The 9 Best Patio Dining Sets to Buy in 2018

The best dining set: One that’s supremely comfortable, generously sized, and virtually ​no maintenance. The keys to comfort are plenty of support and cushioning, which is why woven materials like wicker are so popular: in chairs, they offer more give than a metal or wooden back, which makes them more comfortable. High-backed chairs offer something to lean back into over a long meal, and generous cushions on the seat are an additional comfort. This dining set has all of these features at a moderate price, and you can choose seat cushions in one of ten color options to perfectly match your outdoor decor. The end chairs have arms, while the side chairs are armless to save on space — and they stack, too! The style is streamlined, but versatile, and would be at home in a number of different outdoor spaces. 

Aluminum is lightweight, durable and resists corrosion, making it an excellent choice for outdoor spaces. It’s also often less expensive than many other materials, including resin wicker and wood, so it can be a great option. This set is chic and simple: the round table is on the smaller side at 31.5” in diameter and is topped with tempered glass for a lightweight feel. The chairs have comfy curved backs with slatted seats for weather resistance and easy cleanup. They also stack for optimal storage when not in use. A great option for smaller space, this table can blend in with any style decor.

If you have a larger family or like to have people over for dinner, a 7-piece dining set, which includes a dining table and six chairs, is a great option. These come in various shapes and sizes, but the go-to is either a rectangular or oval table that can accommodate two chairs on the long sides and one chair along the shorter sides. This well-priced set has trend-forward grey powder-coated steel frames with white seats for comfort and support. The tempered glass-topped table is durable and easy to clean, and because it’s clear, it makes the seat look lighter and brighter overall.

Bar height dining sets, where the table and chairs are elevated above the typical dining set, are an increasingly popular option, and for good reason: they work just as well for a small seated dinner as they do for serving drinks to a crowd. With the elevated height, it’s comfortable to stand at the table in addition to sitting, so friendly groups can squeeze in for a conversation. This set is a modern take, with a brushed aluminum frame and a slatted wood-look table top and seats. The seats are backless, but contoured for comfort, and easily tuck under the table if you’re tight on storage space when you’re not using the table.

If you like to entertain larger groups or often have other families over for dinner, a 9-piece dining set is a good option. This includes eight chairs and the table, and though you can find various shape options, a square or round table is a friendly shape that allows everyone to speak to each other without being too far apart. This table is made from eucalyptus, a wood that’s gained popularity as a less expensive alternative to teak with many of the same qualities: it’s a fast-growing tree (meaning it can be sustainably produced) that’s quite hard and naturally higher in oil, making it very weather-resistant. The style is classic and casual in a rich brown stain that’s just as home beachside as it is on a suburban porch.

Though wicker is a longtime staple in outdoor furniture, natural wicker (usually woven from rattan, reed, willow or bamboo) is not particularly weather resistant and can become mildewed, faded and worn fairly quickly. So if you like the wicker look, try a dining set made of resin or all-weather wicker, a man-made material that’s highly weather resistant and durable. Just like natural wicker, this material can be woven in many different styles, from traditional to modern, giving the style and comfort of wicker furniture without the upkeep. This dining set is an updated take on the material, with a round table and four stylized chairs with included cushions. Round tables can be a space-saving option because you can fit the same number of people using less space than a square table.

Though cast iron has long been popular in outdoor spaces, in recent years, cast aluminum has taken its place for people looking for new metal furniture. Why? Because cast aluminum is just as durable, lighter weight, and less expensive then cast iron — all good qualities if you’re looking for a value-priced dining set that’s comfortable to sit at. This 5-piece set melds the best of new and old. With its curved arms and legs and latticework pattern, the design nods to more ornate, traditional cast iron styles and would fit in perfectly on a patio alongside old cast iron pieces.

There’s a reason families love sitting at picnic tables in the park: those long, narrow benches are a flexible-seating secret because the can accommodate quite a few people for a cozy, casual meal. A bench can easily seat four of five squirming children, but won’t seem empty with just two sitting upon it, and can take up way less space than four or five adult-size chairs (that are probably too big for the kids anyway). Benches are also a good space-saving option since they aren’t typically as deep as chairs and don’t have backs to worry about. This bench dining set is an elevated take on the picnic table with wooden seats and metal legs that would look good in industrial, modern or rustic spaces.

If you’re working with a small outdoor space, like a balcony or front porch, or typically dine outside solo or with a partner, a bistro set might be the best choice for your space. These three-piece sets include two chairs and a table. You can find bistro sets in all sorts of styles, and the quirky name comes from their place in cafes as cozy tables-for-two. This stylish set boasts wooden frames, a concrete tabletop and woven seats for a style that’s up-to-date but not over-the-top.