Garden coffee tables

Your outdoor coffee table should sit proportionate to your outdoor seating, with the surface at a comfortable height for reaching from sofas or chairs. Most coffee tables sit 40-45cm high, allowing easy access to drinks and books. For width, choose a table roughly two-thirds the length of your main sofa to maintain visual balance. Small garden coffee tables suit compact patios with limited seating, whilst larger designs anchor spacious outdoor living areas.

Consider walking space around your seating arrangement – leave at least 45cm between the coffee table and seating for comfortable movement whilst maintaining easy reach.

Garden coffee tables don't need to match your outdoor seating exactly, though coordinated collections create natural harmony. Matching designs, such as pairing our Cheltenham coffee table with Cheltenham garden sofas, brings visual unity through shared materials and proportions. However, mixing materials can also add character – a teak coffee table complements wicker seating beautifully, whilst steel designs pair well with various outdoor furniture styles.

Whether matching collections or mixing thoughtfully, the key is intentional coordination. Similar metal tones or wood finishes create a connection across different pieces, allowing your outdoor living space to feel both curated and personal.

Garden coffee tables anchor your outdoor seating area, sitting centrally between sofas and chairs to provide shared surface space for drinks and entertaining. They're larger and lower, designed for multiple people to reach comfortably. Garden side tables, such as the Pembrey, serve individual seats, positioned beside armchairs or at sofa ends for personal convenience. Outdoor side tables are smaller and more compact, offering a spot within arm's reach without dominating your patio.

Coffee tables suit sociable seating arrangements, whilst side tables add practical surfaces where needed. Most outdoor living spaces benefit from both.

Keep styling simple and practical for outdoor living. Layer with outdoor cushions on nearby seating to create cohesion, using weather-resistant fabrics that tie the space together. A decorative low bowl or pot can hold seasonal stems without obstructing conversation across seating areas. Trays contain smaller items like candles whilst protecting the table surface. For relaxed gatherings, add books or magazines for browsing between conversations. Outdoor lighting brings ambience as daylight fades.

Avoid overcrowding the surface – your garden coffee table works best when it provides functional space for drinks and relaxation rather than elaborate displays. The beauty lies in effortless comfort.