Outdoor Metal Table with Chairs
When looking for Outdoor Metal Table with Chairs for your patio area there are several things to take into consideration. What will be the purpose for the area, will it be for casual sitting, casual dining or a place to stop and read or take a break. I will give you several choices that I have put together in my outdoor patio area that are similar, yet very different in the feel and use.
I put several sets of chairs (swivel rockers, wrought iron or spring leg for motion) together with several different tables (dining, bistro or side) that I have around my outdoor space. I changed the arrangements to meet different outdoor seating demands. You do not have to have five different sets for the each time you use your outdoor space. I just use the patio furniture that is already there.
Now let us look at some of the combinations that I made with just a few pieces.
Sitting with a small side table
A sitting area with a small table will be great for reading and relaxing. putting the small side table between the chairs will allow you to share the table for drinks. Many times you will just use this area for conversation with your spouse or partner.
Deciding on the size and style of the table will depend if you are trying to match something you already have. I have a lot of this black steel furniture for my outside spaces so I moved everything to one are to see how it would look. The bigger bistro table would work better if you had to have a serving tray for drinks and snacks.
Chairs can make the area very comfortable for a long afternoon doing nothing or just a short sit for conversation after work. The sling chairs are a lot more comfortable when you are going to use this area for long periods at a time. If this space is only for short rest periods the arm steel chairs would be OK.
The swivel rockers are the most comfortable for long term use. I use these on the front porch for sitting while reading or waiting for someone to get home. They make a good chair for sitting between a small side table on a patio.
Bistro Dining with two chairs
When dining in your outdoor space, normally you do not use it more than 1/2 hour or more at a time. The steel chairs with arms will be plenty comfortable for this amount of time. If you use them a lot I would recommend some small cushions for the seats for comfort.
Most people get a Bistro set because they do not have space for a bigger dining table. You can seat four at a bistro table, there just will not be any place to put extra food or a picture of your favorite beverage. You will just have to get two extra chairs.
Some Small Bistro tables will have a hole for an Umbrella, these tables will not be as stable as the regular dining table in high winds. If you get a lot of wind in your patio area it would be a good idea to remove the umbrella to storage when not in use.
A Bistro Set with Sling Chairs will be comfortable for longer sitting.
Large Dining with four Chairs
This will be the set to get if you have space. You can change the space to match the occasion. The dining table will be big enough to have bowls of side dishes, platters of meat, rolls and a picture of your favorite beverage. The table will have more stability and you will not have to remove the Umbrella when not in use.
The four sling chairs that I have are very comfortable to eat a meal, then just sit around talking for several hours after the meal.
You could also use a combination of regular sling chairs and the swivel rocker sling chairs for your dining area.
Conclusion
Depending on the size of your outdoor patio, one of these examples of Outdoor Metal Table Chairs will fit in your outdoor patio area. Choose first what the purpose of the area will be, then decide on what will fit this purpose and your space. Some balconies are so small a bistro set is all that will fit. If you have a larger area and will have a large crowd, you will need to get a regular dining set.
My Swivel Rockers are found on my front porch for sitting and relaxing in the evening.
Thanks for reading my post and if you have any questions or comments please use the form below.
John
Hello John,
I love your Outdoor Room Ideas site, it is so wonderful the way you have explained the different settings for each table and chair set. You ask what kind of styles of outdoor metal table chairs will work on your patio? I think they would all work great for me on our patio, because we have alot of room. I think I like your swivel rockers best of all. I have had the umbrella sets in the past and they really were alot of trouble if you want to keep it in good condition. You must have somewhere to store the umbrella when not in use. Are the sling regular chairs and the swivel sling rockers expensive? It is lovely to sit and have dinner or lunch outside in the fresh air. Thank you for putting these sets together for comparison, good job.
With Kind Regards,
Linda
Linda,
I bought the sling chairs and swivel rockers as sets. The price of the four sling chairs was about the same as the price of the two swivel rockers. I will be doing a review of each in an upcoming post.
My umbrella on the Bistro table is showing some wear on the top, may need replacing in the spring. I will talk about them more when I get a new one to review.
John
I have been looking for some outdoor chairs and a table for a while now. Our patio is quite small so I think the “sitting with small side table” would be the best option for us. do you possibly have a link to some small outdoor fire pits we could keep on our patio? Thanks for the great information.
-Mitch
Mitchell,
I have several post on firepits. I also have some Chimeneas that would work as well on a small patio. Keep in mind that the patio must me stone or brick or you will have to use a fire retardant mat to sit it on.
John
Hi John, This is a great selection of metal patio tables. I’ve always preferred metal to wood, as they weather so much better. My garden is tiny, so I’d probably have to go for a bistro set, but I agree with Linda, I love your swivel rockers, they look so comfy!
Steph,
I use the swivel rockers on the front porch to have coffee in the mornings and watch people go to work. They are the most comfortable chair that you can get for sitting a long time. I also have cushions for them and that makes them more comfortable.
John
I LOVE the look of metal outdoor furniture but you are so right about the comfort part! They are definitely NOT equal when it comes to comfort. I spend a lot of time outside and having a chair to curl up in and read a book or work on my laptop is a must. It is the one thing that I will spend extra $$$ on to since it gets heavy use. That said I have always loved the look of the little bistro sets, even though for me they would not be very functional.
Donna,
Having a Bistro set will give you a place to have a quick snack or drink. It is not the place to have an evening meal unless you eat on the balcony. The Swivel Rockers are great for sitting for longer periods of time.
John
I love the swivel rockers the best and all the great ideas here…the more chairs the better to enjoy the outdoors while connecting with family and friends! Thanks for all the great ideas, John!
~ tamara
Tamara,
My outside spaces are filled with places to sit and relax. I feel that being outside is the best thing that will help you get rid of the doldrums of winter.
John
Hi John, I have a huge garden at the rear of my house, but my front is quite small, but even though it’s small it does need something. I have a very large wooden picnic table at the rear and it fits in nicely. My front garden needs a small table of some sort and I’ve always fancied small side by side chairs with a mini table in the center so I can bask in the sun during the summer. I think something like that would be perfect for me, thank you so much for a good breakdown, it was most helpful 🙂
Sharon,
I also have a small sitting area in the front of my house. The Swivel Rockers in these photos are on my front porch for the warm months. I store them away to put up fall and Christmas decorations. When they come down in the spring the chairs and small table come back out. This entrance area to my home changes all of the time.
John
Hi Chris
I am a huge fan of spending my time outdoor with my family, relatives and friends. In my opinion, places like backyard and patio have some special aura for attracting people where they feel better. Socializing is a great part of our lives and when we have nice, cozy, well-designed place for this plus comfortable furniture – I bet time will be amazingly spent.
I constantly look for ideas what I can affordably add to my backyard in terms of design. I will use some of your ideas for sure.
By the way, you have a nice and huge backyard, Chris 🙂
Cheers,
Vitaliy
Vitality,
All of the ideas shown in this article I own. Having the space to try something new and exciting is one of my goals. I am going to move my yard swing, I will document the surface, as I am going to lay some kind of stone.
John