As warm weather approaches, it’s time to start dreaming of outdoor living. Picnics at the beach, dining al fresco at your favorite restaurants and enjoying beers or a bottle of wine on the patio. Honestly, now that COVID-19 has effectively changed the way we experience the outside world, we can even bet some of you are already living it up in your backyards with the help of your best patio heater.
The latter might be a little surprising to non-Americans. The United States is in a unique position worldwide in that a whopping 86% of people in the USA have an outdoor living space, from patios to balconies. Because of this, the outdoor furniture industry here in the states accounts for just under 50% of the worldwide market.
What do those figures mean? The United States has developed a unique taste for creating outdoor living spaces, complete with couches, lounge chairs and even coffee tables. These spaces offer a place to relax, soak up some rays and socialize with friends.
If you’re in the midst of creating your outdoor living room, one of the most important pieces for tying everything together is the coffee table. Much like your indoor living room, these tables offer a place to keep food and drinks or a place to put your feet up. But, because these tables have to live outside through all types of weather, they need to be constructed from special materials. Here are a few of the most popular:
- Acacia Wood: Non-treated wood begins to look weathered after just one season outdoors. However, acacia wood that’s properly treated is lightweight and durable. Plus, it’s affordable and stylish.
- Metal: Tables made from rust-resistant metal are durable and usually heavy enough that they won’t move in the wind. Most often the metal used is a coated aluminum that’s still light enough to be repositioned if necessary.
- Wicker: This lightweight material is good in wet environments as it dries easily and is quite permeable. It’s also durable enough for use through several seasons, but affordable enough that it can be replaced when necessary.
- Resin: As a synthetic material, resin can be given different properties, but it’s particularly useful in outdoor settings. The lightweight material is easy to clean, and it is usually available in several colors to make matching it to your existing decor easier.
- Stone: Perhaps the most stylish and popular material of outdoor tables, stone is incredibly durable and can be left outside in almost all types of weather. It is the most expensive table material on our list, but it will last for years.
If you’re ready to add an outdoor coffee table to your patio, balcony or porch, consider our eight favorite pieces, listed below.
Related Stories
1. Christopher Knight Home Catriona Coffee Table
BEST OVERALL
Christopher Knight Home is one of the most popular outdoor furniture brands at the moment, and we’re big fans of the company’s patio furniture sets because they’re affordable, easy to assemble and durable. Their chic and simple designs combined with the fact that you can order their pieces through Amazon Prime make the brand a winner, especially when it comes to stylish outdoor furniture. This Catriona Outdoor Coffee Table boasts an industrial design. The top is made from sustainable acacia wood and complemented by a dark brown metal base. It sits just 18 inches high, making it ideal for matching to most modern outdoor patio lounge sets.
2. Hermosa Outdoor Acacia Wood Coffee Table
BEST BUDGET
Stylish outdoor furniture doesn’t have to cost an entire paycheck. The Hermosa Outdoor Acacia Wood Coffee Table is a fun and functional piece that will add an extra breath of life to your patio this summer. It boasts the same acacia wood you’ll find in many more expensive options, but it seemingly has a much larger face than other outdoor coffee tables thanks to its square dimensions. Treated for use outdoors and sitting at just 18 inches high, this medium stain table will look stellar next to your existing patio set.
3. Sun Vue Outdoor Living Patio Coffee Table
BEST METAL TABLE
As mentioned above, coated aluminum is one of the most popular materials for outdoor tables due to the fact that it’s lightweight and durable against the exterior elements. This Sun Vue Outdoor Living Patio Coffee Table is the first metal piece on our list, and it boasts all the benefits of the best outdoor coffee tables. The frame is rustproof, easy to assemble and weighs far less than you would guess. However, it does sit about 24 inches high, meaning it’s a few inches taller than many of the other outdoor coffee tables on our list. That being said, it’s great for people who like to entertain guests or eat outside.
4. Grand Patio Round Steel Patio Coffee Table
MOST COLORFUL
If your outdoor furniture needs a splash of color, look no further than the Grand Patio Round Steel Patio Coffee Table. This weather-resistant steel table offers a streamlined style for your outdoor living room. It boasts a circular top sitting at about 16 inches high and at around 8 lbs. While this might be an extremely stylish piece, it was designed for the rigors of year-round outdoor use. It’s completely UV resistant and refuses to peel under any circumstances. It holds up to 50 lbs so a couple of inches of wet will do no damage whatsoever.
5. Orren Ellis Hiari Coffee Table
BEST CEMENT TABLE
You’re going to need a couple of buddies to physically get this into your backyard, but trust us, once you do, you’ll realize you made the right choice. This ombre cement coffee table weighs over 100 lbs and sits completely circular. What you see is what you get, so there is zero setup required with this one. This is definitely a statement table that will have heard turning whenever you have guests. It’s mentioned that you should take it inside whenever the weather starts to give an attitude, but we suggest you just cover it when it rains or snows. Same difference, right?
6. Darby Home Co Kristy Metal Coffee Table
MOST DECORATIVE
For a real dose of classic patio style, the Darby Home Co Kristy Metal Coffee Table does the trick. This fully welded aluminum table comes in an antique bronze hue that is reminiscent of long afternoon teas spent in the English countryside. However, unlike its older counterparts, this table is made using a five-stage powder coating, so it’s rust-resistant and can withstand most weather conditions. It sits 18 inches high, and one of the best features on this piece is the smaller lower shelf for holding additional snacks or for use as a footrest.
7. Alper Outdoor Coffee Table
ON SALE
Furniture from Urban Outfitters is 9 times out of 10 gorgeous, but also 9 times out of 10 expensive. Luckily, you can get the Alper Outdoor Coffee Table for over $100 off right now — but hurry up, they’re almost all gone. This striking patio coffee table has an industrial look to it and sits perfectly on smaller city balconies and terraces. The top is made from concrete and is topped (or bottomed) off with dowel legs.
8. World Market Round Black Metal Zeke Outdoor Coffee Table
BEST BASKET
When you think of the word basket, you probably think about wicker. But, that ain’t the case with World Market’s round metal outdoor coffee table. This geometric table has a ton of open space that mimics the look of a basket. It’s weather-ready because rain and snow will quite literally fall through to the floor instead of piling up on top. It will look gorgeous in your yard and will definitely pair with whatever other furniture you have nearby.
9. Hampton Bay Torquay Outdoor Coffee Table
BEST WICKER
Not every patio calls for a rectangular coffee table. That’s especially true if your outdoor furniture boasts a curved design. In that case, consider the Hampton Bay Torquay Outdoor Coffee Table. Although designed to be matched with the Torquay Outdoor Sectional, this round table blends with many of the most current outdoor furniture styles. The frame of the table is made from sturdy steel for durability, while the top is covered in weather-resistant wicker. In addition, there is a convenient shelf built into the lower section of the table for all your outdoor living needs.
10. Steve Silver Celeste Stone Coffee Table
BEST STONE
Stone tables are all the rage right now. The finality of stone means they’re durable, perhaps justifying the occasional high price point. Also, the grey color in which most such tables are sold blends well with the natural elements and several styles of outdoor furniture. This particular stone coffee table features a homey look with its wooden legs. The sturdy construction and fun look of this table make it an instant classic that can be used for decades to come. That being said, we recommend using outdoor furniture covers with this particular coffee table.
11. Bungalow Rose Yerkes Stone/Concrete Coffee Table
BEST SPLURGE
You’ve curated your outdoor space with the best of everything, but is it missing something? Every “room,” even those found outdoors, deserves a statement piece, and that’s what the Bungalow Rose Yerkes Stone/Concrete Coffee Table is for your patio. This round, solid concrete table boasts textured cast details finished in a light grey whitewash. It pairs well with wicker, wrought iron and most other patio sets, but it is heavier than most outdoor coffee tables at 123 pounds. However, this coffee table requires absolutely no assembly and is delivered straight to your door, minimizing the amount of lifting and moving.
Protect Your Outdoor Furniture From the Elements With These Durable Covers