A bistro set is the quickest way to turn a small corner outside into a place you actually want to sit. Two chairs and a round little table are all you need for your morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening sun. Because the set is so small, every centimetre counts: a table that's slightly too big, chairs that can't be pushed back, or a set you have nowhere to store, and you won't use it. In this buying guide you'll read what to look out for: size, material, folding or stacking, comfort and cushions. With examples from the range, a short test and a checklist.
In short: measure your space and include the room needed to push the chairs back. For two people, a round table of around 60 cm is enough. Choose aluminium if you want low maintenance. If you want to store the set, check whether it is truly foldable, because product details sometimes contradict each other. If you'll be sitting longer than a cup of coffee, plan for cushions.
Bistro set or balcony set?
A bistro set is a compact garden set, usually with two chairs and a small table, often round. The name comes from the French bistros where sets like this stand on the pavement. If you want to know more about the origins and the different types, read what is a bistro garden set?
In shops, the terms bistro set and balcony set are used interchangeably. A balcony set is simply a bistro set intended for a balcony: compact, light and often with a narrow or round table. If you're looking for a set specifically for your balcony, you'll find the points to consider for wind, weight and the balcony door in buying a balcony set: what to look out for. This guide is about the set itself: what should you check before you order?
Measuring your space in 3 steps
A bistro set always looks small in a photo. In real life you need more room than just the table and two chairs. Grab a tape measure and take five minutes over it.
Measure the length and width of the spot where the set will go. Watch out for doors that open outwards, a downpipe, an outdoor tap or a planter that gets in the way.
You pull a chair back to sit down and to stand up again. Allow a good amount of free space behind each chair, otherwise you'll keep bumping into the wall or the railing.
Can you still walk past the set when someone is sitting there? Stick the measurements to the floor with painter's tape and walk around it a few times. That way you'll see straight away whether it fits.
The right size for table and chairs
With a bistro set, everything comes down to the balance between table, chairs and the space you have. This table will help you get started:
| What to look at | Guideline | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop for two | Round, around 60 cm | Enough for cups or two plates |
| Table height | Around 72 to 75 cm | Standard dining height |
| Seat height | Around 43 to 47 cm | Suits a table at dining height |
| Seat depth | Shallow or deep | Shallow sits you upright, deep is more relaxed |
| Shape of the top | Round or square | Round is easier to walk around |
As a rule of thumb, there should be about 25 to 30 cm between the seat and the tabletop. That gives you room for your legs and means you won't be sitting too low at the table. With the Alfa balcony set, for example, the table is 72 cm high and the seat height is 43 cm. A round top has no corners to bump into, and you notice that most on a small terrace or balcony.
If you want to seat more than two people, a bistro set quickly becomes too cramped. Then take a look at garden sets for 4 people or read how much space you need for a garden set.
Which material suits you?
The material determines how heavy the set is, how much maintenance it needs and how it looks. With a small set that you move around often, the weight matters more.
| Material | Strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | Light, doesn't rust | Can blow over in strong wind |
| Steel | Sturdy and stable | Heavier, rusts if damaged |
| Wood | Warm and classic | Needs oiling now and then |
| Plastic | Light, easy to clean | Can fade in the sun |
| Textilene seat | Dries quickly | Comfortable enough without a cushion |
A frame with a powder coating is well protected against the weather, as long as the coating stays intact. With steel this is especially important: a scratch down to the metal can start to rust. Also read can an aluminium garden set rust? and which garden set can stay outside?
Read the specifications, not just the title
The material isn't always described the same way everywhere. With some sets the description mentions aluminium while the specification list says steel. If you're not sure, ask the shop before you order. This matters most if the set will stay outside.
Foldable, stackable or fixed?
This is where most bistro sets differ, and where it's worth paying the closest attention.
- Foldable: you fold the table and chairs flat. Ideal if you put the set behind the door, in the storage room or in the shed after use. The classic French bistro set is made this way. The Kettler Calvia balcony set lists its chairs as foldable in the specifications.
- Stackable: the chairs fit on top of each other, the table stays put. Handy if you have little space in winter. In the current range, no complete bistro set is listed as stackable, but individual stacking chairs are available.
- Fixed: the set stays in place for the season. A fixed set is often sturdier and has more room for cushions.
Please note: foldability isn't always clearly stated in the product information. For the taupe Alfa balcony set, the description says the table and chairs are foldable, while the specifications give both a yes and a no. The carbon black version, on the other hand, is listed as not foldable in its specifications. If folding is a must for you, always check with the shop.
Would you rather combine your own pieces? Then choose chairs listed as stackable, such as the Oklahoma dining chair, or browse the stacking chairs.
Comfort and cushions
A bistro set is made for short moments, but that doesn't mean you have to sit uncomfortably. Pay attention to three things:
- Seat depth: a shallow seat sits you upright and takes up little space. The Alfa has a seat depth of 34 cm, the Terni 43 cm. You'll notice that difference if you stay seated for longer.
- Upholstery: textilene and PE dry quickly and don't need a cushion for a short sit. With a cushion on top, it becomes softer.
- Cushions: some sets come with cushions, such as the Terni with four 5 cm cushions. With other sets you buy them separately.
If you buy loose cushions, measure the seat first. A cushion that is wider than the seat hangs over the edge. Choose a cushion with ties so it doesn't slide off. The Madison Toscane seat cushion, for example, is 46 x 46 cm, 8 cm thick and fastened with ties. It doesn't have a water-repellent coating, so bring it indoors when it rains. You'll find more choice in the seat cushions range, and you can read storage tips in storing garden cushions.
If you're unsure, try sitting on a kitchen chair at a 60 cm table with a cup of coffee and a plate. That way you'll immediately feel whether the size works for you, or whether you'd rather have something bigger.
Bistro sets from our range
To make the choices more concrete, here are three sets for two people. You'll find the current prices on the cards.
| Set | Seat height | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa taupe | 43 cm | Table Ø60 cm, textilene |
| Alfa carbon black | 43 cm | Seat depth 34 cm |
| Terni | 47 cm | Aluminium, 4 cushions |
Alfa taupe: small round table
The Alfa balcony set consists of two chairs and a round table of Ø60 cm and 72 cm high. The chairs measure 51.5 x 42 x 84 cm and have a seat height of 43 cm. The seat and backrest are upholstered in textilene, which is breathable and dries quickly. According to the description the set is foldable and made of aluminium, but the specifications are inconsistent on both points. Please check this with the shop if it matters to you.
Alfa 3-piece balcony set taupe
Why: a 60 cm table is exactly big enough for two, and the set takes up little floor space.
Alfa carbon black: the same size in black
The Alfa also comes in carbon black. The specifications list two seats, a seat height of 43 cm, a seat width of 42 cm and a seat depth of 34 cm. According to those specifications, this version has a steel frame and is not foldable. That differs from the description of the taupe version, so ask how it really is before you order.
Alfa 3-piece balcony set carbon black
Why: a sleek black set that suits a modern outdoor space.
Terni: fixed set with cushions
The Terni is a fixed set for two people. The frame and tabletop are aluminium in carbon black, and the seats have a PE upholstery in sand. The seat height is 47 cm, the seat width 48 cm and the seat depth 43 cm. You get four cushions, each 5 cm thick. The set is not foldable, so it needs a permanent spot.
Terni aluminium balcony set
Why: roomier seats and cushions included, so it's comfortable if you really do eat at the table.
You'll find more models under bistro and balcony sets, balcony garden sets and garden sets for 2 people.
Quiz: which bistro set suits you?
Answer three questions and see which type of set suits you best.
Which bistro set suits your coffee moment?
How long do you usually sit at the bistro table?
- A cup of coffee, then I'm off again
- A whole meal, sometimes longer
- I mainly want to slump back, not sit at a table
What happens to the set when nobody is sitting on it?
- I put it away, the space is tight
- It stays out the whole season
- I have enough room for something bigger
What would you like to sit on when you're outside?
- A firm seat with no fuss
- A cushion, that's more comfortable
- Thick cushions and a low seat
A compact, lightweight bistro set A small round table with two chairs with a textilene upholstery. If you want to put it away, check whether the set is truly foldable.
A fixed set with cushions You use the set as a dining spot. Choose a sturdy set with a normal seat height and cushions included.
A lounge corner for two A bistro set is too upright for you. With two lounge chairs or a small lounge set you can sit back and relax, low down.
Still torn between very different types of furniture? The selection guide will help you along with a few questions. Or read lounge set or garden set: what suits you?
Common mistakes
Only measuring the table
The set fits perfectly, but you can't push your chair back. Always include the space behind the chairs and a walking route.
Assuming it's foldable
Not every set that looks foldable is. And sometimes the description and the specifications contradict each other. If you want to store the set, ask before you order.
Buying cushions without measuring
A cushion that is bigger than the seat hangs over the edge and slides away. Measure the seat width and seat depth and choose a cushion with ties.
Leaving cushions outside
Cushions without a water-repellent layer get soaked in a shower and can go mouldy. Bring them indoors or store them somewhere dry.
A lightweight set in a windy spot
A light set is easy to move, but so is the wind. In strong wind, lean it against the wall or put it away.
Checklist before you order
Tick off what you've already checked; your browser remembers your progress.
- Free floor space measured, including the room behind the chairs
- Tabletop large enough for what you'll put on it
- Seat height suits the height of the table
- Material chosen that matches how much maintenance you want
- Foldable or stackable confirmed if you want to store the set
- Cushions included with the set, or the seat measured for loose seat cushions
- A dry spot or a protective cover for the winter
How to keep your bistro set looking good
- Wipe the frame down now and then with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth
- Rinse textilene with lukewarm water and a soft brush
- Store cushions somewhere dry when it rains and in winter
- Check a steel frame for scratches in the coating
Also worth a look:
Frequently asked questions
How big should the table of a bistro set be?
For two people, a round table with a diameter of around 60 cm is big enough for two cups, a breakfast plate or two place settings. If you want to eat properly at it, choose a slightly larger tabletop. Also check the height: a table of around 72 cm suits a seat height of roughly 43 to 47 cm.
Is a folding bistro set always better?
No. Folding is handy if you store the set behind a door or in a shed after use. If the set stays in the same spot all season, a fixed set is fine and often sturdier. If the product information doesn't clearly state whether the set folds, or the details contradict each other, ask the retailer.
Which material is best for a bistro set?
For low maintenance, powder-coated aluminium is a good choice: it's lightweight and doesn't rust. Steel is sturdy but heavier, and if the coating is damaged it can start to rust. Wood gives a warm, classic look but needs oiling now and then. Textilene upholstery dries quickly after a shower.
Do I need cushions on a bistro set?
For a cup of coffee, Textilene or PE upholstery is perfectly comfortable. If you sit for longer, a seat cushion makes a big difference. Measure the seat before buying a loose cushion and choose one with ties so it doesn't slide off. Cushions without a water-repellent coating should be brought indoors when it rains.
Can a bistro set be left outside?
A bistro set with an aluminium frame can stay outside, ideally under a protective cover if you're not using it for a long time. Store cushions somewhere dry. Check a steel set for scratches in the coating, and give a wooden set a maintenance treatment now and then, as the manufacturer advises.
