Best Garden Dining Sets 2023: Wooden, Teak & Aluminium

By Ali Howard and Daphne Bugler

With spring and summer just around the corner, the best garden dining sets are here to give your al fresco summer meals a sleek upgrade

With memories of last summer's lengthy patio lunches and heady al fresco evenings looming large, it only takes a glimmer of spring sunshine to get us excited about outdoor eating again. A smart garden dining set gives your patio space a structural focal point, not to mention a warm, entertaining-focused vibe. Go large and you can create a whole outdoor dining room that's as inviting as any interior space, encouraging you and your guests to eat out and stay out for the duration.

Just like any piece of garden furniture, these dining sets come in all shapes and sizes. It's important to consider not only the space you have available but the number of places you want at your table. While some designs feature comfy armchair-like seating, they can take up a good chunk of your terrace. If space is a sticking point however, you can forgo the comfy armrests and plump for a compact patio set with a smaller footprint that allows you to neatly tuck in slimline chairs, bistro stools, or even benches.

While garden furniture is designed to withstand the elements to some extent, it won't thank you for leaving it out in all weather. Some pieces boast removable legs for easy storage and others are made from more durable, low-maintenance materials. Think about the storage space you have available before you commit to a beautiful dining set that's particularly susceptible to weather damage. And absolutely invest in high-quality, breathable covers to prolong the life of your outdoor furniture pieces.

Pairing a wood-effect look with an aluminium frame, this set from John Lewis is a contemporary industrial dream. Just add a nearby fire pit and consider your summer sorted

Boasting impressive eco credentials, the Mater table and chairs are fashioned from recycled ocean plastic waste. But just as impressive is their curvy-industrial aesthetic. The award-winning design features sculptural steel bases and ergonomic seating.

Beautifully crafted from natural, solid, and sustainably sourced teak, this rectangular dining table and four stackable chairs will bring instant calm to any outside space. The table can sit up to eight, giving you the flexibility to add in extra chairs (sold separately) if and when you need to..

It's important to choose an outdoor dining set that promises weather-resistant properties, not only protecting it from the wind and rain but from harmful UV rays when the sun is at its hottest. Most garden dining sets feature a durable and weatherproof base, whether that's in poly-rattan, metal, or an oiled hardwood such as teak, while removable cushioning, albeit showerproof, is best kept indoors when not in use. It's not advised to leave any garden furniture out in the rain but if you’re after a low-maintenance option, a powder-coated aluminium can be a great choice.

It used to be the case that most garden tables came with a cut-out for your parasol base, and while some still do, many contemporary designs don't have this feature, the idea being that the sleek design is not interrupted by a conspicuous pole – and neither is your sightline when you’re deep in conversation with your pals. If you’re after shade, choose a less intrusive cantilever parasol that extends over your table, or a nifty shade sail that you can you pull out to give you respite from the rays.

Aside from stylish napkins, cutlery and dinnerware, you’ll need to think about keeping warm as spring days can be deceiving, quickly turning into chilly evenings. Team your garden dining set with a patio heater designed to emanate enough warmth to keep the whole table toasty, and invest in high-end wool blankets to throw over shoulders when the sun goes down. If you’re keen to create an outdoor dining room, centre your garden table and chairs on top of an outdoor rug that will both elevate and zone your space.

While exposing anything cream to the whims of the outdoors might make you shudder uncontrollably, this set from John Lewis is primed and prepped for whatever comes at it. Shower-resistant and moisture-resistant, the polyester material fares well for summer use, and is a risk well worth taking for the style pay-off as the table and chairs are all made from a bright eucalyptus wood that has a pool-side, breezy summer feel. It's less of a dining set, per se, as it opts for a coffee table rather than a more upright dining table, but for relaxed barbeque meals or lounging in the garden, it's ideal. £549. At johnlewis.com

Small dining tables work nicely if you've got a compact space or patio area, and this one from John Lewis is one of our favourites for a more contemporary, almost industrial-style look. Designed to be long-lasting, the seat cushions are all shower-resistant, but still soft, while the set is lightweight enough that you can easily move it into a garage or shed to store it during the off-season or during periods of bad weather. Pop this next to a modern fire pit and you've got yourself one chic modern garden set-up. £699. At johnlewis.com

Gardens are meant to be fun and lively, so mix things up a little bit and opt for a set that incorporates contrasting colours and materials, rather than just sticking with a monochromatic look. The pairing here of the darker heavier aluminium with the lightness of rattan puts the chairs on show, while also creating a contemporary look as the sleek table and woven chairs bounce off each other. And wherever rattan can be found, so too can those chilled vibes that make al fresco dining just that much more enticing. £499. At dunelm.com

Your garden should feel fresh and fun rather than stuffy and boring, and colourful garden furniture is the easiest way to do it. Available in a sleek teal shade, this dining set from Marks & Spencer goes for a completely different vibe than wooden or dark metal sets, instead opting for a bolder, brighter look that really comes alive in the summer. Made from metal and plastic, it's also an easy one to keep clean with a simple wipe, a real win after a busy garden party. And just think about it, if there was ever an area of your house that colour belongs its outside. £399. At marksandspencer.com

It's unusual to find an upright garden dining set in an L-shaped configuration – most outdoor corner sofas are sprawling, low-sitting affairs, which is why Habitat's offering really stands out. Fashioned from a mix of steel and poly-rattan, the set includes a square, glass-topped table and a pair of matching stools alongside the plush, padded corner unit. The Malta is designed to seat six people but the beauty of this one is its flexibility, the stools can be tucked in or stored away for smaller gatherings. It also boasts a relatively slim profile thanks to its compact design. It won't overwhelm your patio space. £900. At habitat.co.uk

Sold separately, Mater's outdoor table and chairs will bring a contemporary industrial feel to your terrace, and they are a world away from conventional rattan dining sets. Scoring big on sustainability, the Ocean collection is impressively crafted using ocean plastic waste, recycled plastic, and discarded fishing nets – there's your conversation starter at your al fresco dinner. The rectangular slatted table and ergonomically curved dining chairs feature a robust tubular steel base, which seemingly wraps itself around to create eye-catching sculptural forms. From £249. At heals.com

This sizable dining set allows you to spread out in comfort and style. It's crafted from aluminium, which is both durable and lightweight. The material is also ideal for outdoor use as it won't rust, even if it is subjected to the odd shower. The set comprises a large rectangular, glass-topped table and six generous dining chairs, complete with plush cushions and supportive and continuous back and arm rests, allowing you to sit back and relax post-feast. Featuring a neat rope design, the dark grey chairs hint at laid-back Mediterranean style, while the slim, angled legs keep the look light and airy. £1,379. At barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

By Hannah-Rose Yee

By Murray Clark

By Adam Cheung

This elegant outdoor dining set comprises a generously sized rectangular table, six chairs, and even a complementary parasol, ensuring the utmost style and comfort is given to lengthy, lazy patio lunches. Designed to be robust against the elements, the table is crafted from aluminium, but it boasts a clever wood effect with a rust-proof powder coating, while the dining chairs are finished with a woven diamond design in a durable, waxy rope. These hardwearing materials are met with seriously plush cushioning upholstered in a water repellent and UV resistant soft grey fabric. £2,062.50. At coxandcox.co.uk

Minimal in look and in maintenance, The Conran Shop's Highline table and benches (sold separately) are designed to withstand the elements while awarding patio spaces a clean-lined and contemporary aesthetic. Both are fashioned from lightweight aluminium with a soft powder-coated finish, and they boast a 30 per cent recycled makeup. With a nod to the traditional picnic bench, the rectangular table and benches feature a wood-like slatted design, which draws the eye along the length of each piece, while legs and corners are gently curved to avoid any sharp angles. Choose black, white or forest colourways. From £425. At conranshop.co.uk

Thanks to seriously shrewd design, this contemporary set can accommodate up to eight diners. Comprising a square, glass topped table, four chairs and four stools, it allows for larger gatherings without taking up too much patio space – impressively, all eight seats can be tucked in perfectly, leaving you with a clean-lined cube when it's not a use, a veritable feat of geometry. Chic and slim grey metal frames are met with weather-proof cushioning and a woven rope design on the back and armrests, while the legs can be easily removed for storage purposes. Ideal for smaller outdoor spaces, this one can grow as your outdoor dinner party does. £330. At amazon.co.uk

By Hannah-Rose Yee

By Murray Clark

By Adam Cheung

Celebrating the beauty of natural wood with all its swirling grain and subtle variations in tone is this clean-lined and contemporary patio set. Borrowing heavily from classic Scandinavian design, the set includes a generously long rectangular dining table and four matching chairs. But it can accommodate up to eight with extra chairs to be bought separately. Crafted from solid teak, both the table and chairs feature an attractive slatted design, while the high-backed dining chairs boast a seamless curve, which not only adds to their visual appeal but provides ample lower back support, allowing guests to stay seated for longer. £1,099. At tikamoon.co.uk

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