Outdoor Side Tables and Footrests
A seating area is not finished when the chairs are in place. You still need somewhere to set a drink and a way to put your feet up. This page walks through the tables and footrests in the range, so you can pick the shapes and woods that suit your chairs and your space.
Footrests and footstools
A footrest sits at the foot of a chair and turns an upright seat into a lounger. The Red Cedar Footrest is the simple version: place it in front of the chair and prop your feet on it. It suits anyone with a cedar chair already on the patio.
If your chairs are Adirondack style, a footrest made to match is worth a look. The Red Cedar Adirondack Footrest is built from solid 2 x 4s and thick wooden slats, held with zinc-plated screws. It is described as light, which helps when you want to move it around the deck.
Treated pine gives you two more options. The Treated Pine Footstool is a general-purpose piece that the maker says works with its swings, chairs, benches and gliders. The Treated Pine Folding Adirondack Footstool folds, so it is the one to consider if you want to tuck it away between uses.
End tables
End tables sit between or beside chairs and hold the everyday things: a glass, a book, a phone. The Treated Pine Square End Table is 14" by 14", a compact size that fits into tight spots next to a single chair. It can stand alone or join a group of matching furniture.
If you want a little more storage, the Treated Pine Rectangular End Table has a shelf, which gives you a second level for things you want close but out of the way. The Red Cedar End Table is the plain, practical choice in cedar, a good starting point for a cedar set.
Round tables
A round table softens a corner and has no edges to catch on as you walk past. It works well between two chairs or beside a bench. The Red Cedar Round Table has a shelf, so snacks and drinks go on top and everything else goes below.
The Treated Pine Round Table is a lighter-touch option in pine. It suits a seating area where you want a gentle shape to balance straight-edged chairs and benches.
Coffee tables
A coffee table is the centre of a group. It suits a larger setting, where several chairs or a bench and chairs face each other and people share food and drinks. The Red Cedar Coffee Table is described as sturdy enough to hold glasses and plates without trouble, which is what you want when you are hosting.
The Treated Pine Coffee Table is pitched as the centrepiece of a group. Choose it when your other pieces are pine and you want the set to look like it belongs together.
How to choose
- Match the wood. Red cedar and treated pine are different materials. Pairing a table with chairs in the same wood keeps the set looking consistent.
- Match the style. If your chairs are Adirondack, the Adirondack footrest and footstool are made for them.
- Measure the gap. Check the space between chairs before you pick an end table. The 14" by 14" square is the only size given, so measure the others against your own layout.
- Think about shelves. The rectangular end table and the cedar round table both have a shelf, which adds storage in a small footprint.
- Think about moving things. If you rearrange often, a light cedar footrest or a folding footstool is easier to shift or store.
Questions people ask
Do the tables and footrests need to match my chairs?
No, but matching wood and style makes a tidier result. Mixing cedar and pine can work, but the colours and finish will differ.
Which table suits a small patio?
A compact end table, such as the 14" by 14" square, is the easiest to fit. A round table also helps because it has no corners.
Can one footrest serve several chairs?
Yes, since all of them are freestanding and can be moved. They are best placed at the foot of the chair in use.
How do I look after the wood?
Follow the maker's care instructions for your piece. Check them before you buy if you want to know how much upkeep to expect.