Outdoor furniture buying advice for Australia, 2026: measure your space first, then choose. A 4-seat dining table needs about 300 × 300 cm of clear floor, a 6-seater about 360 × 300 cm, and a balcony bistro set fits from roughly 150 × 150 cm. Match the frame material to your climate, then pick dining, lounge or bistro.
By Darrah Opens. Last updated: 6 October 2026 (Australia/Sydney).
Outdoor furniture materials by Australian climate
Choose the frame for where you live, not just for the look:
Coastal and salt air: powder-coated or cast aluminium frames are the usual first pick.
Hot inland sun: UV-rated synthetic rattan (wicker), HDPE or textilene seats stay more comfortable than bare dark metal.
Humid and tropical areas: choose quick-drying frames and fabrics, and store cushions between uses.
For a full comparison of aluminium, rattan, timber and steel, read our outdoor furniture materials guide for Australia.
Outdoor dining set sizes in cm
A common rule of thumb is about 60 cm of table edge per person. Leave 75–90 cm behind each chair so people can push back and walk past.
Dining for 4
A square or round table of about 90–110 cm or a rectangle of about 120 × 70–80 cm seats four. One example is the Gardeon 5-piece aluminium dining set with WPC top: its round table is listed at 108 × 108 × 74 cm and each chair at 49 × 48 × 82.5 cm. Allow about 300 × 300 cm of clear floor in total.
Dining for 6
Look for a table of about 140–180 cm long and 80–90 cm wide. Two examples:
The Gardeon 7-piece HDPE dining set lists its table at 156 × 86 × 75 cm.
The Gardeon 140 cm steel and glass dining table measures 140 × 80 × 74 cm and has a parasol hole.
Plan for about 360 × 300 cm of clear floor.
Dining for 8 or more
An extendable table is the most flexible choice. The Gardeon 9-piece aluminium extendable dining set goes from 160 cm to 240 cm long and is 90 cm wide, with chairs listed at 55 × 57 × 84 cm. Measure your space with the table fully extended.
Outdoor lounge set sizes in cm
Lounge sets take up more floor than their seat count suggests. Measure each module, then add clearance:
Leave about 40–50 cm between the seats and the coffee table.
Keep a walkway of about 75–90 cm around the set.
Compact 4-seater lounge
The Gardeon 5-piece 4-seater rattan sofa set has these listed sizes:
Single chairs: 61 × 61 × 70 cm
Corner chairs: 61 × 62 × 70 cm
Ottoman: 54 × 54 × 42.5 cm
Set out as an L-shape, it suits a deck of about 250 × 250 cm.
Modular 5–6 seater lounge
Modular sets can be rearranged as an L-shape, a U-shape or separate pieces. Two examples:
The Gardeon 4-piece modular 5-seater lists a two-seater at 110 × 48 × 67.5 cm and corners at 48 × 48 × 67.5 cm.
The Gardeon 7-piece 6-seater rattan sofa set uses 70 × 60 × 66 cm single chairs and 70 × 70 × 66 cm corners.
Plan for roughly 300 × 300 cm with clearance.
Balcony and small-space furniture sizes in cm
For a balcony, keep at least about 60 cm of walkway to the door and railing. Check that chairs can be pulled out without hitting the balustrade.
Bistro sets for 2
Most 2-seat bistro tables are 50–70 cm across, and the whole set fits from about 150 × 150 cm. For example:
The Gardeon 3-piece conversation bistro set pairs a 50 cm diameter table with 74 × 59 × 68.5 cm chairs.
The Gardeon 3-piece cast aluminium bistro setting has slim 37 × 41 × 85 cm chairs.
Narrow and fold-away options
On narrow balconies, choose a rectangular table that sits against the wall, or a folding set:
The Gardeon 3-piece steel bistro set lists its table at 85 × 59 × 77 cm and chairs at 43 × 50 × 76 cm.
The Gardeon folding bistro set has 41 × 40 × 71.5 cm chairs that fold flat for storage.
Which outdoor set to buy first
Start with how you use the space most often:
You eat outside most weeks: buy a dining set first. Size it for your usual number of people and add extra chairs later.
You mostly relax, read or entertain with drinks: buy a lounge set first. A modular set lets you add pieces as the area grows.
You have a balcony or courtyard under about 6 m²: buy a bistro set first. It covers coffee, meals for two and sundowners in the smallest footprint.
Whichever you choose, mark the footprint on the floor with tape, including chair push-back and walkways, before you order.
Outdoor furniture FAQ
What size outdoor furniture fits a small balcony?
A 2-seat bistro set with a table of 50–70 cm across usually fits a balcony of about 150 × 150 cm or more. Keep at least about 60 cm of walkway to the door.
What size outdoor dining table do I need for 4 or 6 people?
For four, choose about 90–110 cm square or 120 × 70–80 cm. For six, choose about 140–180 cm long and 80–90 cm wide. Then add 75–90 cm behind each chair.
What outdoor furniture material is best for coastal salt air?
Powder-coated or cast aluminium frames are the usual choice near the coast. Rinse off salt regularly. Our materials guide compares the options in detail.
What is the best outdoor furniture material for hot Australian sun?
UV-rated synthetic rattan, HDPE and textilene seats stay more comfortable in strong sun than bare dark metal. Use cushions or covers on very hot days.
Can I leave outdoor furniture outside all year?
Many aluminium, synthetic rattan and HDPE frames are designed for outdoor use. To extend their life, use covers and store cushions out of the rain. Check each product page for its materials and care advice.
Are cushions included with outdoor sets?
It depends on the set. Many lounge and dining sets list cushions in the title or package contents. Note that the frame material and the cushion fabric are separate, so check both on the product page.
Should I buy a dining, lounge or bistro set first?
Buy dining if you eat outside often, lounge if you mainly relax or entertain, and bistro if your space is a balcony or courtyard under about 6 m².
Shop outdoor furniture at Darrah Opens
Once you have your measurements in centimetres and know which material suits your climate, browse outdoor furniture, patio and lounge sets. Filter by dining, lounge or bistro and compare the listed dimensions against your taped-out footprint.