The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Outdoor Dining Tables

A March 2021 Cision PR Newswire report notes that “90 percent of Americans with outdoor living space have been taking greater advantage of their decks, porches and patios” since COVID-19 lockdowns ended. As vaccine rollouts continue across the country, PR Newswire elaborates that this same number of Americans now “consider their outdoor living space more valuable than ever before.” Recent surveys conducted by the International Casual Furnishings Association found that “people are doing more relaxing, grilling, gardening, exercising, dining, playing with pets and children, and entertaining outside”.

This survey also found that “nearly six in 10 Americans (58%) plan to buy at least one new piece of furniture or accessories for their outdoor living spaces this year.” With more Americans planning to host family and friends in their outdoor spaces this summer, finding the right patio furniture is vital. Unfortunately, choosing the right outdoor table for your patio, backyard, side yard, or balcony can be difficult, particularly when budgetary and size constraints are involved. Climate and weather can also impact the appropriateness of certain types of patio tables, especially when materials and weight are considered. To learn more about which patio table might be right for you and your family, follow below. We will also cover several recent trends in outdoor decor and answer a series of frequently asked questions regarding patio furniture.

Seven Outdoor Dining Table Trends to Expect in Summer 2021

Over the last year and a half, priorities amongst homeowners have shifted significantly. In her article “4 Ways COVID Has Changed Home Design” for Forbes, Blake Morgan explains how these priorities have changed due to the pandemic. To start, Morgan notes that both multi-use spaces and outdoor space have become more important following the COVID-19 lockdowns. 

According to Morgan, spaces that “serve more than one purpose” and those that can “easily transition” are growing in popularity amongst homeowners. Homeowners are now looking for “modular and multi-functional furniture” that can perform multiple functions within -- and outside of -- the home. Post-pandemic homeowners are also prioritizing outdoor space in 2021. 

Blake Morgan writes that “social distancing and business closures have pushed more people outside, but public outdoor spaces are often crowded.” Because of this, homeowners are more interested in creating “personal outdoor space” in their backyards than heading off to restaurants and other public spaces. No matter the size -- whether “sprawling backyards or small city courtyards” -- outdoor spaces “give homeowners a place to cook, eat, play and exercise in the fresh air.” As such, architects across the country have been tasked with “integrating outdoor living into new homes and adding more porches and balconies.” Those interested in renovating or remodeling their homes are “looking for creative ways to maximize outdoor living with outdoor spaces that serve multiple purposes.” To learn more about how American homeowners and renters plan to use their outdoor space this summer, follow below.

#1 Multifunctional Furniture and Layouts

First on our list of outdoor dining trends in 2021 is multifunctionality, which Blake Morgan touched on in her recent article for Forbes. However, Morgan is not the only designer or market watcher to identify this trend. In her April 2021 article “7 Outdoor Living Trends That Will Be Huge in 2021” for Better Homes & Gardens, Kristina McGuirk explains why multipurpose outdoor furniture is all the rage.

According to McGuirk, because very few Americans entertained indoors last year, “outdoor furniture has developed to accommodate both everyday living and anticipated social gatherings.” To underscore her point, McGuirk quotes Sandra Smith-Fitzgerald -- Frontgate’s senior vice president of merchandising. Sandra Smith-Fitzgerald tells McGuirk that “designing furniture is not just about style—it is about how you live”.

As such, Frontage has focused on creating pieces that “perform multiple functions, often with hidden features and are versatile enough to use in nearly any space you choose.” Homeowners who follow design trends should “expect outdoor furniture items that are convertible, like modular tables that can be pulled apart to accommodate seating and social distancing or tables with hidden beverage compartments.”

#2 Weather-Resistant Furniture for Year-Round Entertaining

Next on our list of entertaining outdoor trends for 2021 is a space that can support parties and get-togethers all year round. In her article “These Are the Top 10 Predictions for 2021 Outdoor Living Trends, According to Design Experts” for Veranda, Lauren Wicks explains. According to Wicks, regulations surrounding social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols pointed out the need for patios that function all-year.

This became even more obvious during the winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving. Wicks and other market watchers “anticipate greater investment in products that make our patios, balconies, and backyards more livable in extreme temperatures” as the year continues.

Lauren Wicks points to another design trend -- the Hygge interior design trend rooted in Scandinavian living. According to Wicks, “the Scandinavians long ago mastered the art of year-round outdoor entertaining.” Scandinavian hosts and hostesses “know that heavy-duty blankets, outdoor fireplaces, and even novel amenities, like pizza ovens, will help entice us to entertain outdoors this winter—and beyond.” To this end, Wicks suggests investing in patio furniture that supports year-round use. Umbrellas, mosquito screens, pergolas and outdoor fireplaces are all excellent additions.

#3 Small Space Eating Areas

The average size of a newly constructed single-family home in America has only increased in recent decades. However, the opposite is true of apartments in the United States, despite the fact that millions of Americans rent. According to Statista, “in 2020, there were approximately 43 million housing units occupied by renters in the United States.” The HomeStratosphere article “What is the Average Size of Apartments in the USA?” notes that a typical apartment in the US “was less than 900 sq ft.” in 2019. This means that the average apartment in the US is now “five percent smaller than it was 10 years ago.” Unfortunately for renters, studio apartments have decreased in size “the most over the same period of time, 10 percent.”

#4 Vibrant Colorways in Outdoor Design Schemes

Many interior designers have identified saturated, vibrant colors -- particularly jewel tones -- as standout interior design trends for Summer 2021. In her article “Ten Best Outdoor Design Trends Of 2021” for Forbes, Amanda Lauren agrees. Lauren writes that homeowners should “bid farewell to the white picket fence and say hello to pink, aqua or any vibrant hue you choose.” This is because vibrant, saturated “details outdoors are one of the newest trends of 2021, according to Danielle Blundell, Home Director of Apartment Therapy.”

#5 Mixing and Matching Outdoor Patio Table and Chairs

Another trend in outdoor patio furniture identified by Amand Lauren in her article “Ten Best Outdoor Design Trends Of 2021” for Forbes is mixing and matching styles, textures, colors, and materials. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that personality, character, and function are far more critical than pseudo-minimalism. As such, designers recommend that homeowners curate “designated spaces outdoors.” They can do so by “designing outdoor kitchens, lounge areas and dining rooms” outdoors, similarly to how you would layout a home’s interior.

Wicks identifies her “favorite trick” as mixing and matching “chairs within matching outdoor dining sets...to creatively bring the indoors to your outdoor oasis.” Homeowners should not be too concerned about purchasing matching sets, as this restricts how seating can be arranged during parties. We suggest combining sets that might not come together but which work well in an outdoor setting.

#6 Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Outdoors

Since Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Hollyhock House in Hollywood more than a hundred years ago, indoor-outdoor living has appealed to American homeowners. The lifestyle gained steam in the Mid Century Modern period, but has only recently reached a fever-pitch across the US. Danielle Blundell underscores this in her recent article “7 Outdoor Decor Trends That Are Going to Rule 2021, According to Design Experts” for Apartment Therapy. Referencing predictions made by interior designer Nate Berkus, Blundell writes that “everyone’s favorite indoor creature comforts are moving outdoors.” This could include everything from “unfussy stoneware and linens to set your outside dining table[to throws and decorative pillows cozying up your seating”.

Berkus and Blundell suggest “building on whatever motifs and color palette you like or have going on inside your home,” carrying these onto your patio or balcony. They note that imagining “your outdoor space as an extension of your living room and decorating it as such” will help ease the transition.

#7 Oversized Seating and Outdoor Dining Tables

Last on our list of patio furniture trends for 2021 is oversized seating. In her article “The Top Backyard Furniture Trends For 2021” for Lonny.com, Lidia Ryan points to this new outdoor dining trend. Quoting Nicole Hunt -- a product development manager for Article -- Ryan explains why the oversized dining table trend has grown so much. According to Hunt, there is a growing “appetite for large table options that could seat all members of the family.” Oversized tables also perform double-duty, as they are “great for sprawling out when working from home.” Picnic tables and outdoor sectionals are great ways to capture this trend.

Answering Your FAQs About Outdoor Dining Tables and More

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about outdoor dining tables and other patio furniture. Merchants are often asked which materials are safest and most durable in certain weather conditions. They are also often asked about the many different types of outdoor tables and how to choose the perfect one for each family and outdoor space. To learn the answers to many frequently asked questions, follow below.

#1 Is a Granite Outdoor Table or a Glass Outdoor Table Safer?

As one might assume, granite and other stone outdoor tables are typically dense and heavy, making them excellent options for windy areas in which lighter furniture could easily overturn. However, homeowners often question whether outdoor glass tables are equally safe. In her article “Can Glass Tables Be Used Outside?” for SFGate, Wendy K. Leigh answers. Leigh writes that “glass tables are generally safe to use in outdoor environments, as long as you choose the proper type of glass and edging.” 

Homeowners should consider both “the weight of the glass” and the style of the glass tabletop when choosing patio dining tables. For example, the table must be heavy enough to “withstand wind and rain, while the edges need to be smooth to prevent injuries or breakage.”

#2 What Are the Best Outdoor Dining Table Materials for Hot Climates?

The best outdoor dining table materials for hot climates are not the same as those in wintery or wet environments. For example, rattan might not fare well in humid climates, but it might function perfectly well in dry climates. Some metals and woods might suffer in frigid temperatures but might thrive in hot climates. 

In the article “Your First Outdoor Furniture: 5 Mistakes to Avoid” for Gardenista, Fan Winston recommends staying away from stainless steel in particular if you live in a hot climate. According to Winston, “stainless steel is heavy and low-maintenance, but it can get super-hot when placed under the sun, so it’s not ideal if you are planning to leave it exposed.” Wrought iron also holds heat for an extended period of time, though aluminum cools off fairly quickly

#3 What Are the Different Types of Patio Tables?

There are five common types of patio tables. These include cocktail tables, bistro tables, coffee tables, nesting tables, and accent tables. Accent tables are fairly comparable to end tables. As such, these types of outdoor tables typically “accent” another piece of furniture like a sofa, armchair, or lounge chair. They are usually no larger than a foot wide, with enough space for a cell phone, book, and drink.

Understanding the Difference Between Cocktail and Coffee Patio Tables

The terms “cocktail table” and “coffee table” are often used interchangeably, but the two perform different functions. The HomeStratosphere article “Cocktail Table vs. Coffee Table – Yup, they are quite different” explains how they differ from each other. This guide notes that coffee tables are “designed to sit in front of the couch or sofa” and are typically quite low to the ground. Cocktail tables, on the other hand, are sometimes taller than coffee tables. However, the primary difference between cocktail tables and coffee tables is not their height but rather their shape.

According to HomeStratosphere, “a cocktail tabletop is square or rectangular while a coffee tabletop is round.” That definition has loosened slightly over time, with the prior definition -- a height difference -- also separating the two.

Nesting and Bistro Tables for Patio Dining

The final two types of outdoor dining tables typical in the United States are bistro and nesting tables. Both are very popular in small outdoor spaces like apartment patios and balconies. Bistro tables recall the classic TV dinner tray in that they are small, portable, and often collapsible. They are often paired with bar stools or other tall chairs. Nesting tables can be any size, height, or shape and are defined by their ability to stack on top of each other.

Final Thoughts on the Best Outdoor Dining Tables for Summer 2021

To make a long story short, the best outdoor dining table for you, your home, and your family will significantly depend on your lifestyle, climate, and available space. For example, the size of your patio or backyard might not be able to accommodate an oversized seating arrangement -- like those recommended in the “Trends” section of this article. Similarly, the hot desert climate of your Palm Springs home might not be able to accommodate a wrought iron or stainless steel dining table.

To that end, a family with small children might not be best served by a dining table with glass or delicate materials. To set up an outdoor dining space that works well for your family and friends, consider the video “How To Create The Ultimate Outdoor Dining Room” from House & Home. As always, stay tuned for more buying guides, listicles, and other blog posts from the 1StopBedrooms team.