Choosing the Best Outdoor Dining Table For Your Garden

When it comes to enjoying meals and gatherings in the great outdoors, a well-chosen outdoor dining table can do wonders in elevating your garden experience. Among the various options available, wooden furniture stands out for its timeless appeal, durability, and natural charm which is why, at The Bespoke Carpentry Co., we use high-quality reclaimed wood to create bespoke outdoor dining tables perfect for any outdoor space.

In this buying guide, we’ll be taking you through every factor you should consider when buying the perfect outdoor dining table for your garden. 

How Will You be Using Your Outdoor Dining Table?

Before shopping for the ultimate outdoor dining table for your garden, it’s important to first consider how you’ll be using the table. Will it serve as the epicentre of your many large garden parties and barbecues? Or are you more likely to use it for small dinners for two? 

It’s also worth thinking about which features you’d like your outdoor dining table to include, such as an umbrella hole or leaves to extend the table.

With your plans in mind, it’s time to think about your options…

 

Size

Whilst you may have your sight set on a huge, hardwood outdoor dining table, you need to make sure the table is the right size for the space you’ll be placing it in. If you have a more compact patio, a table too large could swamp the area and make it feel much smaller. Similarly, a small table-for-two in a huge garden may also not be the best use of space. 

 

If you want a table which seats more people but isn’t too bulky, consider an outdoor table with matching benches which can be tucked underneath when not in use.  

Shape

Circle or oval outdoor dining tables work well for more intimate gatherings, as they mean everybody is facing inward towards each other. However, round tables can quickly become cramped once you invite more people - and if you opt for a large, round table, the reverse happens and smaller groups will have too much space between each guest. Round tables can also be an inefficient use of space in smaller gardens, taking up a larger area to seat the same number of people. 

Rectangular outdoor dining tables are our favourites here at The Bespoke Carpentry Co., which is why we place our focus on creating them. They provide enough space for the whole family to enjoy a meal outdoors without feeling cramped, and without taking up too much space in smaller spaces. However, the shape of the tabletop is not the only thing you should be considering - you also have a choice between a range of table leg shapes. These include:

• X-Frame table legs
• Farmhouse Pedestal table legs
• Hairpin frame table legs
• Square table legs
• Trapezium table legs
• A-Frame table legs
• V-Frame table legs

Style

The style of your outdoor dining table should complement your garden's overall aesthetic and reflect your personal taste. Consider the following styles and their characteristics:

Country & Farmhouse

Country & Farmhouse outdoor dining tables are more traditional in style and feature classic designs and intricate detailing. They often have ornate legs and carved accents, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your garden.

Rustic

Rustic outdoor dining tables exude a natural, weathered charm, achieved through the use of high-quality reclaimed wood. Rustic outdoor dining tables feature a distressed finish, often with live edges, creating a cosy and inviting ambiance.

Industrial

Industrial-style outdoor dining tables showcase sleek lines and minimalist designs. They often incorporate mixed materials, such as wood and metal, for a contemporary and sophisticated look.

Material

Choosing the right wood for your outdoor dining table is crucial for its longevity and resistance to weather conditions. Opt for hardwood dining tables made from materials such as walnut or oak, known for their durability and natural resistance to decay and insects.

The type of wood you choose for your outdoor dining table can also impact its overall style: for example, the deeper finish of a walnut dining table can enhance the industrial feel of a table, whilst the brighter hues of an oak dining table are more commonly found within the farmhouse style.

As with shape, the material of your table legs or frame must also be considered. Combining a metal frame with a wooden table top for your outdoor dining table creates a much more modern style whilst opting for a matching wooden frame is more traditional. 

Metal legs, particularly in the hairpin style, are also a lot less bulky than a large, hardwood frame, making this option ideal for smaller gardens. They are also a great deal lighter than their wooden counterparts, so can be moved around your outdoor space more easily.

Finish

One of the best things about wooden outdoor dining tables is how well they take to a variety of stains. At The Bespoke Carpentry Co., we offer the following stains on our handmade reclaimed wood outdoor dining tables:

Cool-toned finishes like the Belgium Grey outdoor dining table can transform the wood with a modern, sleek, sophisticated look. Darker stains, like walnut and dark oak, pair well with light, bright soft furnishings which add a layer of depth and contrast to your garden.

For more ideas and inspiration regarding your table’s finish, view our full Finish & Colour Guide as well as our Guide to Stained Wood Furniture.

 

Cleaning & Maintenance

After all your time and effort put into finding your perfect outdoor dining table, it’s important to keep it looking its best with routine cleaning and maintenance. Our reclaimed wood cleaning and maintenance kit comes with everything you need to nurture your furniture, including a gentle wood cleaning spray formulated to protect the wood’s finish, and a hard wax oil for use every six months. 

We coat all of our outdoor dining tables in a layer of hard wax oil before they leave our workshop as standard, which creates that all-important water-resistant protective layer ensuring any spillages or rainwater can be easily wiped away. Our outdoor dining tables are also made with 5mm gaps between the planks of the table top to enable rainwater run-off.

View our full guide to cleaning and maintaining your outdoor dining table.

 

The Bespoke Carpentry Co. Outdoor Dining Tables

Our experienced carpenters take our hand-selected pieces of genuine reclaimed wood and rework it into stunning pieces of outdoor furniture, perfect for any garden. Each piece is made to order, providing you with a piece which fits right into your outdoor space. 

To get started, browse our range of pre-designed wooden outdoor dining tables online, give us a call on 01305 849386 or fill out our online contact form.