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The garden table is an essential part of outdoor decoration. It is the perfect place where you can gather with friends or family around good meals to enjoy the beautiful days together. Whether on a terrace or with your feet on the grass, the outdoor table is a user-friendly element that should be chosen with care so that it is perfectly adapted, not only to your environment but also and above all to you!
In metal, wood, resin, round or rectangular, for 2 or 10 people, modern or vintage or even folding or extendable… There are many models with various and varied shapes and materials. But how do you choose from this multitude of possibilities? What are the criteria to take into account to choose the right outdoor table? Depending on the frequency of use, the space available, the materials or the maintenance, some models are more to be preferred than others. This article is a practical guide to the questions to ask yourself to make the right choice. A little overview of the garden table!
WHAT SIZE FOR THE GARDEN TABLE?
The size of your table is determined by the frequency and type of use you have of it, but also by the number of guests and the space you have available. A table varies on average from 57 cm to more than 250 cm and can accommodate from 2 to more than 10 guests.
THE SMALL OUTDOOR TABLE
No need to bother with too big a table if you are only a small number to use it or if your environment is cramped. The small table can accommodate 2 to 4 people and is therefore ideal for small families. It has the advantage of not taking up too much space and therefore allows you to keep the essentials, while being able to enjoy the rest of the garden. Why not even take advantage of the space you have left thanks to your tiny table by setting up a small relaxation area with deck chairs or other relax chairs?
THE FAMILY GARDEN TABLE
This is the most common table size in our gardens. Seating between 6 and 10 people, the family table is ideal for medium to large gardens. It is generally 240 x 180 cm in size and therefore guarantees a large table that can accommodate family and friends for good meals under the sun.
THE EXTENDABLE GARDEN TABLE
If you have a small family, but tend to invite a lot of guests, then the extendable table is for you. This option is also ideal for small spaces. Some tables have an extension system, which is very practical for adjusting your furniture according to your needs. There are different types of extension cords. You can enlarge your garden table thanks to a top which is placed directly on the structure or whose arms are to be slid into special notches. Other models have a hinge system with trays that lower and raise. Finally, the butterfly extension makes it possible to separate the two parts of the top to reveal the additional top. You choose.
WHAT TYPE OF TABLE TO CHOOSE FOR ITS EXTERIOR?
The size goes hand in hand with the type of table you are looking for. Coffee table, side table or dining table… there is something for every need!
THE DINING TABLE
The dining table is essential if you like to spend long periods outside chatting and reinventing the world over endless meals. It is a very friendly and warm type of table that will be able to accommodate all your guests wonderfully.
THE OUTDOOR COFFEE TABLE
If you tend to spend more time having aperitifs with friends rather than long meals seated at the table, then opt for a nice coffee table. It is an essential of the garden furniture, which will be perfect for your relaxing afternoons or evenings.
THE OUTDOOR SIDE TABLE
If you’re more the type to bask in the sun in your relaxing garden chair, then a small side table will be perfect for holding your refreshing drink or your favorite book. There is no point in bothering with a dining table, if for you the most important thing in a garden is to be able to relax there while reading quietly.
THE FOLDING GARDEN TABLE
The foldable table is another popular type of table. Particularly well suited to small spaces, such as balconies, this table bends to your needs and can be stowed away in no time! If you don’t constantly use your outdoor table, it’s a good option to optimize your outdoor space.
WHAT STYLE FOR MY GARDEN TABLE?
There are several different shapes and styles of garden table. The choice depends on your tastes, your desires, and again, your environment. The design of the table is not to be neglected. It is very important, because it is a central decorative piece that gives character to your exterior. Round, square, hairpin or classic legs, modern or more vintage style… We help you make your choice.
THE FORM
THE ROUND OR OVAL TABLE
The round or oval garden table is more trendy than ever. This year, we are looking for roundness and softness in our decoration, whether inside or outside. This form, particularly user-friendly, makes it possible to accommodate more guests around the table, with equal dimensions compared to its square or rectangular counterpart. This type of table is therefore preferred for small spaces. Round furniture also offers a less massive and lighter look to decoration thanks to curves that comfort and invite well-being and relaxation.
THE RECTANGULAR OR SQUARE TABLE
The rectangular garden table has a more traditional look. Perfect for contemporary decorations. It is also characterized by its practicality since it offers more space to put the dishes. If you have a large terrace and you tend to organize large tables, the rectangular table will be ideal for your needs. Conversely, the square garden table is generally preferred for narrow and elongated spaces such as balconies.
THE BASE
The legs of a table are very important. Like the type of tray, they allow you to impose a style on your garden furniture. You are spoiled for choice, between monopods, sled legs, or trestle tables with their rustic charm… A central leg will bring dynamism to your piece of furniture with its slender lines. Without its 4 cumbersome legs, this type of table will indeed save considerable space.
CHOOSE AN ATMOSPHERE
If there are a large number of different shades, colors and styles for garden tables, we do not always know where to turn. To make your choice, everything will greatly depend on the atmosphere you want to instill in your exterior.
RATHER TRADITIONAL, URBAN CHIC OR VINTAGE?
For a more classic and modern decor, nothing beats the traditional colors of a pretty aluminum table, white, black or gray that exude elegance. For a more designer or even urban chic exterior, very trendy at the moment, dare to use color! Vibrant orange, sunny yellow, or intense blue… Put a little pep in your decor with the endless possibilities of plastic! For a more rustic decor, nothing better than a traditional wooden table, even a little aged, it will give your garden a certain cachet. Finally, if you like vintage and retro, then metal will be your ally. Its original look, even a little rusty, will bring the charm of the old to your table.
MIX & MATCH OR GARDEN SET?
Perhaps for you, a good decoration rhymes with originality and quirky style… In these cases, let yourself be seduced by the trend of Mix & Match which consists in mismatching your furniture, with a table and chairs with different styles and colors: a black table with a white chair and other gray ones, for example. Conversely, if you prefer to keep a certain consistency in your space, we advise you to favor sets that reduce the risk of disagreement between your furniture.
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD BE FAVORED FOR A GARDEN TABLE?
The choice of materials is crucial to define the style of your future garden table. This criterion will also influence its price, durability and ease of maintenance. Not only is the choice complicated between the main categories of materials (wood, metal and plastic), but how to decide between teak, locust, aluminium, steel or even woven resin and polypropylene?
WOOD
The wooden garden table is one of the darlings of garden furniture. Warm and natural, it remains a timeless part of exterior decoration. Wooden furniture comes in a variety of species, all graded from I to V based on least to most moisture resistant.
THE PINE GARDEN TABLE
The pine table has a light brown appearance and is the most economical. This type of wood, made rot-proof by an autoclave treatment, benefits from a class IV. The pine table is also the great favorite of our gardens. It particularly appeals to great lovers of beautiful materials. They are indeed furniture with character since they have many knots, which add a singular and unique touch to a decor.
THE OUTDOOR ACACIA TABLE
The acacia garden table is a dark brown color with slight red highlights. This exotic wood, naturally rot-proof, is characterized by its resistance since it is a class IV wood. Acacia presents a very good substitute for teak. Whether intended for a relaxation area, placed between two armchairs, or for a dining area, an acacia wood table will offer charm and elegance to your exterior.
THE TEAK GARDEN TABLE
The teak garden table is appreciated for its bright color, which you can choose or not to let gray over time in the absence of treatment. This exotic wood, class IV, is particularly resistant and can even winter outdoors, provided the table is raised and covered with a cover. This exotic wood is particularly popular for outdoor decorations in a rustic style because it has a unique charm.
PLASTIC
POLYPROPYLENE GARDEN TABLE
Very often used for outdoor furniture, polypropylene has many advantages. The great advantage of this type of table is that it allows a wide variety of different colors and shapes. Besides that, polypropylene is also a very resistant material that does not fear bad weather and is therefore very well suited for an outdoor table.
PVC FOR ITS OUTDOOR TABLE
PVC or polyvinyl chloride furniture is the most common in our gardens. This material also offers wide possibilities in terms of shapes and colors. Just as durable as other materials, it is also extremely light. Unlike heavy wooden tables, a pretty plastic table can be stored and moved very easily.
THE WOVEN RESIN GARDEN TABLE
A must-have for garden furniture, the resin table is slipping more and more into our exteriors. Resin seems to have become the trendy material par excellence, in particular because it has many advantages. This material immediately gives a particular charm to a space and guarantees a lounge side perfect for dressing terraces and green spaces. Resin furniture is also very resistant to bad weather, whether in the face of cold, humidity or the rays of the sun and requires little maintenance.
METAL
THE ALUMINUM GARDEN TABLE
The aluminum garden table is very popular for its lightness. If you want a table that’s easy to move and store, this is exactly what you’re looking for. This material is also ideal if you have no place to shelter your furniture during bad weather or during the winter, since it does not fear climatic variations or rust. Be careful if you live in a windy area, because this type of table will be too light to withstand the wind. It should also be noted that aluminum is a recyclable and durable material and therefore represents a more ecological choice than other materials such as plastic.
AND WHY NOT STEEL?
The steel garden table is renowned for its durability and modern look. Although resistant to weather and UV, it fears scratches and shocks. Its weight can make it difficult to move and it tends to heat up in the sun. However, it is easy to maintain. It should be noted that the galvanized or epoxy steel have been treated to improve their resistance to corrosion.
THE OUTDOOR WROUGHT IRON TABLE
Truly timeless, the wrought iron table gives a vintage and original look to an outdoor space in an instant. If we should actually speak of forged steel, this type of metal offers incomparable resistance. Perhaps you want an exterior with a romantic or even bucolic look? If so, you would be seduced by the atypical lines and designs of a pretty wrought iron table. You should know that it is heavier than the others and more susceptible to rust. It will also tend to heat up in the sun and therefore seems less ideal if you don’t have enough shade.
MAINTENANCE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Ease of maintenance is an important criterion that can help you choose your garden table. Between wooden, metal or plastic tables, what are the most practical materials to maintain?
TAKE CARE OF YOUR WOODEN TABLE
As we have seen, the wooden table is generally very resistant to external conditions and can last you for years. However, be careful that the wood has been treated to promote its longevity and prevent your table from losing its shine as the seasons go by. Wood is indeed the most complex of materials to maintain. It is therefore necessary to take care of it and regularly undergo a treatment according to the chosen essence.
PLASTIC OUTDOOR FURNITURE: BEWARE OF STAINS!
Plastic, whether polypropylene or resin, is characterized by its rapid maintenance. Easy to clean, a simple cloth and soapy water is enough to remove dirt and stains. However, you have to be vigilant here too, since this material tends to lose its shine or even yellow for white furniture.
METAL GARDEN TABLE: WATCH OUT FOR RUST
Metal is also a very solid material that resists attacks well. However, beware of rust, which is its main enemy. If wrought iron is more sensitive to humidity and therefore more likely to see rust spots appear, aluminum and galvanized steel, epoxy or stainless steel are more resistant to it. However, there are treatments to improve the resistance of your metal furniture and prevent the appearance of corrosion.
WHAT PRICE RANGE FOR A GARDEN TABLE?
Finally, the choice of your garden table is influenced by the price which is a crucial criterion. There are tables for all budgets. The price of a table will depend on the type of material, its quality, its dimensions, but also its shape or style.
INEXPENSIVE GARDEN TABLES
As a general rule, the simpler the style of the table, the less expensive it will be. Regarding the most accessible materials, we first find pine. It is an economical wood because it is very widespread. PVC is also ideal since it is the least expensive material. The steel garden table is also inexpensive. Less expensive than its aluminum or wrought iron counterparts, you can furnish your outdoor space at a lower cost, without neglecting style!
MID-RANGE MODELS
There are many mid-range models that represent very good value for money. Tables made of acacia or locust wood offer almost the same advantages as those made of teak. However, they are a little less resistant but also much less expensive. Aluminum tables are also a little more expensive than steel ones while having very good resistance qualities.
HIGH-END GARDEN TABLES
For a quality table it is better to choose a teak model to ensure its longevity. Good to know: a teak table can ultimately be cheaper since it is a long-term investment. Resin wicker or wrought iron tables will also be more expensive, but the price is justified by their various qualities, in particular resistance and durability.
It is also necessary to qualify its price differences. There are quality pine models, more expensive than some low-end resin tables, for example.
It should also be noted that choosing a quality model is crucial so that your table can accompany you for several seasons. It must be sufficiently resistant so that you can enjoy it throughout the spring and summer without fear of having to buy one at the slightest external aggression (humidity, UV rays, shocks, etc.).
