Plenty of seating and table space is essential to creating a welcoming and functional patio area. There are a number of patio sets available, like dining sets and lounge sets, to make it easy to find the perfect patio furniture for your space. These sets include perfectly matched tables, chairs, sofas, and more, so you can easily create a cohesive look with all of your furniture pieces working together. However, purchasing a complete set might not be the best choice for you. Maybe you can’t find a set that you love (although we find that hard to believe!), or maybe you fell in love with a chaise lounge and want to mix and match your own furniture to coordinate with that unique accent piece.
Whatever the case may be, curating your own collection of tables and seating can be a difficult task. You need to make sure that your tables and chairs coordinate in both style and size. Height is an extremely important consideration when choosing tables and seating for your backyard. If you try to pair a dining table with bar stools, you’re not going to have a very functional (or aesthetically pleasing) end result. That may seem like common sense, but it is useful to be aware of standard chair and table heights to make your shopping go smoothly.
It is important to consider the height of the chair in relation to the height of the table to ensure that the chairs can be comfortably stored under the table when not in use, and that your guests have enough lap space while sitting around the table. Other variables to consider when it comes to chairs are arm vs. armless, back vs. backless, and stationary vs. swivel. Each of these factors will contribute to finding the most comfortable and space-efficient height for your patio chairs. Armless, backless, and/or stationary patio chairs will typically need less room to operate than arm, back, and/or swivel chairs.
In this guide, we will outline the standard heights for different styles of tables and chairs, and discuss which styles work best together for maximum functionality. The heights mentioned below refer to the distance between the floor and the tabletop, and the distance between the floor and the seat of the chair.
An average outdoor dining table has a standard height of 28 to 30 inches. The height of the table is not dependent on the size of the table top, so this standard height applies to any size dining table, from a large 14-person table to a small bistro table. Dining chairs and bistro chairs are well suited to be paired with these tables, with a standard height of 18 to 26 inches.
Counter height tables and chairs have the same functionality as dining height tables and chairs, but are slightly raised for a different aesthetic and, in some cases, space savings. A counter height table is typically 34 to 36 inches tall, and can be paired with counter height chairs or stools at 24 to 26 inches tall. Counter height chairs and stools can also be used if you have an outdoor counter space that can double as an area for eating or entertaining.
Slightly taller than counter height, the standard height for a bar height table is 40 to 42 inches. Bar height tables are casual and suited to accommodate standing adults, but if you choose to provide seating like bar chairs or bar stools, the typical height is 28 to 30 inches. As with counter height chairs, bar height chairs can also be situated next to an outdoor bar to create an area perfect for entertaining.
Aside from the typical dining options, there are other types of outdoor tables and accompanying seating you can consider for your space. Coffee tables and end tables, for example, are staples of outdoor lounge areas and necessary components of an engaging space. These casual tables have varying heights depending on their functionality, and can be paired with outdoor lounge seating like lounge chairs, sofas, loveseats, and chaise lounges.
The standard heights for these outdoor tables are:
End table: 15 to 19 inches
Coffee table: 15 to 19 inches
Chat table: 20 to 25 inches
Fire pit table: 20 to 25 inches
These sizes are, of course, not set in stone. There is a huge variety of tables and chairs available for your patio space, offered in a huge range of heights depending on your personal preferences. The heights outlined above are simply the standard, or the most common heights you will find in your search.
Comfort, function, and aesthetic are the three most important things to consider when you are choosing patio furniture. While choosing your desired look is pretty straight forward, making sure your patio furniture is of appropriate height and size takes a little special attention. Once you know the standard height of various patio tables and chairs, you are equipped with the knowledge to create your own unique patio set that you can enjoy for years to come.
For more information on patio tables and chairs, visit our Patio Tables Buying Guide, Outdoor Bar Stool Buying Guide, Chaise Lounges Buying Guide, and Tips for Choosing Patio Furniture!
