An outdoor side table is a small, low table built to live outside next to a lounge chair, sofa or hammock, holding drinks, books and phones without needing to come in when it rains. The materials are what set it apart from indoor end tables: HDPE lumber, powder-coated metal, resin wicker and concrete shrug off sun and moisture that would ruin a living-room piece.
This is one of the largest table collections on the site, with more than 1,300 designs. Most are compact and affordable: list prices typically run from about $80 to $150 per listed item, with a typical listing near $100. A few large or stone-topped pieces reach roughly $1,400, and some listings are packs of two. Nearly every listing is shown as in stock.
Picking a Material That Suits Your Climate
Outdoor tables fail in predictable ways: wood cracks, steel rusts, light plastic blows over. Match the material to where you live.
- HDPE (poly lumber): high-density polyethylene boards, often made with recycled plastic and UV inhibitors. It does not rot, splinter or need painting, and soap and water clean it. It is heavy enough to stay put in moderate wind. This is the material behind most Adirondack-style tables in the range.
- Aluminum: light and rust-free, which makes it the natural choice near the coast or by a pool. The low weight means small tables can tip in strong wind on a rooftop or open deck.
- Steel and iron: sturdy and often cheaper, but it needs an intact powder coat. Touch up chips quickly to stop rust spreading. Black steel tables give a classic bistro look.
- Resin wicker and rattan: an outdoor wicker side table uses synthetic strands woven over a metal frame, matching most wicker patio sets. Natural rattan is not made for rain; choose PE wicker for outdoor use.
- Concrete and stone: a concrete outdoor side table is wind-proof and modern. Concrete is porous, so a sealer helps prevent staining, and it is best moved with two people.
- Wood: an outdoor wood side table in acacia or eucalyptus looks warm but needs oil or sealer once or twice a year and should be covered in wet winters.
- Mosaic and ceramic tops: a mosaic-topped table adds color, but grout lines can crack in hard freezes, so bring it into a garage in cold regions.
Height and Size Next to Patio Seating
The right table sits within easy reach and roughly level with the arm of the chair beside it. A few practical numbers help:
- Standard patio lounge chairs have arms around 22 to 26 inches high; a table about the same height or a little below is comfortable.
- Adirondack chairs sit low and slope back, so their side tables are usually shorter, often around 18 to 20 inches.
- Tops around 15 to 20 inches across hold two drinks and a plate. Some of the common listed sizes here are around 18 by 15 inches, a good fit between two chairs.
- Leave about 12 inches between the table and the chair so knees and legs have space.
A compact patio table works on narrow balconies and between sun loungers. For a larger surface in front of a patio sofa, look for listings described as an outdoor coffee side table, which sit closer to the ground and are wider.
Shapes and Features in the Range
Adirondack and slatted tables
Slatted HDPE tables that match Adirondack chairs make up a big share of the listings. Slats let rain drain away, so water does not pool around glasses or puddle on the top.
Tiered and shelf tables
A second tier below the top holds sunscreen, candles or a speaker and keeps the top clear for drinks.
Storage tables
Some designs hide a small bin under a lift-off top, handy for cushion covers, bug spray or pool toys. Indoor equivalents are in end tables with storage.
Folding tables
A folding outdoor side table packs flat for camping, tailgating or a small patio that doubles as a play area. Check the locking mechanism and weight rating if it will hold heavy drinks.
Round tops
Round tables have no corners to bump in tight walkways and fit neatly between two chairs angled toward each other. Indoor and outdoor round options are grouped in round side tables.
Indoor vs Outdoor: Can You Use One Inside?
Outdoor tables work perfectly well indoors in sunrooms, mudrooms and kids' rooms, where wipe-clean HDPE or metal is a plus. The reverse is not true: indoor tables with MDF, veneer or unsealed wood swell and peel outside, even under a covered porch, because humidity and dew still reach them. If a listing does not mention weather resistance, treat it as indoor furniture. For indoor pieces, browse the wider end and side tables collection or the decorative accent tables.
Care Through the Seasons
- Wash HDPE, aluminum and resin wicker with mild soap and a soft brush each spring.
- Inspect metal frames for chipped coating before summer and touch up with matching paint.
- Seal concrete and stone tops once a year, and wipe up oils and wine promptly.
- Oil hardwood tables at the start and end of the season.
- In freezing climates, store mosaic, ceramic and glass tops indoors or under a breathable cover.
Outdoor Side Table FAQ
What is the most weather-resistant material for a patio side table?
HDPE and aluminum are the most forgiving. HDPE does not rot or need paint, and aluminum does not rust. Concrete is also durable but benefits from sealing.
How tall should an outdoor patio side table be?
Aim for a top roughly level with, or slightly below, the arm of the chair it serves. For most lounge chairs that means about 20 to 24 inches; for low Adirondack chairs, around 18 to 20 inches.
Will a metal patio table rust?
Aluminum will not rust. Steel and iron can rust where the powder coat is scratched, so touch up chips promptly and avoid leaving the table in standing water.
How do I stop a light table from blowing over?
Choose a heavier material such as HDPE or concrete for windy decks, or place the table in the shelter of a wall or chair. Avoid leaving umbrellas or tall items on a light aluminum table in storms.
Can I leave an outdoor table out all winter?
HDPE, aluminum and powder-coated metal handle winter well. Glass, mosaic and ceramic tops are safer stored indoors in freezing areas, and wood lasts longer under a cover.