Key takeaways
- 60cm — minimum to sit, nothing more
- 75–90cm — comfortable get-in, get-out space
- 110cm+ — if people need to walk behind a seated diner
A 6 seater garden table and chairs set needs a table roughly 150–180cm long (135–150cm diameter if round) and, once you add pull-out space behind the chairs, a clear footprint of about 3 × 2.5–3.3m — so a 3 × 3m patio is the practical minimum.
- Table sizes: what “6 seater” actually measures
- Clearance: the space you really need around the set
- Aluminium vs teak vs rattan: the weight and upkeep head-to-head
- Folding garden table and chairs: when space is the priority
- Pick by your situation
- What cheap sets — including Asda garden table and chairs — actually get you
- Quick answers
Here are the exact dimensions, the clearance numbers most product pages leave out, and how aluminium, teak and rattan sets genuinely differ when you’re the one carrying and cleaning them.
TeakStation 6 Seater Grade-A Teak Wood 7 Pc Dining Set: 60" Round Table and 6 Wave Stacking Arm Chairs #TSDSWV23
Included for '6 Seater Garden Table and Chairs: Sizes, Materials and Space You Need' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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PHI VILLA 7pc Outdoor Dining Set, Expandable Wood Table w/Umbrella Hole
Included for '6 Seater Garden Table and Chairs: Sizes, Materials and Space You Need' because the listing specifies Expandable Wood Table w/Umbrella Hole, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Amazonia Franklin 9-Piece Rectangular Extendable Patio Dining Set Teak Finish and Weather-Net Technology Ideal for Outdoors and Indoors
Included for '6 Seater Garden Table and Chairs: Sizes, Materials and Space You Need' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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GREENVINES 7-piece Outdoor Dining Set, HDPE Table & 6 Chairs, Teak
Included for '6 Seater Garden Table and Chairs: Sizes, Materials and Space You Need' because the listing specifies HDPE Table & 6 Chairs and Teak, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonTable sizes: what “6 seater” actually measures
Manufacturers allow roughly 55–65cm of table edge per person. That makes 150cm the tight end of the range (workable, but elbows touch) and 170–180cm the comfortable standard. Standard table height is 72–76cm; dining chair seats sit at 42–46cm, and chair arms need about 65cm of clearance under the table apron — worth checking if you’re mixing chairs and tables.
| Table shape | Typical size | How the six sit | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangular | 150 × 90cm | 3 per side, or 2 per side + ends | Snug but functional |
| Rectangular | 170–180 × 90–100cm | 3 per side comfortably | The comfortable standard |
| Round | 135–150cm diameter | Evenly spaced | Best conversation; can’t hug a wall |
| Oval / boat | 170–190 × 100cm | 3 per side | Comfortable, softer edges |
| Extending | 135–140cm closed / 180cm+ open | 4 daily, 6 for guests | Best for small patios |
Clearance: the space you really need around the set
A dining chair slides out 45–60cm when someone sits down. From the table edge, allow:
- 60cm — minimum to sit, nothing more
- 75–90cm — comfortable get-in, get-out space
- 110cm+ — if people need to walk behind a seated diner
So a 180 × 100cm table with comfortable clearance occupies 3.3 × 2.5m. On a 3 × 3m patio, a 150–160cm table centred in the space works well; a 180cm table leaves only ~60cm on the short axis — sit-down only, no walking behind. If the set sits under a pergola, remember a 2–2.7m parasol canopy needs around 2.2m of vertical headroom.
Aluminium vs teak vs rattan: the weight and upkeep head-to-head
| Material | Chair weight | Table weight (160–180cm) | Yearly upkeep | Realistic lifespan | 6-seat set price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated aluminium | 4–6kg | 12–22kg | Hose down; touch up chips | 10–15 years | £300–£700 |
| PE rattan on aluminium frame | 5–8kg | 20–35kg | Brush out the weave; store cushions | 5–10 years | £350–£900 |
| FSC teak | 9–14kg | 45–75kg | Greys in 6–12 months; oil 1–2× a year to stay brown | 15–25+ years | £900–£2,500 |
| Painted steel + textilene (budget) | 6–9kg | 18–30kg | Check welds for rust; repaint chips | 3–6 years | £150–£350 |
Aluminium is the one-person-carry option — chairs stack or move easily, and it won’t rust in coastal air. Chips in the coating show as silver marks but don’t spread. Most 6 seater outdoor table and chairs sets in the mid-range are aluminium for this reason.
Teak buys stability and longevity with weight. A 180cm teak table is a two-person lift and typically arrives as a 50–80kg delivery — measure side gates and doorways (80cm+ needed for the box) before ordering. Left alone it weathers to silver-grey, which is cosmetic, not damage; oiling keeps the honey colour but is an annual job.
Rattan (synthetic PE weave over an aluminium frame) sits between the two on weight. The trade-off is UV: cheap flat resin weave fades and cracks in frost within 2–3 winters, while full-round weave on a stated rustproof frame lasts far longer. It’s the material where spec-sheet detail matters most.
Folding garden table and chairs: when space is the priority
A foldable garden table and chairs set is the answer for gardens that double as lawn space or driveways. Folding chairs collapse to 10–15cm thick — six hang on a couple of wall hooks in a shed — and drop-leaf or butterfly tables for six open to 120–160cm.
Know the compromises: folding chairs are typically rated to 100–110kg versus 120–150kg for fixed frames, and the hinges and plastic lock catches are what wear first, usually around year 3–4 of regular use. Teak and aluminium folding designs exist at the higher end; budget bistro-style steel folding sets rarely seat six properly.
Pick by your situation
| Your situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Patio under 3 × 3m, or balcony | 140cm round or extending set | No dead corners; folds down between uses |
| Windy, exposed garden | Teak or steel | A 45kg+ table won’t shift in a gale |
| Renter / likely to move house | Aluminium stacking or folding | Two 5kg chairs fit in a hatchback boot |
| Coastal or very wet climate | Powder-coated aluminium | Salt won’t rust it; cheap steel will bubble |
| Young children | Aluminium + textilene, rounded corners | Wipes clean; avoid glass tops |
| Zero maintenance wanted | Aluminium, or teak you let go grey | Teak only stays brown with annual oiling |
What cheap sets — including Asda garden table and chairs — actually get you
Supermarket seasonal ranges like Asda’s George Home, plus Argos and DIY-shed own lines, put a garden furniture table and 6 chairs bundle at roughly £130–£300. The typical spec is painted steel frames, textilene sling chairs and sometimes a glass-topped table.
That money buys 3–5 decent summers. What fails first is predictable: the sling stitching along the seat edge, the plastic foot caps (wobble follows), and rust at weld joints once the paint chips. Cushions, where included, use thin foam that flattens within a season. If buying at this price, look for “powder-coated” or “e-coated” in the spec rather than just “steel frame”, and check whether spare slings or feet are sold.
Quick answers
Will a six seater garden table and chairs fit on a 3 × 3m patio?
Yes — keep to 150–160cm long, centred, which leaves about 70cm of clearance each side. A 135cm round set works even better since no edge sits close to a boundary.
Can a 6 seater table seat eight?
Occasionally, on an 180cm+ table that’s at least 95cm wide at the ends, using a bench or two slim chairs. For regular eight-person meals, buy 200cm+ instead — squeezing gets old fast.
Do these sets need a cover?
Aluminium and PE rattan survive uncovered but last longer under one (covers run £30–£60 for a 6 seater patio table and chairs set). Teak can stay out all year and simply grey. Cushions should always be stored dry regardless of frame material.
Round or rectangular?
Rectangular seats six more efficiently and can sit near a wall; round is better socially but demands clearance on all sides. If space is marginal, an extending rectangular table is the safest buy.
