Not only that, but we also work closely with One Tree Planted in our home state of California to ensure we’re keeping our impact on the environment as low as possible. Not all outdoor furniture brands can say that!
5) Low Maintenance
Thanks to the natural oils we mentioned earlier, teak patio furniture requires a lot less maintenance than you might think. In fact, its built-in silica keeps it so well-maintained that you don’t even need to worry about oiling it. Ever.
Of course, you can if you want to. For this purpose, we recommend specially formulated teak oil to give your patio table a refresh and a little extra shine.
Outside of oiling, teak patio furniture benefits from a simple clean once a season (or if it’s visibly dirty) to keep it looking fresh and ready to use.
Thankfully, even this is low-maintenance — all that’s required to clean your Outer patio table is a bucket of warm water, some mild detergent, and a soft-bristle brush!
For an in-depth look at the exact steps to take to get your patio table looking good as new, check out our dedicated guide here.
How To Style Your Patio Table
Once you’ve selected your patio table, it’s time to style your space to bring it all together with a little simple styling magic!
We recommend starting from the ground up and creating a soft foundation using an outdoor rug. Our Eco-Friendly Outdoor Rugs make the perfect addition to any outdoor space thanks to their neutral colors, durability, and sustainable design.
Our rugs are made from 99+ recycled plastic bottles per rug, and they’re easy to recycle once they’ve lived out their long, happy life on your patio.
Plus, they’re a total breeze to clean — just a quick vacuum to get rid of crumbs followed by a spot clean as needed. They’re quick to dry, so you’ll be able to put them back where they belong in no time.
After you’ve set the stage with an outdoor rug, add plenty of comfortable seating to keep your guests happy during those long afternoons spent lounging on the patio.
We love to pair our patio table options with our teak range of sofas, sectionals, and armchairs — they’re a match made in heaven. Try our 4-Seater Teak Outdoor Loveseat with Armless Chairs with a few of our Outdoor Throw Pillows to add color and style to your seating area.
In classic Outer style, all our sofas are not only super comfortable (a no-brainer!), but they’re also made with long-lasting, lifeproof materials to ensure they can withstand anything your climate throws at them.
From harsh UV rays to a downpour of rain to heavy snowfall, weather conditions are no match for our nano-coated performance fabric. Even dirty paws and food spills come right off!
And to keep your outdoor sofa extra protected, our built-in covers (the OuterShell™) are ready to use at a moment’s notice. Simply pull the covers out and over your cushions when your sofa’s not in use to keep everything clean, dry, and ready to enjoy.
After the furniture is taken care of, we love adding ambiance to our outdoor spaces by incorporating soft lighting (like string lights or lanterns) and a little greenery (even a simple pot plant can make a world of difference to your patio!).
For more tips and tricks to bring your patio to life, our backyard decor guide has all the ideas you’ve been looking for!
Choose Quality And Style With An Outer Patio Table
Choosing the best patio table for your needs might seem time-consuming, but with this shopping guide up your sleeve, you’ll be gathered around your new table with friends and family in no time at all.
By following our tips in this article, you’ll know exactly what key features to look for when shopping for your newest piece of outdoor furniture. From quality materials to sustainable construction, we have everything covered.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect patio table (like the Teak Outdoor Coffee Table With Tapered Leg or the Teak Outdoor Coffee Table With Concrete Inlay), our simple styling tricks will help tie your entire outdoor space together so you can live better, outside.