A garden dining set can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to spend time together outside. With the right set up, your garden can become an inviting extension of your living space. A dining table and chairs set makes the perfect addition – always ready for everything from family meals and casual coffee breaks to impromptu gatherings with friends.
The right durable, weather resistant set means you can spend less time worrying about maintenance and more time enjoying the moment. No matter the size of your garden, there’s a dining set to suit your space — from a compact two-seat bistro table for cosy corners to a spacious eight-seat arrangement for entertaining in style.
To make outdoor dining simple, many of us keep our dining sets outside all season, or even all year round. The challenge is that not every set is built to withstand British weather, which can be very unpredictable. Some garden furniture materials demand regular upkeep, while others are far more resilient and hassle-free when it comes to outdoor use. In this guide, we explore the best in no and low maintenance garden dining sets and share what to look for when choosing furniture that’s both durable and ready whenever you are.
No or Low Maintenance?
So, what is the difference between a low maintenance and no maintenance garden dining set, and which is best? A low maintenance garden dining set looks good and stays looking good with very little effort and perhaps only requires a garden furniture cover and removal of cushions at the end of the season. A low maintenance dining set won’t usually require specialist cleaning and care and it will generally be made from robust, durable and weather resistant materials for longevity.
In contrast, a no maintenance garden dining set can be left outside all year round through every season and may come with all-season upholstery, which is sometimes integrated. A good example of this type of dining set can be seen in Bramblecrest’s Monte Carlo range of garden furniture. A Monte Carlo bar set can be left outside all year round, thanks to its weather-resistant materials and it won’t require a cover (unless you need to prevent nuisance bird droppings or tree-sap). This furniture is made with marine grade upholstery and smooth high quality outdoor rattan made to withstand wind, rain or shine.
Choose a garden dining set that requires little to no maintenance – the smarter, more practical choice for effortless outdoor living.
Which material is best for a no or low maintenance dining set?
Maintenance is determined by what the dining set is made from. So choice of material is an important consideration. Outdoor dining sets come in a variety of materials, including natural options like wood, as well as durable choices such as metal, heavy-duty plastic, and synthetic resin weave. All can be left outside, but some are better than others when it comes to durability and longevity.
Sustainable hardwood like teak is known for its resistance to weather, making teak wooden dining sets a safe choice. However, teak will require some degree of maintenance to look after the wood grain and it is best left uncovered to prevent mildew.
Furniture made from metal tends to be one of the best options for durability outside, especially if it is made from hollow aluminium or solid cast aluminium. Aluminium is strong, lightweight and won’t rust (whilst steel and iron has the potential to rust). Look out for aluminium garden furniture with a high quality finish. A waterproof finish provides peace of mind if furniture is to be left outside and smooth surfaces make a quick wipe down fast and easy. Stain and scratch-resistant coatings are useful, whilst a matt finish will show fewer fingerprints than a glossy finish. Hartman are specialists in this style of dining set and these come with excellent manufacturer warranties.
In recent years, high-quality synthetic rattan has emerged as a top-performing material and has become synonymous with durable outdoor furniture. Look for woven resin dining sets from reputable garden furniture makers, such as Bramblecrest Garden Furniture. Their strong weather-resistant weave, tempered frost proof glass or faux wood table tops and aluminium frames come with long guarantees. In addition, a Bramblecrest rattan dining set can be left outside in all seasons (just remember to store all season-proof cushions at the end of the season).
Which brands make the best no maintenance garden table & chair sets?
With so many garden furniture makers to choose from, it can be dauting to know which outdoor dining set to choose. We only work with loved and trusted garden furniture brands that can withstand British weather. Some are new to our collections, but most are well established ranges that we have regularly stocked for years.
Our collections include a range of metal, wood and woven garden dining sets. With our most popular collections being supplied by the likes of Hartman, Bramblecrest, Supremo Leisure, and our latest high quality resin brand – Orchard Life.
Discover our Metal Dining Sets or Rattan Dining Sets at Gates and find your favourite garden dining table and chairs set today.
If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to contact us on 01664 454309 or email us at info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk.
