Keep your drinks, books, and suncream close at hand with our curated directory of outdoor side tables. Earthly Treasures acts as a sustainable search engine, curating pieces from sustainable UK brands. Our platform showcases a diverse range of materials and brands, allowing you to discover small accent tables utilising anything from natural glazed terracotta and lightweight bio-resins to powder-coated reclaimed metals and weatherproof recycled plastics. Since every individual manufacturer brings a unique design philosophy and material composition to their workshop, our directory lets you compare diverse options side by side. Find a functional, texture-rich accent piece to perfectly complement your garden lounger or sofa.
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Buying Guide
An outdoor side table might seem like a small purchase, but it is one of the most useful things you can add to a garden to complement your outdoor seating. Somewhere to put a drink, a book or a plant pot without stretching or standing up changes how relaxed lounging actually feels on your outdoor sofa or lounger.
Because side tables are small and lightweight, they can move easily around the garden to follow sun or shade. This also means a folding side table stored indoors when not in use gets far less weather exposure than a fixed piece, which can meaningfully extend its life. A table that spends six months of the year under cover lasts considerably longer than one left outside year-round.
For material, powder coated recycled aluminium is the most practical option for a side table that lives outdoors most of the year. It is light enough to carry with one hand, completely rust proof and needs no treatment. FSC certified teak is the warmer looking option and develops a beautiful silver grey patina if left to weather naturally. Both hold up well in the UK without requiring much effort.
Every brand featured in our outdoor side tables edit goes through our 8 lens sustainability review before it reaches this page. You can read the full breakdown for each brand over on our blog.
Technical and Sustainability FAQs
Q: What material is best for an outdoor side table in the UK?
A: For a side table that stays outside through the British summer, powder coated aluminium is the most practical choice. It is lightweight, rustproof in all weathers and needs nothing beyond an occasional wipe down. FSC certified teak is a strong second option if you prefer the look of natural wood. Teak weathers beautifully and does not need to be brought indoors in winter. Avoid untreated softwoods, which rot quickly outdoors, and uncoated steel, which rusts. For a more occasional piece that comes inside when not in use, a wider range of materials becomes practical because the weather exposure is much more limited.
Q: Can I leave a garden side table outside all year in the UK?
A: Teak and powder coated aluminium can both stay outside through a typical UK winter without structural damage. For teak, an autumn application of teak oil before the wet months helps maintain the surface. For aluminium, a quick clean to remove organic debris before winter reduces staining. Eucalyptus and other hardwoods benefit from a breathable furniture cover during extended cold periods. The main thing to protect in winter is not the table frame itself but any attached fabric, cushions or non weatherproof finishes. A breathable cover that allows moisture to escape is preferable to a sealed plastic sheet, which traps condensation.
Q: Are folding outdoor tables less durable than fixed ones?
A: Not necessarily, but they are often a smarter choice. A folding table that is stored indoors or in a shed for the months you are not using it gets significantly less weather exposure than a fixed piece left outside year round. That reduced exposure directly extends the life of the finish, the joints and any mechanical parts. The key thing to check with folding tables is the hinge or locking mechanism. Look for solid metal fittings rather than plastic clips, which become brittle with repeated temperature changes. A well made folding side table can outlast a cheaper fixed alternative by several years.
