Lounge set or dining set? It's the first choice you make when you're looking for new garden furniture, and perhaps the most important one. A dining set is made for eating, a lounge set for relaxing. There's also a third option that's becoming more popular: the lounge dining set, with a lounge sofa alongside a dining table. In this comparison we put all three side by side on use, space, comfort and maintenance. With worked examples, examples from our range and a checklist to help you make your choice.
In short: if you eat outside often, choose a dining set. If you mostly sit with a drink or a book, choose a lounge set. If you want both but have room for only one arrangement, a lounge dining set is the middle ground. Still undecided? Take the quick test in buying garden furniture: 5 tips.
At a glance: today's prices
| Product | Today's price | |
|---|---|---|
| 4-seater dining set: Dido chairs and Rimini table | €399 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Sergio/Gosford dining set for 4 | €1,099 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Osaka/Felini dining set for 6 | €1,229 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Springs lounge corner set carbon black | €599 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Levanto corner lounge set 3-piece | €1,468.08 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Allasio lounge-dining corner set 5-piece | €998.81 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
Three options, not two
The question is usually asked as lounge set or dining set. Our range, however, includes three types of arrangement, and they differ mainly in how you sit and how high the table is:
- Dining set: dining table with loose chairs. You sit upright, table at dining height.
- Lounge set: sofa, corner sofa or lounge chairs with a low table. You sit low and deep, with plenty of cushions.
- Lounge dining set: lounge sofa, often in a corner shape, with a table that is lower than a dining table but higher than a lounge table.
Which one suits you best depends on what you do outside most often. Not on what you do once a year, like that one barbecue with twelve guests.
What is a dining set?
A dining set consists of a garden table with matching chairs. You sit as you would at a dining table indoors: upright, with your legs under the top. The tables in the examples further on are 72 to 74.5 cm high, the usual dining height. Dining sets range from a small set for two to a long table for eight or more.
Strong in: eating, coffee, games and working at the table. You tuck the chairs under the table, and some can be stacked away in winter. There are often few or no cushions included.
Less strong in: sitting back for a long time. After a few hours on an upright chair you'll want to shift position, even with a seat cushion.
You can read what to look out for when buying in buying a dining set: what should you look for?. Also have a look at the dining garden sets.
What is a lounge set?
A lounge set is all about relaxing. The sofa is deep, the cushions are thick and the table sits low, within easy reach of a glass or a plate of snacks. You sit in it rather than on it. The most popular form is the corner sofa, but there are also sets with a sofa and separate lounge chairs.
Strong in: drinks, reading, long evenings outside and sitting together with a group. A corner sofa offers lots of seating in a small amount of space.
Less strong in: eating. At a low table you have to lean forward, and in deep cushions you don't sit steadily with a plate and cutlery on your lap.
To learn how to choose the right lounge set, from shape to cushions, read how do you choose a lounge set?. If you're unsure about a corner sofa, see buying a corner sofa for the garden.
What is a lounge dining set?
A lounge dining set combines a lounge sofa with a dining table. The sofa sits a little higher and more upright than a true lounge sofa, and the table is lower than an ordinary dining table. The Allasio has a seat height of 43 cm, and the product description gives a table height of 63 cm, matched to the sofa.
Strong in: eating and lounging in one place, with one set instead of two. Ideal if you like to stay seated after your meal.
Less strong in: proper lounging. You sit more comfortably than on a garden chair, but less deeply than in a lounge sofa with 25 cm cushions.
You can read everything about this type in buying a dining lounge set, or browse the dining lounge sets.
The three compared
First the short version: where is each type good, and where isn't it?
| Type | Strong in | Less strong in |
|---|---|---|
| Dining set | Eating, compact | Sitting back for a long time |
| Lounge set | Relaxing, groups | Eating at the table |
| Lounge dining set | Eating and lounging | Proper lounging |
And by topic: which type wins, and why?
| Topic | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Eating outside often | Dining set | Dining height, upright seating |
| Drinks and relaxing | Lounge set | Deep seating, thick cushions |
| Eating and staying seated | Lounge dining set | One set for both |
| Small terrace or balcony | Small dining set | Chairs tuck under the table |
| Low maintenance | Dining set | Few or no cushions |
| Lots of seating | Corner sofa | Plenty of seating per metre |
Choose based on your ordinary week, not your busiest day. If you sit outside five evenings a week with just the two of you, and once a summer with ten people, buy for those five evenings. For the party, borrow chairs.
How much space do you need?
A commonly held idea is that a dining set always takes up less space. That's only true for small sets. A table for six with chairs around it needs more floor space than a compact corner sofa. Around a dining set you need room on every side to pull your chair back. A corner sofa can stand against a wall or fence, so you don't need walking space on those sides.
As a rule of thumb: for a dining set, add 70 cm on each side of the table, so 140 cm to the length and to the width. For a lounge set, add 60 to 90 cm on the open sides. Worked out with sets from this article:
| Set | Size | Minimum clear floor |
|---|---|---|
| Rimini dining set (4) | Table 80 x 80 cm | Approx. 2.2 x 2.2 m |
| Sergio/Gosford (4) | Table 180 x 100 cm | Approx. 3.2 x 2.4 m |
| Osaka/Felini (6) | Table 220 x 93 cm | Approx. 3.6 x 2.3 m |
| Springs corner set | 197 x 197 cm | Approx. 2.6 x 2.6 m |
| Levanto corner set | 231.5 x 231.5 cm | Approx. 2.9 x 2.9 m |
| Allasio lounge dining | 266.6 x 205 cm | Approx. 3.3 x 2.7 m |
The lounge sets here are arranged in a corner with two open sides. If the set stands freely on the terrace, or if you place chairs on the open side of the table with the lounge dining set, you'll need more space. The full calculation method, with tables, is explained in how much space do you need for a dining set and how much space do you need for a lounge set.
Space for one set, but wish for two?
In that case a lounge dining set is often smarter than a small dining set plus a small lounge set. Two half solutions fill up the terrace, while one good arrangement leaves room to spare. If you do have room for two zones, put the dining set by the kitchen door and the lounge set where it catches the evening sun.
Comfort: it's not about seat height
You might expect lounge sofas to sit much lower than garden chairs. In the specifications that turns out to be fairly similar: the dining sets in this article have a seat height of 41 to 43 cm, the lounge sets 42 and 43 cm, and the lounge dining set 43 cm. The difference in comfort lies elsewhere:
- Seat depth: the Levanto has a seat depth of 61 cm, the Springs 55 cm and the Allasio 51 cm. The deeper it is, the further back you sit. On a dining chair you sit upright.
- Cushions: the Levanto has cushions 25 cm thick, the Allasio 10 cm. Thick cushions feel soft, but you also sink into them. That's lovely with a book, but awkward with a plate on your lap.
- Table height: this is the biggest difference. The tables of the dining sets below are 72 to 74.5 cm high, the Allasio table 63 cm. A lounge set has a low table intended for drinks, not for a meal.
- Backrest: a garden chair has a straight back, a lounge sofa a sloped one. A lounge dining set sits somewhere in between; for the Allasio, the product information mentions a slightly more upright backrest.
If you still want to sit back a bit more on a dining set, look at chairs with an adjustable backrest, such as those with the Osaka/Felini. You can read more about seating comfort in which garden chair is the most comfortable?.
Maintenance and cushions
The frame makes the biggest difference to maintenance, and on that the three types are the same: all the sets in this article have an aluminium frame, which only needs a wipe with soapy water. The difference lies in the cushions.
- Dining set: few or no cushions. The Osaka/Felini for 6 is supplied without cushions, while the Rimini and the Sergio/Gosford come with 4 cushions. The Rimini chairs are stackable, which helps in winter.
- Lounge set: lots of thick cushions. The Levanto has 11, the Springs 9. These are water-resistant, not waterproof, so you bring them indoors when it rains and keep them dry in winter. Plan for a fair amount of storage space.
- Lounge dining set: somewhere in between. The Allasio has 9 cushions of 10 cm, thinner and therefore easier to store than thick lounge cushions.
If you have no shed or storage, that's a serious argument for a dining set or for a lounge set with thinner cushions. You can read tips in storing garden cushions. For whether your set can stay outside through the winter, read can a lounge set stay outside? and which dining set can stay outside?.
Choosing in 4 steps
Think about an ordinary week: breakfast, dinner, drinks, reading, working? If eating comes top, start with a dining set. If relaxing comes top, go for a lounge set. If both are equally common, a lounge dining set.
Measure the terrace and subtract walking routes to the door, the garden and the shed. Compare what's left with the table above. If only one arrangement fits, the option of two sets is ruled out.
How many people usually sit with you? Choose the size based on that. For visitors, add folding chairs or a stool.
Think about where the cushions will go in rain and in winter. No place? Choose a set with few or thinner cushions, or include a storage box in your budget.
How to choose in one minute
- Mainly eating: dining set
- Mainly relaxing: lounge set
- Both, but room for one set only: lounge dining set
- Room for two zones: dining set by the kitchen, lounge set in the evening sun
- Small balcony: small dining set or bistro set
If you'd rather answer a few questions and get advice, use the selection guide or the test in buying garden furniture: 5 tips.
Examples from our range
To make the differences concrete, a few sets of each type are shown side by side below. All specs come from the product information; you can see current prices on the cards. You can read more about budget in how much does a dining set cost? and why are lounge sets so expensive?.
Dining sets: for eating
The Rimini is the compact choice: a table of 80 x 80 cm with four stackable Dido chairs. The Sergio/Gosford offers four people plenty of table space at 180 x 100 cm. The Osaka/Felini is for six, with chairs whose backrests are adjustable.
4-seater dining set: Dido chairs and Rimini table
Sergio/Gosford dining set for 4
Osaka/Felini dining set for 6
Lounge sets: for relaxing
The Springs is a compact corner set measuring 197 x 197 cm, suitable for a smaller terrace. The Levanto is larger and deeper, with a seat depth of 61 cm and 25 cm cushions: a true lounge sofa. According to the specifications, both have 5 seats.
Springs lounge corner set carbon black
Levanto corner lounge set 3-piece
Lounge dining set: eating and lounging
The Allasio has a corner sofa measuring 266.6 x 205 cm with rope on the backrests and armrests, and a table of 170 x 89.5 cm with a Vironwood top. Thanks to the loose middle element, you can adjust the arrangement to suit your terrace.
Allasio lounge-dining corner set 5-piece
You'll find more choice in the categories:
Dining garden sets
View garden sets →Corner lounge sets
View lounge sets →Dining lounge sets
View range →Or browse by size: the dining sets for 4 people, the dining sets for 6 people and the aluminium lounge sets. For a small terrace, there's the best lounge set for a small garden, and for a balcony, balcony furnishing tips and what is a bistro garden set?.
Common mistakes
Buying a lounge set and still wanting to eat at it
At a low lounge table you eat leaning forward, with your plate on your lap. If you eat outside often, choose a dining set or a lounge dining set.
Assuming a dining set is always smaller
A table for six with chairs around it quickly needs more floor space than a compact corner sofa against the wall. Work it out before you choose.
Two small sets on one small terrace
A mini dining set and a mini lounge set side by side fill up the terrace, and neither is really comfortable. Choose one good arrangement, or a lounge dining set.
Forgetting the cushions
Eleven thick lounge cushions have to go somewhere in rain and in winter. Without storage space you end up with wet, mouldy cushions. Think about this in advance.
Buying for the party of the year
A corner sofa for eight sits on your terrace every day, even if you only sit on it with the two of you. Choose based on your regular company.
Checklist before you order
Tick off what you've done. If everything is ticked, you can be confident the type of set suits you.
- I know what I do outside most often: eating, lounging or both
- I have measured my clear floor space, including walking routes
- The set plus walking space fits, checked against the space table
- I have compared the table height with how I want to sit
- I know where the cushions will go in rain and in winter
- The number of seats suits my regular company
- I have looked at seat depth and cushion thickness in the specifications
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lounge set and a garden dining set?
A garden dining set is a dining table with chairs: you sit upright at a table at dining height, around 72 to 75 cm. A lounge set is a sofa or corner sofa with a low coffee table in front, with deep seats and thick cushions to sink back into. A lounge dining set sits somewhere in between: a lounge sofa with a lower dining table, so you can eat and lounge in one place.
What is better for a small garden: a lounge set or a garden dining set?
On a small patio or balcony, a compact garden dining set usually fits more easily, because chairs tuck under the table and a 80 x 80 cm table is already enough for four people. If you still want to lounge, choose a compact corner set such as the Springs at 197 x 197 cm and place it against the wall, so you don't need walkway space on those sides.
Can you eat at a lounge set?
Eating at a standard lounge set isn't comfortable: the table is low and you sink deep into the cushions. If you want to eat and lounge in the same spot, choose a lounge dining set. The Allasio, for example, has a seat height of 43 cm, a slightly more upright backrest and, according to the product description, a table height of 63 cm.
Which needs more maintenance: a lounge set or a garden dining set?
With the same frame, a lounge set usually takes more work because of the cushions. They are water-resistant, not waterproof, so you bring them indoors when it rains and over winter. A garden dining set often has few or no cushions: the Osaka/Felini for 6 is supplied without cushions. An aluminium frame is the easiest option for both: a bit of soapy water is enough.
Is a lounge dining set a good alternative for both?
Yes, if you have room for one large arrangement rather than two sets. You eat and lounge in the same spot. You won't sink as deep as in a proper lounge sofa, and you sit slightly lower at the table than at a standard garden dining set. If you spend very long at the table or really want to stretch out, a garden dining set or lounge set will serve you better.
