How to Choose the Best Outdoor Dining Table

What’s the secret to enjoying your patio year-round? It starts with choosing the best outdoor dining table material for your space and lifestyle. Furniture built with durable, high-quality components can withstand harsh weather, need very little maintenance, and give your family a lasting foundation for season after season of memorable mealtime moments.

Among the top options, recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic lumber stands out for its exceptional durability, fade resistance, and eco-friendly composition, making it one of the best choices for outdoor furniture.

But material choice is just one piece of the puzzle. Size, shape, style, and accessories are also essential factors. In this guide, we’ll discuss these and other topics to help you narrow your search and choose a weather-resistant outdoor dining table that perfectly suits your space.

Before choosing an outdoor dining table based on looks alone, consider how your local climate will affect the furniture over time.

• If you live near the coast, salt air and humidity can wreak havoc on untreated metal, causing corrosion and rust. 
• In regions with frequent rain or high humidity, natural wood furniture is at risk of warping, rotting, or developing mildew unless it’s regularly sealed and maintained. 
• For areas that experience intense sun, UV rays can quickly degrade lower-quality plastics and fade painted finishes. 
• In climates with hot summers and snowy winters, moisture buildup paired with freeze-thaw cycles can cause unprotected wood and low-quality materials to crack, warp, and degrade over time.

For maximum longevity, choose dining tables crafted from weather-resistant Genuine POLYWOOD™ lumber, an innately strong material specifically designed to withstand rain, snow, sun, and coastal air without deteriorating.

Here’s a breakdown of common outdoor table materials and how they perform outside:

• Softwood: Pine, cedar, and other softwoods are inexpensive and easily accessible, but need continuous upkeep to repel pests and prevent scratches, dents, and water damage.
• Teak and Other Hardwoods: While durable and more resilient than softwood, hardwoods like teak, oak, and cherry are more expensive and require regular refinishing to maintain their looks.
• Aluminum: Aluminum dining tables are durable, lightweight, and resistant to rust, pests, and water damage. However, they’re also prone to overheating in direct sunlight and vulnerable to strong winds.
• HDPE: Arguably the best outdoor dining table material for weather resistance and sustainability. Genuine POLYWOOD™ lumber, for instance, cleans easily with soapy water and won’t crack, chip, rot, or fade.

A large 72-inch table looks great on a deck, but might crowd a smaller patio. We recommend measuring your outdoor area and allowing for at least three feet of clearance on all sides of your dining set so guests can move comfortably.

Need versatility? Look for extendable tables or round styles, which can seat more guests in a cozier footprint. Compact square, counter, and bar-height tables are great for balconies and breakfast nooks as they occupy more vertical space than floor space.

The best outdoor dining table suits your aesthetic and transitions easily from season to season.

Love a coastal look? Try white or weathered grey finishes with slatted tabletops. Prefer modern minimalism? Look for clean-lined tables in black or slate grey. Warm wood tones or earthy neutrals help soften more rustic spaces.

Thoughtful touches can make a big difference. Look for:

• Umbrella holes for sunny spaces
• Slatted tabletops for rain runoff
• Hidden hardware for a clean look
• ColorStay™ Technology for fade resistance
• Seat cushions for additional comfort

And remember, your outdoor table is only part of the equation. Pair it with comfortable, weather-resistant dining chairs for a complete setup that invites long conversations over meals.

Made in the USA, POLYWOOD dining tables are crafted with sustainability, durability, and beauty in mind. They’re built to endure harsh weather, require minimal upkeep, and come in a wide range of styles and sizes. Plus, every piece is backed by a 20-year residential lumber warranty.

Choosing the best outdoor dining table means finding one that fits your space, resists the elements, and reflects your personal style. With the right material, like Genuine POLYWOOD™ lumber, you’ll have a dining space that lasts for seasons to come.

Explore our full weather-resistant outdoor dining table collection to find your perfect match.