A picnic table is the easiest way to eat outdoors. No loose chairs to pull up or tidy away: everyone just steps over the bench and sits down. For a family lunch, a barbecue with friends or a long summer evening, it's a timeless classic. But which size do you need, which material can stay outside, and is a classic picnic table as handy as it seems? In this guide we set everything out, with a size chart, the main types and the mistakes you're better off avoiding.
In brief: allow 60 to 70 cm of bench per person and keep at least 70 cm clear along both long sides. If you want low maintenance, choose an aluminium frame with Vironwood or polywood. A classic picnic table is quick and cosy, while separate benches are easier to get on and off.
What size picnic table do you need?
Start with the number of people who usually sit at the table. On a bench you sit closer together than on separate chairs, but with 60 to 70 cm per person you'll still sit comfortably. Because the benches are fixed, you can't just squeeze an extra chair in. So choose the length based on your regular group plus a little margin.
| People | Table length | Per bench |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 120 to 150 cm | 2 people |
| 6 | 180 to 200 cm | 3 people |
| 8 | 240 to 280 cm | 4 people |
You can see this ratio in the catalogue. The two Bell picnic sets from Garden Impressions that are currently available:
| Set | Size (lxw) | People |
|---|---|---|
| Bell 200 cm | 200 x 178 cm | 6 |
| Bell 280 cm | 280 x 178 cm | 8 |
Please note: the 178 cm is the overall width including both benches. That's much wider than the tabletop alone, and it's exactly that measurement you need to check whether it will fit on your patio.
How much space does a picnic table need?
With a picnic table you step over the bench to sit down. For that you need room behind the bench, just as you would behind a chair. Keep at least 70 cm clear along both long sides, or preferably 80 to 90 cm if someone also needs to walk behind you. Along the short ends, 50 to 60 cm is often enough.
| Set | Overall size | Clear space needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bell 6 people | 200 x 178 cm | approx. 3.1 x 3.2 m |
| Bell 8 people | 280 x 178 cm | approx. 3.9 x 3.2 m |
The advantage over a garden set: you don't need to leave room to pull chairs back. A picnic table therefore often takes up a little less space. If you want to work it out precisely for an ordinary table with chairs, read how much space you need for a garden set.
Use a garden hose or string to mark out the outside dimensions of the set, benches included, on your lawn or patio, and add the space needed to walk around it. Only when that area stays clear of borders, walls and the barbecue will the table really fit.
Materials compared
The material determines the look, the weight and, above all, how much maintenance your picnic table needs.
| Material | Pros | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium + Vironwood | Doesn't rust, wood look without oil | More expensive than pine or plastic |
| Polywood | Doesn't splinter, no stain needed | Heavier than aluminium |
| Hardwood or teak | Warm and natural | Goes silvery grey, needs oil now and then |
| Pine | Affordable | Needs staining or oiling every year |
| Plastic | Light and cheap | Less sturdy, can discolour |
Aluminium with Vironwood
This is the combination used in the Bell picnic sets: a powder-coated aluminium frame with a tabletop and seats in Vironwood. Aluminium is light, strong and doesn't rust. Vironwood is a low-maintenance material with a wood grain that, according to the product information, is resistant to moisture, heat and UV. You get the warm look of wood without sanding or oiling. You can read more about this material in what is Vironwood.
Polywood
Polywood is a plastic that looks like wood. It doesn't splinter and doesn't need treating, which makes it a good choice for a table that children sit at. Read more in what is polywood.
Wood
A wooden picnic table is the classic. Pine is affordable but needs a stain or oil treatment every year. Hardwood and teak last longer without treatment, but after a while they turn a silvery grey. To find out which wood is the strongest, read which wood is best for a garden table.
Types of picnic table
| Type | Strong point | Less handy |
|---|---|---|
| Classic, fixed benches | Sturdy, quick to set up | Stepping over the bench to get in |
| Table with separate benches | Easy to sit at, flexible | More loose parts |
| Folding | Light, easy to store | Less stable |
| Children's picnic table | At children's height | They outgrow it quickly |
Classic with fixed benches
The table and benches form one unit. That makes the table stable, and you never have loose chairs getting in the way. Modern versions, such as the Bell sets, have an open aluminium frame, which makes getting in easier than with the old A-frame tables with sloping legs.
Table with separate benches
Do you like the feel of a picnic table but don't want to climb over a bench? Then combine a garden table with two garden benches. You can put the benches away separately and also use them on their own, for example against the fence.
Folding
A folding picnic table is handy for a small garden, for camping, or if you only use it now and then. It's lighter and compact to store, but it's less sturdy than a fixed table. The Bell sets are not folding.
Children's picnic table
For young children a standard picnic table is often too high. There are small picnic tables at children's height, usually in wood or plastic. They're lovely in the play corner, but bear in mind that children will have outgrown them after a few years.
Comfort: seat height, backrest and cushions
An adult picnic table is usually around 75 cm high. The Bell sets are 75 cm high, with a seat height of about 46 cm. For the 280 cm Bell, the height to the underside of the top is 70 cm, and each seat can bear up to 100 kg.
Most picnic tables have benches without a backrest. For lunch or a barbecue that's fine, but after a long evening you'll miss some support. Two simple solutions: put bench cushions on the seat for extra comfort, or choose a table with separate benches that have backrests. If you often eat outside for long, leisurely meals, a dining garden set with chairs might be a better choice. Not sure? Read buying a garden set: what to look for.
Shade above the table
Not every picnic table has a parasol hole. Check the product information. If there's no hole, place a cantilever parasol beside the table: the pole then won't get in the way, and the canopy still hangs over the top.
Which picnic table suits you?
Below are the picnic sets currently available, with specs from the product information. You can see current prices and retailers on the map.
For a family or 6 people
The 200 cm Bell seats 6 people. The dark grey aluminium frame and the Vironwood top in light teak colour are all-weather. At 54 kg it stays firmly in place.
Bell picnic set 200x178 cm carbon black
For large families and frequent guests
The same set in 280 cm, for 8 people. There's 137 cm between the table legs, so you have plenty of legroom along the long sides. At 70.6 kg, this is a table for a permanent spot.
Bell picnic set 280x178 cm carbon black
Why an aluminium picnic set with Vironwood
- The frame doesn't rust, and the top doesn't need oiling
- Wood look without splinters
- The benches and table always stay aligned with each other
- Clean with a mild soapy solution and a soft sponge
Would you rather have a standard table with chairs or benches? Then take a look at these categories:
How to choose in 4 steps
Base it on the number of people who usually sit at the table. You can't add a chair to a bench, so if you're unsure, go for one size up.
Take the overall size including the benches, and add 70 cm or more along the long sides. Also check that the ground is level.
Fixed benches for convenience and sturdiness, separate benches for easy getting on and off, and folding if you'll be putting it away often.
Low maintenance: aluminium with Vironwood or polywood. Real wood: plan on one maintenance session a year, or let it weather to silver.
5 common mistakes when buying a picnic table
Only looking at the length of the tabletop
The benches make a picnic table much wider than you might think. A set that is 200 cm long is 178 cm wide with the benches. Always measure the overall size.
No room to get in
If the bench is against a fence or border, you can't step over it. Keep at least 70 cm clear along both long sides.
Buying too small
With fixed benches you can't add an extra seat. If you regularly sit with more people, choose the longer size.
An uneven surface
On a bumpy lawn a picnic table will wobble and its legs will sink. Place it on paving, a deck or a flat, levelled area.
Underestimating maintenance
A cheap pine table quickly looks weathered without a yearly staining session. If you don't want to spend time on that, choose aluminium with Vironwood or polywood.
Maintenance and winter
| Material | Maintenance |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | Wipe down with a damp cloth and mild soapy water |
| Vironwood | Mild soapy water and a soft sponge, no harsh chemicals |
| Polywood | Soapy water or rinse with water |
| Wood | Clean and oil or stain, once or twice a year |
| Plastic | Soapy water or all-purpose cleaner |
For the Bell sets, the manufacturer advises wiping the frame with a mild soapy solution, rinsing with clean water and letting it dry thoroughly. During long spells of bad weather and in winter, store the set somewhere dry or cover it with a protective cover. You can find more tips in how to maintain aluminium garden furniture and what to do with garden furniture in winter.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a picnic table be for 6 people?
Allow 60 to 70 cm of bench space per person. For 6 people, so 3 on each side, you'll need a table roughly 180 to 200 cm long. The Bell picnic set measuring 200 x 178 cm is designed for 6 people.
How much space do you need for a picnic table?
Add at least 70 cm on both long sides to the total width, including the benches, so you can step over the bench and walk past it. A picnic set 178 cm deep therefore needs a strip of just over 3.2 metres.
Which material is best for a picnic table that stays outdoors?
An aluminium frame with a top and benches made from Vironwood or polywood needs the least maintenance: it doesn't rust, and you don't need to oil or stain it. A wooden picnic table can also stay outdoors, but it will need the occasional maintenance treatment.
What is the difference between a picnic table and a garden set?
With a picnic table, the benches are attached to the table, whereas a garden set comes with loose chairs. A picnic table is quicker to set up and takes up less width, while a garden set is more comfortable for long dinners and more flexible to arrange.
How high is a picnic table?
A picnic table for adults is usually around 75 cm high, with a seat height of roughly 45 to 48 cm. The Bell picnic sets are 75 cm high with a seat height of about 46 cm. Children's picnic tables are considerably lower.
Can a picnic table stay outside in winter?
An aluminium picnic set with Vironwood can stay outdoors, but the manufacturer advises storing it somewhere dry during prolonged bad weather or covering it with a protective cover. A cover keeps out leaves, dirt and moisture and saves cleaning work in spring.
