Outdoor Side Tables

The right outdoor side table quietly earns its keep. It gives you somewhere to rest a cold drink, a book or your phone, right where you're already sitting. Our outdoor furniture is made to slot into your outdoor living space without fuss, in the kind of colours and shapes that feel like you.

Every piece is chosen to make considered design attainable for real Australian and New Zealand homes, sitting comfortably between discount prices and boutique exclusivity. That's the space Early Settler has always worked in.

An outdoor side table sits taller and to the side of your seat, close enough to reach a drink without leaning. A coffee table sits lower and central, shared by everyone around it.

Both belong in the same setting, just doing different jobs. Side tables work as outdoor accent tables beside a single chair, while a low central table anchors a group. A larger outdoor dining table is a different piece again, made for meals rather than resting a cup.

We have sorted this out for plenty of homes since opening in Melbourne in 1985.

Metal is the most weather-resistant all-rounder for most Australian conditions, which is why it anchors our range. Ceramic handles sun and heat well, while timber suits a covered or sheltered spot.

Match the piece to where it will actually live:

• Metal – Powder-coated metal and aluminium frames shrug off rain and coastal air, the safe pick for exposed decks and balconies.
• Ceramic – A glazed ceramic top takes heat and sun without fading, ideal for a bright, open patio.
• Timber – Our acacia and reclaimed teak pieces use natural, sustainably sourced timber, best kept under cover or in a sheltered corner.
• Plastic – Lightweight plastic and polypropylene pieces move easily and rinse clean, handy for changeable weather.
• Other options – Concrete and terrazzo look heavy and stay cold, while natural rattan wears quickly outdoors unless it is a synthetic weave.

The best outdoor side table matches the height of your seat, fits the space you have, and suits how often you will move it. Get those three right and the rest is personal taste.

A few things worth weighing up before you decide:

• Height matters most, so aim for a table close to the arm or seat height of your outdoor lounge for an easy reach.
• Footprint should suit the spot, with a small outdoor side table for a tight balcony and something larger for an open deck.
• Shape changes how a piece sits in a corner, where a round table softens things and a square, rectangle or oval works better against a wall.
• Weight is worth a thought if you like to rearrange, since lighter pieces shift easily between sun and shade.

Pieces like these are built to outlast fast-furniture, backed by our product quality guarantee.

Styling an outdoor seating area comes down to colour and grouping. A side table is your chance to add a bit of personality without repainting a single thing.

The finishing touches are where a space starts to feel like yours:

• A bold colour lifts a neutral setting, so a butter-yellow or orange piece adds warmth beside grey or sand outdoor sofas.
• Pair two tables at slightly different heights for a relaxed, layered look between your outdoor lounge chairs.
• Keep a soft, sunny palette by the pool, where gentle greens and pinks sit easily next to sun lounges.
• Style to a mood, with earthy tones for a grounded, Earthed feel or lighter shades for a Coastal Country look.
• Repeat one colour through your outdoor decor so cushions, planters and tabletops feel connected.

A side table is often the piece that pulls a space together, but it rarely works alone. Think about what sits around it too.

Outdoor rugs warm up a hard floor, while outdoor lamps and outdoor ceiling fans make an evening outside easy to linger over. For shade and shelter, outdoor umbrellas, gazebos and pergolas turn a patch of yard into a proper room.

Browse the outdoor side tables online, then see them in person at one of our 60+ stores across Australia and New Zealand, where our team can help you match a piece to your space.

Yes, if the material suits it. Metal and ceramic tables handle year-round exposure on an open deck or balcony. Timber and plastic pieces last longer kept under cover or brought inside during harsh weather and long wet spells.

Most outdoor side tables clean up with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Wipe metal and ceramic tops whenever they need it, and rinse plastic pieces easily. Timber benefits from an occasional coat of oil to keep it looking its best.

A taller outdoor side table can double as a small coffee table beside one or two seats, though it sits higher than a true coffee table. For a shared central surface, a lower, wider coffee table suits the job better.

Yes. Outdoor side tables move indoors easily, and their weather-resistant materials make them practical beside a sofa, bed or reading chair. A ceramic or timber piece in particular blends into most indoor rooms without looking out of place.

Outdoor side tables generally stand between 40 and 60cm, close to the arm height of most seats. Our range runs from around 28 to 50cm, so you can match a shorter piece to a low lounge or a taller one to a standard chair.