Your outdoor living space just isn’t complete without a coffee table to set your drinks, books, and snacks on. In this article, we’ll show you how to build a chic small outdoor coffee table that will be the focal point of your patio and the ideal place to rest after a long day.
Shape and Dimensions to Decide
1. Decide the Ideal Coffee Table Size
Taking accurate measurements of the room’s dimensions and existing furnishings is an essential first step before making a small outdoor coffee table. Taking notes of your current space dimensions can help you choose the ideal new coffee table size.
Coffee Table Height
All bistro table heights should not be set at the same level. Why? Because the “right” height is relative to the rest of your furnishings.
Choose a small outdoor coffee table that is 1 to 2 inches lower than the height of your couch seats. The look of the space will be cohesive, and you’ll have easy access to whatever’s on the table at this height.
Coffee Table Length
Like the optimal height, the optimal length is contextual, depending on your existing furniture. Your small round outdoor coffee table’s ideal proportions are two-thirds the length of your sofa.
Use the two-thirds rule to ensure that your coffee table is visually balanced with the sofas and chairs in the space.
Coffee Table Width
You want to have plenty of room to maneuver around your coffee table, so keep that in mind when you measure its dimensions.
You should allow for a space of 14′′–18′′ between the coffee table and the seat, the space in between the coffee table and other outdoor accessories should be around 30 inches for optimum space.
2. Select the Best Coffee Table Shape
Rectangular Coffee Tables
Most coffee tables are rectangular, which is both a traditional and practical style. They work best in spacious living rooms or other locations with plenty of seats. Small rectangle outdoor coffee tables are ideal for hosting guests and friends.
Nesting Tables
Coffee tables that nest neatly under one another are called “nesting coffee tables,” and they usually come in groups of two or more. These coffee tables are a space-saving and flexible alternative for any deck furniture ideas.
Round Coffee Tables
People who want to bring a gentler and more natural aesthetic to their outdoor living space often choose small, round outdoor coffee tables. If you have a compact space or an inconvenient location, these are perfect for establishing a comfortable seating area for two.
Oval Coffee Tables
Oval coffee tables are a great compromise between traditional rectangular tables and contemporary round ones. Due to its shape, oval coffee tables work well in spacious living rooms with multiple seating locations.
Organic Coffee Tables
Outdoor furniture trends 2023, such as coffee tables with organic shapes, are all the rage nowadays, and they come in anything from reclaimed wood to glitzy metals. This unconventional table has a nature-meets-glam aesthetic thanks to its uneven organic shape and thin “molten” metal legs.
Which Coffee Table Materials to Choose?
Wood
Outdoor lounge furniture is typically made of wood. It’s the obvious pick because it lasts, looks great, and is harvested from a renewable resource.
However, keep in mind that not all wood is created equal. Hardwoods and softwoods have different characteristics; how they react to weather is a major factor in determining how long your best wood outdoor furniture will survive.
Small teak outdoor coffee tables are extremely weather-resistant, sturdy, and can withstand a lot of wear and tear without breaking or warping.
Pine and cedar are lovely softwoods, but they need to be protected from the elements at considerably higher levels than other woods.
Metal
Although metal is most often associated with industrial aesthetics, it can be used in a variety of other contexts as well. Metal small outdoor coffee tables are long-lasting and typically lighter than those made of wood. Metal is versatile because it can be formed readily by manufacturers.
Customers appreciate that metal can’t be stained or damaged by water and that it stays cold to the touch, no matter the temperature.
Rattan
Woven from a species of vine, rattan furniture is commonly found in outdoor settings due to its durability, portability, and resistance to weather and sun damage.
The organic appearance of rattan is one of its key selling points, as it may lend an air of casual comfort to your cozy small balcony ideas. Rattan’s small round outdoor coffee table is highly adaptable and may be used with both modern and classic decor. It can be treated with specific coatings to protect it from the elements, and it’s easy to clean and maintain.
Plastic
Types of outdoor furniture made from plastic are lighter and cheaper than wrought iron or stainless steel; plastic patio chairs and tables are a convenient alternative for outdoor use.
Modern plastic outdoor furniture is typically treated to be far more resistant to fading and cracking than its predecessors were. It also has the advantage of not requiring the same level of care and upkeep that wooden or metal pieces need.
Other materials, such as glass, concrete, and wicker outdoor coffee tables, are also a common choice for patio decor.
5 Easy DIY Steps to Build Your Outdoor Coffee Table
Step 1: Cut pieces and drill pocket holes
Wooden planks or pallets can be marked with measurements using a measuring tape and a pencil. Make the tables and legs to your specifications by sawing wooden boards to the appropriate lengths. Next, the pocket holes can be drilled with a Kreg Jig.
Step 2: Assemble the structure
The next step is to construct the framework of the coffee table by arranging the top planks and fastening them together with screws or nails. A tabletop in the style of a plank can be made.
Finally, use screws to secure the legs to the four corners of the tabletop. Be sure they are solid and on an even surface.
Step 3: Add glue and pavers
When it is time to lay the pavers, use wood glue to strengthen the connections between them.
Step 4: Stain or paint
Protect the wood from the elements by giving it a weatherproof coating, such as paint or stain. Just give it some time to dry out.
Step 5: Finish and Enjoy
Once everything is dry and stable, you can set up your homemade outdoor coffee table anywhere you’d like to use it.
Ending Note
If you follow the instructions above, you’ll have an outdoor coffee table in no time, enhancing the use and aesthetics of your backyard retreat. This small outdoor coffee table will quickly become a favorite piece of outdoor furniture, whether you use it on your patio, balcony, or in your garden.
