Modern Garden Table Design

Decking out your patio can be much like putting together a puzzle. Trying to figure out which piece to put where can be a headache. Choosing garden tables shouldn't have to be. Whether you have a patio, roof deck or just a stoop, there's a right table or even tables for you.

Let's start out with the traditional form of garden tables, the dining table. Dining tables are the quintessential piece of patio furniture and the largest of garden tables. They can support casual meals to formal sit-down sinner and seat from as little as four to as many as 20 or more people, depending on the model. They're round or rectangular in shape and oftentimes have a hole cut out of the middle through which a patio umbrella can be placed for some added shade.

In addition to the traditional dining tables, variable height tables have become more popular in recent years. These include low and bar-height tables. Both of these can give a patio a more modern aesthetic. Low tables sit on average a few inches lower than regular tables, while bar height, or high tables obviously are the opposite, being a few inches higher than average. Both require special seating. Low tables work well with low seating like bucket and egg chairs. High tables, then, work especially well with bars tools or extra tall swivel seats.

Dining tables work with almost any standard sized deck or patio setup, especially because you can find one that best suits your available space. If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining it's almost necessary to have a good patio dining set. On the other hand, if space is an especially pressing concern, you might want to do without a dining table altogether. Their size can often just get in the way, especially if you won't be needing the extra table room.

And that's where smaller tables, a slimmer and sleeker alternative to bulky dining tables, step in. Examples of smaller garden tables include coffee tables, side and end tables, along with bistro tables. They can be used by themselves, or a few at a time; you can even pair them with full-sized dining tables if you require the room. These tables can be long and skinny, small and round, square, etc. What connects them is the fact that they are all diminutive and save space. Bistro tables, for example, seat two perfectly for a romantic brunch al fresco. End tables are good for about setting anything on during a party or just a foray outdoors.

The great thing about small garden tables is that they are good for about anywhere outside that you need them. They can go on big patios, small decks, front porches and more; you can even toss one in the car for a barbecue on the go.

Table Materials
Garden tables, like any other piece of patio furniture, need to be constructed from durable, long-lasting materials that hold up in all kinds of weather but still look good. On that note, tables can be made from treated or unfinished woods, notably teak, cedar, cypress and other hardwoods suited to all types of weather. In addition to wood tables, metal is also a popular choice. You can easily find aluminum and wrought iron tables that come with powder coated rust inhibitors. Finally, garden tables can be made out of special poly resin plastics.

Choosing the right garden furniture is just as important as choosing furniture for inside.

Outdoor furniture needs to withstand outdoor conditions, so check out the quality by sitting on chairs and moving tables to see how sturdy they are. Think about how you will store the furniture and if it's going to stay outside, then choose a material, like metal, that will last.

What style to choose
Plastic garden furniture is a low-cost option and is easy to maintain. It's also lightweight and easy to lift making it ideal for moving around to different positions.

Aluminium or wrought iron garden furniture is heavy, making it ideal for windy positions. It's very hardwearing and can be left outside permanently. Metal furniture can be refreshed with a specialist paint.