The 9 Best Patio Dining Sets of 2024

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These stylishly functional furniture pieces will elevate al fresco parties and give your outdoor space an upgrade.

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AllModern

If you have an outdoor space at home, you need furniture to enjoy it, which makes a patio dining set well worth a significant investment. Envisioning how you want to utilize your outdoor entertaining space — whether it's cocktails on the balcony or grilling burgers in the backyard — is critical when shopping for furniture, according to interior designer Demetrius Robinson.

When shopping for a patio dining set, you can't go wrong looking for comfort, durability, and classic design, according to Brenna Gilbert, CEO and founder of Festive & Co. "Outdoor furniture is expensive for a reason. It needs to withstand the elements, and you don't want to regret a trend piece or seasonal print. I love to add personality later with pillows, plants, or pots, but keep the major investment pieces classic. They should last you a lifetime," she says. Wood and metal are the most durable materials to look for in outdoor furniture and require the least amount of maintenance, according to Gilbert.

With the input of these two experts, we researched the best patio dining sets on the market. Read on for our favorite furniture sets that combine form and function.

This set has a classic wooden design suitable for almost any backyard, and it's fully customizable in size and capacity.

The cushions aren't waterproof, and you should to keep everything covered when not in use to protect the wood.

Whether you need a short 63-inch table that fits in a smaller space or a 95-inch behemoth that can accommodate a large dinner party, this versatile set can be customized to fit your specific needs. There are three table sizes, you can choose among two, four, or six chairs, and you can add an optional bench in either of the two sizes. No matter how many people in your household, how much you entertain, and what kind of outdoor area you have, the Rio set covers all the bases.

The sleek off-white cushions pair well with the light-colored teak wood, and we definitely recommend choosing a bench for added seating variation. For sunny days, the table has an umbrella hole, but you'll have to purchase a patio umbrella separately.

Our main complaint is that this outdoor set needs extra protection from the elements. The cushions aren't waterproof, though they are easily removable to bring under cover when it rains. The teak itself is a bit more weatherproof, but Castlery recommends you bring the pieces indoors in winter and always use placemats and coasters to keep the wood from staining. There's an option to add custom covers for the table, chairs, and bench you choose; we say to use it.

Materials: Teak, olefin fabric | Seating Capacity: Up to 8 | Includes: Table, up to 6 chairs, optional bench, optional covers

This glass-and-steel set is sturdy, comfortable, and inexpensive.

The round table doesn't offer much room for four full place settings, and it's prone to rusting if not treated.

The glass-and-steel table in this set has a classic look, but Food & Wine updates writer Dillon Evans loves the woven-fabric chairs even more. "They're so breathable, and I can comfortably transition from lying back a bit to sitting up to work outdoors," he says. The round table can't quite fit an elaborate multi-course meal for four, but, Evans says, "small group work, cocktail hours, and card games are well accommodated by this table set." It's a great low-cost option for smaller spaces or a first apartment.

The problem with steel as an outdoor furniture material is that it's prone to corrosion when it gets wet. If you plan to leave the Brazos set out in the weather, you'll want to treat it regularly with a rust protectant and keep it covered when not in use. (Or, like Evans, you can just keep it on a covered balcony where rain can't reach it.)

Materials: Steel, tempered glass, textilene fabric | Seating Capacity: 4 | Includes: Table, 4 chairs

This extendable table is easy to assemble, and the chairs are lightweight, stylish, and comfortable to sit in.

The wood needs to be oiled and sealed at least once a season to keep its color.

Though stylish enough to live indoors, this slatted table from AllModern is made to withstand all kinds of weather — including being UV- and mildew-resistant. And with a little care, this table will last a long time. Its six chairs come ready to dine, and their oval shape makes them comfortable to relax in for long periods. The table features an umbrella hole for extra-sunny days, and it's extendable with an included leaf when the party gets bigger.

Though the Rafael table does require some assembly, the necessary tools are all included. The midcentury-style resin chairs are completely waterproof, so you'll never have to worry about protecting them from the weather. And once everything's all set up, it's sure to be stunning in any backyard landscape. For the longest life, though, you'll want to keep the wood protected with an annual oiling and sealing. It's a lot of work, but it's work you only have to do once a year.

Materials: Eucalyptus, teak, resin | Seating Capacity: 6 | Includes: Extendable table, 6 chairs

This extendable table comes with eight lightweight chairs and can accommodate up to 12 people.

You have to keep everything protected from rain, and bring it all indoors out of season.

Pottery Barn's Pimenta table starts at a sizable 79 inches long, and it extends to as wide as 118 inches to seat a truly massive dinner party. The set includes eight stackable metal-and-rope chairs, and the table can seat up to 12 comfortably. (Pottery Barn sells the included Garey outdoor chairs separately, so you can pick up four more to complete an extra-large set.) The eucalyptus wood looks smart and is a nice contrast with the black or gray chairs, which are also light and easy to set up in different ways. It's a perfect choice for an expansive patio or pool deck, as guests can move their chairs wherever needed.

As with most wooden tables, the Pimenta needs to be shielded from rain to avoid warping, and you'll have to carry the whole thing indoors in the winter if there's a risk of freezing. We'd recommend picking up a Pottery Barn large universal outdoor dining set protective cover, which can protect the table and all your chairs at once.

Materials: Eucalyptus, aluminum, synthetic rope | Seating Capacity: Up to 12 | Includes: Extendable table, 8 chairs

This elegant set has a classic wrought-iron look, accommodates eight people, and has two built-in fire pits.

It's expensive, assembly is confusing, and you'll have to buy separate stones before you can use the fire pits.

A fire pit can do wonders for your backyard ambiance, and this eight-person patio dining set comes with two built-in. It's made of powder-coated cast aluminum with a classic wrought iron–style look that won't rust, and there are eight matching chairs included. This set can seat up to eight people at once. The fire pits sit on opposite sides of the table so that everyone can reach them, and there's still plenty of room left in the middle to set out plates, utensils, food, and other odds and ends.

Even though there's enough room for eight full-place settings around the table with the fire pits exposed, the set also comes with grates so you can cover them up and utilize the entire table surface. It is worth noting that you have to purchase stones or glass beads for the fire pits separately, but it's more than worth it for lovely evenings dining fireside.

Material: Powder-coated aluminum | Seating Capacity: 8 | Includes: Table with fire pits, 8 chairs

This six-person set has beautiful minimalist simplicity, and it's almost completely weatherproof.

It's a fairly small table, especially for its high price.

For a sleek pick that stuns in its simplicity, we like AllModern's Bette dining set. Everything is made of powder-coated aluminum that's resistant to rain, cold, and UV rays: You can leave it sitting out in the elements year-round without having to worry about fading, rust, or corrosion. The table sits 71 by 35 inches wide and comes in four colors — gray or white to fade into the background, and orange or green to stand out. The chairs stack on top of each other for easy storage or maneuvering, and while they don’t come with cushions, you can easily add water-resistant ones of your choice.

This is a fairly expensive set for its size, but the fact that it's so low-maintenance and doesn't often have to be covered up or moved indoors adds a lot of value.

Material: Powder-coated aluminum | Seating Capacity: 6 | Includes: Table, 6 chairs

This large table and matching chairs are durable enough to stay outside year-round.

The set is quite expensive, and only two of the six chairs have arms.

Frontgate's Palermo patio dining set has a classic feel, with six woven wicker chairs and a massive table that offers room for elaborate meals or a big buffet. Unlike natural wicker, which can't get wet, this set is made from woven bronze and resin fibers for a non-toxic, antimicrobial material that can withstand extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and sun. (If it's near saltwater or a chlorinated pool, you'll need to hose it off once a week, which is about the full extent of required maintenance.) Plus, the tabletop is covered with tempered glass that won't feel scorching on hot days, with an umbrella hole to block the sun. The included seat cushions are waterproof and won't fade in the sun, and there are five color options available.

The Palermo set will last for years and years, and you'll need to be prepared to pay for it. It's expensive, and there's no way around that. Another small negative is that the six chairs don't exactly match: The two meant for the head and foot of the table have arms and the rest don't. That can make for some odd setups when you move the chairs around separately from the table.

Materials: Resin wicker, aluminum, polyester | Seating Capacity: 6 | Included: Table, 6 chairs, 6 cushions

This inexpensive set is impressively weatherproof and folds up for easy moving and storage.

The small table is only intended to seat two people.

IKEA's folding tables and chairs may look basic, but they're well-constructed and built to last. Food & Wine senior writer Jason Horn has had this set for more than 10 years under the beating Los Angeles sun, and it's still in great shape. "The wood has weathered from brown to gray, but it hasn't split or roughened, and the folding mechanisms still work perfectly," he says. Considering that this whole set costs less than a single chair from other brands, that's an impressive endorsement.

The downside of the Askholmen set is that it's quite small. The bistro-style table is made to seat just two people. (You can buy extra Askholmen chairs individually and maybe accommodate four.) But if you're not looking to seat large groups outside, this is a great budget choice, and the folding style makes both table and chairs easy to move around and stash away.

Material: Acacia | Seating Capacity: 2 | Includes: Table, 2 chairs

This set gets you high-quality, durable seating for four at a low price.

The low table isn't great for full-meal dining.

The other patio sets on this list come with dining tables, while this Costway version is a more casual setup, with a lower coffee table–style table that's great for enjoying wine, cocktails, snacks, or, a mug of coffee. It's made of solid acacia wood, which is hard and dense for strength and doesn't easily absorb water for weather resistance. The two chairs and two-person loveseat give you lots of options for sitting or lounging. The included cushions also have zip-off covers for easy cleaning.

This set is so well-priced that Food & Wine writer Adam Rothbarth bought two! He has a fire pit set up in the middle and puts the tables off to the side, creating an eight-seat outdoor setup for less than the cost of some of the single sets on this list.

Just keep in mind that the coffee table isn't a good choice for a full-on meal. It's too low to eat from comfortably.

Materials: Acacia, polyester | Seating Capacity: 4 | Included: Table, 2 chairs, loveseat, 3 cushions

When it comes to patio dining sets, space, seating capacity, and materials make all the difference. Patio dining sets like the customizable Castlery Rio Outdoor Teak Dining Set or the AllModern Rafael Oval 6-Person Dining Set are great for those with the space who are ready to make an investment. For a high-quality option that won't break the bank, we recommend the Flash Furniture Brazos Series 5-Piece Patio Set.

"Space planning is crucial," says Robinson. "You'll always want to ensure that you and your guests have enough room to relax comfortably." So it's important to assess your needs when it comes to your patio's layout.

How will the furniture fit the size and shape? Do you prefer quiet solo meals or casual outdoor get-togethers? Don't be afraid to take measurements a few times and map out your ideal floor plan. "If you have tons of space to work with, I suggest breaking the outdoor space into separate sections to create a more intimate feeling," Robinson adds. "Suppose you're working with a smaller space: In that case, I recommend adding dual-purpose furniture, like a fire pit that can be converted to an outdoor coffee table."

Some furniture sets are easy to assemble; others are not. Check the instructions before you buy to see if you'll need a full set of tools or if all the bolts and Allen wrenches are supplied, and check the reviews to give you an idea of how long others have spent constructing their sets. If it seems complicated to build, it probably is. Most retailers offer on-site assembly for an extra price, if bonding with your significant other over tightening screws doesn't sound appealing. For patio dining sets that ship fully assembled, note that you may have to pay for white glove delivery, which can get pricey.

Patio dining sets are meant to sit outside, so they're generally more durable than indoor furniture, but most models do need some kind of maintenance. At the very least, you'll want to wipe off dirt and pollen buildup periodically, and right before you use the table for dining.

Wood is quite durable, but most types of wood patio furniture need to be oiled or sealed periodically — every year or so — to keep from cracking. A few types of wood can handle all types of weather, but most have to be covered in the rain and brought inside in sub-freezing temperatures. Wood absorbs water and swells up, and can then warp and crack as the water dries or freezes.

With metal, you should be on the lookout for rust. Iron and steel are especially vulnerable, and they often need to be treated with rust-proofing paint or enamel to be outdoor-safe. Aluminum is more weatherproof but also not as strong.

Fabric cushions should almost never be left out in the rain if possible. Even with waterproof fabric, the interior stuffing or foam can get wet and breed mold. If your cushions do sit in the rain, you should immediately air or machine dry them depending on the manufacturer's instructions.

Any new furniture, especially wood like teak and eucalyptus, should be unboxed, assembled, and wiped down upon delivery to remove any dust or debris from manufacturing. As your patio furniture gets dirty over time, you can also wash it down with a hose, no matter the material, as long as you let it air-dry thoroughly afterward, You can also use soapy water and a sponge on especially pesky stains. A thorough deep-clean is a good idea once a season: Use a scrub brush to loosen up hidden dirt from all the nooks and crannies before rinsing.

"I'm a huge fan of wood or metal," says Gilbert. "They're the most durable, require the least amount of maintenance, and give you the most beautiful patina in the elements. Good materials will weather beautifully and give them even more character."

Finding durable patio furniture, however, takes more than a quick glance. "Look at the joints. Is it just held together with an Allen key and a prayer? Keep looking. Make sure it's all wood, all-weather materials, or stainless steel connections, or it will rot," says Gilbert.

"If you're not looking to splurge a ton on outdoor furniture just yet, I recommend opting for furniture with metal frames instead of wooden ones. You and your guests will be just as comfortable, and you can keep cash in your pocket. A win-win situation," Robinson says. Luckily, there are a lot of places to buy patio furniture. You can also just look for a solo patio table and add seats as you go.