Not all outdoor meals need to be formal affairs. Casual gatherings around a picnic table set with pasta salad, a pitcher of fresh lemonade, and a basket laden with sandwiches can be just as memorable (and often less stressful).
So how do you choose a picnic table that fits your family’s lifestyle? Start right here with our buying guide. It’s filled with useful information and advice to help you pick the perfect piece for your backyard.
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Step 1: Is a Picnic Table Right for You?
Step 2: Determine How Much Room You Have
Step 3: Choose the Right Materials
Step 4: Choose the Right Shape, Size, and Configuration
Step 5: Choose the Right Color for Your Set
Step 6: Accessorize Your Dining Set
Picnic tables are best for anyone who wants to seat a large number of people in a laid-back setting. Kids’ birthday parties, weekend barbecues with extended family, and other festive gatherings benefit from picnic tables.
Picnic tables are available in various designs, sizes, and materials. Ask yourself the following questions, and use the answers to help streamline your shopping experience.
Durability: How well will the material last when it’s left outside?
Maintenance: How easy is it to keep clean?
Appearance: How will the material look over time?
Design: Does it work well with your outdoor aesthetic?
Comfort: Are the bench seats supportive, and is there enough legroom beneath the table?
Weight: Is moving the furniture easy, and can it withstand strong wind gusts?
Price: How much value (i.e., frequency and years of use) will you get from a picnic table?
Number of seats: Can a picnic table comfortably accommodate your family and friends?
Picnic tables can take up a fair amount of square footage. Most have built-in benches that cannot be slid under the table. You’ll also need enough space to get into and out of the seats and move around them comfortably.
Choosing a durable, well-built picnic table is important, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all material option out there. The right selection for you depends on your lifestyle, local climate, and other factors. Look through this list of common picnic table materials and their defining traits to see what’s best suited to your needs.
Picnic tables built from softwoods like Douglas fir and cedar are popular because they’re inexpensive and readily available.
Hardwoods like teak, oak, and mahogany typically offer higher strength and durability than softwoods, making them ideal for outdoor tables.
A popular picnic table choice, aluminum is a low-maintenance and inexpensive metal option.
Another popular option for picnic tables is metal coated in plastic, either as a veneer or powder that’s fused to the metal’s surface.
HDPE is a type of plastic known for its durability, making it ideal for outdoor picnic tables.
Rectangular picnic tables with built-in bench seating are what come to mind when you picture this style, but that’s only one of many available options. Plenty of other types exist, such as tables with detached benches, octagonal eight-seaters, and more.
Use these tips to take the guesswork out of picnic table shopping.
Take a peek at POLYWOOD’s picnic table selection. We’re sure you’ll find a style that fits your space.
Park 53″ Octagon Table: Our largest picnic table comfortably seats eight.
Park 72″ Picnic Table: A traditional design with six feet of space on each side for easy dining and lounging.
Park 36″ Round Picnic Table: A slightly smaller size that’s ideal for tighter quarters.
Park 33″ x 70″ Picnic Table: This standalone table lets you mix and match your preferred dining seats.
Park 48″ Square Table: Another solo table that lets you choose the seating that fits best.
Kids Outdoor Picnic Table: Our smallest (and cutest) table, perfect for kids and available in all our lumber color options.
The easiest way to pick your new picnic table color is to look at your backyard setup. Since it will likely act as your space’s focal point, shop for something that fits the existing color scheme.
Beige, green, and brown tones blend nicely with the landscaping in gardens and wooded areas. For suburban decks and patios, neutral hues like white, grey, or black are excellent choices.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect picnic table for your home, you may decide to accessorize it with a patio umbrella. You’ll want one that can handle the elements, so look for options made with all-weather performance fabric and durable bases. Plus, an umbrella with a colorful canopy is an easy way to add extra shade (of both kinds).
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