As we move closer to summer, it makes sense to raise our outdoors game and invest in some new furniture.
Having previously reviewed a range of the best rattan garden furniture, we wanted to widen your options and look at the best outdoor dining sets available.
All 8 on our list cost under £500 and will comfortably seat 6 people. Interior experts believe that 6 is the perfect number for a dinner party.
6 people or 8 at a push provide enough people to talk with to not get bored, yet feel that you have enough time to talk with everyone. Hence why we're covering outdoor dining sets that seat 6.
Item
Photo
Our rating
Price*
Purchase
Parcel in the Attic Elche Solid Wood Dining Set
9/10
£400.00
Hectare Hadleigh 6 Seater Garden Dining Set
9/10
£420.00
Rowlinson Plumley 6-Seater FSC Hardwood Garden Dining Set
9/10
£220.00
Hectare Kennet Reclining 6 Seater Polytex Garden and Patio Furniture Set
8/10
£380.00
Victoria Compact Rounded Wooden Picnic Table and Benches Set
8/10
£220.00
VonHaus 6 Seater Wooden Dining Set
8/10
£250.00
Tidyard Outdoor Dining Set
7/10
£290.00
Deuba Garden Dining Furniture 6 Seater Bern Table and Chairs Set
7/10
£280.00
* Prices correct at time of publishing
Parcel in the Attic Elche Solid Wood Dining Set
photo by Parcel in the Attic
Description
Sporting a chunky design and natural finish, the Parcel in the Attic Elche Solid Wood Dining Set comprises of a table and two benches, you can easily fit 6 people.
The benches make dining more informal and so is more suited to a family who loves to enjoy summer outside.
Made from pressure treated FSC certified timber, the Elche Dining Set comes with a 10-year guarantee against rot. Over time it will naturally weather and develop a character of its own, yet remain rot free.
Whether you plan to leave the Elche set out on the patio all year, or only bring it out in summer, it will make dining even more special. As this comes flat pack, you'll need two people to assemble it.
Pros
- Chunky design
- Made from FSC certified timber
- 10-year guarantee against rot
Conclusion
Kicking off our list, the Parcel in the Attic Elche Solid Wood Dining Set is a fantastic set. While a little pricy at £399.95, it should last at least 10-years and provide the backdrop for many happy memories.
This outdoor dining set is great for long summer days when as a family you plan to simply enjoy time together.
As it's treated timber and there's no soft furnishing, you could leave the Elche outside all year round without having to worry about it. Although you'll probably want to style with some cushions and candles.
Some might want a parasol hole, however, we don't consider a lack one that big a deal. Instead of using a parasol, you could place the Elche under a canopy or a cantilever hanging umbrella. 9/10
Hectare Hadleigh 6 Seater Garden Dining Set
photo by Hectare
Description
As the most expensive set is our list of best outdoor dining sets, Hectare Hadleigh 6 Seater Garden Dining Set features a quintessentially British design. The Hectare Hadleigh set comes with a table, 6 stackable chairs and a parasol.
Each item in the set has been manufactured from powder-coated steel and finished in a cream tone. And as a result, the set is extremely durable and weather resistant outdoor furniture.
The chairs feature thick cushions which have reversible covers. One side is classic ivory, while the other is mixed green stripes.
Rather than folding down, the chairs are stackable. Simply remove the cushions and stack. This makes storing them in shed or garage easy.
Finishing with the parasol, which is constructed from 150g ivory polyester and is easily open/closed by a crank handle.
While there is some DIY involved, it's fairly straight forward. So you can enjoy this highly comfortable garden furniture set in no time.
Pros
- Tradition set with classic styling
- Thick cushions
- Parsol is a nice bonus
Cons
- Stacking not folding chairs
- Requires assembly
Conclusion
If you have more than £400 to spend and are looking for a traditional patio set, then it's hard to go wrong with the Hectare Hadleigh 6 Seater Garden Dining Set.
There's a lot to like to about it and only a few niggles. Some might be put off by the need to assemble the set, however as it's pretty straightforward, you shouldn't experience too many problems.
The chairs stack rather than fold, so take up a little more space. This could be seen as a negative, but it's a tiny problem.
There's actually a lot to like, hence why we've featured this set on our list of the best outdoor dining sets. The cushions are thick, making relaxing or dining enjoyable. The set is well-designed and sturdy. 9/10
Rowlinson Plumley 6-Seater FSC Hardwood Garden Dining Set
photo by Rowlinson
Description
Next in our list of the best outdoor dining sets is the Rowlinson Plumley 6-Seater FSC Hardwood Garden Dining Set. It blends traditional design with modern convenience.
Using FSC Hardwood, the set is designed to last years regardless of what nature throws at it. It stained finish, means it's easy to clean and maintain, yet looks natural.
Starting with the table, it's a comfortable 140 x 85 cm by 73 cm high. It features planed edges, which is a unique touch and makes it safer for small kids.
The set contains a mix of chairs. There are 4 regular chairs and 2 armchairs. All come with sizeable seat cushions in holly green tone for added comfort.
While you can leave the set outside all year round (minus the cushion), all elements fold flat for easy, minimal storage.
With its natural finish, traditional design, this stylish and affordable set is perfect for any garden.
Pros
- Traditional design
- Made from FSC Hardwood
- Comes with cushions
Conclusion
At under half of our £500 budget, the Rowlinson Plumley 6-Seater FSC Hardwood Garden Dining Set is highly affordable (costs £220 from Amazon).
There's nothing we dislike about the set. It's well designed, traditional and will last for years. Plus it folds downs nicely and doesn't need that much storage space.
Overall, this is one of our favourite best outdoor dining sets and so our score is 9/10 .
Hectare Kennet Reclining 6 Seater Polytex Garden and Patio Furniture Set
photo by Hectare
Description
If you're looking to update your entire outdoors arrangement then Hectare Kennet Polytex Garden and Patio Furniture Set could be for you.
The set includes a table, 6 chairs and a parasol. As the set comes flat packed, get it set up does involve some DIY. However, it's fairly straight forward to assemble.
The table is made from powder coated steel and has a safety glass top. It's of a good size at 150 x 90 cm and is 70 cm high, making it comfortable to eat from.
Each of the 6 chairs has a powder coated steel frame with a Super PolyTex seat and backrest. And as a result, these chairs are comfortable to sit on yet it's extremely durable.
Completing the seat is a 150g black polyester parasol with crank for easy opening. This will provide much-needed shade during the long, hot summer days.
This Hectare Kennet set is designed to be weather resistant and easy to maintain.
Pros
- Parasol included
- Folding chairs for easy storage
- Safety glass table top
Cons
- Comes flat pack
- Might need to add addition cushions
Conclusion
There's much to like about the Hectare Kennet Polytex Garden and Patio Furniture Set. It's well designed and built. The classic style of the set will be around for a long time to come, so it's unlikely you need to update it for years to come.
The only negative point is the seats. While they are fairly comfortable, you might want to add some cushions. As the set costs £380, you'd expect this not to be an issue.
The parasol is a nice addition and is easy to raise/lower. It will provide a suitable amount of shade for lounging and dining. 8/10
Victoria Compact Rounded Wooden Picnic Table and Benches Set
photo by Victoria
Description
With a traditional design, the Victoria Compact Rounded Wooden Picnic Table and Benches Set is hand-made in the UK.
The set is available 6 different lengths (3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft) and we've chosen the 7-foot (213 cm) version to review as it comfortably seats six.
Made from pressure treated timber, the set should be free from rot and fungal attack for up to 15 years. The hand made benches and table are created from heavy duty 89mm x 38mm (4″ x 2″), which give it a rustic look.
Securing the batons in place are corrosion resistant fixings, which add to the rustic look. Enhancing the look is black caps, which cover all visible bolts and these provide added safety.
The benches sliding under the table to reduce storage space. So you can easily tuck the set out of the way.
In terms of dimensions, the table is 213 x 70 cm by 73 cm high. Each bench measures 213 x 26 cm by 46 cm high. It does come flat packed, but as it's semi-assembled, you only need a socket set to finish.
Pros
- Hand made in the UK
- Made from pressure treated timber
- Rustic design
Cons
- Requires a socket set to assemble
Conclusion
We love the chunky design of the Victoria Compact Rounded Wooden Picnic Table and Benches Set. Arbor Garden Solutions have produced a fantastic product at an modest price.
While you might have to buy a socket set to finish assembling the set, once put together, it's rock solid. In addition, the set will look fantastic after a little bit of weathering.
For a hand made product, the price is very reasonable, especially when you consider this set will last at least 15 years. 8/10
VonHaus 6 Seater Wooden Dining Set
photo by VonHaus
Description
It doesn't get more traditional than the VonHaus 6 Seater Wooden Dining Set.
Made from sustainable hardwood, the table and chairs have a sophisticated look with their rich, reddish hue. Finishing each piece is a teak oil coating. This finishing touch makes each piece shine and yet provides an extra layer of protection.
The traditional and hard wearing 7-piece set features comprising of a folding table and 6 folding chairs, all with a classic slatted design. The table measures 135 x 75 cm by 74 cm high, so is a generous size.
The set includes two types of folding chairs. There are 4 basic chairs as well as 2 armchairs.
As all pieces can be easily folded away for storage when not in use, it's easy to move the set. You can quickly move the set from the lawn to your deck in autumn.
The chairs come ready-assembled. However, the table requires minimal assembly. Thankfully, the instructions are easy to read. Finally, this Vonhaus set includes a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Made from hardwood
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Requires some assembly
- You might need cushions
Conclusion
The VonHaus 6 Seater Wooden Dining Set is affordable, well built and is based on a tradition design. While you do have to put the table together, the chairs arrive ready to use. Luckily, building the table is easy.
We love the traditional design and the use of hardwood. Regardless of trends, this set will last for years and always look fresh. Plus as it folds down, you can easily store it away in winter.
The only thing we'd add is cushions as the chair, while solid looking might be a little uncomfortable after a few hours. 8/10
Tidyard Outdoor Dining Set
Description
Blending traditional design with modern materials, the Tidyard Outdoor Dining Set sports a solid acacia wood frame is durable yet features a retro design. Sitting atop this rattan elements.
The large 180 x 90 cm by 74 cm high dining table uses rattan as an architectural detail. Whereas the 6 chairs use rattan for the seat and backrest, with the acacia wood making up the frame.
By using a combination of materials, this set is easy to clean and hard wearing, yet unique! The interplay of the colour is pleasing to the eye.
It does require some assembly, but the final result is well worth doing a bit of DIY!
Pros
- Unique design
- Uses a mix of hardwood and rattan
Conclusion
While we said no rattan would feature in this round-up, the Tidyard Outdoor Dining Set was too well designed not to include. Plus as only has an element of rattan, we feel we can sneak it in!
There's no parasol hole on the table. However, you'd probably want to use something a little more interesting than your standard straight parasol.
We get that the design or mix of materials won't be to everyone's taste. That said, it's different and is likely to provide a good talking point at the first BBQ of each season!
As one of the best outdoor dining sets we've reviewed, it's reasonably priced and should provide years of use. 7/10
Deuba Garden Dining Furniture 6 Seater Bern Table and Chairs Set
photo by Deuba
Description
With a completely different look than the others on our list of the best outdoor dining sets, the Deuba Garden Dining Furniture 6 Seater Bern Table and Chairs Set is unique.
Manufactured from powder-coated aluminium and non-corrosive stainless steel screws, the tables and chairs are weatherproof. They look just as good outdoors as they do inside.
The core materials mean each element is lightweight enough to easily move and maintain yet are durable. Enjoy years of use without rust and appreciate your garden!
Each chair has 7 seating positions, ranging from sitting to reclining. As all chairs fold down, they take up minimal space. In addition, the covers are made from weather resistant and washable textile.
The table top is made from 5 mm safety glass and is complete with rounded edges. The table legs have adjustment screws to compensate individual height differences of the floor.
This aluminium garden furniture set fits perfectly on your patio, terrace or conservatory.
Pros
- Unique styling
- Made from aluminium
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- No parasol hole
Conclusion
As a twist on a classic design, the Deuba Garden Dining Furniture 6 Seater set is fairly priced. It's easily the most controversial set on our list as some will dislike the black styling. However, it provides a striking contrast against the typical garden colours.
Assembling the table takes two as it's fairly fiddly. Luckily the chairs come ready to use. So you might want to bear that in mind.
As the chairs have 7 positions, they are more versatile than the average outdoor dining chair. While the chair's fabric is tough, it's minimal. So you might want to add some cushions, especially if you're planning to recline.
Overall, if you're looking for an outdoor dining set that a little different, then this Deuba Bern Table and Chairs Set is worth considering. 7/10
What is the best outdoor dining set under £500?
Having looked at a whole range of the best outdoor dining sets on the market, we're quite relieved that there's a fantastic choice available. Most are highly affordable, long lasting and stylish.
If you're looking for something traditional, we'd recommend the Rowlinson Plumley or the Hectare Hadleigh. While worlds apart in terms of pricing, both are excellent choices.
If you're looking for a twist on a classic, you can't go wrong with the Parcel in the Attic Elche. It's perfect for long family days in the garden, BBQs with friends and as a spot for a drink after a long day.
If you're looking for something more modern to reflect your interior, then consider the Deuba set. It's sleek, striking and versatile.
