STORY
Australian outdoor living has always drawn its rhythm from the surrounding landscape, from coastal decks catching the evening light to quiet garden courtyards shaded by eucalypts. Choosing the right outdoor dining furniture is what turns these spaces into a true sanctuary for gathering. Kett Furniture designs pieces to feel like a natural extension of the garden, blending considered form with enduring materials.
This guide walks through the practical decisions behind creating nature-connected outdoor entertaining spaces, from sizing your setting to selecting materials suited to Australian conditions.
Wye Dining Table for outdoor space
Before choosing outdoor dining furniture, measure the available space and consider how people will move around it. As a general guide, allow about one metre of clearance behind each chair so guests can push back comfortably without crowding the table. Walkways to the kitchen or garden should stay clear too, so serving food never feels like an obstacle course.
Think about how the space connects to the garden or view beyond. Outdoor dining sets positioned to frame greenery or a horizon line create a stronger sense of place than furniture pushed against a wall. A rectangular table often suits a long deck, while a round table can soften a smaller courtyard and make conversation easier across the group.
Allow roughly 60 to 65 centimetres of table width per person when selecting outdoor dining chairs. For six to eight guests, a table between 1.8 and 2.4 metres works well, paired with dining chairs outdoors that are lightweight enough to reposition for conversation or shade.
Armchairs at either end of the table add a natural focal point, while side chairs keep the rest of the setting streamlined. If the space doubles as a thoroughfare, choose outdoor dining chairs that tuck neatly under the table when not in use.
Addis Teak Extension Table for dining comfort
Australian conditions demand a lot of outdoor dining furniture, from harsh UV exposure to coastal salt air and sudden storms. Selecting the right materials keeps these pieces looking refined season after season.
ett Furniture uses teak, aluminium, durable fabrics and ceramic tabletops in its outdoor dining collection, with materials selected for strength, weather resilience and lasting beauty. Australian-designed outdoor dining furniture also needs to handle rapid temperature swings, so joinery and finishes matter as much as the raw material itself.
Mixing materials thoughtfully, rather than matching everything exactly, gives outdoor dining sets a curated, considered feel. A timber table with aluminium-framed dining chairs, for example, balances warmth with easy-care practicality.
Wye Armchair with a black powder-coated frame and upholstered seat cushion
Regional climate shapes how outdoor entertaining spaces are used throughout the year. Two of Kett’s key markets, Melbourne and Brisbane, call for quite different approaches to alfresco dining.
In Melbourne, outdoor dining furniture often needs to suit both warm evenings and cooler shoulder seasons. Retractable shade, layered textiles and furniture that can transition indoors support year-round alfresco dining.
In Brisbane, outdoor dining furniture needs to feel at ease through humidity, summer storms and frequent alfresco use. Ventilated seating, quick-drying textiles and covered dining areas help these spaces stay usable right through the wet season.
Regular care keeps these pieces performing well against Australian weather. A light clean with mild soap and water each season removes salt residue, pollen and dust before it affects finishes. Rinsing with fresh water after coastal storms is especially worthwhile for furniture near the beach.
Kett furniture is designed to last, to be cherished and passed down through generations, with construction carefully considered through handmade techniques that hold up to genuine outdoor use.
Oil timber surfaces roughly twice a year, check aluminium fittings for corrosion near coastal sites, and store or cover cushions during extended wet periods. Small habits like these help preserve the quality, finish and comfort of your outdoor dining furniture collections for years to come.
Addis Teak Extension Table for dining comfort
Thoughtful planning, considered materials and a little seasonal care are what turn outdoor dining furniture into a lasting part of how you entertain. Outdoor pieces in Kett’s dining furniture range are designed to sit naturally within entertaining spaces across the country.
Kett furniture is available exclusively through Cosh Living showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, where you can experience the quality firsthand. Explore the collection or visit your nearest Cosh Living showrooms to find your perfect outdoor dining setting.
Learn more
1 / 337 Bay Road
Cheltenham VIC 3192
03 9532 0464
melbourne@coshliving.com
Level 6, 600 Church Street
Richmond VIC 3121
03 9281 1999
melbourne@coshliving.com
Level 1, Suite 14-15
69 O’Riordan Street,
Alexandria NSW 2015
02 9317 3011
sydney@coshliving.com
130 Arthur Street
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
07 3666 0377
brisbane@coshliving.com
21 King Edward Road
Osborne Park WA 6017
08 9415 2522
perth@coshliving.com
