Think about it. An outdoor dining set is like the anchor or hub of an outdoor room. You've got your burgers, marinade and some sort of grill. You can't just hand someone a meat patty and expect them to wander aimlessly through your yard. Enter the outdoor dining set. It lures you and your guests outdoors and keeps you there. If it's comfortable, well-made, and attractive, it establishes an outdoor living room. It's a place to sit, talk, relax, eat, drink, entertain and enjoy life outdoors for awhile.
We've done all the scouting: check out our top dining sets under $1,000.
Bengal Breeze Bombay Teak Dining Set
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
This modern and elegant five-piece dining set from the Bengal Breeze Collection features a round teak table and four teak chairs. Constructed with stainless-steel frames and Grade A kiln-dried teak, which will resist the elements and termites and is built to last for several years. Use teak oil to help it maintain its beautiful color.
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and expedited delivery fees may be extra.
CB2 Weekender Outdoor Dining
Photo Courtesy of CB2
Think of CB2 as Crate and Barrel's younger, hipper, urban cousin without high-rent prices. While the Weekender modernist outdoor dining table and bench is not sold as a complete set, buying both along with a couple of CB2's swank patio chairs will still cost less than $1,000. Both the table and bench are made of solid plantation-grown eucalyptus wood, a fast-growing and easily replenishable hardwood. Parsons-style base and slat top are finished in a minimal grey wash to bring out the grain. Left untreated, the wood will weather to a silvery grey; to maintain original finish, apply teak oil.
Table and bench sold separately. Looks good with CB2's Rex Chairs
Table and bench sold separately. Looks good with CB2's Rex Chairs
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and other fees extra.
Monterey 5-Piece Bistro Set
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
The five-piece Monterey bistro set comes in three different shades of resin wicker: black, brown and natural. Each set is constructed of ultra-strong, rust-resistant powder-coated tubular aluminum, which is hand-woven in wall-weather resin wicker. Whatever color you select, each Monterey piece is UV- and moisture-resistant. That means the color won't fade and cleaning is very easy: just wipe down with a damp cloth. The set also includes a 3/8-inch-thick glass tabletop and thick seat cushions covered in Sunbrella™, in a choice of oatmeal or ivory.
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and expedited delivery fees may be extra.
Oxford Garden Shorea 5-Piece Dining Set
Photo Courtesy of Oxford Garden
This five-piece patio dining set by Oxford Garden possesses the clean, classic lines that will hold up for years to come. Which is a good thing, because this set is going to be around for quite a while. Why? Oxford Garden uses ultra-strong shorea hardwood, which is purported to be stronger than teak, and is resistant to weather, rot and termites. I have an Oxford Garden side table, and even this smaller piece is solid and sturdy. The table includes a water-resistant slat design and features a removable plug in the center of the tabletop for an umbrella. The four sidechairs feature deep seats and ergonomic curves.
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and expedited delivery fees may not be included
Pottery Barn Chesapeake Bay Picnic Table Set
Photo Courtesy of Pottery Barn
The earth-friendly Chesapeake Bay Picnic Table Set is exclusive to their website, meaning you won't find it in their stores. This classic picnic set is crafted of FSC-certified, sustainably harvested eucalyptus, a dense hardwood that's ideal for outdoor furniture because it's rich in moisture-resistant oils. Kiln-dried hardwood and mortise-and-tenon joinery provide strength and durability. Detailed with marine-grade hardware in an antique-brass finish. Also features adjustable levelers, which add stability on uneven ground. Cushions sold separately. Other Chesapeake Bay pieces available, but also sold separately.
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and expedited delivery fees may be extra.
Room & Board Kona Table
Photo Courtesy of Room and Board
Room & Board is a modern design-oriented store with its roots in Midcentury Modern. The retail stores can be found in hip urban locations. Their Kona outdoor dining table is made out of tubular steel with steel mesh, has a powder-coated finish and an umbrella hole. Room & Board has a few different matching steel chairs; the ones in the photo are the Malibu. Made in Italy. The Kona and Malibu chairs would work well on wide, open deck or a small balcony.
Prices and availability subject to change. Taxes, shipping and expedited delivery fees will be extra.
Woodard Torino Outdoor Dining Table & Chairs
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Woodard has been making garden furniture for three centuries, which is amazing, to put it mildly. Torino has that trademark Woodard wrought iron and metal mesh styling and is parat of the Woodard Wrought Iron Collection. In case you don't know, wrought iron is one of the most durable materials for outdoor furniture -- that's why so many vintage pieces are still around. Torino has a modern design -- The 30-inch Bistro Table has a wire mesh top and is sold separately. Add however many Torino chairs you need to complete your patio dining set.
I've seen vintage Woodard patio sets commanding high prices, so consider this a utilitarian purchase tht may also be a future collectible.
