Buyer's guide: how to choose outdoor dining furniture

The addition of an outdoor dining set to your patio area offers extended opportunities for hosting and living, with the right table and chairs creating an inviting space to connect and gather with friends and family.

Look no further than this guide to help you pick the perfect outdoor dining furniture for your home - we'll break down the considerations of placement, style, weather resistance and comfort.

Placement

This consideration is at the top of the list as the placement of furniture pieces helps to guide everything else.

Is your outdoor area covered or uncovered? Uncovered patio areas require that the furniture placed in these be hard-wearing and of durable, high-quality materials.

Consider the proximity of your outdoor areas to one another, and how different furniture pieces will work with each other - think about colour, materials and style to create a cohesive design signature.

Size and style

Let your personality shine through by considering your own taste and preferences when it comes to style and design. 

The size of your outdoor space will determine what type of outdoor dining configuration you can opt for, whether it be a smaller 4-seater table and chairs, or an average-sized 6-seater dining set, or for more expansive outdoor areas - the incorporation of an extendable dining table is fabulous, allowing for easy adjustment of table size according to the number of guests you are hosting.

For outdoor areas where space is tight and you'd like to incorporate both lounge and dining furniture, opt for a casual dining set such as the Topaz 6-Seater Casual Dining Set which brings together both sofa-style seating and dining chairs for the perfect combination of both.

Weather resistance

By considering your geographic location and prevailing weather conditions, you can ensure that you invest in outdoor dining furniture that will match well with your lifestyle and local climate. Coastal homes that are subject to salt-air do well to incorporate powder-coated aluminium pieces into their outdoor spaces as this material stands up well to the elements - resisting rust and requiring very little else by way of regular cleaning.

If you do not have a covered patio area, it is always a good idea to protect your outdoor furniture from inclement weather or during long periods of non-use by making use of outdoor furniture covers. There are excellent local manufacturers who can assist with making custom covers for whatever outdoor furniture you have (contact us for our recommendations).

Comfort

When enjoying meals outdoors, comfort is of utmost importance - at a minimum, seat cushions are must for dining chairs, and ideally, the addition of backrest cushions do well to create a more luxurious dining experience. 

All the best furniture designers know the importance of a perfectly-angled backrest to ensure the ultimate in seating comfort.