Outdoor coffee & side tables

Versatile outdoor side tables and coffee tables for garden, patio and balcony

Two tips before we get to the tables themselves: if you choose tables that also suit your interior, you can bring them inside over winter and use them there – and save yourself the job of protecting them from frost. For small patios and balconies, or outdoor surfaces that are hard to protect from rain, outdoor side tables that are easy to bring inside are also a smart choice. Your rooms get a new feel, and you stay free to move the outdoor tables around.

Key features and benefits of our outdoor coffee and side tables (depending on the model):

• Flexibility: small garden tables and outdoor side tables can be used wherever space is needed – on the balcony, the patio, in the garden or even indoors.
• Space-saving: compact dimensions mean even small balconies and compact lounge corners get a practical surface without cluttering the space.
• Weatherproof: outdoor side tables in powder-coated metal, sturdy plastic and treated wood or acacia are made for lasting outdoor use.
• Easy to move: many models are simple to carry thanks to their light weight – ideal if you like to reposition the tables depending on the occasion.
• Foldable: some outdoor side tables can be folded and stored space-efficiently when not in use.
• Integrated storage: small garden tables give you somewhere to put things down, and some offer extra storage as well.
• Nesting tables: some models are also available as a duo or set in different sizes – perfect for using them together as a coffee table or individually wherever you need them.
• Design variety: discover outdoor side tables in understated metal in black or anthracite. Or go for warm wood tones or modern material combinations.
• Dual use: many small garden tables look just as good indoors and can be reused as a side table in the living room or hallway in winter.

Small garden tables, slim balcony tables or larger coffee tables for the garden – with these IKEA gems you can shape your outdoor space exactly as the mood and the room allow.

Which outdoor side tables and small garden tables are weatherproof?

The easiest way to spot a weatherproof outdoor side table is by its material. Powder-coated metal and aluminium stand up especially reliably to rain, UV rays and temperature changes – and need very little upkeep. Sturdy plastic is light, wipes clean easily and holds up to wind and weather without any trouble. With wood, the type of timber matters: acacia, for example, is naturally dense and moisture-resistant, making it a good choice for outdoor use. All types of wood benefit from a suitable garden furniture finish once or twice a year.

Which materials work best for an outdoor side table?

Metal, wood and plastic are the most popular materials for side tables you want to put in the garden or on the balcony. All three are weatherproof and good-looking. A beautifully shaped wooden garden side table works wonderfully with elegant lounge chairs and other upholstered furniture on a patio or large balcony. Small metal balcony tables work even in the tightest spaces and provide a stable surface where cold drinks or a good book always have room. A small plastic garden table is often pleasantly light and sits beautifully on your outdoor rug. Plants in stylish pots and an outdoor lamp can decorate it to your taste. Take your time browsing our garden coffee and side tables, and find your new favourite spot outdoors.

What's a good height for a garden or balcony side table?

The right height depends on how you want to use the table. As a surface beside a lounge chair or garden chair, a table at roughly seat height is ideal – so somewhere in the range of 40 to 70 cm. That way you can comfortably reach your drink or book without having to stretch far. For a coffee table in front of a garden sofa or garden bench, the height can be a little lower – similar to a coffee table in the living room.

Which outdoor spaces are folding side tables best suited to?

A folding outdoor side table is ideal wherever space is at a premium. On a small balcony, you can set it up when you need it – and fold it away neatly when you want more room to move. In the garden it's the perfect companion for a spontaneous gathering on the lawn: garden chairs, side table up, and you're ready. And for anyone who uses their outdoor space differently depending on the occasion – sometimes for a big group of guests, sometimes for a quiet hour alone – a small folding garden table gives you the freedom to switch. One more thing: many of these models are so light and compact that you can easily take them out to the balcony or patio when you fancy a change of scene. Have you already got a spot in mind for your new table?