A garden set is more than one piece of furniture. There's a dining table with a tabletop, four, six or eight chairs around it, and there are often cushions too. Each of these parts reacts differently to rain, sun and frost. An aluminium frame can happily stay outside, but an acacia tabletop or a stack of wet cushions cannot simply do the same. In this article you'll read which garden set can stay outside, why the tabletop and the cushions make the biggest difference, how to help the table and chairs get through winter together, and which sets and tables from our range are suitable for that.
In short: a garden set is only as strong as its weakest part. Choose an aluminium frame and a tabletop in aluminium, teak-look, Vironwood or Centostone: those can stay outside all year round. Teak can also work, but it greys; acacia needs oil and preferably a cover. The cushions always go indoors when it rains and in winter. For the winter, put the chairs by the table and pull an breathable garden set cover over it.
Which garden set can stay outside?
The short answer: a garden set with an aluminium frame and a tabletop that doesn't absorb moisture, such as aluminium, teak-look on aluminium, Vironwood or Centostone. A set like this can stay outside in summer and also remain outside in winter. Aluminium doesn't rust like steel, and these tabletops don't need to be oiled or varnished.
That doesn't mean you can do nothing at all. With many sets, the instructions say to clean the set regularly with a soft cloth and lukewarm soapy water, and to protect it with a cover during prolonged bad weather. The cushions are the part that copes least well with the weather: they should go indoors dry when it rains and in winter.
Is your set not a dining set, but a lounge set or loose chairs? Then read can a lounge set stay outside in winter or which garden chair can stay outside. You'll find an overview of all materials in which garden furniture is weather-resistant.
A garden set is only as strong as its weakest part
When it comes to a garden set, many people only look at the frame. But a set consists of several parts, and the part that copes least well with the weather determines how you can leave the set outside. An aluminium set with an acacia top should be treated like a wooden table. A set with thick cushions takes more work than one without.
| Part | Can it stay outside? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium frame | Yes | A wipe down now and then |
| Steel frame | Yes, as long as the coating is intact | Touch up any damage |
| Tabletop | Depends on the material | See the table |
| Seat or woven seating | Mostly yes | Let it dry after rain |
| Cushions | No | Store them dry |
| Legs and joints | Yes | Don't leave them standing in a puddle |
So when buying, look at the whole set. If the specifications only say "Material: Aluminium", then also read the title and the description. There you'll see whether the tabletop is made of aluminium, teak-look, Vironwood or another material, and whether cushions are included.
Which tabletop can stay outside?
The tabletop is the largest surface of your garden set. Rain falls on it, leaves settle on it, and in summer the sun beats down on it all day. That's why the material of the top makes such a difference.
| Tabletop | Outside in winter? | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Yes, preferably with a cover | Soapy water |
| Teak-look on aluminium | Yes, preferably with a cover | Soapy water, no oil |
| Vironwood | Yes, preferably with a cover | Soapy water, no oil |
| Centostone | Yes, preferably with a cover | Cloth and mild cleaner |
| Teak | Yes, it greys | Oil to keep the colour |
| Acacia | Preferably under a cover or indoors | Oil regularly |
| Steel | Yes, as long as the coating is intact | Touch up any damage |
- Aluminium and teak-look: an aluminium top doesn't absorb moisture and doesn't rust. Teak-look is a finish that looks like wood, but it remains aluminium. So you don't need to oil or sand it. Also read can an aluminium garden set rust.
- Vironwood: a plastic with the look of wood. For the Edison table, the product information states that the top is low-maintenance and colourfast, and that you don't need to use protective oil or varnish. You can read more about this material in what is Vironwood.
- Centostone: a hard top in stone look. According to the product information, Centostone doesn't absorb moisture, so rings or stains don't stand a chance, and it is scratch- and heat-resistant. See what is a Centostone garden table.
- Teak: teak can stay outside, but over time it develops a silvery-grey colour. If you want to keep the warm colour, treat the top with oil. See how to treat a teak wooden table for outdoor use.
- Acacia: beautiful and warm, but the wood dries out if you don't oil it regularly. In winter, it's best to put an acacia table under a breathable cover or indoors.
Not sure whether your garden set can stay outside? Don't look at the frame, but at the tabletop and the cushions. They determine how much work you'll have in autumn.
The chairs and cushions of the set
The chairs in a garden set usually have the same frame as the table. The difference lies in the seat: textilene seating dries quickly after a shower, while rope and wicker need a little more time. You can read in detail how this works for each material in which garden chair can stay outside.
With a garden set, the cushions play a bigger role than you might think. Some sets come without cushions, others with four or eight. A set without cushions can be wiped down with a cloth after a rain shower and used again straight away. With cushions, you have to bring something indoors or put it in a cushion box every time it rains. Cushion covers are usually water-repellent, but not waterproof. So when comparing, look at "Cushion included" in the product information and think in advance about where you'll store them. Tips for that can be found in storing garden cushions.
Summer and winter: a big difference
Leaving a set outside in summer is something different from overwintering it outside. In summer, you use the set almost every day. Rain dries quickly and you see dirt straight away. A cover is then mainly useful if you're away for a few weeks or only use the set at weekends.
In autumn and winter, the set stands unused for months. Leaves stay on the tabletop, it stays damp for a long time, and green algae can form. That's why many garden set instructions say to protect the set with a cover during prolonged bad weather. For the Bell picnic set, the product information goes a step further: store the product dry during prolonged bad weather or in the winter period, preferably with a cover. So always read the instructions for your own set.
You can read more about winter in what to do with garden furniture in winter and getting garden furniture ready for winter.
Garden sets that can stay outside
Below you'll find available garden sets with an aluminium frame and a tabletop that needs no oil. The specs come from the product information; you can see the current prices and shops on the product page. We haven't tested the sets ourselves.
What we look at
- A frame of aluminium, which doesn't rust like steel
- A tabletop that needs no oil or varnish
- Whether cushions are included, according to the specifications
- What the instructions say about bad weather
As little hassle as possible: Cosmo/Felini for 6 people
A set in aluminium in grey with a 220 x 93 cm table and six chairs. According to the specifications, no cushions are included. That's exactly what makes this set handy when it stays outside: after a shower, you wipe the table and chairs with a cloth and you can sit down again. The seat height is 45 cm. If you want the same table with chairs with an adjustable backrest, take a look at the Osaka/Felini for 6 people.
Cosmo/Felini garden set 6 people with 220 cm table
Warm wood look without oil: Oklahoma/Felini
This set for 4 people has a 160 x 84 cm table in teak-look and chairs in brown. According to the specifications, the material is aluminium; the wood look is a finish, so you don't need to oil the top. There are 4 cushions included and the seat height is 46 cm. If you're looking for the same look for six people, there's the Cosmo/Felini with teak-look table of 220 cm.
Oklahoma/Felini garden set 4 people teak-look table 160 cm
Large group: Bell picnic set with Vironwood top
The Bell is a picnic set measuring 280 x 178 cm with 8 seats. The frame is aluminium in dark grey, and the tabletop is Vironwood in a light brown colour. The seat height is 46 cm. Please note: for this set, the product information recommends storing it dry during prolonged bad weather or in winter, preferably with a cover. With this size, you'll need a spacious shed or canopy for that. More sets in this style can be found in the picnic sets.
Bell picnic set 280x178 cm Vironwood
Small terrace: Dido chairs with Rimini table
A compact set with an 80 x 80 cm table and four black aluminium chairs. According to the specifications, 4 cushions are included and the seat height is 41 cm. The maintenance tips say to store the cushions dry in bad weather. Thanks to its small size, the whole set easily fits under one cover. To find out how much space you need, read choosing a garden set for 4 people.
4-person garden set: 4 black Dido chairs and Rimini table
Build your own: a table with Vironwood or Centostone
If you want a tabletop in stone look or an oval table, then put together your own garden set with a separate table and dining garden chairs. According to the product information, the 240 x 100 cm garden table with Centostone top is all-weather, has adjustable feet caps and a top that doesn't absorb moisture. For extra protection in winter, a cover is recommended. The Edison oval table of 180 x 115 cm has a powder-coated aluminium frame and a Vironwood top that needs no oil or varnish.
Centostone table 240 x 100 cm
View table →
Scotland table 230 x 115 cm
View table →
Edison oval 180 x 115 cm
View table →Also have a look at all Centostone garden tables and garden dining tables. You can read about the pros and cons of a stone top in pros and cons of a ceramic tabletop.
Which set suits your situation?
| Your situation | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| As little hassle as possible | Cosmo/Felini 6 | Aluminium, no cushions |
| Wood look without oil | Oklahoma/Felini | Teak-look on aluminium |
| Large group, with a shed | Bell picnic set | 8 seats, Vironwood |
| Small terrace | Dido + Rimini | Table 80 x 80 cm |
| Stone look, combine yourself | Centostone table | Doesn't absorb moisture |
Still undecided between a garden set, a lounge set or something else? The selection guide will help you on your way in a few steps. The full range is available under aluminium garden sets and dining garden sets.
Covering the table and chairs together or separately
With a garden set, you have two ways to cover it. Which is more convenient depends on your chairs and the space on your terrace.
- Together under one garden set cover: push the chairs under or against the table and pull one cover over everything. This is quick and keeps the set together. Measure length and width with the chairs tucked in, and the height up to the top of the backrest.
- Separately: a table cover over the table and the chairs stacked under a stacking chair cover, or inside in the shed. This is only possible if your chairs are stackable according to the product information. The advantage is that you can put the chairs away dry and leave the table outside.
In both cases, place a cover support on the tabletop. Without a support, the cover lies flat on the table and water stays on it, eventually sagging through. Always choose a breathable cover, not plastic sheeting. You can read how to measure the right size and which shape you need in covering garden furniture.
AeroCover garden set cover 240x190xH85
Coverit garden set cover 205x190xH85
Coverit oval 230 x 205
View cover →
AeroCover table cover 180 x 110
View cover →
AeroCover stacking chair cover
View cover →
Coverit cover support
View support →You'll find all sizes and shapes under protective covers. The sizes on the cards are the sizes of the cover; always compare them with your own measurement.
How to leave your garden set outside in 5 steps
Choose a dry day for the winter setup, preferably after a few days without rain.
Cushions go indoors or into a cushion box, clean and dry. They shouldn't overwinter under the cover on the chairs.
Wipe the frame and tabletop with a soft cloth and lukewarm soapy water. Remove leaves from corners and between the slats. If you have a wooden top, check whether it needs a fresh coat of oil.
Place the set on a flat, firm surface where no puddles collect. On tiles or decking, everything dries faster than on grass. Level the table, for example with adjustable feet caps if your table has them.
Push the chairs under or against the table, or stack them if the product information says that's possible. Place a cover support in the middle of the tabletop.
Use a breathable cover in the right size and secure it with the cord or elastic. After a storm or a long wet spell, check that everything is still in place, and on a dry day lift the cover to let it air out.
To find out what to do in spring when the cover comes off, read maintaining aluminium garden furniture.
Common mistakes
Only looking at the frame
An aluminium frame can stay outside, but an acacia top or a stack of cushions can't simply do the same. Look at the whole set: frame, tabletop, seating and cushions.
Oiling a teak-look table
Teak-look is a finish on aluminium or a plastic such as Vironwood. Oil isn't necessary and can leave a greasy film. A bit of soapy water is enough.
Laying the cover flat on the tabletop
Without a cover support, a dip forms where rainwater collects. That presses the cover in and sooner or later it sags through.
Leaving cushions on the chairs
Even under a cover, cushions become damp in winter. Water-repellent isn't waterproof, so store them dry.
Letting the set stand in a puddle
If the legs stand in water or wet grass for weeks, the set under the cover never dries out. Place it where rainwater can drain away.
Read the instructions
For every set, the product information states what the manufacturer recommends in bad weather. For most aluminium sets that's a protective cover, while for some, such as the Bell picnic set, it's storing it dry in winter. That way you know in advance whether you need space in the shed.
Checklist
Tick off what you've already done; your browser remembers your progress.
- Checked the material of the frame and tabletop in the product information
- Checked whether cushions are included and where I store them
- Stored the cushions dry, indoors or in a cushion box
- Cleaned the table and chairs and made sure they are completely dry
- Placed the set on a flat spot without puddles
- Put a breathable protective cover of the right size over it, with a cover support
- Checked and aired it after a storm or wet spell
This garden set can stay outside
- A frame of aluminium, or steel with an undamaged coating
- A tabletop of aluminium, teak-look, Vironwood or Centostone
- Teak if you don't mind it greying or oil it now and then
- Cushions that you store dry when it rains and in winter
- A breathable cover for autumn and winter
Frequently asked questions
Which garden set can stay outside all year round?
A garden set with an aluminium frame and an aluminium tabletop, teak-look aluminium, Vironwood or Centostone can stay outside all year. For winter, a breathable protective cover is advisable, as the product information for many sets also recommends during prolonged bad weather. Store the cushions somewhere dry.
Can a garden set with a teak-look table stay outside?
Yes. Teak-look is a finish on aluminium or a plastic such as Vironwood, not real wood. The tabletop does not need to be oiled and can stay outside, ideally under a cover in winter. For the Edison table with a Vironwood tabletop, the product information states that you do not need to use any protective oil or varnish.
Can a table with a Centostone tabletop stay outside in winter?
Yes. According to the product information, Centostone does not absorb moisture and the tabletop is scratch and heat resistant. For extra protection in winter, a protective cover is recommended. Set the table level using the adjustable leg caps so that water does not collect on the tabletop.
Should I cover the table and chairs together or separately?
Either works. With the chairs tucked under or against the table, the whole set fits under one garden set cover. If the chairs are stackable according to the product information, a table cover with a separate stackable chair cover is often more compact. In both cases, measure the arrangement the furniture will be in when it goes under the cover.
Can a wooden garden set stay outside?
A teak garden set can stay outside; the wood will turn silvery-grey, and oiling helps you keep the warm colour for longer. Acacia requires more maintenance and is best kept under a cover or indoors in winter. Never cover wood while it is wet, and always allow air to circulate.
What should I do with the cushions on my garden set?
Take the cushions off the chairs when rain is forecast and store them somewhere dry over winter, either indoors or in a cushion box. The covers are usually water-repellent but not waterproof. Wet cushions will go mouldy, even under a protective cover.
